The use of atomized misting technology has helped a government contractor comply with strict military concrete quality and dust emission standards during the construction of an airfield tarmac. By providing a consistent humidity level in a high-heat desert environment, the DustBoss® DB-30™ (manufactured by BossTek) helped Southwest Concrete Paving Company (SWCP) maintain the proper moisture levels needed for high-grade concrete production. In addition, the mobile misting cannon offered dust suppression during the demolition of the previous tarmac and storage of dusty material. The result of the 9-month, multi-phase contract was a premium quality 87,000 square yard (72,743 m2) concrete tarmac that passed inspections the first time while adhering to all workplace dust standards throughout the project.
Consequences of not meeting the required standards can lead to ripping out entire sections of the project to create a compliant product. The life cycle of a normal road is 15–20 years, whereas the life cycle of an airstrip apron is 40-60 years. Due to the point loads of jets and other aircraft, proper curing is critical, thus engineers meticulously test for slump and moisture content every step of the way.
Paving crews in arid conditions generally work through the night to control surface temperature and slump. Critical factors include ambient temperature, concrete temperature, wind speed and humidity. As the concrete mix temperature increases, slump will decrease approximately 20 mm (0.8 in.) for each 10°C (or 20ºF) rise in temperature.
“The night temperatures fluctuated, but often remained above 80º F (27º C),” explained David Rath, QCQA Manager for SWCP. “In those conditions, the relative humidity across the curing slab has to consistently stay above 40 percent. If the surface conditions aren’t precisely controlled, the concrete surface will be prematurely exposed to tensile stresses that it cannot withstand before the hydration of the cement has passed a certain stage. This causes small cracks known as plastic shrinkage, which can significantly reduce the life of the concrete.”
Once the sun went down, the atomized misting cannon was moved to the front of the paving machine to lay an even surface of moisture across the base layer. When pouring, the moisture content of the concrete mixture is precise, but the dry ground can draw the moisture out of the meal, increasing the chances of cracking.
Atomized Mist for Concrete Curing
Due to the need for mobility, SWCP secured the DustBoss DB-30 dust control system to the back of a flatbed truck with a 250 gallon (946 L) water tank and a portable generator to create a completely mobile and autonomous unit, designed for conditions that lack adequate access to water and power.
The water cannon could be removed and placed on a hydraulic forklift as high as 40 ft (12 m) in the air. This allowed improved targeting of the atomized mist sprayed over and around the newly poured concrete to provide the humidity and surface moisture needed for proper finishing. Using the variable height and the DB-30’s adjustable 0-50° vertical angle settings, operators were able to control the humidity levels and coverage area, while compensating for wind.
Water from the tank is forced through a circular stainless steel manifold with 30 atomizing spray nozzles at the front of a heavy-duty cone-shaped barrel design. A powerful 7.5 HP fan at the back of the cannon, producing 9,200 CFM (260.50 CMM) of airflow, launches millions of tiny droplets in a 100-foot (30 meter) cone. With 180º horizontal oscillation, the unit has a coverage area of 17,000 square feet (1580 square meters). Using only 9.8 GPM (10.6 LPM) of water, the unit raises the humidity of an entire area with evenly distributed droplets between 50-200 microns in diameter (approx. the size of fine dust), while minimizing pooling or runoff.
The unit is designed to be set up by a single worker and operated autonomously without further attention. Able to be operated by remote control, the DB-30 also has a touch screen panel for adjusting the settings (oscillation, pump settings, etc.). The panel is encased in a NEMA 3R cabinet to protect it from the harmful elements of outdoor operation such as dust, rain and contaminants.
The self-contained unit follows as the project progresses.
The mobility and adjustability of the DB-30 allowed crews to reposition and recalibrate the settings of the atomized mist cannon to raise the humidity above the paved surface and prevent water from being sheared away by high winds.
“DustBoss technology has added to our success,” concluded SWCP Vice President, David Nuttal. "The fact that they're highly durable American-made products supported by excellent service definitely sets them apart from the competition."
Wrapping up the finishing touches of the project, core samples of the concrete taken by inspectors demonstrated high quality, with no compliance issues. The meticulous planning, technical skill of the staff and use of modern technology allowed SWCP to complete the project on time and on budget with no major downtime.
The technology has proven to be applicable across several segments within SWCP’s business, from road construction to military and public airports. Enhanced control over the finishing process helped improve the outcome and extend the life of the finished product. This attention to detail and quality has become a hallmark of SWCP projects.
“DustBoss technology has added to our success,” concluded SWCP Vice President, David Nuttall. “The fact that they’re highly durable American-made products supported by excellent service definitely sets them apart from the competition.”
When properly positioned, the DB-30 covers the entire area of the night's pour.
Meet Concrete Standards with Atomized Mist
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