How Are Precast Concrete Piers Built?
Preparing The Form Before the concrete can be poured in the mold, or form, the inside surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned with a high-pressurize water gun. After removing dirt and concrete residue, the surface is coated with special grease or other lubricant to keep the final product from sticking. Piers generally have a rectangular block shape with beveled edges and an opening on the top designed to receive the building’s stud, beam or pipe. For I-beams and square posts, the mold will have a tall, rectangular block in the center that creates a preformed opening. For pipes, the mold won’t have a block. Instead, a hole will be bored into the top of the finished pier. Mixing The Concrete Precast concrete manufactures use a mixture of Portland cement, sand, aggregates (i.e., gravel pebbles), water and special chemicals that speed up the curing process. These ingredients are fed into a machine which mixes them in pre-set ratios. Dozens of pier forms are arranged into tight rows inside the
