Construction Divisions and Concrete Fundamentals

Construction Divisions

• Division 12 - Furnishings
  • Includes blinds, shades, tables, and beds
• Division 23 – Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning
  • Includes heating, air conditioning, humidifiers
• Division 13 - Special Construction
  • Includes saunas and indoor pools
• Division 26 - Electrical
  • Includes lighting, wiring, and service panels
• Division 14 - Conveying Equipment
  • Includes elevators and wheelchair lifts
• Division 22 - Plumbing
  • Includes plumbing fixtures, drainage, and water systems
• Division 31 - Earthwork
  • Includes excavation, septic systems, and granular materials
• Division 32 - Exterior Improvements
  • Includes asphalt work and concrete work

Concrete Fundamentals

• Concrete is commonly used in construction for:
  • Columns
  • Pier footings
  • Foundation walls
  • Interior concrete slabs
  • Exterior concrete slabs
  • Driveways
  • Sidewalks
  • Patios
  • Garage floors
• Concrete strength is measured in mega Pascals (MPA).
• Minimum strength for footings and foundation walls is 15 MPA
• Minimum strength for interior concrete slabs is 20 MPA
• Minimum strength for exterior slabs, driveways, sidewalks, porches, patios, and garage floors is 32 MPA.
• The Four Basic Materials:
  • Cement
  • Sand
  • Aggregate
  • Water
• The concrete mix is made up of roughly:
  • 10% cement
  • 20% air and water
  • 30% sand
  • 40% gravel
• This is called the 10-20-30-40 rule, but proportions may vary depending on the type of cement and other factors.
• Materials are mixed together based on volume

Concrete Placement

• Concrete should always be placed in forms to ensure clean, straight edges.
• Concrete should not be dropped over a distance of 8’ (2.4m) due to the risk of segregation of materials.
• Concrete should be spread and then leveled.

Concrete Finishing

• Use steel trowels for smooth concrete finishes
• Use aluminum-magnesium trowels for textured concrete finishes.

Foundation Preparation

• Concrete block foundation walls need to be parged with at least 6 mm (1⁄4 in.) of Portland cement plaster, forming a cove on the outside perimeter joint between the footings and the wall.
• Concrete foundations walls need the form tie holes plugged with tar or hydraulic cement.

Foundation Dampproofing & Waterproofing

• Dampproofing is required for all foundation walls that are part of a basement
• Used to control water vapour and soil moisture
• Waterproofing is required only for foundations that are subject to hydrostatic pressures
• Stops the influx of liquid water from passing through the foundation wall
• Dampproofing types include:
  • Heavy coat bituminous material (rolled, brushed, or sprayed tar)
  • Sheet material
  • Self-adhering membrane

Foundation Drainage

• Drainage should always slope to direct water away from the building.
• 4” perforated tile is installed on the outside of the footing on firm soil to help carry excess water away from the foundation.
• 6” minimum of clear gravel should cover the drainage tile, acting as a filter.
• Drainage tiles drain into a sump pit or storm sewers at the road.
• In areas of very wet sites, drainage tile is installed along the inside of the footing and possibly laterally under the slab to prevent hydrostatic pressures.

Backfilling

• Backfilling foundation walls should not be carried out until the floor joists and subfloor are in place.

Engineered Wood Products (EWP)

• EWP’s range includes derivative wood products manufactured by binding or fixing strands, particles, fibers, veneers, or boards of wood with adhesives or other methods of fixation.
• This creates a composite material.