Good Construction Practices

Good Construction Practices

In order to improve the workmanship of concrete, the following good practices be adopted in the field :

1. To prevent leakage of cement slurry through shutter plate joints, 10 mm thick sponge should be used.

2. Cover block should have the comparable strength, durability and permeability as that of main concrete.

3. Sequencing of concrete work should be finalized in advance so that the first layer does not set before the next layer is placed over it. This can be ensured by carefully planning the following items :

 (a) Capacity of mixers

(b) Initial Setting Time of cement

(c) Man power to be deputed

4. Cold joints should be avoided by forward flowing method of concreting.

5. Provide proper construction joint at the end of days work. Lattice of cement, which has risen up to the surface due to vibration, should be removed before next days’ concreting because it is highly permeable. It should be removed by wire brush and aggregates should be exposed without dislodging in such a manner that 1/3 of aggregates should be visible on the surface. This is called ‘Hacking of joints’. Never sprinkle cement slurry before next days’ concrete.

6. For important structures, full scale mock-up trial should be conducted to test the working of equipments, cover, behavior of plasticizers, workability and the final product.