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sept
2006
Briefing
Scoring
Scoring the surface with tools or
brooms is done when the concrete
has stiffened but before it has
hardened. In the past, makeshift
rakes comprising nails and timber
battens have been used to score the
surface, producing interesting results.
A number of formliners are now
available to more easily produce this
finish. Stiff bristle brooms can also be
dragged over the surface to produce
Timber battens used to create coarse textures that reflect the
details to resemble stone foundation. movement of the broom. Panels must
Applied coating used be cast horizontally to enable scoring
to be carried out.
n Colour consistency over large between different batches of a form of monolithic topping and
areas tends to be less of a concrete. can be supplied as pre-bagged
challenge with off-white concrete, mixtures of pigment, cement and
as it is more consistent in colour Pigments come in a range of colours sand. They can also contain a
than grey concrete. for any application surface hardener to increase the
strength of the concrete surface
Key points when using pigments and consequently its resistance
n The use of pigments is the most to abrasion. The method involves
common method of colouring the broadcasting the powder by hand
full depth of concrete, providing a onto the surface of pre-hardened
coloured surface on all faces of a concrete, following the evaporation
concrete element and eliminating of bleed water. The surface is
the need for subsequent surface floated and finished in the same
coatings/paints. way as general concrete. Curing
n Pigments are available as either requires care to avoid patchiness
powders, granules which dissolve, of colour. After hardening, a thin
or liquids. The ultra-fine particles monolithic coloured layer results.
of pigments do not dissolve and n Bonded toppings are thin layers
provision should be made to Point tooled finish by the colour of the cement and its
allow for some colour variation content, these should be specified.
between batches, albeit minor. If For example, portland cement (Type
hand batching smaller loads, the GP) will produce more-intense
proportion of all ingredients should colours. A high cement content will
be kept constant, and minor colour also be beneficial in this regard.
variations between mixes should n Concrete supply, placement,
elements) to avoid using them While the aggregates do not cover limited to small areas or those
throughout the concrete mix. the entire surface, their scale and where some brush marks and
n For specific applications, the viewing distance provide a coloured lighter/darker areas can be
proportion of different aggregates and textured solution. tolerated. For applications where
within the mix can be specified, non-uniform finishes are required,
eg 80% of a particular river gravel brush marks may enhance the
and 20% white quartz. appearance.
n Tooled finishes such as point n Application on vertical surfaces
panels may be subjected to varying or air/water borne. The choice recommended for medium and
levels of ambient humidity. Initially, of medium is best left to the heavy blasting. This will generally
tonal variations in colour might be contractor. help achieve a more uniform finish
considered unsatisfactory, but are n The concrete should be at lower cost.
likely to moderate when the panels properly placed and compacted. n Sample panels are recommended
have balanced moisture content. Sandblasting may reveal air to assist in making selections and
n The combination of etching voids/blow holes or areas of to become the basis for approvals.
and honing produces a surface honeycombed concrete resulting
characterised by flat coarse from inadequate placing and Light blasting produces a coarse
aggregate, which is slightly compaction. sandpaper-like texture
proud of the underlying matrix. n Abrasive blasting is usually
described as follows:
Brush blasting produces a light
surface texture that feels like
sandpaper. It does not reveal the
coarse aggregates. The resulting
colour is that of the cement matrix.
Brush blasting can be done at any
time after seven days from casting.
To ensure adequate bond into the process without impairing the final
concrete, no more than one third of hardening or the ultimate strength
the stone should be exposed. of the concrete. Once stripped, the
n The low absorption of the concrete surface should be washed
aggregates results in reduced or blasted to remove the retarded
staining from airborne grime, and cement paste as soon as possible,
in improved weathering over time. and before the concrete surface
n Dense coarse aggregates such as hardens.
river gravels, crushed granites and n Different types of surface set
will generally remove or conceal and larger aggregates. Note how and concrete should be prevented
any surface imperfections; a large from a distance the aggregate colour by installing a bond breaker
aggregate should be used. Note predominates such as membranes or spray-on
that this type of coarse texture is compounds between materials.
generally suited to larger-scale n A moisture barrier between the
and also leave ragged edges and mixed to ensure uniform colour
uneven ‘joint’ depths. is achieved. This is particularly
n The timing of stamping is also important for cement-based
critical to avoid crusting of products where regular mixing
the surface (from drying) and may be required to prevent
consequent cracking of the settlement of the constituents and
concrete where stamps are colour variations.
pressed into the surface. n Coating/paint should be alkali
2006
SYDNEY OFFICE:
Level 6, 504 Pacific Highway
St Leonards NSW Australia 2065
POSTAL ADDRESS:
Locked Bag 2010
Briefing 03 September 2006 supersedes Briefing 03 July 2000 St Leonards NSW 1590
TELEPHONE: (61 2) 9437 9711
FACSIMILE: (61 2) 9437 9470
Other Briefings available online from www.concrete.net.au are:
BRISBANE OFFICE:
Briefing 01 Colouring, stencilling and stamping concrete flatwork Level 14, IBM Building
348 Edward Street
Briefing 02 Exposed aggregate finishes for flatwork Brisbane QLD 4000
TELEPHONE: (61 7) 3831 3288
Briefing 04 Concrete panel homes FACSIMILE: (61 7) 3839 6005
MELBOURNE OFFICE:
Briefing 05 Polished concrete floors 2nd Floor, 1 Hobson Street
South Yarra VIC 3141
Briefing 06 Form liners achieving surface relief and texture TELEPHONE: (61 3) 9825 0200
FACSIMILE: (61 3) 9825 0222
Briefing 07 Concrete floor heating EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES OFFICE
486 Albert Street
Briefing 08 Concrete panel buildings East Melbourne VIC 3002
POSTAL ADDRESS:
Briefing 09 Passive solar design GPO Box 4352
Melbourne VIC 3002
TELEPHONE: (61 3) 8662 5333
FACSIMILE: (61 3) 8662 5358
PERTH OFFICE:
45 Ventnor Avenue
West Perth WA 6005
TELEPHONE: (61 8) 9389 4452
FACSIMILE: (61 8) 9389 4451
ADELAIDE OFFICE:
Greenhill Executive Suites
213 Greenhill Road
Eastwood SA 5063
POSTAL ADDRESS:
PO Box 229
Fullarton SA 5063
TELEPHONE: (61 8) 8274 3758
FACSIMILE: (61 8) 8373 7210
EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES OFFICE
PO Box 243
Henley Beach SA 5022
TELEPHONE: (61 8) 8353 8151
FACSIMILE: (61 8) 8353 8151
TASMANIAN OFFICE:
EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES OFFICE
PO Box 246
Sheffield TAS 7306
TELEPHONE: (61 3) 6491 2529
FACSIMILE: (61 3) 6491 2529
WEBSITE: www.concrete.net.au
EMAIL: info@ccaa.com.au
ISSN 1447-199X