Finishing process of concrete

Stages of concrete

1. Concrete
technology
Finishing
Vamsi Putta
AUD 8081

2. Things you need to figure out before
the finishing process starts…
•
What type of surface is needed?
1.
Interior or exterior
2.
Slab uses
3.
Non slip or smooth
4.
Sealed for sanitary reasons
5.
Excessive water washing
6.
Decorative
Finishing of the concrete surface is done after compaction
to obtain true, uniform and smooth surface.

3. Finishing of concrete
Screeding Floating
Trowelling
Various steps involved

4. Screeding
•
Screeding -Striking off excess concrete using a straight edge.
(Consolidating)(uniform plastic mass)
Straight edge
Standard timings for Finishing
This can take 20 minutes or 4 hours
depending on the temperature,
humidity and how hard the wind is
blowing. After the bleed water is all
gone, you can get out your
steelfinishingtrowel and put on the
final touches. You will notice the steel
trowel is not perfectly flat.

5. Floating
•
Floating -Removes the irregularities left after screeding, firmly
embeds the large aggregate particles, done using wooden floats.
•
Floating gives a medium non-slip surface, good for concrete which
is constantly exposed to outside weather and general use. (1.5 m
long and 20 cm wide) (handle 5 m long)
(Wood float or metal float –rougher finish???)
Wood float
Wooden Darby
Bullfloat

6. Trowelling
•
Trowelling -To obtain very smooth and highly wear resistance surface. It
is done using a steel trowel. (trowel is 25 to 50 cm long, 8 to 12 cm wide)
•
Troweling –smooth surface –brings the cement paste to the top (easy
clean up) (slippery when wet)(sanitary conditions)(after all excess water
has evaporated)
Steel trowel
Power trowel
Power trowel

7. Summary
•
Finishing is done after compaction, to obtain level and smooth surface.
•
Steps involved are Screeding, Floating followed by Trowelling.
•
Spreading of dry cement on wet surfaces should be avoided as it causes
weaker surfaces, cracks and blisters.
Latest trowelling
technology
Brooming –for a rougher
finish (damp, stiff –
bristled broom)(Outside
areas)

8. Thank you