Concrete Work Tips - What's the Technology All About
This type of work involves a certain sequence of stages. Initially, concrete is mixed. The main component is cement, which is selected based on specific characteristics.
The option of large aggregate is crushed stone, gravel, which makes concrete cheaper and gives the structure the required strength class.
Fine aggregate is sand, used in purified form or with various additives. Mixing of these ingredients is carried out using water.
The proportions of the components depend on the brand of cement. For example, for brand 300, 1 kg of cement, 1.9 kg of sand and 3.7 kg of crushed stone are required. Then, briefly, the whole process can be characterized as follows:
Cleaning and preparing the base
Remove debris, dust and dirt, and if there are oil stains, treat with a degreaser. Also clean the reinforcement elements. The cement film must be removed from the surface of the finished mortar.
Pouring concrete
The process of supplying the solution can be carried out in several ways. The first is unloading directly onto the formwork. This is possible in cases where a special mixer has access to the site. The second method is trough transportation. In this situation, special guides in the form of pipe or board cuts are used when laying concrete. In this case, the mass is fed to the trough manually. Walls or columns are poured only by a concrete pump truck.
Leveling the mixture
In the process, it is necessary to use shovels or other devices that ensure the movement of the solution only horizontally. This should be done as quickly as possible, since the structure can be damaged if the concrete hardens quickly. Uniform filling can be ensured by beacons, reinforcement bars, and a frame installed in advance.
Sealing
This is the final process and requires a construction vibrator. You can buy it in a specialized store or make it yourself. The duration of concrete vibration treatment per area segment is from 5 to 15 seconds.
The final stage is surface rubbing. It is performed with a special smoothing machine to obtain a smooth surface. This process should be started after the structure has dried and gained strength.
Shortcomings in concrete work: what to pay attention to
To avoid problems and mistakes when concreting, it is worth remembering some of the most common mistakes:
- Incorrect calculation of the concrete mix. To determine the amount of finished material, you need to use the volume formula - width, height, length. With non-traditional forms of construction, the task is more complicated. Therefore, when buying components or ordering a ready-made concrete mix, it is best to do this with a reserve.
- Incorrect mixing. Failure to comply with the proportions of concrete leads to a deterioration in the strength and durability of the material. Poor mixing of ingredients causes the appearance of voids in the structure, resulting in cracks. The quality of the source material is also important.
- Incorrect selection of concrete grade. Each material marking assumes a specific area of application. When preparing the solution yourself, you should inquire about these parameters and ask for advice from specialists. Otherwise, an error in selection can lead to rapid destruction of the object.
- Poor quality of the base for concrete. In addition to cleaning the surface, you need to take care of good drainage and waterproofing. Otherwise, moisture will accumulate under the structure, causing cracks and fractures.
Lack of special knowledge is another problem that home craftsmen often face. When concreting, it is important to correctly install the formwork, use reinforcement, select the main components for the mixture and specialized additives.
In the absence of such knowledge and skills, it is advisable to seek help from a construction company through which you can order the services of professional concrete workers. Only in this case will the concrete be a high-quality foundation for the building, ensuring its durability for years.
