Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Concrete Placement
1. Explain the operations covered by the following terms, and discuss the significance of these
operations.
a. Retempering – adding extra water (within the permissible water/cement ratio) just
before placement and remixing the concrete mixture thoroughly. Retempering is not
recommended in most construction practices because the addition of water is often
unmeasured and excessive. The resulting high water/cement ratio leads to weaker
concrete.
b. Revibration – vibration of the concrete one or two hours after initial consolidation to
ensure that successive pours are integrated (welded) together. Revibration helps to
remove cracks, voids, or weak areas caused by settlement or bleeding, especially
around reinforcing steel or other embedded materials.
c. Screeding – removal of excess concrete and fill in low areas of the surface. This is
accomplished by pulling a straight edge (usually 2x piece of wood) across the surface
of the concrete, using a saw-like motion.
d. Bullfloating – using a wood or magnesium bullfloat to smooth the concrete surface
and push large aggregates slightly below the concrete surface so they are well
embedded into the concrete matrix.
3. Suggest at least two methods by which you can reduce “bleeding” of a concrete mixture.
a. Increase the cement content
b. Use mineral admixtures and air entrainment
c. Use high C3A-high alkali cements
4. Define the following phenomena and give their significance and the factors affecting them.
a. Slump loss – the loss of consistency in fresh concrete over time, results from gradual
stiffening and setting of hydrated Portland cement paste.
i. Significance – slump loss could…
1. Require an increase in mixer drum torque
2. Require extra water in the mixer or job site
3. Cause hang-up of concrete within the drum of a truck mixer
4. Cause difficulty in pumping and placing concrete
5. Require extra labor for placement and finishing operations
6. Lead to loss of production and quality of workmanship
7. Lead to loss of strength, durability and other properties when
retempering water is excessive or not thoroughly mixed.
ii. Factors – the use of abnormal-setting cement, unusually long time for
mixing, conveying, placement, compaction, or finishing, high ambient
temperature, excessive heat of hydration
b. Segregation (traditionally of dry mixtures) – separation of mortar from the body of
the concrete (aggregates)
i. Significance - If a concrete mix segregates, then full compaction cannot be
achieved and the concrete won’t be able to attain its maximum strength
potential.