Earlier this week, we kicked off our concrete pavement construction.
A concrete pavement is a rigid pavement structure constructed using Portland Cement Concrete (PCC). It's designed to distribute axle loads over a relatively wide area, providing a durable and long-lasting surface. We are five days into the project and we've made significant progress.
The early days of the project were used for site preparation, these involve:
- Site Clearing: Removal of all vegetation, debris, and other obstructions to establish a clean work area.
- Ground Leveling: Grading of the site to achieve the desired elevation and slope.
- Soil Compaction: Making use of plate compactor to densify the soil and enhance its load-bearing capacity.
After achieving this, we began pouring the slab.
This phase involves a team of 1 mason and 2 laborers working collaboratively to ensure quality and efficiency.
Concrete Material Specification
The concrete was mixed to the following specifications to achieve the required strength.
Cement: 2 bags
Sand: 14 head pans
Gravel: 16 head pans
Mix Ratio: 2:7:8 (cement:sand:gravel)
The concrete was mixed manually to minimise cost.
Preparation of Base
A 10mm rebar was placed on the ground.
A tape measure was used to determine the required length, and a straight edge was used to mark the measurement.
Elevation was determined using a spirit level to ensure proper slope while holding the straight edge firmly against the rebar.
Execution
The mixed concrete was poured onto the prepared base.
it was spread evenly and compacted to eliminate entrapped air.
After the ground slab was cast, a screed was used to level the freshly poured concrete.
A chalk line was used to establish a straight line and a scoring tool was then used to score lines both vertically and horizontally on the slab, providing a decorative finish.
As the work progresses into its sixth day, our focus remains on completing the work and ensuring proper curing to prevent cracks and enhance durability.
