Structural Concrete, Including Shotcrete, Footings, Shear Walls, Beams Ramirez Concrete, Inc. Serves Southern California With Concrete Services
Structural concrete is a durable product used for cast-in-place weight-bearing columns, walls, beams, foundations, framed decks, and post-tension slabs. Ramirez Concrete, Inc, offers over 25 years of experience of poring sturdy concrete structures that withstand wind, fire, and water damage better than many other materials; once in place, it becomes even stronger.
RCI employs the latest techniques in concrete technology to maximize the benefits of concrete. For example, to cut the weight of the completed structure, we reinforce concrete with steel or concrete fibers without compromising strength. We pour structural members in place from trucks without interruption so as to prevent drying between batches that can lead to weak joints between batches.
Once in place, the concrete is cured under controlled conditions to make sure that it retains the desired attributes such as low moisture permeability, mechanical strength, and chemical and volumetric stability. We provide all elements needed to construct a solid building.
When concrete is needed overhead or on vertical surfaces, concrete contractors use compressed air to shoot shotcrete or gunite, the trade name, into place. Shotcreting was first used to repair the crumbling façade of the Field Columbian Museum in Chicago in 1907.
Either dry or wet mix variations are done with a machine that has either a hand-held nozzle for small jobs or mechanical arms operated by hand-held remote control. Shotcrete is typically reinforced by conventional steel rods, steel mesh, or fibers.
Common uses include:
RCI is experienced with shotcrete applications where called for.
Footings are support for the foundation made from concrete reinforced with rebar that prevents it from settling. The size, placement, and type of footings depends on the soil. They are not only needed for buildings, but for decks, pergolas, retaining walls, or other types of construction as well. Properly engineered footings by the engineering team at RCI will ensure that your building is stable.
The primary benefits that footings provide for foundations include:
Reinforced concrete footings can support the foundation with the maximum amount of strength so that it remains perpendicular to the ground. RCI will design the proper footings for your job.
In earthquake-prone California, shear walls are built to take the lateral load from a roof, ceiling, or floor diaphragm to a foundation or other element; this includes the increased lateral loads experienced during windstorms, including earthquakes. They also help support the building elements around it such as beams, girders, and anything attached to those elements. A large building might have a core of shear walls in the center that encases an elevator shaft or stairwell; in case of wind, shear walls can steady the building.
While these walls can be constructed of wood, correctly constructed concrete construction of shear walls is very popular, as concrete provides more strength and stiffness. RCI is familiar with local codes for constructing concrete shear walls with the proper reinforcement ratio and construction methods.
Buildings require a series of horizontal beams and vertical girders to support walls, floors, and other components. While wood or steel beams are sufficient for residential construction, concrete beams installed by RCI are used to bear the load for most commercial structures.
While concrete beams typically come in one of three key shapes such as rectangular, inverted T beams, and L beams, contractors use many variations. The beams are often precast of reinforced concrete so that they can support deck pieces like double tees, hollowcore, solid slabs, and sometimes other beams.
Structures may use several types of beams:
A key beam used in the building’s foundation where the soil is weak is a grade beam or grade beam footing that goes deep into the ground. When the soil is stable and well-compacted, spread footings or T-footing may be called for, especially with residential construction.
For your project, engineers from RCI will select the materials, supports, and construction techniques to create durable structural concrete work for you. To discuss your job, contact Ramirez Concrete, Inc. at (714) 563-1650.
Contact Us
