At any construction site, the close you pour the concrete to the final destination, the better it is for the rest of the workers. If we are able to pour the concrete mixture directly to the place where it is needed, it will save a lot of time and will also help in boosting the productivity up too many times. But in case of many construction sites like a tall building, it is quite an impossible task to take the ready-mix truck to the actual site and this is where concrete pumping comes into play.

Pumped concrete is transported to heights by the help of concrete pumps. This technique is especially used in places where a large quantity of concrete work is involved, that too at greater heights. Concrete pumping is probably the fastest and the most cost-effective technique to transport and place concrete on construction jobs.

1. The Direct Acting Concrete Pumps - The most common types of concrete pumps are the direct-acting that uses a horizontal piston-type and semi-rotary valves. The direct acting pumps act on a rather very simple technique. Partial suction along with gravity is used to feed the concrete into the pipes.

The partial suction is created from the countering motions of a horizontally working piston. The suction pressure in association to 0.08 N/mm2 and will be created within the pumping-cylinder under situations that are approving. The ideal conditions for suction are obtained when the diameter linked to a suction pipe is set to be the same when compared to the pumping-cylinder which means the concrete is able to drift unconstrained.

The concrete must be poured freely in the full-cross sections of a suction pipe and any possible blockages caused by over-sized aggregates needs to be avoided. In the ideal situation, the suction-pipe needs to be more than 3 times the largest size of aggregates inside the concrete which is pumped

2. The Squeeze Type Concrete Pumping - It is comparatively smaller and is a portable type of pump. The pumping action is performed by rotating blades which creates a vacuum. This vacuum is what ensures the proper flow of the concrete to the desired site. The planetary drives are mounted by 2 rotating rollers that progressively squeeze these flexible pipes. This is what pushes the concrete in the delivery pipe and towards the desired site.

Concrete pumping is the most efficient and cost-saving process of transporting the concrete, but it also has its do and don’ts that you must keep in mind before making any decision.

Preparations of the site

All the clutters must be removed before the actual pumping starts. Additionally, there should be enough available space for a mix truck.  Powerlines are the reason behind the most fatal disasters and accidents in case of a construction site. In order to reduce this type of accident, all the workers should receive proper power line and electricity training. A danger zone should be established if there is the presence of powerlines in a particular spot.

Meetings should be conducted in order to discuss the process of concrete pouring and the safety and preventive measures associated with the task. Cribbing inadequate levels are required in order to properly distribute the weight of cement load all along the surface. Extra supplies of steel plates and wood dunnage are also required on the spot for additional cribbing.

Do’s for concrete pumping

Operators must be well trained and certified

Safety straps should be in well-maintained conditions

Outrigger pads must be used in order to prepare the ground properly.

Don’ts for concrete pumping

Don’t open a pressurized coupling

Do not stand in front of the cement pipeline’s discharge end

Don’t operate a concrete pump in the dark