Académique Documents
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Culture Documents
1.
SCOPE
The scope of this procedure outlines methods to be used for constructing effective and
durable
construction
joints
in
accordance
with
the
contract
specifications.
2.
PROCEDURE
.1
In some cases CLIENT shall have to prepare shop drawings proposing location and
type of construction joints and obtain approval from the Consultants representative
before
.2
Horizontal
proceeding
with
the
work.
Surfaces:
Laitance on the surface must be removed from the concrete in order to ensure that a
good bond will be achieved when fresh concrete will be placed against it. Following
methods may be used for removing laitance from the top of walls and columns unless
specified otherwise in the contract:
i)
Washing
and
Brushing:
but
Brushing
has
shall
stiffened
be
slightly.
commenced
ii)
hardened
but
is
Air
still
green,
wire
and
brush
should
Water
be
used.
Jet:
Laitance can be removed by directing a jet of air and water onto it. This method can be
used up to six hours after placing or possible longer but the site operative must make his
own judgement while adopting this method. This operation must not start too soon
because
iii)
it
Mechanical
might
dislodge
coarse
aggregate
particles.
Scabbling:
If laitance is too hard to be removed by wire brushing, mechanical scabbling can be tried
using small percussion power tools. This method can be applied after 3 days when
concrete has hardened sufficiently. Care shall be taken not to weaken the coarse
aggregates.
iv)
Abrasive
Blasting:
Wet or dry abrasive blasting can be used to expose the aggregate but special safety
precautions
.3
shall
be
taken
while
using
sand.
The most appropriate time for treating the joints is a matter of judgement, because it
depends on the rate of setting and hardening (which is itself dependent on the
temperature
.4
of
the
concrete).
Where there is likely to be even a short delay before placing the next concrete pour,
protruding reinforcement should be protected. Before the next pour is placed, rust, loose
mortar
or
.5
Vertical
i)
Stop
other
contamination
should
be
removed
from
the
bars.
Surfaces:
Ends/Expanded
Metal
Mesh:
Vertical joints in walls, beams and slabs are usually formed at a stop end in the formwork.
Stop ends shall be located where the reinforcement is least dense. Holes for
reinforcement in stop-ends are a potential weakness because grout loss can occur. In
lightly reinforced sections and where starter bars are acceptable, this problem is
frequently avoided by bending bars so that they run along the inner face of the stop-end.
When the stop-end is removed, the bars are cut out and straightened. However, the
cutting out and straightening can damage the concrete and cause local loss of bond with
the bar, especially if this is carried out within 48 hours of placing the concrete.
Proprietary stop-ends have been developed which overcome this problem by encasing
the bent bars in expanded plastic foam. The foam can easily be removed and the bars
strengthened by means of a steel tube. Take particular care not to use impact to
straighten
bent
steel
at
stop-ends
as
this
can
cause
brittle
fracture.
avoid
over
ii)
Formwork:
vibration
at
the
joint
as
this
may
cause
grout
loss.
Formwork for subsequent concrete pours must be accurately aligned and well fixed so
that there is no grout leak which results into discoloration and honey combing. Strips of
foam rubber or polyurethane unless specified otherwise can be fixed around the edge of
the
hardened
.6
prepared
joint.
The methods explained previously i.e. washing and brushing, mechanical scabbling
and abrasive blasting can also be used in case of vertical joints. However special care
shall
be
taken
not
to
damage
the
leading
edges
(leave
margin).
.7
Watertight
Construction:
i)
details can be used. Care shall be taken while concreting so that all waterbars are
securely
tied
to
avoid
its
folding
during
concreting.
.8
Cold
i)
Cold joints normally occur during the concreting operation when a delay in placing
adjacent
ii)
Joints:
concrete
has
occurred
and
earlier
concrete
placed
has
stiffened.
A simple test can be used to determine whether concreting can proceed. Embed the
poker vibrator into the existing concrete to examine the condition of concrete. Where the
action of the poker has left a distinct hole, concreting operations should not continue. In
this case the joint face can be prepared by one of the methods described above for
horizontal
construction
the
joints.
.9
Placing
i)
Particular care as explained below shall be taken while placing and compacting new
concrete
ii)
on
Fresh
or
Concrete:
against
the
old:
Any dirt or dust from the surface of the hardened concrete shall be removed
preferably with a compressed air hose. As a safety precaution site operatives must wear
safety goggles. This cleaning shall be done before new formwork is fixed because not
only access be easier than but also dirt might otherwise stick to the new formwork.
iii)
While fixing a new formwork extra dirt is created which can be cleaned after
removing a stop end which will make it easy to be swept or blown away.
.10
i)
Joint
Sealing:
Where the structural component containing the joint is to be exposed to the external
environment, the joint has to be sealed to prevent ingress of water. For type and method
of application refer to the contract specifications and/or manufacturers instructions.
3.
DOCUMENTATION
Quality
Plan
i)
Contract
and/or
i)
Manufacturers
test
requirements
approved
certificates
(in
and
contract
workshop
case
of
specification.
drawings.
sealants
and
waterbars).
iii)
Request
for
Consultants
consent/approval.
The above referenced documentation where appropriate will be retained in the HEE
archive
for
the
prescribed
period
of
time.