Concrete Block Retaining Walls vs Segmental Retaining Walls

Retaining wall contractors are often called to the scene of a collapsed retaining wall blocks only to find the wall in question was made of concrete. The reason for the collapse is always evident. The nature of the request, the walls have been retained to cover the cost of behind them, where the land on which they are intended to be maintained.

When we study the concrete, the design itself tell us much about whyfail when he pointed out to the side. As with all devices, cables, they are the strongest when the load is brought down from top to wear when in their normal orientation installation. The way in which the concrete is most often used to build walls of buildings, most of the load is placed on top, pushing the land where a concrete foundation carries the load.

A simple test of the power blocks is possible by means of a standard framing hammerand hitting the sides of the block. With little effort, the walls crack and the block is no longer of any use.

Compared to a concrete block, segmental block retaining wall is solid concrete and high density. With the same dog before, you can easily put yourself before the bust of the block. You can break the corners and edges, but it takes a chisel and a hammer to cause real damage to the slide.

Anotherproblem with concrete blocks is their ability to absorb water. We are all aware of the expanding force of the water freezes, so we can understand that a retaining wall, one that is constantly in contact with the earth behind, it would be wet most of the time. This can not be said for the wall of a building that is protected from the rain outside and be open with the air inside.

When the temperature is below freezing for a sufficient period oftime to freeze the ground, it will also freeze water in support of your retaining wall blocks. while it may take several years depending on the number of freezes you every year at the end cracks begin to form, both the blocks and mortar used to hold them together.

Segmental retaining wall blocks are impermeable to water. They may be in a water bath for several years and will never absorb water deeper than one-eighth ofinches. The high density of concrete is too thick in the water to introduce the band. The freeze will not make more of a hot day in these blocks.

With the wide variety of materials used for the last 100 years the walls of thousands of reserve in all areas of the country that are not flat, it's no wonder that a system of retaining wall would then be able to withstand the test of time. For too long we have used independentmaterials were available with little thought for the future.

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As for the repair of concrete work at home

Concrete is generally weak in tension but very strong in compression. This makes taking the pressure forces or loads such as steel is added to that used for the maintenance of walls and columns. For concrete with a tensile strength from it, is bound with reinforcements. This is usually in beams and plates. After pouring the ', actual damage or defects may occur. This could combs, bending or leakage of water. These deficiencies can be corrected and passed the concrete.

L 'repair of concrete work to be done in dry weather, if possible. This makes the work dry and obtain the necessary strength. After the correction has been made, must be continually cared for at least a week. If the deficiencies are listed as cracks in the concrete structural engineer to testify. The manufacturer should assess the cracks and give advice. Repairs to concrete defects generally can be done at home.

After the repair of concrete,provide the necessary material. It's gravel, cement and sand. The reason why we use fragments of size relative to the ballast or coarse aggregate. They may be able to work in small holes as defects tires honeycomb. The sand used in concrete structures that are not structural. The comb honey is the most common defect. It is concrete with air pockets visible on the surface after the merger.

Concrete is made completely remove the loosematerials. The cavity is formed entirely softened. After this, his stone mixed with cement to form a good consistency. This paste is then applied to areas outside the rake. This is done in layers until the void is filled. Once filled, a floating wood is used to adjust the shape of the existing terrain. This is then aged for at least a week and then the final corrected is applied to the concrete surface.

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Precast concrete

Precast concrete is concrete that is poured into a mold which is then treated in a controlled environment, transported to the site and then installed.

Through the production of precast concrete products in a controlled environment, the cement is a chance to heal properly (in a controlled environment) and are closely monitored. Using precast concrete offers many potential advantages to casting the concrete on the site.

The production processprefab is conducted in a controlled environment, which helps with security.
On a precast plant is a much better position to improve the quality of materials and workers to control. This controlled environment: the final product should be a higher quality than a product to put on the site.
Forms used in a precast plant can be reused hundreds of times, so costs can be minimized.

Precast concrete products are used in a wide variety of industries hereare some examples:

Agriculture - one of the most common uses of prefabrication in the agricultural sector, are pre-stressed concrete panels. These are used for the walls of farm buildings. There are many other products, such as watering, feeding and cattle slats.
Utilities - water and energy companies use many different types of products. They range from divers concrete slabs.
etc. - Construction products floors, retaining walls, lintelsConcrete products are a key part of the construction and coating may in various fields.

I cited some specific industries mentioned above, but precast concrete now play a role in many areas, which cover different areas. Due to the nature and advantages of the products will be an important part of the world around us for many years to come.

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Concrete Acid Stain - Cheer Up Your Concrete

If you have a lot of concrete around your home, then you might have seen the idea of doing something for a bit 'more attractive. Many people have heard of paints and varnishes agents, but the idea of concrete acid staining is unknown for most. In principle concerns the color of the concrete, causing a chemical reaction on the surface of the concrete.

Concrete acid stain causes a chemical reaction with the acid mix, water and minerals. There are already minerals in practice, and when mixed with the three added ingredients, the color of concrete changes. It does not matter if the concrete is new or old, it works fine in both directions. If you take the time after the acid staining the concrete to be protected, then the effect will last for a very long time.

Some people I met on the concept of concrete acid staining, the false idea that can only be done outdoors. This is not true. It can stain both internal and external> Walls, entrances, sidewalks, patios, driveways, retaining walls, concrete or any other area that could do with some applause and color.

Concrete acid stain is not enough to change the color, but also gives a marbled, mottled look, very attractive. The colors are beautiful products, no matter what kind of acid stained concrete. In general, the final color is an interesting blend of brown and red and green. You cancolor mixing and matching of colors available from a hardware store. Never make the mistake of believing that your acid stain of the same color - each concrete slab will have its own shadow.

If you think you want to brighten your practice, then consider the possibility of acid staining. You can really make a difference to the look of concrete.

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Identify your choices with Concrete Pools

When it comes to discovering new ways to improve your home, there's nothing better in relation to the establishment of a concrete pool. A concrete pool is a great investment in your home and provide benefits to the investor if you just want to buy a home, looking for changes to your existing home or looking to sell your home. For the new house is usually difficult to move to a house that formerly lived in Fortunately for theminstalling a concrete swimming pool gives them the opportunity to make their own home, designing a space, in particular in the direction of their interests.

If you've been home for a long time and are desperate for a change, nothing is more efficient than building a concrete pool. With a concrete pool you can completely change a room in the house that can be absolutely useless and is in desperate need of remodeling. Finally, the person seekingsell their home, there is no better investment to redesign a concrete pool. With the creation of a pool to include an important factor in residence, who like many potential buyers. You also have the opportunity to see the value of your home to maximize and have a greater chance of selling your home before the competition in the real estate market.

One of the biggest robberies out there with homeowners to invest in the pools has been discovered with their belief that their gayproperty can not maintain a concrete pool. When employees make the decision of the appeal, opening the door to new ideas that you might not be so in the past considered the idea of retaining wall design. With the design of the supporting wall is a chance to reform your property and adjust to meet your needs. Even if you decide that a swimming pool with wall design is not for you then you canshape of the landscape to create a new atmosphere to be experienced

With the use of retaining wall design open the door to have a professional company install a pool in reinforced concrete. Most homeowners are surprised at the effect of a new pool may have on the visual appeal of a property when combined with the retaining wall design. Do not assume that the property will not allow you the pleasures of a pool until talkingindustry experts.

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The profession of stamped concrete

Stamp Concrete is growing in popularity because of its ability to prevail over previous "curb appeal" applications. If the goal is the outside so that you can define to entice potential buyers to remember and like the rest of the control property, a stamped and colored concrete driveway or take certainly help your home stand out.

Stamping refers to the final application in which a selected texture is imprinted into the concrete during the final stages of concretefinish. With a variety of texture stamped concrete options can add the effects of natural stone, patterns and unique details on a specific project.

Other features include:


Full Color: added to concrete, while still in the mix (the truck).

Boundaries: combining multiple textures (Broom / rounded edges with a special stamp in the field, making the effect of determining the particular stamp)

Vertical Stamping: If the application ofthe same texture to the risers on concrete steps and vertical wall stamping

Accent Coloring: Colors applied during or after the stamping of the concrete has cured for highlighting texture

Staining: If old soul poured concrete or adding color / details on a new

Seal: A variety of Shen, the sealant to determine if your final finish is polished (wet) or muted

As with most manufacturing processes, other companies canprocess itself in different ways. Not all changes are wrong, but want to know how the technical expert with the molding process. Find out what textures are available, and ask your contractor to see some recent projects. While most entrepreneurs have photos and samples of materials and colors, seeing a final product is really effective to help determine if the stamped concrete is right for you.

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Precast concrete retaining wall

A wall of prefabricated concrete support materials are normally used to retain earth or something. E 'is also used to distribute agricultural buildings, such as a grain of sand or waste transfer stations to create storage.

concrete retaining walls have gained an advantage over concrete walls or in-situ walls and wood are very popular for civil engineering projects. They tend to be more efficient, easier to install and more environmentallycompared with other options. There are two main methods for the determination of the retaining wall in place, embedding them in a concrete floor, or, alternatively, using a ground mounting. The advantage of this solution is that the concrete retaining wall can be moved later.

One of the main things to consider when building a concrete retaining wall is the force with which the material is stored is an attempt to go ahead and slidethe force of gravity. This creates a lateral earth pressure behind the wall. Ground Press the wall pushes forward or overturn it if it does not look good. N. groundwater behind the wall is allowed to build the wall creates an additional pressure on the horizontal plane. This problem can be solved with the installation of adequate drainage holes in the wall. While it may be an unwanted burden, resulting in a draft of an engineer is very important and can be time and reduce costs down the line.

There are a number of products suitable for use as a wall of cement. The right product will depend on a number of factors including the preserved material, the height of the wall, the constraints of place and budget. A few products that are worth considering, concrete panels (vertically or horizontally are used), L-shaped support wall, the cradle of cement> Wall units. While material costs may seem expensive, taking into account the savings in terms of installation, often works as the preferred solution.

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How to build a form for a decorative concrete wall

Have you ever wanted to keep a wall as you can see along the way /? You know what - they are reliefs of the mountains, trees, buildings, animals such as bears, dinosaurs, buffalo, etc. The only problem I see is that the concrete from sticking to the wood. If I ever get around a router I use for my relief and probably cut the plywood and screw the base shape. Then I would close the plywood with some goodcan use paint or fiberglass resin. I would use the "gel coat" type - he wax. If you're adventurous, you can build the gel coat, laundry without pre-mixed and add your own. I know guys who make this fiber (not working on boats molds). They argue that it is better - you can build a couple of coats and the final layer is added. In this way a strong protection. The thing here is if you can not wax type gel coat of paint on top - does not stick. Tothat there are no undercuts in the modules and that they are smooth as they are created.

Paint on some gelcoat mixed as directed and let it heal you should be ready to go. I think I also use a spray on non-stick as "Pam" as insurance coverage. I would try this before I go to my project, because there is a lot of pressure on the form when it is full of cement. Make sure the form is hard as you can. Use 2x4 reinforcement on the outside. If you foldyour gelcoat and then you can break concrete and stabbing, of course, have a casting in ruins. The key thing here is to prevent the concrete to stick to the form. Do everything possible to stop this and will build the wall of a great player.

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Add a Final Touch With a Concrete Swimming Pool

You have had your house for many years and you have done everything you possibly can to it. You have gotten all of your home windows changed, you've repaved your driveway, you have redesigned the basement yet, regardless of how many improvements you have made, your house doesn't feel like home. Rather than giving up and house hunting, it is time to consider the wide world of inground pools.

The very first idea that creeps into your mind when you think about inground pools might be that your yard will have a pretty intense incline. Although that may at first look like a real problem, think again. All inground pools are put into the ground with a concrete foundation, one as strong as the house you reside in. Not only do we construct a swimming pool with this concrete foundation, we can even build retaining walls designed especially for your yard.

Typical retaining wall design layouts are done so that the soil is held back and is firmly secure with no risk of tumbling over the yard during a heavy thunderstorm. Today's retaining walls are designed in many pleasing fashions and can make any yard look better for having them. By having a specialized team such as our team come and survey your yard, we will be able to tell you what alternatives would be best for your yard and let you choose which one you think is best - we'll always give you an honest opinion.

Selecting the design of your retaining walls is not the only great decision you'll get to make when thinking about inground pools. When you choose to build a swimming pool, you'll also get to decide what sort of inground pools appeal to you. If you're going to put the money into putting in a swimming pool which would make you happy for the remainder of your life and make your house look perfect, the best option is to get a concrete swimming pool. These pools are meant to last a lifetime and could be built in any number of striking layouts. A concrete swimming pool does not have the same type of maintenance problems that any of the other pools have. It doesn't have a liner which must be changed and unlike fiber glass pools, it isn't made from a mold. If pool made from a mold breaks it is not easily repaired, you'll have to replace the pool molding while concrete can always be easily repaired.

You would be creating a perfect home paradise for you and your family by deciding to install an inground pool in your property. Adding a concrete swimming pool is the best thing you could do to complete your home and give it the final touch it needs.

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The Basics of Insulating Concrete Form Construction Technology

Insulating Concrete Forms, also known as ICF construction, is a concrete building system that offers superior strength, energy efficiency, durability and comfort compared to traditional construction methods. Although it has been predominantly used in the residential market during the past decade, commercial applications are rapidly increasing.

There are several other concrete home building systems, including masonry, reusable forms and pre-cast products. This article focuses on ICF technology and not on any specific manufacturer in the ICF industry.

ICF construction technology is not smoke and mirrors. It is a very proven product in a new package. Simply put, it is a reinforced concrete wall identical to the ones that have been designed for years as basements, foundations and retaining walls. The advantage is that the forming system is very lightweight, has high insulation properties and does not require removal. The finished wall generally incorporates integral attachment points for interior and exterior finishes.

With an ICF wall, the forms are stacked, the walls are braced and aligned and the concrete is placed in the stay-in-place form. The wall is simply a monolithic concrete core (just like any other concrete wall), with two continuous insulation layers. The faces (AKA flange) of the ties function as the furring strips for attaching interior and exterior finishes.

The initial idea for insulated block construction has been around for over 50 years. In the 70's, polystyrene foam was introduced. NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) performs an annual survey of residential builders across the US. According to their research, the market has exploded during the past 5 years. The ICFA (Insulating Concrete Forms Association at http://www.forms.org) reported that 16 percent of all new custom home starts in 2004 used ICF technology and the industry is growing by over 30% per year.

Conceptually, ICF technology is rather simple. They all use the same basic components including a face shell of expanded polystyrene foam, a core of reinforced concrete and a plastic form tie that supports the face during concrete placement. The foam panels are typically fully reversible, 2.5" thick by 16" tall by 48" in length. The plastic ties are typically 6" on center which provides incredible stability during concrete placement. The ties are embedded ½" inside the foam panel and their position is marked on the foam panel so installers can easily find them. The foam provides an R-22 continuous insulation plane from the footing to the top plate.

The concrete in an ICF wall is nothing special. Design specifications are typical of conventional foundation requirements. The one minor difference is the aggregate size. It is typically 3/8" pea gravel to allow for easy and smooth pumping of the concrete, especially for above grade applications.

Concrete placed inside an ICF actually achieves much higher than normal and specified strength. This is due to the ideal curing conditions, stable temperature and slow moisture loss rates inside the expanded polystyrene panels.

There are currently over 70 manufacturers of ICF's in the market around the US. I always get asked the question "Which one is the best?" The answer I always give is "Which is better, a Ford or a Chevy?" Depending on who is asking, I have the following responses:

Homeowner: It shouldn't matter to you. From a user's perspective, all ICF brands perform dramatically better than frame construction under every circumstance. The differences between brands will not be noticeable to you. You should perform standard due diligence and locate the best contractor and let the contractor use the product that he and his crew is most comfortable using.

Contractor: Here the differences are the greatest and affect the type and amount of labor required for installation and also the waste factor. Some brands require more on-site labor, others have a lower material and/or shipping cost. Others are pre-assembled to minimize on-site labor. Some forms have waste percentages approaching 10%, while others are closer to 1%. It really depends on personal preference and experience of the construction crew.

Architect: Cavity configuration affects the structural performance slightly, but all ICF brands have load-bearing and shear strength capacities far exceeding frame walls (up to 600% greater in some cases). As a designer, the biggest concern is the web tie face size and web tie spacing. (Example, vertical lap siding may require additional furring if the tie face is vertically oriented and has a wide spacing). It is worth noting that the placement of windows, doors and T-walls can be affected by web tie spacing. Typically, flat wall ICF products with closer web tie spacing require significantly less attention to these details.

I suggest contacting the Insulating Concrete Forms Association via the internet to obtain a list of primary members. These are some of the largest and best established companies. Like most any construction product you specify, whether it is plumbing, lumber, or windows, it is the local people providing the support and service that always make the biggest difference. Other valuable sources of reliable and non-biased information include: www.icfweb.com, www.icfhomes.com. It is worth noting that there are many other excellent resources available via the internet and that I don't own or control any of the websites listed in this article.

There are three interior core configurations of ICF's. Flat wall is a simple vertical section of uniform thickness and is the easiest to engineer and install. Waffle grid has vertical and horizontal cores - alignment of cores must be maintained by installers, but uses about 25% less concrete than flat wall. The thin web section is about 2" to 3" thick. Screen grid has same alignment requirements of waffle grid and utilizes a field installed spline between blocks for finish attachment. All three types are included in the Prescriptive Method for ICF Wall Design and the International Residential Code (IRC 2006) and concrete walls are typically all designed and engineered according the ACI 318. However, the newest engineering code standard, ACI 560, will no longer provide engineering data for waffle or screen grid ICF products.

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