Description
This publication is a basic guide outlining the standard practices and procedures for planning, building, and finishing interior or exterior concrete flatwork (sidewalks, driveways, patios, floors) and steps. It includes information pertaining to material selection and construction practices. While intended primarily for concrete finishers and concrete finisher apprentices, the information contained in this guide will benefit homebuilders, contractors, architects, engineers, landscape architects, homeowners, vocational education students, specification writers, inspectors, and others. This guide is provided in both metric and inch-pound units to allow for use in government projects as well as public works.
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
QUALITY CONCRETE
-What is Quality Concrete?
-Materials Selection
-Cement
-Aggregates
-Supplementary Cementitious Materials
-Chemical Admixtures
-Water-Cement Ratio, Strength, and Durability
-Water-Cement Ratio
-Strength
-Durability
-Workability and Slump
-Air Entrainment and Freeze-Thaw Resistance
-Significance of Exposure
-Preventing Damage Due to Deicing Chemicals
PRECONSTRUCTION CHECKLIST
-Necessary Tools
-Placement Preparation
-Placing and Finishing
-Curing
-Subgrade
-Subbase Drainage
-Moisture Protection for Interior Slabs
-Formwork
-Reinforcement
-Conventional Steel Reinforcement
-Fibers
-Joint Design
-Isolation Joints
-Contraction Joints
-Construction Joints
-Desired Finish
-Exterior Concrete
-Interior Concrete
WORKING SAFELY WITH CONCRETE
FINISHING CONCRETE – STEP BY STEP
Step 1: Subgrade Preparation
Step 2: Setting Forms
Step 3: Placing Concrete
Step 4: Strike-off
Step 5: Darbying or Bullfloating
Step 6: Edging
Step 7: Jointing
Step 8: Waiting Period
Step 9: Floating
Step 10: Troweling
- Hand Finishes
- Machine-Applied Finishes
Step 11: Curing
- Wet Curing
- Membrane Curing
Step 12: Protection
BUILDING CONCRETE STEPS
Step 1: Subgrade Preparation
Step 2: Layout
Step 3: Formwork
Step 4: Placement
Step 5: Strike-off
Step 6: Wait
Step 7: Floating and Edging
Step 8: Tread Finishing
Step 9: Form Removal and Formed-Surface Finishing
Step 10: Curing
HOT AND COLD WEATHER PRECAUTIONS
HOT WEATHER PRECAUTIONS
COLD WEATHER PRECAUTIONS
PREVENTING SURFACE DEFECTS
Dusting
Signs
Causes
Prevention
Repair
Blisters
Signs
Causes
Prevention
Repair
Delaminations
Signs
Causes
Prevention
Repair
Scaling
Signs
Causes
Prevention
Repair
Popouts
Signs
Causes
Prevention
Repair
Crazing
Signs
Causes
Prevention
Repair
Cracking
Signs
Causes
Prevention
Repair
Discoloration
Signs
Causes
Prevention
Repair
What Surface Quality is Acceptable?
APPENDIX
Frequently Asked Questions
Building Tips for Trouble-Free Concrete Slabs
Estimating the Volume of Concrete
Related PCA Publications
Index