Customer Brochure

Since 1971, Nuqul Concrete has been working to make sure that clients receive the high-quality products and services they desire. As part of our commitment to ensuring you are satisfied with the finished product, below you will find a series of guidelines designed to help you make the most informed decisions about your project and ensure the durability and longevity of your structures.

Booking

We want your experience with Nuqul Concrete to go as smoothly and seamlessly as possible, from the very beginning. To ensure that, we ask that you carefully follow the recommendations below:

• To ensure the best possible service, please make your booking at least three days before the scheduled pour date. If more urgent reservations are absolutely necessary, we will do our best to try to accommodate your needs based on best availability.
• Accurately identify the name of the company and the particular project(s)– especially if your company has more than one project underway.
• Determine the required strength of concrete, and any other important specifications
• Provide the accurate quantity of concrete required for the project, in order to avoid the potential for a shortage or overabundance of concrete delivered.
• Determine the type of pour required, such as walls, slabs, columns, foundations, etc. Additionally, please specify the concrete slump required.
  We recommend using the following guidelines when determining the slump needed to conduct an adequate slump test:

Formwork

• All formwork should be coated in a special type of release oil, using an appropriate amount, which should only cause simple staining on fingers when touched.
• If there is any weakness in the formwork, please stop the pouring process. Take all necessary measures to secure it before continuing.
• It is recommended that you take the thickness of the concrete cover over the reinforcing steel into account when installing the formwork, keeping in mind the specifications of the project and the particular building codes.
• In the winter and in colder temperatures, we recommend leaving the formwork on for a minimum of five days after pouring walls and columns, and a minimum of  28 days after slabs pouring.
• In the summer and in warmer weather, we recommend leaving the formwork for a minimum of two days after pouring walls and columns, and 14 days after pouring slabs.

Compaction and Concrete Vibrating

• To ensure that concrete settles properly in place, it should be vibrated in the center of the poured concrete, away from sides or bottom of the formwork. In cases of compacting concrete at the sides it’s recommended to have it done manually and not with the vibrator.
• The concrete vibrator should not be used to move or push the concrete.

Concrete Sampling

Our concrete is carefully designed by our expert staff according to the technical specifications of each individual project. In order to maintain the integrity of the product and keep it in line with your project’s specifications, please do not attempt to adjust or modify the composition of the concrete by adding water, cement, or any other materials. The client will be held liable for any issues related to modifications of the concrete.

To ensure the highest quality and best possible results, we recommend referring to our own specialists and trained technicians for any necessary modifications, or when conducting concrete sampling. Nuqul Concrete’s specialists operate according to the highest standards of both local and international specification.

Sampling method (cube testing)

• Samples should be taken from the transit mixer after at least 30% - but not more than 70% - of the mix has been discharged. In other words, the sample is taken from the second third of the mixer.
• The sample should be mixed well before the cube molds are filled. Each mold should be filled in three stages with three layers, Each layer’s thickness should  not exceed 100 millimeters. Each layer should be compacted with a certified tamping rod 36 times, ensuring that the entire sample surface is evenly compacted in the process then the cube molds should be tapped lightly on their sides.
• Any air bubbles that appear on the surface of the sample - after tapping the sides of cube molds lightly- should be carefully troweled off. The cubes should then be labeled with the project information and the compressive strength.
• The molds should be placed on a flat, solid surface, far from any vibrations, and should not be moved or dismantled until at least 24 hours after the sampling is conducted. In the case of cold weather, it is recommended that the cubes be left for at least 36 hours and covered with a heat-insulating material such as polystyrene or burlap.
• After the mold is dismantled, the samples should be placed in a curing tank (in water) for 7 and 28 days, allowing enough time for the concrete to properly hydrate and strengthen. The temperature of the water should be around 20 degrees Celsius, with a tolerance of ± two degrees.

Curing the Concrete after Pouring

At Nuqul Concrete, we recommend using a curing compound to ensure proper curing to achieve the required specifications. These compounds are available through companies that specialize in construction materials and chemical supplies.

 For slabs and floors, concrete can be cured by forming ponds on the concrete that are filled with water (sand barriers can be used to form the ponds). This should be done within 4 to 24 hours after the concrete is poured (please refer to weather conditions). These pools should remain filled throughout the curing period.

For columns, walls, and stairs, concrete can be cured by spraying or sprinkling water on the surface of the concrete, maintaining constant moisture. This procedure should begin no earlier than four hours after the concrete is poured (in hot weather conditions). The concrete surface should be dry before the spraying method is started. As for (cold weather conditions), the curing should not start before making sure the surface of concrete elements have started to dry; it is always recommended that you consult with the supervising engineer regarding the curing process.

Protecting the Poured Concrete
In high temperatures (hot weather conditions), concrete should be protected through one of the following methods:

• The poured concrete should be protected from the sun and warm temperatures using a wet cover made of burlap, sawdust, or fine aggregate materials, and should be moistened continuously.
• The concrete’s elements and formwork should be kept constantly moistened by spraying water for better curing, in order to prevent cracks or shrinkage that can result from dehydration.
• In low temperatures (cold weather conditions), concrete should be protected through one of the following methods:
  • An insulating board, comprising materials such as wooden planks or polystyrene boards should be used to maintain the concrete temperature.
  • The concrete slabs should be sprayed with curing compounds, and/or covered with polyethylene sheets to prevent water from evaporating, especially if there are strong wind conditions.