Global building materials solutions supplier CEMEX is proud to present VIABASE, an engineered Asphalt Concrete specifically designed for use in the construction of housing estate roads. Perfectly timed to support construction companies as they strive to meet the government’s ambition to increase levels of housebuilding, VIABASE meets the challenges faced
One of the South’s leading construction sector groups, The LGW Group, has recently acquired Mexboro Concrete based in Paignton, Devon. Trading for over forty years and specialising in the manufacture of pre-cast concrete, the recent acquisition of Mexboro takes the LGW Group’s combined annual turnover to over £25 million. The
Tilt-Up constructions allow the building to be more durable, but you need to know how it works, how long it has been used, and when not to use it. Tilt-Up constructions have become a ubiquitous way of building these days. It uses concrete and Design-Build methods to make the whole
Building materials supplier CEMEX is providing over 40,000 tonnes of a complicated lining spray concrete for the construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel, the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken by the UK water industry. The Tunnel is being built to upgrade London’s sewer system to cope with its growing population.
Building materials supplier CEMEX has provided Vertua low carbon concrete for a new office development in the Climate Innovation District in Leeds. The Vertua Classic concrete, which offers a 30 – 50 per cent CO2 reduction versus a standard mix, has been used for the foundations of the three-storey building,
As we collectively begin to map our recovery from the Covid-19 crisis, the ways the UK will achieve the target of net-zero carbon by 2050 is coming into sharper focus. Here Elaine Toogood, head of architecture at MPA The Concrete Centre and contributor to built environment event Futurebuild explores the
Concrete is a material that has long been used for industrial buildings and home construction for several decades. It is one of the most durable materials that is used for building projects. But did you know that it has numerous uses aside from conventional construction projects? Concrete can be used
Concrete forms are designed to withstand heavy loads, but they aren’t invincible. That’s why it’s important for contractors to avoid placing excessive and unnecessary pressure on their forms when pouring concrete. Until concrete cures, it behaves like a liquid. That means it exerts hydrostatic pressure on the forms into which
If you’re taking your DIY game to the next level and have your sights set on cementing the base for your own shed, read these tips before you start. Once you know how to pour concrete, you’ll find that you can quickly increase the value of your home, should you
The workers take special care while preparing ready-mix concrete in the factory. It is prepared with a batching plant, under specific temperature and conditions. This plant produces the ready-mix concrete in the unhardened and mixed state. The experts of the construction industry use it in various types of products. The
Global building materials solutions supplier CEMEX is proud to present VIABASE, an engineered Asphalt Concrete specifically designed for use in the construction of housing estate roads. Perfectly timed to support construction companies as they strive to meet the government’s ambition to increase levels of housebuilding, VIABASE meets the challenges faced by roads on housing developments, where the final surface course is only laid once all building work has been finished. While the use of standard materials can run the risk of damage to the asphalt as they are exposed to the rigours of construction traffic, VIABASE uses carefully graded aggregate and a high binder content to ensure it is more able to resist the impact of these heavy vehicles. Providing a smooth, dense surface finish, VIABASE is resistant to deformation and less prone to fretting & ravelling. Additionally, the product’s close surface texture allows for easier cleaning once construction has been completed prior to the final application of surface course. VIABASE will also help housing developments to meet the requirements detailed by the government in its construction playbook, which has asked for the industry to move towards sustainable solutions that are high performing, with longevity at the core of decisions when specifying. As well as roads on housing developments, VIABASE is also ideally suited to other areas that are used by heavy duty vehicles, such as farm roads and tracks, large parking areas and industrial construction sites. “The government has been clear that housebuilding levels need to increase, with an aim for 300,000 new houses a year to be delivered. To meet this demand, our construction customers need quality, resilient products that offer solutions to specific issues that arise at these developments,” said Carl Platt, Director of Asphalt, Paving, and Building Products for Europe. “With VIABASE, we are pleased to offer a way to ensure the longevity of housing development roads, which standard materials struggle to provide if the surface course is not placed soon after. VIABASE provides a highly durable, low maintenance surface which will meet the challenges presented by heavy duty vehicles and prevent long term problems in the overall pavement construction.”
One of the South’s leading construction sector groups, The LGW Group, has recently acquired Mexboro Concrete based in Paignton, Devon. Trading for over forty years and specialising in the manufacture of pre-cast concrete, the recent acquisition of Mexboro takes the LGW Group’s combined annual turnover to over £25 million. The addition of Mexboro complements the other LGW Group companies, namely Wright Minimix, Bristol & Bath Concrete, Prodeck-Fixing and Chris Brown Concrete Pumps – giving the Group an even stronger foothold in the South West of England and Wales. “Mexboro has a fantastic reputation in the industry as a company with well-established values and quality products so to bring them into the LGW Group was a fairly easy decision to make. They are the perfect fit for us” remarked Len Wright, MD of the LGW Group. The company will continue to trade under the Mexboro Concrete name in Paignton and the majority of their twenty plus workforce will be staying on with a handful of administrative functions moving to the LGW Group headquarters in Bristol. Mexboro MD Matthew Vallance will also remain with the business in a part-time capacity bringing his years of experience in the industry to the Group. The addition of two new apprentices, already being advertised for, and the potential for more recruitment into the business will grow the pre-cast concrete division of the Group. Further investment for the Group is forecasted with the potential addition of a new concrete plant to make this new area of the business more efficient, as well as giving them a more varied product offering by utilising the skills of the other Group companies. The LGW Group companies provide a one-stop shop for both commercial and domestic construction projects across Southern England and Wales with services ranging from the production and sale of ready-mix concrete and concrete blocks; concrete pumps for hire, including the UK’s largest M60 and M62 boom pumps; metal decking and now pre-cast concrete and architectural cast stone.
Tilt-Up constructions allow the building to be more durable, but you need to know how it works, how long it has been used, and when not to use it. Tilt-Up constructions have become a ubiquitous way of building these days. It uses concrete and Design-Build methods to make the whole structure more durable, sustainable, and efficient. Each year, about 650 million square feet of buildings are built by using tilt-up construction. So, if you are building a new home, it would be wise to choose the tilt-up construction method. It will put up the building quicker than any other methods you can think of. But to start the tilt-up construction, you need to know some basics like how it works, how effective it is, and what benefits you will receive. The Working Process Of Tilt-Up Construction First, a large structure is made from wood, rebar, and concrete. Later, that structure is carried to the construction site and acts as the building’s exterior wall. The concrete walls are tilted up into place by a crane or a pulley. After preparing all the walls, they are then tilted into a position and act as the foundational footings. Each of these foundations is kept in place with large wooden pillars until a roof is placed on top of it and gives the whole structure a steady form. Later, concrete is poured into the gaps and the connecting parts of the walls and the roof to make the whole building sturdy and durable. Tilt-Up construction companies are experts in creating retaining walls, and the famous company Fasttilt has its own unique wall, the fast retaining wall. When Did Tilt-up Construction Become Popular Although the method may seem new and advanced to some, this method has been used since the beginning of large construction projects. There was no crane back in those days, so they depended on pulleys or lever systems. The method was popularized in the 1900s when large commercial buildings started using it and a popular magazine called “Concrete Construction” gave it the name Tilt-Up Construction. This became a modern method for building large constructions after World War Two. That is because there were fewer people to work for construction, and people needed machines and techniques to create large buildings. In the present day, with the help of computers and AI-based construction designs, Tilt-Up Construction has become more popular as it is now much safer, efficient, and less time-consuming compared to other construction methods. How Good Is It Compared To Other Construction Methods? We have talked about the popularity and the effectiveness of tilt-up construction, but how good is it? If we compare this to some other construction methods, we can get an idea of its effectiveness. Here is a list of other construction methods and how tilt-up construction is better than them. 1. Wooden Frame Construction A time-consuming method that is also labor-intensive. Although the initial building cost is low, the added cost of additional labor eliminates that benefit. On the other hand, Tilt-up construction is less time-consuming and requires less labor. 2. Steel Beam Construction This method is too costly, but sometimes, it is more durable than tilt-up constructions. The only time you should pick steel beam constructions is when you are constructing large high-rise buildings. 3. Prefabricated Steel Frame Construction This is a cheaper method than tilt-up, but there are design limitations, and not many buildings can be constructed with this method. By looking at these methods, we can see that these methods are extremely situational. On the other hand, tilt-up construction has a much better generalist use and can help with any situation. Therefore, Tilt-Up is a much better choice than these in most cases. Major Benefits Of Tilt-Up Construction Here are the significant benefits that make tilt-up construction so useful- 1. Cost-Effective This method is extremely cost-effective compared to other construction methods. It saves money in requiring less labor and can be done with cheaper materials yet yields high durable buildings. The main ingredients you need are concrete and rebar, which is very common compared to steel beams and other complex components. 2. Time Efficient This method also saves a lot of time. The concrete panels that give the building structure can be made within two or three days at best. As the concrete panels can ready the building’s structure faster, laborers can build the roof sooner, which will also be done more quickly. Last, setting up all the things can also be done in two days. This saves up a lot of time. 3. Saves Energy The tilt-up method saves money and time and saves energy, and is considered much more environmentally friendly. The walls are made of concrete and act as an excellent insulator, and it is possible to create walls with enhanced thermal properties. When Should Tilt-up Construction Be Avoided? Although Tilt-Up Construction seems like the best all-rounder method, it also has some flaws and sometimes falls behind other construction methods. For example, you might not always want concrete structures. A barn or a warehouse can be built easily with the prefabricated steel method. It is also not effective if the building is far too big such as skyscrapers. They are done better with steel beam methods because it would not lift the concrete panels that high up. Each project differs from one another, and there are specific construction methods for these projects that outshine other construction methods. So it is best to consider the building type before choosing a construction method. Final Thoughts Although there are multiple construction choices, and each serves its own purpose, Tilt-Up can be a better overall construction method used in almost all cases. Hopefully, this article has shown you the benefits of this method, and for your next building project, you should definitely try tilt-up methods if it meets all your requirements.
Building materials supplier CEMEX is providing over 40,000 tonnes of a complicated lining spray concrete for the construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel, the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken by the UK water industry. The Tunnel is being built to upgrade London’s sewer system to cope with its growing population. Currently, London relies on a 150-year-old sewer system built for a population less than half its current size. As a result, during periods of heavy rain, the current infrastructure can become overwhelmed. The new 25km tunnel will intercept, store and transfer sewage waste away from the River Thames. Starting in Acton, west London, the Thames Tideway Tunnel will travel through the heart of London at depths of between 30 and 60 metres, using gravity to transfer waste eastwards and be processed and dealt with in a modern state of the art facility. “The Tideway project is one of incredible scale which will solve serious capacity issues with London’s sewer system and have considerable benefits for the area’s wildlife and population, while also creating jobs, a rejuvenated river economy and new areas of public space. This is a serious piece of engineering, and we’re proud to be working with world-class contractors to build this key infrastructure in the most sustainable and cost-effective way possible for one of the world’s greatest cities,” said Sergio Menendez, President of CEMEX Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia. CEMEX’s primary lining spray concrete is being used for the shafts and launch tunnels in the central part of the project – a 12.5km stretch of the tunnel moving under central London which is being constructed by a joint venture between Ferrovial Construction and Laing O’Rourke (FLO). The concrete is sprayed from bottom to top in one continuous operation until the shaft wall is complete. An extremely complicated mix is required, consisting of eight separate constituents which when combined give ultra-high strength of +60n/mm2, consistency of 600mm flow and a workability retention of two hours. “CEMEX’s primary lining spray concrete provided a good solution at Albert Embankment Foreshore for the construction of both connection tunnels and our 53m drop shaft through some challenging ground conditions. Having sprayed over 5,000 tonnes for this package of works meant we built a strong and reliable line of communication with CEMEX. Logistical planning was essential in the delivery of these works due to our central London location which CEMEX was able to coordinate and support with ease,” commented Borja Trashorras, Project Manager at FLO’s Albert Embankment site. When sprayed it has to adhere to the tunnel or shaft wall / ceiling and gain strength immediately to a very high rate of strength gain requirements. The concrete also needs to be highly pumpable, in some cases with a pipeline length of up to 400m. CEMEX manufactures the product at its dedicated Spray Concrete plant in Buxton, from where it is transported into central London at rates that peak at around 3,000 tonnes per month. Supply is likely to continue for a few months, although this may need to be extended due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Building materials supplier CEMEX has provided Vertua low carbon concrete for a new office development in the Climate Innovation District in Leeds. The Vertua Classic concrete, which offers a 30 – 50 per cent CO2 reduction versus a standard mix, has been used for the foundations of the three-storey building, which will be known as The Place and house sustainable property developer Citu’s UK head office plus a new 15,000 square foot office rental opportunity. This building forms an important part of the latest construction phase at the District, which is located at the heart of Leeds’ South Bank Regeneration scheme. This innovative project will accelerate the transition for Leeds to become a zero-carbon city and act as a transformative driver for sustainable development in the Yorkshire region. “We are very proud to have supplied our Vertua Classic concrete to the latest phase of work at Citu’s Climate Innovation District in Leeds, particularly as this will be their head office. This is a development that priorities sustainable construction, making our low carbon concrete the obvious choice for the office building foundations,” said tracey Craden, Readymix Technical Manager at CEMEX UK. The Climate Innovation District been designed around recognised key principles for creating truly sustainable places to live, focusing on promoting positive behaviours linked to transport, energy, housing and ecosystems. CEMEX provided over 70m3 of Vertua Classic concrete from its Leeds Readymix plant, the first time this site has provided this product since its launch. Vertua Classic is easy to use and place, perfect for a range of applications such as structural elements, foundations including piling, light to heavy industry floors and suspended slabs. Vertua is part of CEMEX’s ambition to deliver net-zero CO2 concrete globally to all of our customers by 2050. “The Place is holistically designed to create a zero-carbon workplace, as one part of a wider sustainable district. To achieve this, we’ve worked to reduce embodied carbon emissions at every stage – from building using structural timber to using Vertua Classic low carbon concrete. The low carbon concrete mix allows us to achieve a large reduction in CO2 emissions from one of the materials that previously has been among the most difficult to decarbonise,” commented Jonathan Wilson, Development Director at Citu. “We believe progressive businesses value design-led, low carbon workplaces set within a walkable environment to improve wellbeing. Vertua Classic helps us deliver this sustainable workplace which will soon be home to both Citu and a forward-thinking business wishing to take advantage of this one-off opportunity.” CEMEX R&D, Innovation and Business Development projects are part of the global R&D collaboration network, headed by CEMEX Research Centers, based in Switzerland.
As we collectively begin to map our recovery from the Covid-19 crisis, the ways the UK will achieve the target of net-zero carbon by 2050 is coming into sharper focus. Here Elaine Toogood, head of architecture at MPA The Concrete Centre and contributor to built environment event Futurebuild explores the role of the UK concrete and cement industry in tackling climate change. The UK built environment sector’s aspirations to ‘Build Back Better’ are rightly centred on delivering positive social, environmental, and economic outcomes. But it’s critical that decisions are based on clear facts, accurate data and shared action. As much as construction needs to avoid a carbon rebound in the short term, it’s equally vital that we plot a clear course now for the longer journey — to achieve a meaningful net zero. Those that design our buildings and infrastructure, as well as the people that shape our legislation, must therefore have their actions informed by data and evidence rather than purely by rhetoric. It’s no secret that in some quarters there are currently widely held misperceptions and negativity around the use of concrete. In reality, concrete often remains the right choice of material due to numerous critical performance benefits including its sustainability, passive cooling potential, and flood and fire resistance. The facts are important. Global figures are often quoted, almost always missing the fact that 95 per cent of the concrete used in the UK is manufactured here, using locally and responsibly sourced materials. The UK concrete and cement industry has a strong track record. It has been measuring and reporting on various sustainability metrics for over a decade now, already having delivered a 53 per cent reduction in absolute carbon dioxide emissions since 1990 — meaning it is decarbonising faster than the UK economy as a whole. This clearly isn’t the end of the journey. The UK concrete and cement industry is fully committed to delivering net zero, reducing emissions from production and supporting the Government’s target. Taking action Critically, the concrete and cement industry plans to do this without offsetting emissions or offshoring production facilities. It believes that net zero should be achieved by reducing emissions from the construction materials manufactured in the UK, rather than by simply replacing these with imports and moving the problem abroad. The aim should be to retain jobs and economic value in the UK whilst ensuring that the UK takes responsibility for the emissions it creates. This collective early action by industry means it is already possible to construct buildings and homes with a lower environmental impact across their long lifetimes by using contemporary low carbon concrete. However, the truth is that many projects are currently conceived without adequate consideration and measurement of whole lifecycle carbon impacts. All too often short-term embodied carbon in building material selection takes precedence over the carbon emitted across the full lifecycle of an asset. Specification decisions and carbon measurement should rather consider the longer-term operational performance of a building or structure, together with its flexibility to adapt to its users’ needs and recyclability at the end of life — as well as the materials used to construct it. Lifecycle Carbon Assessment To do this however, it’s essential to have more, better informed and intelligent conversations about material specification, adopting responsibly sourced, sustainable supply chains and an increased focus on Lifecycle Carbon Assessment (LCA). While LCA has great potential, it’s clear that more data transparency and robust, consistent standards are needed. Uncertainties, assumptions, and omissions in LCA studies and environmental product declarations (EPDs) suggest that accurate and like-for-like comparisons across building materials are still extremely complex. Currently, these studies are not facts but interpretations — with multiple variables and estimated calculations — and so should be treated as such. Urgent attention needs to be given to developing robust LCA techniques and standards to ensure carbon is assessed evenly and in the most effective way, and not informed by a material bias based on perceptions and should focus assessment at a building level. It’s equally important that material efficiency and building longevity are put at the heart of design so that we build less and invest resources more efficiently. This is an essential part of a future circular economy and key to unlocking greener, more sustainable assets and infrastructure. This is particularly key as society continues to adapt to climate change, where we need to ensure our buildings help to look after us, save energy and are appropriately designed to cope with future weather conditions. By building with concrete we can take advantage of its potential to reduce maintenance needs and greatly enhance energy efficiency through its use of thermal mass. Now more than ever, we need to be applying measures to help ensure long term resilience to overheating as a result of climate change. Of all the adaptation measures, a building’s fabric, along with its form and orientation, are the most fundamental to get right. End of life When it comes to end of life, there are no unknowns with concrete. It is 100 per cent recyclable and can be crushed for reuse as a cost-effective material for hard core or used as a recycled aggregate in new concrete. Despite construction waste often being framed in terms of ‘tonnes of concrete’, in truth all is reused and almost none ever goes to landfill. Moreover, 90 per cent of hard construction and demolition waste is recycled as aggregates. Looking forward, R&D teams are working to deliver a wave of innovative new concrete solutions. Already, high-performance concretes that are lightweight, ultra-thin and thermally insulating are helping architects and engineers to shape a safe, exciting and sustainable built environment that uses less primary finite resources. Pollution eating, self-healing, water permeable and bioreceptive concretes are just some of the wave of new materials being developed that in time will further contribute to lowering emissions, and a greener urban environment. Together, all of this work can drive decarbonisation. It should also help to drive more informed and intelligent conversations about
Concrete is a material that has long been used for industrial buildings and home construction for several decades. It is one of the most durable materials that is used for building projects. But did you know that it has numerous uses aside from conventional construction projects? Concrete can be used for landscaping, decorating, spraying, block filling, and many more building applications. If you want to learn more about its uses, then you have come to the right place. This article will discuss the different uses of concrete, and some of the essential things you need to know. What is Concrete? According to an article by the Concrete Network, concrete has three components: cement, water, and aggregates. Aggregates can come in the form of rock, sand, or gravel. Once the three components are mixed and combined, the product becomes the durable material used for construction projects. What is the difference between Concrete and Cement? One of the common misconceptions when it comes to the construction industry is that concrete and cement are the same; this is not true. As mentioned above, cement is just a component to create a concrete mixture. Concrete for Landscaping When the topic of home landscaping comes to mind, the common things people think about are grass, wood, and rocks. Concrete seldom becomes a part of the conversation when people talk about landscaping, which should not be the case. Concrete can be a material used for landscaping as it can also provide the elegant touch that grass, wood, or rocks produce. Concrete nowadays comes in different colours, which can complement the architectural design of your home. If you want the exterior of your home to stand out, then you should try concrete. Concrete for Decorative Purposes When it comes to interior design, the common choice of homeowners for their walls is wood, which goes the same for flooring. If you are planning to build a new home or remodel it, you should consider concrete for your interior design. Concrete nowadays can be used for decorative purposes as well. Concrete that has exposed aggregates of small rocks and stones can be used for both flooring and walls of your household. It can then be further enhanced by honing and polishing once the mixture has already hardened. Concrete as a decorative material can transform the appearance of any room in your home, whether it may be the bedroom, living room, kitchen, and even entrances. Concrete Driveways Concrete has become the material of choice for constructing driveways because of its benefits and advantages. For instance, concrete driveways have a longer lifespan (50 years or more) than other alternatives, such as asphalt and gravel, lasting between 20-30 years. Concrete driveways are also more alluring to look at, and it drastically improves the curb appeal of your home. Homes with concrete driveways also have a considerably better price tag compared to asphalt or gravel driveways. Concrete as a material has a full range of uses, as mentioned above. Concrete can be used with aesthetics in mind, whether for landscaping or decorative purposes. Concrete is undoubtedly the best material for any building application. However, it would be best to get products from reliable and trusted sellers to ensure that you get high-quality materials.
Concrete forms are designed to withstand heavy loads, but they aren’t invincible. That’s why it’s important for contractors to avoid placing excessive and unnecessary pressure on their forms when pouring concrete. Until concrete cures, it behaves like a liquid. That means it exerts hydrostatic pressure on the forms into which it is poured, acting laterally on the vertical faces of the formwork. This hydrostatic pressure is temporary since fresh concrete changes from a liquid to a quasi-solid relatively fast. In the meantime, though, the formwork must be solid and secure enough to withstand vertical and horizontal loads and lateral pressure. Vertical Loads Using prefabricated Lightweight Formwork rated for the intended use is the easiest way to avoid formwork system failures, but there are some applications that require custom-built forms. When designing custom forms, keep in mind that the vertical load will include not just the weight and hydrostatic pressure of the wet concrete but also the weight of the forms themselves. It’s often the case that the forms must also withstand vertical loads from equipment, tools, and workers, as well. Concrete with normal reinforcement ratios exerts a dead load of 22 to 25 kN/m3. It’s fine to use this estimated dead load to calculate vertical loads in most cases. However, the weight of the materials must be computed separately if the reinforcement appears to be heavy. According to the American Concrete Institute (ACI), live loads, including workers, tools, and small equipment, can be estimated at a minimum of 2.39 kPa. If motorized carts or buggies will be used, assume a minimum vertical live load of 2.39 kPa. Both the vertical dead load and the live load must be taken into consideration when designing formwork. Horizontal Loads While vertical loads are caused by the weight of the material, the forms, the concrete workers, and any tools or equipment they will be using, horizontal loads are caused by factors like inclined supports or inclined dumping of concrete, seismic loads, and wind loads. The ACI Committee 347 offers detailed recommendations for designing formwork to accommodate minimum horizontal loads. They suggest using the greater of 1.5 kN/linear meter or 2% of the total dead load on the form calculated as a uniform load per meter of edges as a guidepost for ensuring adequate bracing to prevent lateral collapse. Lateral Pressures Vertical concrete formworks are subject to internal lateral pressures in addition to horizontal and vertical loads. Lateral pressures are more difficult to calculate since they vary based on the type and depth of the concrete, its state of curing, and the speed of vertical placement. It’s always best to consult a licensed engineer for help with calculating lateral pressure. Keep in mind that the lateral pressure exerted on concrete walls and columns is transferred to the external tie elements found on the sides of forms and to the plywood, studs, and tension ties found on wall forms. That means not just the form materials themselves, but also all external tie elements must be strong enough to withstand strong lateral pressures. The Bottom Line Calculating horizontal and vertical loads for concrete foundations and lateral pressures for concrete walls and columns requires a good deal of specialized knowledge and experience. The easiest way for amateurs to ensure that their formwork will be able to withstand the pressure of poured concrete is to purchase prefabricated forms rated for their intended purposes. Those who plan to make custom forms should always consult licensed engineers before using them.
If you’re taking your DIY game to the next level and have your sights set on cementing the base for your own shed, read these tips before you start. Once you know how to pour concrete, you’ll find that you can quickly increase the value of your home, should you wish to sell. Or simply improve your curb appeal. Who wouldn’t prefer a sleek new driveway vs an old cracked weed infested entrance? The Risks Involved With substantially more risks involved with cement pouring vs your average DIY project, there are even more if you decided to do this in winter. Be aware of these hazards before you decide if laying a cement foundation is something you want to do. Let’s look at the potential risks involved: – Slips and falls – Eye irritation – Breathing difficulty – Chemical burns – Severe skin dryness – Improper lifting Injuries Most of these risks are easily managed with the right safety gear and basic awareness. Slips Trips and Falls The most common hazard in everyday life. But concrete takes it a step further. Now it is your responsibility to create a surface that is safe to walk on. Finishing the concrete slab with a too smooth surface is very dangerous particularly if outside and could get wet. A smooth wet surface is just asking for slips and falls. You can easily achieve a safe surface texture with a broom. Use a contractor’s broom to achieve consistent lines by using overlapping parallel strokes. You can determine the smooth-rough texture by wetting the broom during this process. Wear appropriate concrete boots when pouring cement. If you’ll be standing in wet concrete, wear long rubber boots and be sure to have a safety toe for foot protection. The most suitable footwear is easy to clean and has a non slip outsole. Eye Irritation & Breathing Difficulty Dry concrete is a light powder that can get into eyes, nose or mouth of anyone nearby. This powdery mixture can cause respiratory irritation. It can even lead to infection or illness. Wear suitable HEPA-filter respirator protective equipment as specified by OSHA standards and minimize dust as much as possible. If you can avoid sanding or cutting cement then don’t do it and avoid the dust it creates. Are you working on a larger area surface? It might be sensible to have a cement company mix the concrete off site and deliver it in a cement mixing truck. Chemical Burns & Severe Skin Dryness Wet cement is dangerous. If you experience direct contact with it, severe skin reactions can be expected. Some reactions can include chemical burns, dermatitis, blistering amongst other unwanted and painful side effects. Your skin is damaged not only by the chemicals but by the intense moisture extraction that leaves your skin damaged and vulnerable. “So just use a bit of moisturising lotion” you might think? Lotion is no match for this type of damage. There have been cases where cement contact has caused amputations. Rather safe than sorry and protect yourself. When working with wet cement, cover as much of your skin as possible with tall boots, long pants tucked into your waterproof boots, long shirts, jackets or overalls, alkali-resistant gloves and goggles to protect your eyes. You will also have access to an emergency washing area should you come into skin contact with wet cement. OSHA reports that cement workers suffer 4x more work absence days vs construction workers. Improper lifting Injuries This is a constant risk from gardening to office workers to the construction site, but cement workers suffer the most again, with these types of injuries. Cement bags are heavy even if they are “only powder”. Make sure to lift bags with a friend and use your legs. After lifting with your back, one of the most common issues is twisting whilst carrying heavy items. Ideally you would use a forklift on anything over 50 lbs. Another option is to roll a heavy item or half the load. Divide and conquer by simply 1) buying smaller concrete bags or 2) scooping it safely into a seperate container and make 2 or more trips to the oversized bag. You can review safe lfting techniques on the OSHA website here. Conclusion I hope you are more prepared when approaching your new DIY task and can plan accordingly. Take a few basic precautions as discussed and you are good to go. There is no better feeling than coming home every day and admiring that new driveway you constructed. Enjoy your new project and above all be safe out there! If you have questions, leave them below! Author Bio Maya Fleischer is an enthusiastic DIY-er, writer and editor at TheFootFacts. She has a passion for researching & building projects in a new (possibly improved!) method and enjoys sharing useful safety ideas she’s gathered on her journey.
The workers take special care while preparing ready-mix concrete in the factory. It is prepared with a batching plant, under specific temperature and conditions. This plant produces the ready-mix concrete in the unhardened and mixed state. The experts of the construction industry use it in various types of products. The reason behind its popularity is every batch of ready-mix concrete is different and is based on the type of construction project. So, whenever there is a demand for the concrete on-site, the truck can bring the ready-mix concrete to the section where it is required directly. It enhances the flexibility of the project. Therefore, it is used in various civil and residential construction projects. Three Types Of Ready Mix Concrete Plant That You Must Know There are three types of ready mix plants that produce the different types of ready mix concrete. They are as follows. Transit Mixed Concrete or Dry Batch Ready-Mix Concrete Plan Here the mixing of the concrete depends upon the rotating speed of the mixer. It has three stages. When the professional loads water and materials to the drum, its speed is is 2 RPM. After a particular time, it rotates with the average speed of 8 RPM. When the mixture needs to be discharged, it rotates at the highest speed of 13 to 15 RPM. This higher speed makes sure that everything is mixed in the drum properly. Wet-Batch or Central-Mix Plants Another name for this type of plant is a pre – mix plant. It means that the concrete is mixed well in the plant and loaded into the mixer of the truck. The professionals believe that the wet-batch plants provide higher productivity in comparison to the dry batch ready-mix plant. Therefore the former is preferred generally. Shrink Mixed Concrete Plant In such plants, different mixing drums execute the mixing operation. First, the plant mixture does the work. After this, the drum mounted on the truck does the rest. This truck is then transported to the construction site for the further process. Also, the length of the mixing performed on the truck depends upon the extent of mixing done in the drum for the first time. Advantages Of The Ready-Mix Concrete It provides various advantages to the professionals working on such projects. Have a look at these benefits to know better about the ready-mix concrete. Ready-Mix Concrete Is a Quality Product During the on-site concrete mixing, many times the workers do not pay much attention to the quantity and the quality of the materials. They do not consider which tools are good for the process. The ready-mix concrete plant offers the best ready -mix concrete in the controlled conditions. It Saves The Time And Cost Of The Project It is not always easy to meet the deadline of the construction projects. Also, the increasing costs can make things difficult for the clients. To tackle such situations, Ready-mix concrete will save a lot of time. When the workers are not engaged in mixing the concrete for the variety of tasks, it means that they are saving a lot of time. It will help in the quick completion of the task. Structures Made Up Of Ready Mix Concrete Are Durable When you get your dream home constructed, you pray it to be the perfect construction. You put all your hard-owned money on it and pray that you do not have to spend more in its maintenance and repair for a long time. Ready-mix concrete makes it possible for you. It offers durability to the structure that makes it robust. Also, the structure made up of ready-mix concrete will only require a little maintenance. Thus, it is surely going to save you money. It Is An Environmentally Friendly Option When the requirement of the concrete is estimated in the project, the mixer produces only that particular amount. It leads to less wastage of the materials. It saves the area from the pollution of any sort. Therefore, it can be said that the ready-mix concrete provides some major benefits to the structure. If you are impressed by its features and need a trustworthy ready mix contractor like RMS Concrete, you have various options online. You can pick one for your construction projects as well.
