A great job as a concrete paving contractor can be a great way to get ahead and make a living. But you’ll need to know how to get started, and you’ll need to know the licensing requirements for your State.
Longitudinal joints
Creating a concrete paving contractor with longitudinal joints requires a few basic skills. However, proper timing, depth, and construction methods can go a long way toward making the best joint possible.
The initial mat should be about 6 inches thick. It will then become denser with compaction. The edge should also be cooled to provide confinement.
A notched wedge, the correct term to describe a small wedge that modifies the joint to create a more extended contact area, is an excellent way to do this. It also changes the common to a sloped plane.
Place a tie bar in the joint is also a good idea. This device is an excellent way to ensure the joint stays tightly together and will be in place for a long time. You can use dowels or steel to do this. These are inserted in the concrete before paving.
The Michigan Joint is a well-known design that helps increase the cross-sectional area of the joint. It has also been the subject of many debates and tests.
Weakened-plane joints
Having a weakened-plane joint in your concrete paving project is no doubt something you have heard of. It can help prevent random cracking. These joints can be constructed longitudinally or transversely. Typically, these joints are placed at the ends of pours. However, they can also be used at the interior edges of pavement lanes.
The weakened-plane joint should be positioned every ten linear feet. If a curb is involved, the joints should be placed at the radius points of curb returns at cross-street intersections.
The construction joint should be designed to last for one-quarter of the concrete thickness. The joints should be constructed at locations with the highest early-age stresses. A joint sealing material should be applied immediately after the curing period. This seal will help to prevent foreign matter from forming within the joint.
The best time to saw-cut a concrete slab is when the concrete is strong enough to support the weight of a saw. This is usually after 24 hours. Aside from the technicality, the longer the sawing delay, the more likely there will be cracks.
Hand-operated concrete paving equipment.
Whether you are a paving contractor or considering starting your own business, proper preparation is key to smooth concrete paving. The smoothness of concrete pavement is affected by the concrete mix design, paving equipment, and the construction process. In addition to smoothness, the paving equipment must be capable of delivering concrete to the paver in a consistent manner.
The concrete mix design affects the slump, ease of placement, and finish of the concrete. The recession of concrete should be kept below 12 to 25 mm. If the slump is too high, the pressure under the paver may cause the concrete to rise behind the profile pan, resulting in bumps on the pavement surface.
During the paving process, concrete should be kept at a temperature of 50 to 80 degF. However, for concrete pavements to be finished, temperatures should be at most 90 deg.
In a slip-form paving machine, a profile pan is a part of the paver that extrudes concrete. Most operators position the profile pan parallel to the string line. This helps ensure that the head of concrete is uniform and allows for the consistent vibration of the paver.
State licensing requirements
Whether you are a concrete paving contractor or a general contractor, it is essential to know your State’s licensing requirements. In addition, you must know your State’s rules to avoid violating a law and facing penalties and fines.
To operate as a contractor in the State of New York, you must complete the application for a contractor’s license. In addition, you will need to provide your company’s business information, proof of workers’ compensation insurance, and proof of liability insurance. You must also show that you have met the minimum financial requirement.
You may face fines and imprisonment if you do not hold a contractor’s license. You can also be stopped from doing business, which could lead to the discontinuance of a project.
You can learn about your State’s licensing requirements by visiting the Department of Labor’s website. They also have links to specific contractor licensing application forms. You can also find information about licensing requirements by contacting the municipality where your project will take place.
