MATS-1028

CONSTRUCTION METHODS
AND MATERIALS

Unit #2
CIP Elements and Concrete Placing
Key Takeaways
• Who hires the testing firm
• Why does testing matter
• How many cylinders form a set
• How many sets are required on a job
• Three tests that must be performed on site
• What are the tests we can do post pour
This unit...
• Concrete Introduction 
• Concrete Components & Properties 
• Common Tests and Testing Procedures 
• Concrete Placing Techniques
• Concrete Finishing and Curing
• Below Grade Concrete Formwork
Concrete is either:
• Cast-In-Place “CIP” - poured on site in it’s
final position using formwork

http://www.strongwall.ca/cast_in_place_concrete.html
https://www.advancedbuildingmaterials.com/concrete-2/cast-in-place-concrete/
Concrete is either:
• Pre-cast - pre-poured either on or off site and
hoisted into it’s final position
Click Here : Stubbe's Precast Video

https://www.forconstructionpros.com/profit-matters/article/12294564/precast-and-prefab-give-walbridge-profitable-steps-into-lean-construction
Common Below Grade CIP Concrete
Building Components
• Caissons/Piles Strip • Foundation Walls
footings • Pier Pads / Column
• Grade Beams and Pile Footings
Caps • Piers / Columns
• Raft/Mat Slabs • Slabs on Grade
• Strip Footings
Basic Foundation Design
• A strip footing simply
spreads the load imposed
on it by a foundation over a
larger area

• The lower the soil capacity,

the wider the footing
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_footing
Deep Foundation Design
• We need to determine if spread footings alone will
support our building
• On large buildings, it is quite common to have to
install deep foundations (caissons or piles) to carry
the loads from our footings down to either
• a) suitable soil with enough bearing capacity
OR
• b) bedrock below
https://slideplayer.com/slide/9426209/
Caisson Foundation Systems
• In optimum soil conditions, no liner required
Caisson Foundation Systems
• In poor soil conditions, a temporary or permanent liner
may be required

Click Here for More Info - http://anchorshoring.com/equipment/bauer-drill-rigs/

Planning - These Rigs Are Big
• Don’t call and expect they’ll show up tomorrow
• Can take week(s) to assemble
• Video is of a CFA rig assembly (similar protocol for
caisson rigs)
• CFA’s are a hybrid between a driven pile and a
conventional caisson; increasingly common in the GTA
due to speed
• CFA means “Continuous Flight Augering”…remember
shoring systems last unit?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jL5ZLjyjZo
CFA Rig Assembly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jL5ZLjyjZo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jL5ZLjyjZo
Piles
• Come in many different shapes and sizes
• Steel options often used in bridge construction
• Large sections of concrete, steel, or even timber are driven
into the ground by a pile driver

https://www.aeyates.co.uk/spi-piling/services/steel-piling
http://www.hammersteel.com/h-piling.html
Pile Driving
Pile Caps and Grade Beams
• Used in conjunction with piles, caissons, CFAs
• Provides a nice flat surface to build from or to pour
footings/walls/columns/abutments onto
• Transfer structural loads from columns/walls directly to caissons or
piles

https://www.bing.com/images/search?
view=detailV2&ccid=Lqf1QAPE&id=23FB33372B0C0D54AC0DA44B3FE0E7E6E621D84E&thid=OIP.Lqf1QAPE94WCzEv09W3gdQHaHi&m
ediaurl=http%3a%2f%2fupload.wikimedia.org%2fwikipedia%2fcommons%2fb%2fbb
%2fGrade_beam.jpg&exph=1480&expw=1453&q=grade+beams&simid=608008526696418962&selectedIndex=16&ajaxhist=0
https://www.civilax.org/design-of-pile-cap/
Pile Caps and Grade Beams

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cedrusdev/5190184242
Basic Strip Footings…Again
• A strip footing simply
spreads the load imposed
on it by a foundation over a
larger area

• The lower the soil capacity,

the wider the footing
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_footing
Strip Footings - Formed

https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/foundations-cost-guide/
Strip Footings – Neat Cut

https://www.labc.co.uk/news/when-and-how-cut-stepped-foundations-sloping-site?language_content_entity=en
http://www.houseselfbuild.com/pouring-strip-foundations/
Raft/Mat Slabs

http://houseunderconstruction.com/foundation/how-build-raft-foundation.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzDaRyc7ozo
Foundation Walls
• Designed to transfer
the load below grade
to the footing to
achieve sufficient
bearing capacity
• They also penetrate
water and frost lines
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_footing
https://www.thespruce.com/types-of-house-foundations-1821308
 Pier Pads/Spread Footing/Column Footing
• …spread the point
load imposed on
them by a pier or
column over a larger
area

http://caddraftingserviceindia.blogspot.com/2016/07/single-
column-footing.html

http://www.ccpl.com.sg/house-information-01-foundation
http://caddraftingserviceindia.blogspot.com/2016/07/single-column-footing.html
Piers / Columns
• …direct a load to
the foundation
below grade to
achieve sufficient
bearing
http://www.ccpl.com.sg/house-information-01-foundation
http://www.everitts.co.nz/projects/geotub-project-bw-thestrand-takapuna.php
Slab-on-Grade (Think Floor-on-Dirt)

https://www.forconstructionpros.com/concrete/article/12135893/acceptable-
tolerances-for-residential-basement-slabs
Cast-In-Place (CIP) Concrete
• The concrete must be transported to the site

https://www.flickr.com/photos/71639059@N00/6720837331
http://www.metermix.net/equipment.html
Standard Mixing trucks
• The dry ingredients are measured (weighed) and are
poured into the mixer truck at the concrete yard
(batchplant). This is called batching.

• The concrete mixes en-route to the jobsite in the drum

or when it arrives on site.

• The mix design may be influenced by the travel time to

the job.
Dry Ingredients + Water

Hopper
Chute
Function of a Mixing Truck
• A view inside a mixing drum

• To mix the concrete, the drum’s corkscrew operates

in a forward motion.

• To discharge the drum, it is simply operated in

reverse causing the concrete to be ejected into the
hopper and then the chute.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete_mixer
Meter Mix Trucks
• Mix only as much concrete as is requested on site
• Customer is billed for exact quantity used
• Great for slow, small quantity pours (ie. pools,
driveways, architectural features)
• Weather dependent

http://www.metermix.net/equipment.html
CIP Concrete
• The method used to pour this concrete
depends on various factors. These include:
• The element being poured
• Weather
• Site conditions
• Productivity requirements
• Equipment availability
• Safety factors
Methods of Pouring
• Direct from the truck • Skidsteer bucket
(chute) • Crane bucket
• Direct from the truck • Pumping
(conveyor) • Shotcrete
• Wheelbarrow
• Buggy
• Excavator bucket
Direct From Truck
• This is the preferred option for all concrete pours
if site conditions permit.
• Concrete can be poured directly from the truck
into the forms on site.
• Truck maneuvers into position and the mixer
reverses to eject the concrete.
• Fast, cheap, easy!
Direct From Truck Requires…
• Stable soil/excavation/ground cover conditions
• Mixing trucks vary in size, but generally the smallest
holds 7m3 and the largest holds 10m3 of concrete
• An average size fully loaded (8m3) truck weighs:
• 1 m3 of Concrete = 150 lb/cf x 35cf/m3 = 5,250 lb/m3 (2,386kg)
• 8 m3 of Concrete = 5,250 lb/m3 x 8m3 = 42,000 lb (19,050kg)
• Truck Weight = 26,000 lb (11,793kg)
• Total Loaded Truck = 68,000 lb (30,844kg)
• Or…34 imperial ton! (30.8 metric ton)
http://www.powerpak.net/30-x-18-DANGER-sign-image.png
Direct From Truck – Chute

http://cobandon.blogspot.com/2011/02/concrete-pour.html

https://www.forconstructionpros.com/concrete/equipment-products/buggies-conveyors-
misc-placing/product/12035301/mansarps-svets-maskin-msm-ezextenz-telescopic-
concrete-chute
Direct From Truck - Maneuverability
• Constantly re-positioning the truck
 Direct From Truck – Conveyor

https://www.rocktoroad.com/roads-paving/technology/automated-error-
detection-improves-concrete-delivery-1014

http://www.metermix.net/equipment.html
Wheelbarrow
• If site conditions do
not permit direct
pour…
• Then the concrete
must be
transported to its https://www.askthebuilder.com/pouring-concrete-sidewalks/

location…
https://sans10400.co.za/concrete-mixes/
Again…
• Concrete is heavy…
• A wheelbarrow holds some 2 – 3 cf of wet
concrete…
• 300 – 450 lbs!
• Losing control can be costly & hazardous!
• At an average of 2.5 cf/wheelbarrow load it
will take 14 trips/m3, or 126 trips/9m3 truck
Power Concrete Buggy
• Ride-on power buggies are available
• Capacity varies 15 – 19 cf

https://www.everything-about-concrete.com/concrete-buggy.html
https://ajconcreteofwc.com/project/pouring-slab/
Requires…
• Knowledgeable operator
• Relatively uniform terrain (but track units are
available)

https://www.forconstructionpros.com/concrete/equipment-products/buggies-
conveyors-misc-placing/product/10850382/allen-engineering-corporation-at16-
power-buggy
Using an Excavator Bucket
• It is possible to use an excavator or even a
front end loader…carefully
Other Buckets

http://christianasplund.me/3897/skid-steer-concrete-bucket/skid-steer-concrete-bucket-93-skid-steer-attachments-c
oncrete-bucket-skidworks-jake-bucket/
https://www.123rf.com/photo_73350790_concrete-mixer-truck-is-pouring-fresh-concrete-into-excavator-bucket-at-c
onstruction-site-.html
Using a Crane
• Cranes can be outfitted with a concrete
bucket…

https://www.istockphoto.com/ca/photos/crane-hoist-concrete-bucket?
sort=mostpopular&mediatype=photography&phrase=crane%20hoist%20concrete%20bucket
https://theconstructor.org/concrete/ready-mix-concrete-batching-mixing-
transporting-and-handling/831/
Bucket Capacity Varies…
• There are many different kinds of
buckets, depending on:
• Crane capacity (critical)
• Productivity requirements
• 0.50 m3 to almost 3 m3 capacity
• (2,500 lb – 15,000 lb)
How Do They Work?
• Loaded from the chute and craned to location
• Emptied mechanically at destination
• Can be dangerous…especially at heights
Requires…
• Safe work platform if
pouring above grade
• Ground (Swamper) to
Crane Operator
communications
• Electronic (2-way radios) or
• Hand signals…

http://tengah.com.sg/product-catalog/material-
handling/circular-concrete-bucket/
Common Hand Signals…

http://qhse-solution.blogspot.com/2013/04/crane-signals.html
Pumping Concrete
• Concrete can also be pumped in place for
large or difficult to reach pours

https://www.pinterest.ca/acpapumpers/concrete-pumping-photos-more/
Pumping Needs
• Special mix design (pump mix)… see sample mix designs on
FOL
• Preferrably uses smaller aggregate (3/8”) however can pump
up to 3” stone if necessary; clogging may occur
• Often requires admixtures (plasticizers) to allow higher slump
without compromising water/cement ratio
• Pumps must be primed with grout prior to use…see sample
concrete ticket on FOL
• Require a steady supply of concrete from the batch plant…
large pumps can pump up to 100m3 of concrete/hour
https://www.forconstructionpros.com/concrete/equipment-products/article/108
38559/putzmeister-pumps-overcome-unusual-jobsite-logistics-on-subway-exte
nsion-project
http://www.amherstgroup.ca/
Raft Slab Pour With Pumps - Calgary
Bridge Tower Pile Cap Pour – Long Beach
Shotcrete (Gunnite)
• A method of placing concrete that
requires only one sided formwork
• A special concrete mix design and pump
is used to “shoot” the concrete in place
and is then sculpted to a particular
shape using a series of guide wires
Shotcrete (Gunnite)
• (Click here) Torrent - Canada's Shotcrete Leader
Segregation
• Care must be taken, regardless of pour
method, to avoid ‘dropping’ concrete too
long a distance into formwork
• Falling concrete tends to ‘segregate’
with heavier particles separating and
hitting the bottom first…
http://civil-online2010.blogspot.com/2013/06/segregation.html
Preventing Segregation
• By proper and careful placing techniques
• And by using admixtures (more later) to
reduce slump without effecting strength

https://www.concretedecor.net/decorativeconcretearticles/vol-12-no-2-febmar-
2012/an-introduction-to-self-consolidating-concrete/
Preventing Segregation
• Tremie (Elephant trunk)
• Rule : Never let concrete
drop more than 1 storey

http://bometals.com/products/accessories/concrete-hopper/
http://www.garbro.com/categories/accessories/accordion_hopper_extended.htm
Consolidation
• When placing concrete into formwork…
• It must be agitated to allow for proper
consolidation…
• Otherwise the surface area may be
honeycombed when the formwork is
removed (stripped)
http://www.richmondblacktop.com/blog/all-about-concrete-honeycombing/
Vibrating Concrete - Consolidating
• Helps to
consolidate the
fresh concrete

http://www.mileshire.co.uk/equipment/vibrating-concrete-poker-unit-petrol/
https://www.globalgilson.com/concrete-vibrator
Vibrating Concrete - Danger
• It is possible to over-vibrate concrete. When this
occurs, all of the paste rises to the top of the forms
and it may cause segregation.

• A vibrator must not hit/contact the rebar within the

forms for a prolonged period of time or it may cause a
weak bond between the rebar and the concrete. When
a concrete vibrator comes into contact with a piece of
rebar you will be able to tell from the rattling sound.
http://www.mileshire.co.uk/equipment/vibrating-concrete-poker-unit-petrol/
https://www.globalgilson.com/concrete-vibrator
Vibrating Concrete

http://www.mileshire.co.uk/equipment/vibrating-concrete-poker-unit-petrol/
https://www.globalgilson.com/concrete-vibrator
Concrete Truck Washout
• At the end of each pour, there will be some left
over concrete in the final truck.
• Typically this extra concrete is diluted and
disposed of on return to the batch plant.
• There is however concrete that must be “washed
out” of the hopper and the chute on site so as
not to damage the truck before it gets back to
the plant.
http://signaturecommunities.ca/eco-friendly-concrete-trucks/
Concrete Truck Washout
• Depending on the concrete supplier for the project,
they may or may not have “eco-friendly” options for
washout. If you have an “old school” supplier, they
will require a wheelbarrow or somewhere on site
they can dispose of this waste fluid/materials
• Nowadays we prefer to use disposal containers in
lieu of the “cow patty” approach in the interest of
our environment

http://signaturecommunities.ca/eco-friendly-concrete-trucks/
Concrete Truck Washout Bins

https://www.constructionwashout.com/Outpak-8x10-Concrete-Washout/
product
Concrete Truck Washout Devices - Eco

http://signaturecommunities.ca/eco-friendly-concrete-trucks/
Recommended Reading
• Chapter 8 of the OGCA Best Practices
Guideline for Concrete Construction (See FOL)
• Textbook, Chapter 12
• Pages 263 - 288
End