Construction is gaining momentum today, technologies in this industry are constantly developing. New ways of erecting structures, as well as masonry, are being put into practice. This also applies to the range of materials. Concrete is one of the most popular today. It is widely used for laying slabs, foundations, paving paths, etc.
The solution is an artificial material that has high strength. It is obtained by mixing several ingredients, namely:
- water;
- sand;
- cement;
- crushed stone.
The solution may have a certain brand, but today a so-called washed concrete occupies a special place in the field of construction, which will be discussed below.
Description
The aforementioned production technology involves washing out the top layer of cement paste, during which the internal filler turns out to be outside. Using this technology, reinforced concrete products receive the invoice of natural material: pebbles, granite and marble. At the same time, natural stone is laid on the structure of the product, which prevents its peeling.
Washed concrete involves the use of special varnish and gel, which are necessary for the manufacture of products with complex geometry. The gel provides a uniform layer. The technology may include the use of P-07 paper, which is used for products with a flat base, including Euro fences, paving slabs and panels. In this case, the products are formed face down.
Production Technology: Necessary Tools and Materials
Washed concrete is a technology that implies the need for certain tools and materials. Among them are the following:
- water
- concrete mixer;
- molds for tiles;
- sand;
- reagents.
Among other things, you will need a room for production, access to electricity, a vibrating table, cement, fine filler and paper of the aforementioned type. As for the concrete mixer, it should be inertial, but it is better not to use equipment of the “pear” type. However, in extreme cases, they still allow such an opportunity. As for the forms for the tiles, you can buy the usual, made of plastic. Sometimes they are made of metal to order. You will need the Karcher device.
It should be remembered that when choosing sand, it is better to prefer river, but sea pebbles, quartzite, crushed granite, diorite, marble chips or travertine can become a small filler. Sometimes cast iron shots, glass chips, wastes from thermal power plants, smalt, etc. are used.
Production process
If you decide to make washed concrete, then at the first stage you should prepare a concrete mixture, to which a pre-selected filler is added. For the solution, you will need a part of M-500 brand cement, pebbles, 3.5 parts of filler, 1.5 parts of sand, as well as water.
In a concrete mixer, all ingredients are mixed until a uniform mixture of sour cream consistency is obtained. Do not make the composition more dense. At the next stage, a mold is prepared on the bottom of which a gel is applied. Alternatively, you can use paper.
The washed concrete technology provides for the expectation that the mold will dry. This can take half an hour if the conditions are ideal. They provide for the preservation of temperature during this period within +20 ° C. If paper is used, then this step must be omitted. When the form is collapsible, it must be assembled, and then installed on a vibrating table.
Methodology
The main stage will be filling out the form with a solution, but it is necessary to carry out these works when the vibrating table is on. The mold is then removed from the table and left to dry completely. After a day, the product can be removed. Using water or a nylon brush with running water, it is necessary to remove the upper, not yet strong layer of cement paste. Sometimes the Kärcher is used for this. On this, it can be considered that the washed concrete products are ready.
Production methods
As a feature of production, a retarder of the maturation of the solution acts. This also applies to the case when it is necessary to make, for example, a concrete pot. Depending on the tasks, the reagent can be applied to products from different sides. As a result, the tile, being in the formwork, is covered with a deactivator from the outside. But if we are talking about products that should have a complex pattern, then the technology for their production is somewhat different. In this case, the hardening moderator is applied to the inner walls of the mold, and then the finished mass of concrete is placed in it. In both cases, the reagent is washed off to obtain a given relief. As a result, the concrete pot can have a different design, texture and color.
Consumption of additional materials
If the consumption of the main ingredients is quite easy to calculate, then the parameters of the gel or paper should be additionally known. If a gel of the brand G-05 is used, then its consumption can vary from 60 to 80 g / m 2 of the front surface. But when using R-07 paper, it is important to consider that its consumption per square meter of the front surface will be the same - one square meter.
Products based on washed concrete technology
The quality of the concrete mix, which will be manufactured with the aim of creating products using the "washed concrete" technology, is of a high level. Quite often, novice masters wonder what products can be manufactured using this technique. The answer is simple and lies in the fact that this method allows you to create almost any product, the size of which will have absolutely no value. This can be a flowerpot or curly elements, as well as road fences.
The assortment is diverse - from facade tiles to pavers, as well as small-grade products and cottage housing. But concrete tile - this is not the only thing that can be done by the described technology. These include fence and wall blocks, ground stone, retaining walls, visors for fences, curly elements of fences, barbecue, facade tiles, basement panels, columns, fence plates, landing areas, garden benches and tables, fountains, balls of different diameters, lawn sculptures, steps, flights of stairs, etc.
Conclusion
Concrete tile in the conditions of the plant using the technology of "washed concrete" is made using special equipment. If you decided to do such work yourself, then you can mechanize the process using a concrete mixer, which will be needed in the first stage. But washing off the top layer of concrete can be done with a spray gun with a brush or a water pump. For concrete casting, durable plastic or wooden molds can additionally be used.