I don't compress papercrete, so I'm afraid I'm not much help on that subject. With slip forms, you don't need to compress. You also don't need reinforcing steel, sticks, or any other junk thrown into the mix.
I have seen various compression methods proposed, like a press similar to a Cinva Ram. Another one that is in our photos area uses hydraulic cylinders to compress. I have not seen results from these, and I think they turned out to be more trouble than they were worth.
Papercrete does very well by itself without any compression. It should not be used for applications needing high structural strength, though 12" thick pc walls will support well over 30,000 pounds per running foot in the right application. You can probably increase that strength, but it is already plenty high for most purposes. If you need more compressive strength, or want tensile strength, then papercrete might not be the ideal material for your purpose.
Why would you want to compress it? If it is to facilitate the use of foam forms, then that is questionable. Foam forms are expensive and offer no advantages over simple wooden forms. They will end up with air voids between the foam and the papercrete. Better to use simple forms that are removed after the pc sets.
Hello Spaceman:)Thanks fr your comments about shrinkage. I am attempting some slip form walls. I have been experimenting with different mixes and methods. I tried roding similar to consolidating concrete but still have the shrinkage problem. What method of "compressing" are you suggesting?
Any assistance you can provide is most appreciated.
Thanks and best wishesMurry
On Tuesday, April 29, 2014 7:05 PM, spaceman <Spaceman@starship-enterprises.net> wrote:
Papercrete will shrink away from forms like this unless you compress it. That would be difficult to do with foam forms.
spaceman
On 4/29/2014 2:10 PM, s tolman wrote:
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