Title:
Products & Practice Spotlight: Vertical Casting System for Poles and Piles
Author(s):
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
37
Issue:
6
Appears on pages(s):
43-45
Keywords:
mold, concrete, free water, curing
DOI:
Date:
6/1/2015
Abstract:
An innovative technology for the rapid production of hollow concrete poles and piles up to 14 m (46 ft) long was developed by Australian company Vertech Hume. The manufacturing process comprises pumping concrete into the base of an elongated vertical mold, compressing the mixture to force out free water, removing the freshly cast pole from the form, and steam curing it. A dual mold pole manufacturing plant requires only 120 m2 (1300 ft2) of land, contains few moving parts, and requires only four people to operate at its normal capacity. The pole manufacturing process and its advantages are described.