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Refine versus shine: Defining and defending design intent with refined concrete

Construction Specifier

LEED AP, Vivian Volz, CSI, AIA, LEED AP, SCIP Photo courtesy Tao Group Solutions After years of grappling with client callbacks, legal disputes, and financial losses from poor polished concrete installations, the industry has reached a breaking point: prohibit polished concrete.

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TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON CONCRETE

The Constructor

The size of movement depends upon the change in temperature and the coefficient of thermal expansion o f concrete. The size of movement depends upon the change in temperature and the coefficient of thermal expansion o f concrete.

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TYPES OF CRACKS IN CONCRETE BEAMS

The Constructor

Cracks in concrete beams due to increased shear stress 2. Cracks in concrete beams due to corrosion or insufficient concrete cover 3. Cracks parallel to main steel in case of corrosion in beams 4.

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REDUCING DRYING SHRINKAGE IN CONCRETE

The Constructor

Upon wetting, concrete tends to expand. These moisture-induced volume changes are a characteristic of concrete. If the shrinkage of concrete could take place without any restraint, the concrete would not crack.

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REINFORCEMENT COVER AND PRE-CONCRETE CHECKS

The Constructor

When the formwork is erected the concrete can be poured. When the concrete has reached the required strength the formwork can be poured. If the steel had been placed too close to the surface and the concrete had been poured then over time the steel may become exposed to moisture and corrosion will commence.

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STRUCTURAL USES OF PRECAST CONCRETE

The Constructor

Use of Precast Concrete in frames: There are two main types of precast building frame. Use of Precast Concrete for Floors: Each year the industry makes about 5 million square meters of precast floor slabs. Structural frames are mainly used for offices, car parks and retail developments.

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FEATURES OF PRECAST CONCRETE

The Constructor

There is no grout loss, such as that from badly fitting formwork, which results in poor quality concrete like shown below. By careful selection of materials and finishing processes, a wide range of high quality finishes can be obtained.

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