11/22/2018 Concrete Gutter Construction- Methods and Work Procedure

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Concrete Gutter Construction- Methods and Work Procedure

Gutter is a concrete component that constructed beside pavements. The function of concrete gutter is to discharge
water and prevent it to infiltrate beneath the pavement. Moreover, not only does it eliminates the need for side
ditches but also it enhances the performance of the road. This is because deterioration of pavement due to
detrimental influence of water penetration is declined.

It is crucial to properly construct concrete gutter to make sure that it functions adequately and meet requirement
of the project specifications. In this regard, various construction methods and considerations shall be reviewed and
best possible construction techniques and procedures shall be applied.

Stationary and slipform methods are used for concrete gutter construction. Wood, plastic, or metal form are used
for the former whereas slipform machine is employed for the latter.

Table of Contents
Concrete Gutter Construction- Methods and Work Procedure
1. Set Layout of Concrete Gutter
2. Sub-grade Preparation
3. Formwork Placement
4. Reinforcement Placement
5. Concrete Placement
6. Contraction and Expansion Joint Construction
7. Finishing of Concrete Gutter
8. Curing

Concrete Gutter Construction- Methods and Work Procedure

There are several techniques used for the construction of concrete gutter. These methods have been developed to
improve construction quality and increase construction speed to finish large scale works in short period.

Previously, hand-built wood forms employed for concrete gutter construction. In latter time, reusable forms and
slip form construction approach are developed and mostly used nowadays. The construction procedure of concrete
gutter involves:

1. Set Layout of Concrete Gutter

Commonly, concrete gutter is constructed beside pavements. Hence the layout of the concrete gutter is similar to
the road. Surveyor shall set the profile and curves according to the design drawing.

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11/22/2018 Concrete Gutter Construction- Methods and Work Procedure

Fig. 1: Yellow String Line Determine Trajectory of Concrete Gutter

2. Sub-grade Preparation

Disregard of whether slip form or cast in situ methods are used, the sub-grade shall be prepared adequately so as
the concrete gutter can perform adequately. The sub-grade needs to be leveled sufficiently to the required
elevation. Then, it is compacted using suitable means. After that, the subgrade would be moistened prior to the
placement of concrete.

It may be required to pace a granular base if the soil at project is poor. This prevents settlement and future
problems that may be encountered at latter times. Finally, the concrete gutters are highly likely to suffer from
settlements, tilts, and cracks unless good construction practice are implemented.

Fig. 2: Subgrade Compaction

Machine

3. Formwork Placement

The type of forms required for the construction of concrete gutter is based on the size of the project and hence
construction technique. For example, wood, metal, or plastic formwork, which is fixed manually at construction, is
an economical and adaptable for small scale works. However, it is costly for large scale works since not only large
labor force is needed but also the wood is only used few times.

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11/22/2018 Concrete Gutter Construction- Methods and Work Procedure

Fig. 3: Wood form fixed after Subgrade prepared

Moreover, metal and plastic form is superior to wood form because they can be used multiple times and require
smaller number of labors. Metal and plastic forms can be prefabricated in factory to produce various cross section
shapes.

Fig. 4: Plastic Formwork

Fig. 5: Metal Formwork

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11/22/2018 Concrete Gutter Construction- Methods and Work Procedure

Fixing of formwork begins after the preparation of subgrade is finalized. Surveyor shall specify the correct location
of the gutter and its trajectory. After the location is determined, stakes are driven into ground and then the
formwork are raised to the designated elevation, then the formwork is locked to the stakes using wedges.

Fig. 6: Stakes Driven into Ground and Forms are Locked to Them

When the size of the work is large, then Slip form concrete gutter construction is employed. In this case, The path
and elevation of concrete gutter shall be specified with string line. After that, sensors are attached to the string
line and then slipforming operation would start. sometimes, it is required to prepare the area on which the
slipform machine is moved.

Fig. 7: Slip Form Concrete Gutter Construction Method

4. Reinforcement Placement

There are certain conditions in which the provision of reinforcement is a must. For instance, the American
Concrete Pavement Association specify that steel bars shall be placed when concrete gutter cross utility trenches
and it shall be extended 3m on each side.

Additionally, if the type of soil at project site is soft and weak, then it would be necessary to install reinforcement
so as to control or restrict settlements and crack width. Frequently, the placement to two No.13 bars are installed
longitudinally.

5. Concrete Placement

For slipform construction method, the concrete is placed using slip form machine. The machine forces the fresh
concrete out but moves along the path of the concrete gutter with specified rate, as shown in Fig.8.

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11/22/2018 Concrete Gutter Construction- Methods and Work Procedure

For stationary construction method, after suitable means are selected for delivery and placement of concrete for
example pumping, Fig.9.

Fig. 8: Slipform Concrete Gutter Construction

Fig. 9: Concrete Placement

6. Contraction and Expansion Joint Construction

Commonly, concrete gutter might suffer from shrinkage and hence develop cracks. Therefore, contraction joints
shall be provided at a spacing not larger than 7.62m. if the gutter and the curb are integral, the contraction joints
shall be extended into the curb. When metal forms are used, then division plate is utilized to form contraction
joints.

However, if they are separate, then the location of contraction joints in the concrete gutter and the curb shall be at
the same level. With regard to expansion joints, the spacing shall not be greater than 30.48m.

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11/22/2018 Concrete Gutter Construction- Methods and Work Procedure

Fig. 10: Joints in Concrete Gutter

7. Finishing of Concrete Gutter

Finishing process required for concrete gutter surface is dependent on the construction technique and cross
section. For example, if cast in place method is used, then it would be necessary to float concrete surface. in
contrary, flotation is not needed when slip form construction method is used.

Fig. 11: Finishing Concrete Gutter

8. Curing

After finishing work is ended, curing process begins and suitable curing mechanism shall be used.

Madeh Izat Hamakareem

Madeh is a Structural Engineer who works as Assistant Lecturer in Koya University. He is the author, editor and partner at theconstructor.org.

©2017 The Constructor

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