How Additives Can Improve Construction Time Management
Australia is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, and it is not at all surprising. Its major cities like Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Adelaide are almost bursting at the seams. Skyscrapers threaten to pierce the sky and traffic is getting worse due to the growing number of vehicles and pedestrians. Sydney, for instance, has over five million residents, followed by Melbourne with over four million population. And these people need to go to the office every day, drive their cars on concrete roads, and live somewhere in their comfortable private dwelling. And they all need concrete to build these structures.
You can see development sprouting by the number of buildings, high-rises, and private dwellings being erected almost every month. But even without the eye-test, the data proves the rising demand for concrete in Australia. Concrete is an essential ingredient in construction. According to the report, the concrete products industry has an estimated annual growth rate of 2.4% to hit $3.4 billion by the end of 2020.
Effect of Extreme Weather on Construction
However, any experienced contractor knows the challenges of dealing with extreme weather. When temperatures plummet during the winter season, for example, it will delay the curing time of the concrete. When it comes to paving a major thoroughfare, time is a precious commodity. Delayed projects will result in traffic, not to mention angry motorists because it will also make them late for work.
More than the inconvenience, traffic will also have a huge impact on the economy. According to the CNBC report, Australian companies in Sydney, Perth, and Melbourne are losing $2.6 billion each year due to traffic gridlock.
Experienced contractors know how to take weather into the equation in project design. In tropical countries, they time their construction activities during the dry season when there is a likelihood of rain. In the same vein, in Australia, contractors should also factor in the weather and geography when planning a project. Extreme weather conditions may also endanger the workers and also increase the construction expenses.
Additive and Drying Time
One quick measure to shorten the curing time is using additives like SureSet, which is designed to reinforce concrete while also making sure you meet the deadline. There are also three selections to choose from, each promising a different outcome.
For instance, the more expensive brand will guarantee a drying time of six hours if the temperature is between five and 10 degrees Celsius. The time improves to five hours at 11-15°C, four hours at 16-24°C, and finally, three hours at 25-35°C. In comparison, the typical concrete in Australia will dry from two to three days. When the concrete is dry, it is now deemed safe for vehicular and foot traffic. It is different from the curing time, which is when the concrete has fully settled down. Usually, the curing time is at least six months.
As you can see, mixing an additive on the paved road will solve a lot of problems in terms of meeting the deadline. With the use of SureSet, the weather becomes less of a factor as the substance helps accelerate the drying time. As an added benefit, you also lessen labour costs and boost your reputation in the industry circles as a dependable contractor.
