Concrete construction and foundation services provide forming and installation of structural concrete for foundations, subgrade walls, stairways, walkways, floors, footings, and other building applications. In the foundation construction process, forms are put in place, reinforcement bars are positioned for strength, concrete is poured, and the forms removed. These services also include those which construct concrete blocks.

Service Types

Core Construction

The primary operations provided by concrete construction and foundation service vendors include:

• Structural excavation and backfill
• Concrete formwork design and installation
• Concrete reinforcement installation
• Concrete placement and finishing

Preconstruction

• Conceptual estimating based on historic costs
• Design assist and value engineering to identify alternate materials and methods for cost-effectiveness
• Technical and construction reviews

Project management

• Project scheduling via coordination with other trades to build a master schedule
• Safety, quality, productivity management
• Materials procurement and logistics
• Field engineering

Specialty

Some concrete construction and foundation services providers may also offer specialized services such as:

• Concrete sealing, staining, and other surface treatments
• Decorative or stamped concrete/overlays
• Tunnelform construction
• Tilt-up construction

Repair and restoration

Although concrete is a durable building material, degradation can occur if built on unstable soil or if exposured to chemicals. Signs of foundation damage include cracking, bowing, or buckling in walls. Concrete construction and foundation services often provide repair and restoration services to fix degradation. Steel push piers or helical piers can be driven deep into the ground and attached to the foundation for stabilization. In cases of damaged or buckling walls, carbon fiber strapping can reinforce the load-bearing capacity and stop further bowing.

Applications 

Concrete construction and foundation services providers offer services in a wide range of applications, including:

• Multi-story buildings
• Retaining structures
• Foundations
• Driveways
• Parking lots
• Sidewalks
• Walkways
• Floors
• Paving
• Stairways
• Elevated decks
• Bridges
• Pedestals
• Piers
• Sea walls
• Tanks
• Roofs
• Trenches
• Pits
• Elevated slabs
• Slab-on-grade
• Suspended slabs

Insulating Concrete Forms

Insulating concrete forms (ICF) are installed as the forms for poured concrete but are not removed after the concrete cures. They become a permanent part of the wall assembly, acting as insulation and a sound barrier, as well as a backing for indoor drywall and outdoor brick, stucco, or siding. Walls composed of ICF can offer enhanced thermal and sound insulation, improved resistance to the elements, and better endurance in extreme weather events.

Resources

The Concrete Center—Explanations of the various types of concrete construction

Image credits:

Wikimedia