Although concrete is one of the strongest building materials available, it can be surprisingly fragile, particularly when it is being installed and poured. Concrete is vulnerable to UV damage and other types of deterioration even after it has been poured and set.
Regretfully, if the concrete placing & finishing equipment usage was done poorly in the first place, these damages may happen more frequently.
Research in structural engineering has found connections between earthquake-resilient concrete buildings and the right building materials. More than that, however, improper concrete placement lowers a structure’s overall usefulness and durability.
Car accidents can occur from damaged concrete driveways, and building collapse can result from improperly built concrete columns.
Reasons for Improper Concrete Installation
One of the main reasons buildings collapse in the US is poor concrete installation. A study conducted over 11 years on 225 building failures found that poor craftsmanship and design flaws were the main reasons for building collapses.
However, other elements contribute to these unfavorable situations. The following are common causes of improper concrete setting during installation.
1. Unfavorable weather
For concrete to set correctly, it needs to be heated and dry. For structural elements like the foundation and support pillars, this is particularly crucial.
Unfavorable meteorological phenomena, such as downpours and floods, have the potential to submerge concrete structures, hence diminishing the overall strength of the material. Because of this, knowledgeable concrete contractors and installers exercise extreme caution.
2. Incorrect water
Even though too much water can negatively impact the strength of your concrete structures, it is still necessary to make concrete moldable and viscous. To make the concrete lasting, however, you must ensure that contractors use the proper kind of water.
Research on structures that have collapsed after earthquakes has shown that saltwater, when combined with other aggregates and sea sand, is particularly prone to collapsing. This is due to the fact that the salt in the water eats away at the metal bars in the concrete, rupturing pillars and cracking walls.
Make sure your contractors are not utilizing water with a high salt content if you reside near the ocean to prevent this from happening to your building.
3. Subpar Substances
In addition to water, you also need to make sure that the other ingredients used to pour the concrete are of the highest caliber. As an illustration, the sand you mix with the concrete must be fine and free of other particles.
Additionally, the concrete forms your contractor pours must be sturdy and well-made. Your structure may buckle or deform in shape as a result of poor concrete forms.
Lastly, the concrete’s embedded steel support rods and other like elements must be optimized for the structure. If any of these materials are used insufficiently, the finished structure’s strength could be compromised.
4. Inadequate Methodology
The competence of those pouring the concrete is the last element that could result in subpar job. Not every contractor uses people skilled enough to determine when the weather is ideal for pouring concrete.
Not every builder is patient enough to create long-lasting concrete forms. To save time or increase their budgets, some dishonest contractors could also attempt to take shortcuts.
It is just as important to find a reputable contractor that is knowledgeable and trustworthy to complete the job completely as it is to stop water intrusion.
An Effective Concrete Pour Management Plan
Effective Scheduling and Planning
Project managers can set goals, assign resources, and draft thorough schedules. This keeps things peaceful and guarantees that the concrete pouring process well coordinated.
Appropriate Resource Distribution
Tracking the availability and consumption of aggregates, additives, concrete mixtures, and other pouring-related products is made easier with an ideal design. You may cut expenses and waste by preventing shortages and overordering by keeping a close eye on your inventory.
Time and Money Savings
Project managers can arrange pours in the best possible order with the help of a solid concrete pour management strategy. Consequently, this reduces idle time and increases output. Figuring out how many laborers, tools, and supplies are best for each pour is considerably simpler.
Through enhanced productivity and decreased lead times, the program assists in managing expenses and guarantees project completion on schedule.
Monitoring and Reporting in Real Time
You may decide what form of concrete testing would be most appropriate for your project with the aid of a well-thought-out plan. For instance, thermocouples, concrete sensors, break tests, etc.
Furthermore, real-time concrete monitoring is possible thanks to concrete placing & finishing equipment like wireless concrete sensors. With information on temperature, strength, and other factors, this aids in monitoring the curing process.
Project managers can use this information to recognize possible problems and take quick action on them.
Working together and communicating
The collaboration of many parties involved in the concrete pouring process is facilitated by the availability of real-time data. Similarly, efficient communication and information sharing between project managers, site supervisors, suppliers, and field personnel can boost coordination and raise the general efficiency of concrete projects.
Control of Quality
Throughout the pouring process, a concrete pour management plan aids in upholding quality requirements. Accurate measurement of slump tests, concrete mix proportions, and other quality control parameters are made possible by it.
Ensuring adherence to the correct specifications lowers the possibility of structural problems, guarantees longevity, and minimizes the need for rework.
