Vacuum Concrete: What is it and Its Advantages?

1. VACUUM CONCRETE What is it and Its Advantages?

2. Concrete is a chemical binder which is mainly used in the construction of buildings, structures and establishments. The purpose of concrete is to set, harden and bind other materials together. The proportion of the capacity of water to the capacity of cement is very much important in the chemical reaction that causes concrete to stiffen, harden and develop strength. Water-cement ratio is important for a perfect concrete. Usually, concreting thin sections of slabs and walls requires a mix of a water-cement ratio of 0.50 to 0.60 for proper placing and compaction. Not all the water mixed with cement get absorbed. This excess water reduces concrete’s strength and makes the cement brittle. The process of vacuum-dewatering is widely used in the industry to extract extra water from the concrete surface. This reduces water-cement ratio and improves concrete strength exponentially. Procedure and Concept of Vacuum Dewatering Concrete The method of vacuum dewatering is extensively used in the construction of factory floors, parking www.econstructionmart.com 2

3. lots, deck slabs of bridges, etc. The majorly required equipment’s for vacuum concrete includes. Vacuum pump Water separator Filtering pad Screed board vibrator As the fresh concrete goes through a continuous system of water-filled channels, the vacuum pump helps in extracting water from a certain depth. Water is stored in the water separator. The mats are placed over filter pads which prevent removal of cement with water. Filtering pad consists of: Rigid backing sheet Expanded metal Wire gauze Muslin cloth sheet The reduction is effective only up to a depth of about 100 to 150 mm. Air bubbles are removed from the surface. With the help of dewatering, there is an effective reduction in water-cement ratio. www.econstructionmart.com 3

4. The Vacuum-Dewatered concrete offers the following benefits. Higher strength & density Greater durability High abrasion resistance Vacuum concrete is a method that involves the removal of excess water and air by using vacuum pressure. It is an effective technique used to overcome this contradiction of workability and high strength. And, both can be achieved at the same time. It extracts excess water and air near the surface with help of vacuum mats connected to a vacuum pump. Vacuum Concrete offers several advantages of Dewatering Due to dewatering through the vacuum, both workability and strength of concrete are achieved. With the reduction in water-cement ratio, the compressive strength of concrete is increased by 10% to 50%. Vacuum dewatering of concrete lowers the permeability. The durability and density of vacuum concrete are very high. As concrete is resistant to wind and water, it is very useful in storm shelters. www.econstructionmart.com 4

5. Vacuum concrete bonds well with underlying concrete. Therefore, it can be used for resurfacing road slabs and other construction repair works. Vacuum concrete can easily withstand high temperatures. It can be cast to any desired shape. The casting of concrete can be done at a manufacturing site which makes it economical. Whether it’s a high rise building or an underwater tunnel or above the river bridge, all require strong concrete to survive for decades. The tensile strength of the concrete will define the longevity of these structures as well as the amount of load they can withstand. Vacuum Concrete offers the sturdiness and robustness which is required to construct such large establishments. With high resistance to wind, water and temperature, vacuum concrete offers the base to build for future generations. www.econstructionmart.com 5

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