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Slab Sawing (also known as Flat
Sawing)
Flat sawing
is the most commonly used diamond cutting method. It is
typically used to cut horizontal flat surfaces such as
floors, bridge decks, and pavement. Also called slab
saws, flat saws feature a diamond blade that is mounted
on a walk-behind machine requiring only one operator.
Flat saws are typically used to provide expansion
joints, remove damaged pavement sections, clean and
repair random cracks for repair, and remove concrete
sections for demolition purposes.
Typical Applications:
• Cutting
plumbing and electrical trenchers in slabs
• Cutting reinforced concrete floors
• Cutting expansion and control joints
• Cutting sidewalks
As with the
diamond wall saw blade, a flat saw blade consists of a
circular steel core with diamond segments attached to
the periphery. The blade is mounted vertically on the
spindle of the flat saw. The flat saw is pushed or
propelled along a flat surface while the diamond blade
makes the vertical cut to the required depth. Flat saws
are typically powered by gasoline or diesel engines,
electric or hydraulic sources. Flat saw blades can range
from 12 - 54 inches (305 mm - 1.4 m) in diameter and can
cut up to 24 inches (610 mm) in depth.
While flat
sawing has many highway and airport applications, a
typical building application is the removal of floor
structures. A CSDA contractor removed three levels of a
Syracuse, New York parking building. The parking deck
had to be removed after a section collapsed and made the
building unsafe. The concrete structure was primarily
made of 10-1/2 inch (267 mm) thick cast-in-place
concrete with 5/8 inch (16 mm) rebar on 12 inch (305 mm)
centers. Over 3,048 feet (929 m) of 15 inch (381 mm)
slab, 3,048 feet (929 m) of 8 inch (203 mm) slab, 24,476
feet 7460 m) of 10-1/2 inch (267 mm) slab, 3,058 feet
(932 m) of 15 inch (381 mm) slab, and 933 feet (284 m)of
18 - 24 inch (457 - 610 mm) slab was cut with flat saws
and removed by cranes. Slab sawing, as well as wall
sawing, was the best demolition choice due to its speed,
control of the process, low noise in a downtown setting
and safety in a confined area.
(description of slab
sawing partially provided by: Concrete Sawing &
Drilling Association) |
