For Knaepen facade plastering, Glansbeton executed a parking area in polished concrete with steel fibres. On this site, the ready-mix trucks could access the work zone. This allowed us to discharge the steel fibre concrete directly from the ready-mix truck and distribute it over the prepared surface.
Pouring a concrete parking area directly from the ready-mix truck
Not every concrete site requires a concrete pump. When the ready-mix truck can come close enough to the pouring location and the concrete can be unloaded safely and practically, direct pouring can be a suitable method. At Knaepen, the photos show how the ready-mix truck stands on the site and how the concrete is then distributed.
The advantage here lies mainly in accessibility. Ordering and setting up a separate concrete pump can then be omitted. This is a choice based on the specific site situation: for a difficult-to-reach space, a longer distance or a different pouring sequence, a pump may be necessary.
Distributing and levelling the fresh concrete.
After unloading, the work on the floor begins. The concrete is distributed over the pouring area and brought to height. Then follows the flat finishing and polishing at the appropriate moment. The photos show how our employees work over the fresh concrete with a wide finishing trowel.
A smooth supply is only one part of the execution. The available working space, the pouring sequence and the finishing must also align. The location where the ready-mix truck can stand must therefore be discussed in advance, together with access to the site.
Steel fibre concrete for the Knaepen parking area
At Knaepen, the concrete was reinforced with steel fibres. These fibres are distributed throughout the concrete mix and form part of the chosen reinforcement. Pouring directly from the ready-mix truck therefore does not mean the floor is unreinforced: on this site, both choices were combined.
For a new concrete parking area, the type of fibre, dosage and the entire floor construction must be coordinated with the design. The substrate, loads and slab layout all play a role. The execution at Knaepen is a practical example of steel fibre concrete; it is not a standard recipe for every parking area.
The use of a membrane beneath the concrete is also considered in conjunction with the entire floor construction. It is not a component that you omit solely to reduce costs. For a new parking area, the construction and execution choices must be determined in advance.
Discussing crack formation and expectations beforehand
Cracks can occur in concrete. That is why, for a new floor, we discuss the application, the joints, the reinforcement and the expectations regarding appearance. A company parking area is used differently than a visible floor in a living room. That difference must already be clear in the preparation.
Clear agreements about the floor construction, execution and expected appearance remain important. Thus, not only price or ease of pouring determine the final choice.
From the discharge chute to polishing: the site in pictures
These images show how the concrete reaches the pouring site via the discharge chute of the ready-mix truck. The workers distribute the mixture over the work surface. The photo series also shows the floor between the columns of the covered area and the mechanical polishing outside.
Steel fibres were used for this parking area. The reinforcement was therefore in the concrete mixture; the direct supply from the ready-mix truck is unrelated to that. The project description also specifies that no curing membrane was applied here. That choice is specific to this execution and the agreed floor construction.
Having a parking area executed in polished concrete
For a quotation, we would like to receive the surface area, the plans, and information about the use of the parking area. Also specify whether only passenger cars will be using it or heavier vehicles, and how the ready-mix trucks can access the pouring site. This allows us to discuss site preparation and execution in a targeted manner.
Discuss your concrete parking with Glansbeton · More about polished concrete floors.
Concrete parking for Knaepen: poured directly from the ready-mix truck