JOB INSTRUCTION SHEET

ACTIVITY: CASTING CONCRETE

S/N DESCRIPTION
1 REQUIREMENTS
  i. Materials: Sand, Cement, Water, Coarse aggregates, BRC or Reinforcement bars
(if required)
  ii. Tools & Equipment: Wheel Barrows, Spades, Hoes, Tape measure, Water Level/
Dumpy level, Jerry cans, Mortar pans, Building Line, Steel float/ power float,
Straight Edge, poker vibrator/ compaction rod.

  iii. Man Power: Masons, Casual Laborers, Supervisor/ foreman, Carpenters

  iv. PPE: Helmet, Safety shoes/ Gumboots, Overalls/ reflector jackets, Dust masks,
Gloves
2 SPECIFICATIONS
  Mix Ratios:
1:1.5:3, 1:2:4, 1:3:6, 1:4:8 (Cement: Sand: Coarse aggregates)
  Thickness of concrete
Type of concrete:
Reinforced- with Steel Reinforcement bars or BRC or max spans.
Plain concrete- without any reinforcement.
Method of Casting:
Precast- prepared off site, delivered and placed in required position after already
setting.
Cast insitu – prepared and cast into required position on site.

3 PRECEEDING ACTIVITIES:
  Formwork/ Shuttering – this will support the wet(plastic) concrete until it sets giving it
  desired shape and size.
Steelwork – this is done for reinforced concrete to enhance its ability to withstand
tensile forces.
4 DESIRED OUTCOME
   The concrete should be flat, levelled and of specified texture.
   It should be of required thickness.
   It should have the required strength after setting.
 Edges must be perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other i.e. straight
   No cracks, honey combing, or any other defects.

 
JOB INSTRUCTION SHEET

5 PROCEDURE
  i. Level the ground to receive the concrete using a dumpy level or water level.
  ii. Clean the ground, formwork reinforcement bars and the surrounding to remove
  any external debris, dust, rust or greasy materials.
iii. Check the formwork alignment and supports, spacing of steel bars (if present),
and positioning of any other anchorages.
iv. Slightly wet the ground to receive the concrete.
v. Batch and mix the materials. This can be done using a concrete mixer or
manually. Ensure that the specified mix ratios are maintained by using batch
boxes instead of wheel barrow for batching.
vi. Transport the concrete to the area of placement using a wheel barrow or
mechanized means such as concrete pipes and hoists. This ought to be done
shortly after mixing. Care should be taken to avoid bumps and jerks during
transportation as they could lead to separation of the concrete materials.
vii. Place the concrete carefully and vertically to avoid segregation.
viii. Compact the concrete using a compaction rod or poker vibrator.
ix. Level the concrete after full compaction of the final layers. This is done using a
straight edge.
x. Allow the concrete to gain some strength for a few minutes.
xi. Finish the surface of the concrete as required using a steel float or power float
xii. Cure the concrete: This should commence the day after casting and maintain for
at least seven days.

6.0 Concrete Testing:

Concrete Cubes – these are made during the concreting process by taking random
samples from batches of ready concrete, placing it in cubic molds, curing by immersing
in water and later tested for the compressive strength of the concrete at different ages.
Three cubes are normally made for concrete strength at 7, 14 and 28 days.

Slump test – this is carried out during the concreting process to check for the
workability of the concrete.

7.0 Proceeding Activities:

Removing formwork – to be done earliest seven days after casting the concrete,
depending on the location of the concrete (beams, slabs, columns, etc.)