Concrete Pouring for Somerville’s Busy Urban Blocks

Logistics and Efficiency of Urban Concrete Delivery

Managing Urban Delivery Challenges

Highway trucks are big and cumbersome, making them difficult to navigate through congested intersections and past parked cars on streets like Highland Avenue. We often work with the city to secure parking spots for the delivery vehicle. The timing must be right to avoid interrupting traffic flow, so we schedule pours during off-peak hours to minimize inconvenience.

Coordination with the batch plant is essential to ensure the truck arrives exactly when the crew is prepared. Precise timing helps avoid the mix from becoming too stiff and unworkable while waiting to be poured.

Concrete Pumps for Delivered Mixes

When the truck cannot easily access the pour location, using a concrete pump provides a viable alternative. There are two types of pumps – line pumps and boom pumps. Line pumps provide flexibility via long rubber hoses, providing the ability to pour in places where the truck cannot fit (such as in alleys or basements) and over fences to allow pouring in backyards that would otherwise be impossible to access by truck. Boom pumps, however, are capable of lifting the mix over houses or retaining walls, making them ideal for larger jobs. By using the pump and hoses instead of the truck and chute, you keep the heavy equipment on the street and off of your beautiful landscaping.

Safeguarding Both Public and Private Properties

Working in tight spaces leaves no room for error, and the risk of splattering the mix on a neighbor’s property (cars, home siding, etc.) creates potential headaches for both parties involved. Therefore, we take numerous measures to protect nearby properties, including masking off the areas with plastic sheeting and tarps. All members of our crew are well-trained in handling the hose lines with care to prevent any leaks or ruptures. Maintaining a clean job site is not only important for maintaining our company’s reputation but also for maintaining positive relationships with our customers’ neighbors.

Custom-Mixed High Early Strength Mixtures

In congested business districts or on shared driveways, the inability to close off an area for extended periods of time is unacceptable. We offer custom-mixed high early-strength mixtures that cure much quicker than standard cement. We add accelerators to the mixture to increase the rate of hydration, thus allowing for foot traffic to occur in a fraction of the time of regular mixes. This is particularly beneficial for businesses that need to open quickly or for homeowners who have limited access to their property. We customize the chemical makeup of the mixture based on the specific timeframe requirements of each project.

Securing Permits and Working with Police Departments

Obtaining a street occupancy permit and/or working with a police detail may require blocking a lane of traffic for a concrete truck. We are responsible for obtaining all necessary permits from City Hall to ensure compliance. If the necessary permits are not obtained before commencing a project, the entire job site can be shut down immediately, and costly fines can be incurred. Additionally, we assure that all required safety signs and cones are placed along the block to safely direct traffic and pedestrians past the job site. Obtaining compliance is an integral part of our professional services.

Making Deliveries in Small Quantities

Not every construction project requires the delivery of a full 10-yard load of concrete. When only a small repair or a small walkway is needed, it is unnecessary and wasteful to bring a huge truck. We make arrangements for short-load deliveries, and/or we can mix the concrete on-site for extremely small patch repairs. These alternatives enable us to perform small urban projects efficiently and cost-effectively, while eliminating the minimum load fees associated with large batching plants. Furthermore, we reduce waste and make professional-grade concrete available to small urban projects.

Consolidation, Vibration, and Compaction

It is crucial to properly compact the freshly mixed concrete, particularly when working with complex forms. We use mechanical vibration devices to eliminate air voids and to ensure that the mix flows around the reinforcing steel bars. When forming walls or deep structures, failure to properly consolidate the mix can lead to “honeycomb” type weakening of the structure. Our skilled finishing crews work rapidly to ensure that the surface is perfectly leveled and floated before the surface becomes too hardened for modification.

Protecting the Concrete From Weather Conditions

Urban microclimates can greatly affect how the freshly delivered concrete will behave. Wind tunneling created between adjacent buildings can cause rapid evaporation of the surface, causing shrinkage cracks. We utilize evaporation retarders and curing blankets to regulate moisture loss. Emergency plastic covers are always on hand to protect against sudden rain showers. We constantly monitor the local radar to determine if the weather will cooperate with our planned schedule.

Clean-Up and Environmental Responsibility

It is unlawful and environmentally irresponsible to discharge concrete chutes into the storm drains. We utilize designated washout bags or containers to collect the caustic rinse water from washing the chute. This collected waste is then hauled away and disposed of according to regulations, thereby protecting the Mystic River Watershed. As part of our normal day-end procedures, we clean up the street and sidewalk of any debris or dust from the construction activities.

Mastery of City Building Techniques

We have been developing the skills necessary to build within the confines of the densely populated city for many years. While we consider the logistics of building within this city as just another part of the job, we recognize the speed and efficiency with which we operate. Our staff operates with speed, accuracy, and respect for the neighborhoods in which they work. Regardless of the size of the access area, we are able to complete high-quality structural results. At Somerville Concrete Masters, you can rely on us to accomplish the heavy work involved in your urban construction project.