During the construction process, there are many different factors that can affect the quality of the concrete. There are a few things that you can do to ensure that you have high-quality exposed concrete. These include placing the concrete, curing the concrete, and prepping the concrete. You can also learn how to avoid certain mistakes that may occur during construction.
Preparation
Choosing the right materials and techniques for concrete construction is important. A good concrete structure should not only be strong, but it should be durable. A well-designed concrete structure can provide a cost-effective solution to your construction needs. Good quality concrete requires proper preparation and curing.

Concrete is made up of a combination of cement and water. The cement paste is used to bind the aggregate particles together. Depending on the type of concrete, different methods of preparation are used.
First, the site must be leveled. This is necessary to allow for proper placement and minimize work. Also, it is important to remove any surface debris. This is often done with a diamond pad surface grinder. These tools generate a lot of dust.
Field air test
During construction, a field air test is performed to check the air content of the concrete mix. Air content is important to the concrete mix because it helps with the expansion and contraction of the concrete. Too much or too little air can lead to poor performance and durability.
When performing the air content test, a specimen is collected and placed in a container. The container must be airtight, and the container must be screeded to a level. The container must also be kept clean.
A circular metal base with a rubber stopper is used to collect the sample. The sample is placed in three equal layers and rodded about twenty-five times. Then, the sample is compressed by air and the volume of the sample is measured.
Placement techniques
During construction, concrete placement techniques play a vital role in the strength, durability, and aesthetics of the final structure. The methods and procedures used to place ready-mix concrete impact on the durability of the finished product.
Concrete is placed in different ways and is dependent on the type of formwork used. Formwork must be watertight and rigid to hold the concrete in place. The formwork must also be positioned correctly.
Concrete must be placed as rapidly as possible. This will ensure the best possible results in the end product. Concrete must also be consolidated to prevent segregation.
During placement, concrete must be placed in horizontal layers. Concrete placed on the surface of a cast member should be about 200-400 mm thick. It should not be placed in excess. Similarly, concrete in walls should not be placed more than two feet deep.
Curing in freezing weather
During cold weather construction, concrete must be cured properly. Proper curing is necessary for concrete to achieve its strength and durability. It can be done by monitoring the temperature of the concrete and taking special steps to prevent freezing.
Curing occurs when key compounds in cement combine with water molecules to form hydrates. As the cement hydrates, it produces heat. These temperatures can be captured through insulation blankets or supplemental heat.
After the pouring process, contractors should use insulated forms to keep concrete from drying out too quickly. Insulated forms also help to distribute the heat evenly.
A concrete thermometer can be used to measure the concrete’s temperature. The temperature must be maintained at 40 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit for curing. It is also important to monitor the temperature of the concrete using an infrared temperature gun.
False sets
During construction, you need to be aware of the importance of having high quality concrete. A concrete mix is an inert mixture of cement and stone aggregates. The strength of concrete is based on the aggregate gradation, water to cement ratio, and the amount of cement.
There are several different additives available that can give concrete special properties. Some of these include evaporation retarders, water reducing admixtures, shrink control additives, and more.
For example, using air entraining agents will enhance durability. Similarly, using an extended-set admixture will ensure that the water used to hydrate the concrete remains in the mixture for a longer period of time. Using an extended-set admixture will also help to keep the slump in the concrete at a good level.