How deep should concrete saw cuts be?
A good rule of thumb is to cut the joints one-quarter to one-third the slab thickness. 1 For a 6-inch-thick slab, that means cutting 1.5 to 2 inches deep. Ensure that the saw cut depth meets the structural engineering specifications.
What are the cut lines in concrete called?
The technical term for sidewalk lines is contraction joints. Contraction joints are placed in fresh concrete before the concrete dries and has a chance to create its own joints, which we call cracks.
How deep does a walk behind concrete saw cut?
The saw is generally used with water, but may be used in dry applications with the correct type of blade. This saw can be used for cured concrete tear out and repairs, traffic loop installations or next day green concrete sawing. It’s great for high steel industrial applications with depths of up to 10-5/8”.
When to use a saw cut in concrete?
Saw cuts are a used to create control joints in concrete, which help control where cracking occurs due to shrinkage. The cuts should be made at a predetermined spacing and only after the concrete has obtained sufficient strength but before internal cracking begins. Therefore, the timing of saw cuts is critical.
When to use sawcut joints on concrete columns?
Joint activation (cracking) occurs beneath the sawed slot when shrinkage and temperature stress exceed the tensile strength of the concrete. The benefits of sawcut joints include: Contraction or control joints should be sawcut on or at the center of column lines.
What’s the best way to cut a slab of concrete?
A good rule of thumb is to cut the joints one-quarter to one-third the slab thickness. 1 For a 6-inch-thick slab, that means cutting 1.5 to 2 inches deep. Ensure that the saw cut depth meets the structural engineering specifications. If the joint is too deep, aggregate interlocking will not be sufficient to transfer loads.
What should spacing be for sawcut concrete slabs?
If dowels or other load transfer devices are incorporated, the joint spacing is typically greater–from 15 to 20 feet. The dowels or other load transfer devices can maintain load transfer even when the joint opens up to about 1/4 inch. Another consideration is the cost based on the number of joints.
