Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jesus Jones
Might not be load baring but i'd be concerned about the bamboo rotting over time and leaving pockets that might cause cracking eventually. Re bar or the steel grid material would be better, surely.
This man is correct. go buy some cheap chicken wire or screen/wire mesh and put it in the pre-pour form. Put a couple rocks under the wire mesh to support it above the ground surface while you pour the concrete. This prevents the wire from coming into contact with the soil and absorbson of moisture which forms rust internally on the wire inside the concrete causing deterioration of the wire through corrosion and weakening of the concrete.
If the wire mesh falls to the bottom or the ground use a rake or wire hook to re-pull the mesh up from contact with the earth. I assume you are pouring this by the bucket load not the mixer truck load? Keep your mix stable and not overly "soupy," this increases the strength of the mix. Certainly the Thais like soupy mixes as its easier to pour, but in the end its weak concrete.
After completing the pour, screed it smooth and then cover with burlap bags for curing. As the concrete strengthens during the morning wet the burlap bags to keep the concrete from cracking due to water loss and heat. Most concrete isn't suppose to be poured in heat greater than 25 degrees C, however in Thailand its unavoidable and super plasticizers are used to moderate the temperatures.
Too much information? Sorry, but this is how its suppose to be done. Please no bamboo re-bar.:rolleyes:
