Concrete curing in enclosed space

[Industrial Toys]

Yes, connecting a heavy roller is a PITA. It can also push over a small tractor if you are going down hill and turn too soon, fast or sharp. Ask me how I know?

 

[BigBlue1]

450# roller, weight of lawn tractor unknown. I think you will have difficulty aligning 3 drawbar holes so it can be pinned on. Using a pair of clevises don't work very well either. Using the automotive style of trailer connection is cheap and much easier to connect even without a 3pt.

It rolls. No problems getting it into place!

I may have to mod the hitch to give a little more up/down swing but it fared well on its maiden voyage.

Rob

 

[BigBlue1]

Yes, connecting a heavy roller is a PITA. It can also push over a small tractor if you are going down hill and turn too soon, fast or sharp. Ask me how I know?

I'm pulling it with a Deere x758. I think it can keep 450-800# in check. I have no significant hills.

Rob

 

[chim]

We built this one at work using 24" Sch 40 steel pipe. Each section has a stub piece of 3" pipe that's a bit longer than the width of the section so the sections don't rub each other. It has 4 sections at 12" and the center section is 19". Each one has spokes made of rebar that kept the 3" axle in place while pouring. I had it made in sections so it would make sharper turns without scrubbing.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Oooops!

 

[oosik]

Darn IT - that's not even a tiny bit funny IT. Only somebodies pride got hurt - I hope. Years ago I saw a brand new chunk of corrugated highway culvert. Must have been the excess that was cut off a large piece. It was 48" x about 6' or 7'. While I was contemplating this situation - a private contractor came by and picked it up. Darn........

 

[Cord]

Ok, this is a late post, but maybe somebody will find it to useful. So long as excessive water isn稚 used to thin the concrete, all of the water will be consumed by the reaction. Water evaporating off the surface of a slab will result in problems such as crazing and slab curl. The use of curing techniques and compounds can slow the evaporation and the resulting issues. In your sealed drum, this won稚 be an issue because the water won稚 be able to evaporate. To get the concrete to flow you may be tempted to add more water. This will result in free water, more water than what is needed for the reaction. This free water will form small droplets that will remain as the concrete cures. As this water evaporates void pockets will remain and these will negatively affect the concrete strength. Of course, strength isn稚 critical to your application, the pockets also affect the concrete density.

 

[rScotty]

It will cure without evaporation...in fact it will cure stronger if the surface is kept damp to wet for the first week. You'll see begin to harden within a few hours to a few days, but typically takes about 30 days to reach max strength.

 

[BigBlue1]

Ok, this is a late post, but maybe somebody will find it to useful. So long as excessive water isn稚 used to thin the concrete, all of the water will be consumed by the reaction. Water evaporating off the surface of a slab will result in problems such as crazing and slab curl. The use of curing techniques and compounds can slow the evaporation and the resulting issues. In your sealed drum, this won稚 be an issue because the water won稚 be able to evaporate. To get the concrete to flow you may be tempted to add more water. This will result in free water, more water than what is needed for the reaction. This free water will form small droplets that will remain as the concrete cures. As this water evaporates void pockets will remain and these will negatively affect the concrete strength. Of course, strength isn稚 critical to your application, the pockets also affect the concrete density.

I mixed mine at the upper end of the recommended water amount (on the bag: "start with 2 quarts of water per bag and add more if needed, but not more than 3.5 quarts"). As noted, neither the surface nor voids are relevant here. I just need solid weight. The roller is done now so I'm all set. The end has a plate welded over it but there are spaces where the hole is still able to breathe (due to plate not fitting tightly over the domed end).

Appreciate the tips.

Rob