[TowerTalk] concrete forms

[KA9OFM John Garrett]

While 2 days is good setting time for a pour that is only 4 - 6 inches and
everyone says at least 2 days, because of the extreme thickness of the tower
base I always allow a full week for it to dry. You certainly don't want to
start forming cracks in your new base.

In another thread I just wrote why you would want to use forms - It is to
keep the Earth from sucking the moisture out of the concrete and thus
forming weak spots. If you ever noticed a building foundation that is poured
deep in the Earth they always use forms and the reason is to allow the
concrete to dry properly. So My Advise is to use forms when you pour your
base. I don't remove the forms for 1 week either.

John, KA9OFM


On 7/31/06, ADRIAN REES <rees.a at btconnect.com> wrote:
>
> Hi Guys
> Over here in the UK, I am about to "plant" 4 towers, and pour C35 Grade
> Concrete in the bases. Anyone know what is the setting time for this stuff,
> and can it poured in one or two lots ? Getting this amount of concrete onto
> the site is not easy. I live up a mountain, with access limited to 4 Wheel
> Drive vehicles, and certainly a Truck will be near impossible to get on
> site, let alone a Ready Mix Concrete one ! So I may have to mix on site, and
> pour in batches.
>
> Comments ?
>
>
> Adrian MW1LCR
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com on behalf of Craig Clark
> Sent: Mon 31/07/2006 15:59
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] concrete forms
>
>
>
> My son works for a local concrete company and pours thousands of
> yards of concrete each week. They do one of two things:
>
> Use disposable forms
> Impregnate wood forms with a 50/50 mix of diesel fuel and hydraulic oil
>
> He said they have tried some of the other products but they aren't
> worth the cost.
>
> He said to pour w/o forms on the earth as that will give you greatest
> strength.
>
>
>
>
>
> 73, Craig Clark, K1QX
>
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>
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