TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Euroside Construction provides specialist services to the Construction Industry. Below is Technical Information for some of the services and methods of construction we employ.
TECHNICAL 01 - LASER SCREED MACHINES
TECHNICAL 02 - JUMPFORM CONSTRUCTION
TECHNICAL 03 - SLIPFORM CONSTRUCTION
TECHNICAL 04 - CONCRETE REPAIRS
TECHNICAL 05 - DIAMOND DRILLING
TECHNICAL 06 - DIAMOND WIRE SAWING
TECHNICAL 07 - CONCRETE WALL SAWING
TECHNICAL 08 - CONCRETE FLOOR SAWING - COMING SOON
01
TECHNICAL 01 - OUR LASER SCREED MACHINES
One of the secrets to our success in providing precision concrete placement, to a finished smooth grade of 0.3 is our investment in laser screed machines. We have an impressive fleet of Somero® CopperHead® XD™ 3.0 and MINI SCREED™ C machines.
Our self-propelled CopperHead® XD™ 3.0 is a 4th generation walk-behind Laser Screed® machine. The machine sets the grade automatically, allowing our concrete gang to move quickly and efficiently. It is ideal for slab-on-grade and upper decks applications; but improves our performance over chaired rebar or mesh and in-floor heat and freezer slabs.
Our Mini Screed™ C machines are designed for use on small commercial, upper deck and residential projects. With laser-controlled accuracy, this machine allows us to screed to higher tolerances than traditional methods and works well with cement mixes of varying slumps.
Our benefits and expertise from investing in the latest technology laser screed machines include:
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Improved floor finish quality
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Increased profitability
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Fewer worker injuries
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CBSSR Laser Control System
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Lightweight and easy to manoeuvre around site
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Easy to set-up, break-down and transport to site
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Screed flat, single or dual slopes
02
TECHNICAL 02 - JUMPFORM CONSTRUCTION
Generally, jumpform systems comprise the formwork and working platforms for cleaning/fixing of the formwork, steel fixing and concreting. The formwork supports itself on the concrete cast earlier so does not rely on support or access from other parts of the building or permanent works.
Jumpform, here taken to include systems often described as climbing form, is suitable for construction of multi-storey, vertical concrete elements in high-rise structures, such as:
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Shear walls
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Core walls
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Lift shafts
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Stair shafts
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Bridge pylons
These are constructed in a staged process. It is a highly-productive system designed to increase speed and efficiency while minimising labour and crane time. Systems are normally modular and can be joined to form long lengths to suit varying construction geometries.
Three types of jump forms are in general use:
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Normal jump/climbing form: units are individually lifted off the structure and relocated at the next construction level using a crane. Crane availability is crucial.
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Guided-climbing jumpform: also uses a crane but offers greater safety and control during lifting as units remain anchored/guided by the structure.
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Self-climbing jumpform: does not require a crane as it climbs on rails up the building by means of hydraulic jacks.
Benefits
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Fast construction can be achieved by careful planning of the construction process.
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Self-climbing formwork cuts down the requirement for crane time considerably. By allowing the crane to be used for other construction work this may reduce the total number of cranes needed on site.
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The formwork is independently supported, so the shear walls and core walls can be completed ahead of the rest of the main building structure.
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High quality surface finishes can be achieved.
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Climbing forms can be designed to operate in high winds.
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Highly engineered nature of jump form systems allows quick and precise adjustment of the formwork in all planes.
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Some formwork systems can be used at an inclined angle.
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A small but skilled workforce is required on site.
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It is easier to plan construction activities due to the repetitive nature of the work.
Safety
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Working platforms, guard rails, and ladders are built into the completed units of market-leading formwork systems.
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Self-climbing formwork systems are provided with integral free-fall breaking devices.
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The completed formwork assembly is robust.
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The reduced use of scaffolding and temporary work platforms results in less congestion on site.
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The setting rate of concrete in those parts of the structure supporting the form is critical in determining the rate at which construction can safely proceed.
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The repetitive nature of the works means site operatives are quickly familiar with health and safety aspects of their job.
Other considerations
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Jumpform is typically used on buildings of five storeys or more; fully self-climbing systems are generally used on structures with more than 20 floor levels.
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Trailing and suspended platforms are used for concrete finishing and retrieving cast-in anchor components from previous pours.
03
TECHNICAL 03 - SLIPFORM CONSTRUCTION
Slipform construction technique is an alternative for conventional formwork system which helps in continuous vertical and horizontal construction. The slipform helps to conduct continuous pouring of the concrete to the moving formwork. The process stops only when the required length of casting is completed.
Development of Slipform Construction
The property of cement and concrete to gain sufficient strength to stay in shape once cast within the initial setting time of 30 minutes lead to the development of slip form construction technique. Engineers took this property to develop a moving formwork system so that the concrete can be poured continuously.
The height of the formwork is designed such a way that, during the pouring of the upper level formwork, the concrete poured in the below formwork would have gained initial setting. The concrete exposed when the formwork moves up will remain firm.
Components of Slipform
The slipform system is designed with varied features. Generally, it consists of yoke legs. Yoke legs are employed to lift and sustain the weight of the entire structure, so that it behaves as a single unit. Yoke legs are also used to connect with the beams, scaffolding and working platforms to serve the supporting purpose.
To the yoke legs, walk-away brackets are connected. These walkway brackets will enable proper placement of the concrete.
The whole slipform assembly is lifted by means of strand rods and lifting jacks. These primary components are located at equal intervals so that the uniform and good distribution of weight is performed. In some construction, lifting process are supported by means of hydraulic pump components.
Features of Slipform Construction
The slipform construction technique is a rapid and a economic construction method compared to the conventional formwork technique. This helps to achieve huge cost saving. The technique is best suitable for large building structures and bridges. When small structures are concerned, the projects with identical geometry can be easily completed by slipform construction.
Continuous movement of formwork in upward direction is performed in slip form technique. The movement is facilitated by hydraulic jacks and jack rods. In the construction of vertical structures, the rate of rising the formwork upwards will be almost in the rate of 300mm per hour. These rise with the help of the supports from other permanent parts of the building.
The technique of slipform construction will vary based on the type of structure constructed. Based on this the frameworks required to support the system will vary.
Advantages of Slipform Construction Technique
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Non-stop Method of Construction
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Increase rate of construction
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Increase the productivity
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Provide more working space
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Creates safe work environment for the workers
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Employs less accessory equipment
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Increase flexibility in construction
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Reduced Labour costs
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Scaffolding and temporary works in construction is reduced
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Uniform wall sections and layouts are obtained
04
TECHNICAL 04 - CONCRETE REPAIRS
Concrete has been used in the UK as a primary construction material for many decades. Although an extremely versatile material, concrete does require maintenance in order to extend the life of many structures. Over the years we have been able to develop the specialist knowledge to identify, plan and implement the correct approach for each individual concrete repair requirement for our clients.
The repair of concrete buildings and structures requires quality materials but more importantly experienced and skilled tradesmen to ensure that the repair is undertaken correctly. The removal of the defective areas of concrete, preparation of the exposed steel reinforcement, and concrete reinstatement has to be done correctly for the repair to be durable.
For small repair areas we use electric or pneumatic tools to remove the concrete and for larger volumes we often use hydro demolition. The concrete reinstatement can be hand applied mortars or for large volumes it may be sprayed gunite or flowable self-compacting concrete. The concrete surface finishing often needs to match the colour and texture of the parent which might be a shutter board finish or exposed aggregate finish. Our skilled workforce is able to achieve a high quality finish to match the parent concrete.
After repairing the concrete a protective coating can be applied to all the exposed concrete surfaces to enhance the durability and for aesthetic reasons. These coatings can protect against further carbonation of the concrete and chloride ingress. We are approved applicators for all the leading material suppliers in the industry. These materials are CE Marked which is mandatory for the concrete repair and protection European Standard EN1504.
05
TECHNICAL 05 - DIAMOND DRILLING
In demolition diamond stitch drilling is often used to sever basement slabs that are too deep to saw cut but still need a break line up to party walls. Quite often whilst the demolition of a building is taking place on the upper floors, the piling companies wish to get a head start of their works, therefore singular cores or stitch drilling at the pile location is done in the basement slab prior to the crawler rigs arriving on site. Due to diamond drilling techniques this can be done months in advance saving vital time on programmes and over run costs. With today’s emphasis on safety, diamond drilling is a proven way of sculpting concrete for just plain holes or featured works.
Diamond drilling has become and everyday occurrence of the building & demolition industries. Diamond drilling is the most precise and least disruptive method for creating clean circular holes through reinforced concrete and masonry including any size of reinforcing bar, this could be something as simple as small diameter holes through walls and slab for waste pipes right up to forming large openings for duct work or similar. As it is a non-percussive technique, structural integrity is maintained around when drilling. Every Diamond drill runs water through the driving shaft to ensure that the workspace remains free of dust.
06
TECHNICAL 05 - DIAMOND WIRE SAWING
In Diamond wire sawing and cutting, a wire permeated with diamond beads is wrapped around the structure to be cut and run through a series of pulleys to perform cuts. Using the control of a high frequency power pack, this technique allows us to cut through reinforced concrete or masonry with ease, we can use wire of any desired length to obtain any required depth. We use the most advanced wire sawing technology and equipment in the industry today, with our continual investment in the latest high frequency and hydraulic systems
If you want to remove a large area of heavily reinforced concrete at a location where there are access restrictions, speed as well as a depth of cutting are critical factors, diamond wire sawing is the ideal solution. For example; if you want to cut a large section of columns and beams in a bridge deck ensuring excellent speed and extensive depth of cutting, then diamond wire sawing & cutting is the right alternative.
Wire sawing produces low noise and emissions so therefore it is versatile for both indoor and outdoor applications
Our Vast wealth of experience, knowledge and our accreditations ensure we complete all works to the highest standard, maintaining a professional and committed approach and in a safe working environment at all times.
07
TECHNICAL 07 - CONCRETE WALL SAWING
Concrete sawing has been recognised by established contractors because of its overall efficiency and the cost-effectiveness of the operational system. It offers significant advantages over conventional concrete removal alternatives.