Here at Co-Dunkall Ltd, we’re always excited to share our latest projects, especially when they showcase the efficiency and superior finish of modern concrete solutions. This week, we completed a significant installation in Sewards End, pouring a massive 42 cubic meters (m³) of flowing concrete for a client.
Pouring 42 cubic meters of concrete is a substantial undertaking, and using a flowing concrete mix (sometimes referred to as self-compacting concrete or liquid concrete) makes the process incredibly efficient. This type of concrete pours smoothly and settles perfectly level, ensuring a truly robust, dense, and high-quality slab. This not only speeds up the installation significantly but also guarantees a perfectly even and strong base for whatever the client plans next.
But our work doesn’t stop once the concrete is laid. The very next day, our team returned to the Sewards End site to perform a crucial step: cutting in expansion joints.
Why Are Expansion Joints So Important for Concrete?
You might wonder why we’d cut into a perfectly laid concrete slab, especially one as large as 42m³. The answer lies in the inherent properties of concrete. Concrete naturally expands and contracts with changes in temperature and moisture. Without proper expansion joints, these movements can lead to:
- Cracking: Uncontrolled stress from expansion and contraction will inevitably lead to unsightly and potentially structurally compromising cracks.
- Buckling or Warping: In severe cases, particularly with large slabs like this one, the concrete can buckle or warp if it doesn’t have room to expand.
- Damage to Adjacent Structures: The immense force of expanding concrete can also put pressure on surrounding walls, foundations, or other elements, leading to damage.
By meticulously cutting in control joints, we create weakened planes in the concrete. This encourages any cracking that does occur to happen neatly within these pre-determined lines, keeping the surface looking good and maintaining its structural integrity over time. It’s a vital step that ensures the longevity and performance of any concrete installation, especially one of this scale.
Our team in Sewards End carefully measured and cut these joints to precise specifications across the vast 42m³ slab. This guarantees the concrete will stand the test of time, effectively managing the stresses of environmental changes for decades to come.
This project in Sewards End is another great example of how Co-Dunkall Ltd combines efficient installation techniques with essential follow-up procedures to deliver durable, structurally sound, and high-quality concrete solutions, no matter the size.
Feel free to reach out to us at Co-Dunkall Ltd if you’re considering flowing concrete for your next project, big or small!