On Good Form

Our latest project is well underway with the first day of pouring concrete. While we’re on a hillside, the foundation is constructed below grade, forming the ground floor that comprises several sections of mat slab for the various building structures. It is early fall, yet temps are already in the 80’s by mid-morning. The concrete deliveries will run continuously all day, the pump truck will pump non-stop, and the guys will pour 315 cubic yards of material before the day ends.

And up go the walls.

Just two weeks later, the forms for the retaining walls are complete and ready for concrete. This stage is a little bit tricky— there’s a boom operator moving the arm by remote-control, while the other guy directs the fast moving concrete mix into the gap, while straddling the narrow 10-feet high forms. They will come back and pour the same same section several times, vibrating the mix each time to ensure there are no remaining air pockets.