Making Concrete steps for an entry?

[beanojones]

Making Concrete steps for an entry?

There is a site that I want to be able to use for training which has a difficult entry down a sea wall. I want to make regular steps to make the entry for divers easier, but I know nothing about concrete, about concrete that sets when wet, if there is concrete that sets under water, about curing time, about building proper forms etc.

In order to get approval to make the steps, I need to have some idea of what is involved so I can make a halfway intelligent proposal.

Anyone have any experience building using marine concrete? (Assume I know nothing, and tell me anything you think might be helpful)

 

[DiveGusto]

Call your local concrete supplier and ask for contractors that have experience working around sea water. Without knowing the location, landscape terrain, & local regulations hard to give any input.

 

[j yaeger]

precast concrete steps
ask local precaster-inexpensive and completed fast!!!!
have fun
yaeg

 

[Cave Diver]

about concrete that sets when wet, if there is concrete that sets under water, about curing time, about building proper forms etc.

Concrete is formed using a chemical process that activates with the addition of water. Once the process starts, it will set up, even if it's completely submerged in water. While you're investigating this project, You might want to see if any sort of anti-fouling coating can be mixed into the concrete to keep moss, algae etc. from growing on the steps.

 

[spectrum]

I don't know what you have for regulatory hurdles but the approval of a PE (Profesional Engineer) may be needed and he will be on top of the details.

Pete

 

[350xfire]

Making Concrete steps for an entry?

There is a site that I want to be able to use for training which has a difficult entry down a sea wall. I want to make regular steps to make the entry for divers easier, but I know nothing about concrete, about concrete that sets when wet, if there is concrete that sets under water, about curing time, about building proper forms etc.

In order to get approval to make the steps, I need to have some idea of what is involved so I can make a halfway intelligent proposal.

Anyone have any experience building using marine concrete? (Assume I know nothing, and tell me anything you think might be helpful)

You may need to build some type of dam and pump the water out of the hole to be able to do the initial pour. Even though concrete may set under water, I am pretty sure you will not be able to pour it it submerged!

 

[CuNanoTube]

Though you can get underwater concrete (it is expensive), would it not be easier to make the steps out of the composite decking material that is used for high end decks? That way you do not need anything more than the deck and some pre-cast footings (possibly "nail" the footing into the ground)

 

[drbill]

We've got them here at the Casino Point Dive Park. I was away in my marine biology lab when they were poured so I don't know much about the process. Sounds like pre-cast would be a great idea especially for those portions that would be under the tide level.

 

[sealark]

Any regular concrete can be formed and placed underwater and it will cure just like on the surface. Notice I worded the word formed, you can build the forms for the concrete and leave the tops open. The one thing to remember is that concrete can't be poured through the water or it will just separate and be useless. What has to be done is a pipe has to be placed into the bottom of the form and the concrete pumped or bucketed it to the above the water end of the pipe. When the concrete comes out of the bottom of the pipe in the form the end of the pipe MUST always be below the concrete coming out of the end of the pipe. When the concrete gets to the top of the form remove the pipe. after it sets up a little it can be leveled if desired. The most important thing is keeping the outlet end of the pipe under the concrete flow until it fills the form up.

 

[knowone]

Bloody marvelous