Description

Concrete Construction Overview

     Concrete tools and equipment provide the interface between the craftworker and the concrete. They are the instruments of the craft, just as a doctor requires tongue depressors and a stethoscope to get the job done. Due to the many stages involved in the concrete process, there are many special tools required. Many may seem to be virtually identical to the casual observer, but a craft professional sees each of them as the unique instrument that it is, with a unique purpose. Most of the tools presented herein are used exclusively for concrete construction. Some of the hand tools have not changed much since Roman times, while others make use of the latest technology and materials. As a trainee, it is very important to be able to identify, use, and properly care for the tools of your craft.

Learning Objective 1 Successful completion of this module prepares trainees to: Identify and describe the use of various hand tools in the concrete craft.

• Identify and describe the use of various measuring and leveling tools.
• Identify and describe the use of shovels, rakes, and tampers.
• Identify and describe the use of screeds and floats.
• Identify and describe the use of various trowels.
• Identify and describe the use of groovers, jointers, and edgers.
• Identify and describe the use of brushes, brooms, and rubbing stones.

Learning Objective 2 Successful completion of this module prepares trainees to: Identify and describe the use of various pieces of powered equipment in the concrete craft.

a. Identify and describe the use of concrete mixers and trucks.

b. Identify and describe the use of various buggies, buckets, conveyors, and pumps.

c. Identify and describe the use of powered compactors, screeds, vibrators, and trowels.

  Performance Tasks

• Identify and demonstrate the proper use of instructor-selected hand tools.
• Identify and demonstrate the proper use of instructor-selected power tools and equipment.