Have you tried adding calcium? When ever I've ever poured concrete in
cold weather here in Oklahoma, I have them add 3% calcium, I think that
means 3% by volume, anyway it sure makes the water squeeze out fast, it
sometime starts to set before we would finish pouring, have to work fast
when you add calcium.
Bob
Here in Central Texas we still get somewhat of a winter. I went ahead
and started making papercrete to build my workshop. Drying times have
been killing me with up to a week before I can move the blocks. I have
photos posted up at the link listed below. So here are some personal
notes I noticed about the process and if anyone has better ideas on the
drying time let me know.
1. I installed a drip tray just after the mixer to get rid of most of
the water in the mix.
2. I set my forms on top of one of three form tables with water
collectors under each. I was forming on top of old plywood and roofing
and the water had a hard time escaping so I built these form tables,
cut down the time very considerably. These form tables have expanded
or hardware cloth covered by old screen window mesh works very well.
3. I was making blocks 12"L x 8"W x 6"thick, 48"L x 8W x 6"T, and 36"L
x 8"W x 6"T. Now I have cut back to 12", 24", and 18" blocks and this
has also cut back the drying time. The long blocks were too fragile
for too long - sometimes up to two weeks before they could be moved
without breaking in half.
4. Freezing does not seem to affect the blocks, I have had some blocks
freeze solid with no ill affects! No breaking along stress joints
created from freezing or crumbling still solid. But is does slow the
drying.
5. There is a difference in type of paper used! Phone books and
newspaper dry in half the time as junk mail, cardboard, and other
paper. Is there strength loss in this? The insulation value may be
higher because of added air?
6. With the setup used now, the drip tray and form tables I can usually
move the blocks in a couple of days.
It seems to be a good way to go with limited funds and time available
to go and make about 20 blocks per day toward the workshop. Expecting
to have enough blocks in about a year!
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