Fun with Concrete

Last week the foundation footings were poured.
It was fascinating to watch the process (as I was completely unfamiliar with it).


To deliver the rock and concrete, a truck with two conveyor arms was used.  
The two arms can rotate as well as extend.
The rock/concrete haulers would pour their cargo onto one conveyor arm, which would then carry the material to the second conveyor arm.
The second arm was then maneuvered to drop the material exactly where it was needed.
It took a lot less time than I thought it would and the precision was amazing.  No concrete went anywhere except exactly where it was supposed to!

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Before the rock and concrete were poured, first the footings were framed.  In some places with wood planks, and in others a form of plastic.
The plastic forms were constructed in such a way as to act as drain tile. 


Rock was poured around the edges of the forms first, and then the concrete was poured into the forms.  The concrete set very quickly.  I was told this concrete is rated at 5,000 lbs.
Surprised, as that seemed very heavy to me (remember, I know nothing about such things) I double checked I heard correctly.  Yes, the concrete weighs 5,000 lbs per cubic yard! 

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Some rain slowed things down a bit during the week.  The guys are doing a great job working through it as soon as it dried out just enough.  I really can't tell you how much I appreciate their hard work and dealing with the elements (primarily mud)!

By the end of the week the forms for the concrete walls downstairs were in place, the city inspector cleared the foundation footings and we were all set to pour the foundation on Monday.