Recommended installation procedures for cementitious grouts
Before carrying out any grouting operations consult your BASF Middle East representative for advice on selection of the correct grout for your application and installation methods.
Foundation preparation
Preparation of the concrete surface to which the grout will bond should be carried out before the base plate is placed.
Prepare the concrete surface using a chipping hammer, grit blasting or high pressure water jetting to leave a rough but clean surface free from all forms of contamination. Bush hammering is not recommended.
Bolt pockets should be prepared and cleaned out before the base plate is fixed.
Base plate
The underside of the base plate should be free of rust, oil or grease.
The minimum gap width between the base plate and foundation should be 25mm for base plates up to 1m wide, increasing by 20mm for each additional metre of width.
For base plate pours over 1m in width or when the gap width is less than the minimum recommended, please consult your local representative.
Formwork
Before fixing formwork ensure the base area and bolt holes are clean. Formwork fitted around the base plate to contain the grout must be as water tight as is practical, to prevent grout loss. The top of the formwork should be a minimum of 2.5cm above the underside of the base plate. For large base plate pours or when the gap between base plate and foundation concrete is less than recommended, the formwork should be higher to allow a pressure head to build up.
On the pouring side, which should be the shortest distance across the base plate, the formwork should be at least 15cm higher than the underside of the base plate. The form should be fixed with the top sloping away from the base plate at a 45° angle, to form a slope, down which the grout can be poured.
A piece of formwork should be fixed on top of the base plate as below, to allow a head of grout to build up.
The formwork should be fixed to allow easy stripping without causing damage or stress to the grout, if the formwork is to be removed when the grout is still green.
Note:
1.
If grout is to be pumped under pressure, special formwork may be required. Contact Saudi BASF Technical Department.
2.
Keep shoulders to a minimum, unless properly designed, they may crack.
Preparation for grouting
Before fixing the last piece of formwork, remove all dirt and debris from within the area to be grouted.
Saturate the concrete within the formwork with water for 24 hrs prior to grouting.
Ensure sufficient grout is available for the pour.
Check that mixing equipment is suitable and in good working order. If using drum type concrete mixers, fix wire mesh with a mesh size of 12-15mm over blades inside drum to assist in breaking up balls of grout. Have a back-up mixer available. Ensure adequate potable water is available for mixing.
Hot weather grouting
If grouting is to take place in the open, store bags of grout under shade, shade the area to be grouted, and ensure that a supply of cool or chilled water is available to reduce mixed grout temperatures to less than 30°C for best results.
Cold weather grouting
If the temperature of the base concrete cannot be maintained at or above 10°C whilst the grout hydrates, consult Saudi BASF Technical Department.
Use warm water to bring the mixed temperature of the grout above 10°C.