Accurate Concrete Cutting
Jun/18/18
The need for accurate concrete cutting can arise during almost any type of construction, from a residential renovation to a major infrastructure project. Whatever the scale, the priorities remain the same: safety, efficiency and precision.
Choosing the Tools
Accurate concrete cutting depends on using the right tools and techniques. Using the wrong method for a particular type of cutting can result in a poorly done job and even undermine structural integrity. It pays to look for the right professionals who possess proper training and use up-to-date equipment.
Why Diamonds Matter
Most precision cutting tools for concrete use diamond parts, typically as blades or drill bits. In part, this is due to the stone’s known hardness and resultant resistance to wear. This makes sense: Concrete is a tough substance that can easily break down more brittle materials. However, it is not enough to use diamond blades. It is also important to know the best way to put a diamond’s qualities to effective use.
Like other construction applications, concrete cutting uses synthetically grown diamonds. Producers of construction-grade diamonds tailor the growth of the crystals to optimize the rock for its intended use. Companies that provide a high level of concrete-cutting services work with manufacturers to source diamond cutting tools that are right for the job.
Diamond saws are among the most commonly used accurate concrete cutting tools. The blades typically come optimized for the kind of cutting the company usually does, including rebar. Properly operated, they do not generate a lot of dust and create a clean, precise cut with smooth edges. Diamonds are also used for drill tips and wire saw components.
Several Ways To Cut Concrete
Core drilling is a very common type of concrete cutting. It involves using a diamond-tipped core drill to make a round opening in concrete for a specific purpose. Because core drilling is often necessary to make a route for piping or vents, it is important to maintain precise dimensions and alignment for each opening.
Saws are a versatile concrete-cutting tool and can be used in a variety of settings. They may be operated by hand or function as part of a powered cutting machine. Their flexibility of use can makes them a good choice for indoor projects as well as other kinds of work.
Larger projects may require wall sawing and flat sawing. A contractor can cut a concrete wall or ceiling with a saw that operates on a track. Skilled operators can achieve precise angles and measurements to create openings for windows, doors, elevators and more.
Flat sawing can be necessary for various construction and road repair situations. A flat saw may need to cut through metal, various types of concrete, stone and asphalt. It can be also used for curb cutting, which is one of the many services you do not even notice when it has been done well. Curb cuts create a smooth transition between a sidewalk and a roadway. Accurate concrete cutting in this setting ensures a smooth, precisely measured ramp. Cuts must also comply with local and federal regulations. Other times, curb cutting is needed to remove curbs or concrete borders during road repairs or expansions.
Companies may also use wire saws with diamond parts for some particularly large or complicated projects. While these saws need specialized training to operate, they represent the forefront of today’s accurate concrete cutting technology. They can handle a wide range of materials and can even work underwater.
Precision Is Essential
Does precision really matter when it comes to cutting concrete? It certainly does for many types of projects. From major road and bridge construction to home repairs, accuracy can make the difference between a job well done and a subpar, potentially unsafe, result.
Concrete Cutting for Demolition Projects
When the goal is demolition, sometimes people want to know whether accurate concrete cutting is really better than the traditional removal method of smashing everything up and carting it out. Take a look at the following key points of comparison and decide:
- Efficiency. Breaking up part of a concrete structure or its entirety, then getting it cleaned up, typically takes a fairly large team using a variety of equipment. Concrete cutting requires fewer tools and people and does the job quicker.
- Noise. Jackhammers and other traditional concrete-breaking tools are a byword for unbearable noise levels. Accurate concrete cutting tools such as saws and drills make substantially less noise and do not generate vibration. This means happier neighbors and a safer work area. In particular, diamond-tipped drills result in significant noise reduction compared to conventional hammer drills.
- Mess. Breaking up a piece of concrete means lots of rubble and clouds of dust, resulting in a resource-consuming cleanup and potential environmental hazards. When a company uses specialized equipment to cut concrete, it cuts the required piece right out with minimal dust. It is then easier to load up and remove one big chunk of concrete rather than deal with an assortment of rubble.
- Effect on remainder of structure. Traditional concrete removal tools cause vibration and dust throughout, potentially weakening a building’s structure. With concrete cutting, an experienced contractor picks precisely the right tools for the job. This means minimal work afterwards and little, if any, effect on other parts of the structure.
Simply put, accurate concrete cutting means less fuss, more action. Because these techniques create a smooth, finished surface cut to precise dimensions, they do the job right the first time without the need for extensive patching and refinishing afterwards.
Choosing a Contractor
Achieving optimal performance in precision concrete cutting depends on sourcing the right people and the right equipment for each particular job. Highly trained professionals can evaluate the requirements and aims of each project and plan an effective way to achieve them. As you see, there are several types of cutting techniques and tools. Great results follow when contractors use their knowledge to select the right approach for each type of project. Top companies ensure excellence by staying current with developments in technology and providing up-to-date training for their teams.
A-Core Concrete treats every project with the greatest care. Whether you need to build a home or a bridge, A-Core tackles the job with the same level of expertise and attention to detail.
Sources
https://www.a-core.com/services/concrete-cutting/
https://www.ada.gov/pcatoolkit/chap6toolkit.htm
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140228080647.htm