Finishing process of concrete
- 2. Things you need to figure out before the finishing process starts… • What type of surface is needed? 1. Interior or exterior 2. Slab uses 3. Non slip or smooth 4. Sealed for sanitary reasons 5. Excessive water washing 6. Decorative Finishing of the concrete surface is done after compaction to obtain true, uniform and smooth surface.
- 3. Finishing of concrete Screeding Floating Trowelling Various steps involved
- 4. Screeding • Screeding - Striking off excess concrete using a straight edge. (Consolidating)(uniform plastic mass) Straight edge Standard timings for Finishing This can take 20 minutes or 4 hours depending on the temperature, humidity and how hard the wind is blowing. After the bleed water is all gone, you can get out your steel finishing trowel and put on the final touches. You will notice the steel trowel is not perfectly flat.
- 5. Floating • Floating - Removes the irregularities left after screeding, firmly embeds the large aggregate particles, done using wooden floats. • Floating gives a medium non- slip surface, good for concrete which is constantly exposed to outside weather and general use. (1.5 m long and 20 cm wide) (handle 5 m long) (Wood float or metal float – rougher finish???) Wood float Wooden Darby Bull float
- 6. Trowelling • Trowelling - To obtain very smooth and highly wear resistance surface. It is done using a steel trowel. (trowel is 25 to 50 cm long, 8 to 12 cm wide) • Troweling – smooth surface – brings the cement paste to the top (easy clean up) (slippery when wet)(sanitary conditions)(after all excess water has evaporated) Steel trowel Power trowel Power trowel
- 7. Summary • Finishing is done after compaction, to obtain level and smooth surface. • Steps involved are Screeding, Floating followed by Trowelling. • Spreading of dry cement on wet surfaces should be avoided as it causes weaker surfaces, cracks and blisters. Latest trowelling technology Brooming – for a rougher finish (damp, stiff – bristled broom)(Outside areas)
- 8. Thank you