Book 3

Tilt-up panels are concrete walls cast on the ground in a horizontal position. A crane is then used to lift the walls into a vertical position. Tilt-up panels have become widely used in the construction business to create a variety of buildings such as warehouses, churches, and schools. This unit discusses the advantages of tilt-up […]

Shotcrete is a special application of concrete that requires the concrete mixture to be applied to a surface at a sufficient velocity in order to obtain compaction. Shotcrete is normally used for building and repairing vertical and overhead structures. Read Book 3 / Unit 5  Review “Words You Should Know”  Watch the video below and

Pervious concrete has actually been in use for more than 150 years, but since the 1970’s this reputation of this paving process has gained rapidly in popularity. Because of its ability to treat, filter, control and partially contain stormwater runoff, pervious concrete is proving an ecologically friendly alternative to asphalt, impervious concrete and other paving

Although flat floors have always been the goal of cement masons, concrete slabs have never been truly flat. For many years this was not a problem because small variations in floor surface were seldom noticed. However, with the advent of VNA (Very Narrow Aisle) technology in warehouses this began to change. VNA technology was an

Marvin Whiteman Sr., invented the first power trowel in 1939.  Since that time power floats and trowels have been widely used to finish large areas of concrete flatwork. There are many advantages to power troweling. While a cement mason using hand tools can finish approximately 300 to 600 square feet a day, a power trowel

Cement masons use screeds to bring concrete to finish level, thus, bringing the concrete to grade level. The screeding process creates a slab with an essential “plane” surface. Screed tools may be as simple as a piece of wood or as a complex as a selfpropelled high production machine. Cement masons require a variety of

Concrete is a versatile material that can be used in many different applications. However, in its natural gray state, concrete can appear plain. Fortunately, the versatility of concrete also allows the use of aggregates, tools, and additives to change the color and texture of the finished surface. Two methods that are especially effective in changing

Chemical staining is one method available for cement masons to demonstrate the creative effects used in the field of decorative concrete. Cement masons can create impressive artistic effects for a variety of purposes. Staining can turn ordinary concrete slabs into floors that resemble marble or glazed stone. Cement masons are also using staining to create

Abrasive blasting is the process of ejecting a stream of abrasive particles from a blast machine using compressed air propelled at high speeds. Abrasive blasting is used for the cleaning, surfacepreparation and finishing of concrete surfaces. As a finishing technique, abrasive blasting can produce pleasing, decorative effects, enhancing the visual features of the sandblasted surface. Blasting can

Grouting is a process in which grout is used to fill in crevices, fissures and cavities in structural formations.  Groutingstrengthens these formations and reduces permeability. Using a variety of methods, construction workers inject grout under pressure, filling the void until it meets the design conditions. Read Book 3 / Unit 3  Review “Words You Should