Services
Reinforced Concrete - Suspended Slabs
We cast slabs in-situ – i.e. the concrete is cast into its form on site. This is done by erecting formwork that covers the area of the building that requires a slab. Once the formwork is in place, the deck is then leveled to ensure that the soffit of the slab is level. The next step is to fix the steel according to engineers’ specifications. Once this has been done, the appointed electricians and plumbers may install their boxes and pipes. The final step is then to cast the wet concrete – usually by means of a concrete pump.
Once the concrete has been cast, the formwork remains for at least 7 days after which 70%-80% of the formwork is stripped. The remaining props are then removed after a further 14 days.
Reinforced Concrete - Ground Slabs
A slab on the ground is required often where a heavy load must be borne in a designated area (e.g. parking for heavy vehicles, or loading space for heavy materials such as steel). Such a slab on the ground ensures a level surface without sagging. Adding steel to such a concrete structure enables the forces to be distributed within the slab thereby strengthening the slab and extending its lifetime.
Reinforced Concrete Stairs
Stairs are most often cast along with a slab. Building a staircase requires good carpentry skills and good knowledge of construction. Kwik Slabs are specialists in the building of concrete stairs and have constructed many impressive and uniquely designed staircases.
As with slabs, stairs are cast in-situ. The formwork of the staircase consists mostly of woodwork which requires skilled carpentry. Once the formwork is in place, steel is fixed according to engineers’ specifications. Should the stairs have light fittings, the appointed electrician is required to install boxes and pipes prior to the casting of concrete.
Reinforced Concrete Beams
Concrete beams are often required as part of a concrete slab to provide the slab with additional support where spans are too wide, when there is a lack of underlying support, or even just as an aesthetic feature. Kwik Slabs will flawlessly build your reinforced concrete Arched Beam, Ring Beam, Up-stand Beam, Down-stand Beam or Internal Beam according the architectural and/or structural engineer’s design.
Steel Fixing
Steel fixing refers to the binding of reinforcing steel (or “rebar”) together with binding wire. Kwik Slabs have expert steel fixers that are capable of fixing steel according to engineer specifications.
Reinforced Concrete Columns
Concrete columns (or ‘pillars’ as they are otherwise known) may be required as a load bearing structural element to support suspended slabs. In many cases columns are also used as an aesthetic feature. Whatever the reason for your concrete columns, be assured Kwik Slabs will construct them according to plan ensuring that they fulfill their purpose without fault.
Reinforced Concrete Retaining Walls
When a building is to be constructed on uneven terrain, and it is not being built on columns off the ground, then in most cases a retaining wall will be required to retain the earth against the structure. The deeper the structure into the earth, the stronger the retaining wall needs to be in order to counter the forces pressing against the structure. The strongest form of such a retaining wall would be a reinforced concrete retaining wall. Kwik Slabs will construct your retaining wall solidly from foundation up, ensuring you peace of mind.