Concrete wall finish spec
Concrete wall finish spec
(OP)
Hi Everyone,
I am working on a school that for cost reasons the concrete basement walls will be left exposed. What are the options for finish grades? How is that correctly specified? I am assuming we will have a mid-level finish: Wall being planar,no bulges, blemishes, honey combs, some regular formwork joint and tie pattern and such
Thank you
I am working on a school that for cost reasons the concrete basement walls will be left exposed. What are the options for finish grades? How is that correctly specified? I am assuming we will have a mid-level finish: Wall being planar,no bulges, blemishes, honey combs, some regular formwork joint and tie pattern and such
Thank you
Eric McDonald, PE
McDonald Structural Engineering, PLLC






RE: Concrete wall finish spec
First, make sure the walls are waterproofed from the outside and do not compromise on the waterproofing. You'll only have one shot at it.
Next, make sure the walls are formed and placed within a reasonable finished surface tolerance, like 1/4" in 5 feet or similar. You've already touched on the blemishes, honeycomb, etc.
You might also limit the w/c ratio of the concrete to help prevent a lot of water channels in the finished concrete surface against the forms. Let them get workability from plasticizers, not water. Use air entrained concrete.
You could also specify a form liner to get you a particular surface texture if you like.
Check ACI 303.1 "Cast In Place Architectural Concrete". Though your concrete is structural, you might get some ideas on finishes from this recommended practice.
RE: Concrete wall finish spec
RE: Concrete wall finish spec
Eric
Eric McDonald, PE
McDonald Structural Engineering, PLLC
RE: Concrete wall finish spec
RE: Concrete wall finish spec
Dik