Just a few years ago, a 10,000 sf slab pour was a large one. We are now in the 50,000 sf range.
We have recently made a series of large pours on a 15-acre project, using a laser CAD guided screed. It yields better, more accurate pours. Here is the run down on the means and methods of our equipment.
- Total station surveying equipment is mounted to the laser screed. Grading information is filtered through CAD, which creates a 3-D model.
- Slope and grade changes on a slab are handled by the screed, translating to less labor, more accuracy and the ability to make larger pours.
- This also allows for a lower slump concrete with higher strengths and less labor. On this particular pour, we used a mid-range water reducer to give us more workable slumps but keep the water to cement ratio down. We get better early breaks which allow quicker access on the slabs.
- Document control is a must. Ensure the latest, most accurate CAD drawings are used. A lesson learned.
