The American Concrete Institute unveiled two new resources for concrete professionals, including decorative concrete finishers. The new publications, “Concrete Fundamentals” and “Placing and Finishing Decorative Concrete,” disseminate guidance and best practices to concrete contractors, according to the Institute. ACI says the launch was driven by feedback from its members and customers.
New Guides
“Concrete Fundamentals” is billed as a full-color, introductory guide to concrete and concrete construction. Beginning with the most basic question of all—“What is concrete?”—with later chapters covering materials, construction practices, testing and others, ACI notes.
The resource is recommended for industry newcomers including apprentices, journeymen, foremen, material suppliers, finishers, or young engineers without field experience. The publication can also be a useful resource in training and development programs, according to ACI.
Placing and Finishing Decorative Concrete is described as a full-color resource that covers the materials, equipment and techniques required to successfully install decorative concrete flatwork.
Topics covered in the book include:
- Mixture design for decorative concrete mixtures;
- The use of integral color and dry-shake color hardeners;
- The identification and uses of decorative finishing tools, equipment, stamping mats, and stencils);
- The use of surface retarders and set-retarding admixtures to produce exposed aggregate surfaces;
- Stamping and texturing concrete;
- Seeding fresh concrete surfaces with decorative aggregate;
- Decorative treatments for stair treads and risers; and
- Cleaning and sealing methods for decorative concrete.
The new publications are part of a series of “essential and practical guides for the concrete professional.” The other books in ACI’s Concrete Craftsman Series are “Slabs-on-Ground,” “Supported Beams and Slabs,” and “Shotcrete for the Craftsman.”
