Concrete and paving glossary - W
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Wagner fineness
The fineness of materials such as Portland cement expressed as total
surface area in centimeters per gram as determined by the Wagner turbidimeter
apparatus and procedure. See Portland
cement.
Waler
Horizontal bracing used to support or stiffen concrete forming. See
forming.
Walking
A term used to describe a hand-held finishing tool that has been modified
with extension handles so it can be used while standing up.
Warehouse set
The partial hydration of cement stored for a time and exposed to atmospheric
moisture, or mechanical compaction occurring during storage. A partially
hardened, unopened bag of cement. See hydration.
Water-cement ratio
A numerical index of the relative proportions of water and cement in
a concrete mixture. The ratio of the amount of water, exclusive only
of that absorbed by the aggregates, to the amount of cement in a concrete
or mortar mixture. The ratio is preferably stated as a decimal by weight.
For example, the ratio 1:2:4 refers to a mix which consists of 1 cubic
foot of cement, 2 cubic feet of sand and 4 cubic feet of gravel. Cement
and water are the two chemically active elements in concrete and when
combined, form a paste or glue which coats and surrounds the particles
of aggregate and upon hardening binds the entire mass together.
Water gain
See bleeding.
Water-reducing agents
A material that either increases workability of freshly mixed mortar
or concrete without increasing water content, or maintains workability
with a reduced amount of water; the effect being due to factors other
than air entrainment.
Water repellant coating
Transparent coating or sealer applied to the surface of concrete and
masonry surfaces to repel water.
Water stop
A synthetic rubber strip used to seal joints in concrete foundations
walls.
Water table
The location of the underground water. Also, the vertical distance
from the surface of the earth to this underground water.
Weep screed
A tool used to drain moisture from concrete.
Wet screeds
Concrete strips placed beforehand at the proper elevation to act as
height guides when pouring a concrete slab. See pouring
and slab.
Wetting agent
A substance capable of lowering the surface tension of liquids, facilitating
the wetting of solid surfaces and permitting the penetration of liquids
into the capillaries.
Wood forming accessories
A variety of miscellaneous accessories needed to work with wood forming
when placing concrete. Typical accessories include corner forms, curb
face forms, division plates, filler forms, form bracing, nail stake
and form pin pockets, transition forms, form spreaders, and hangers.
See bracing, curb
and gutter forms, flatwork
forms, flexible
forms, division
plates, nail
stakes, stake pockets,
and transition forms.
Wood forms
Pieces of lumber, often 2x4s, used as single use or minimal use forms
for concrete placement. See flatwork
forms and straight
forms.
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