Laying concrete outside

[ImFree2doasiwant]

I have an area that I need to have covered in concrete. We have plans to dig it out, have sone wood to use as shuttering (If that's the right word)

The area is currently really muddy due to loads of rain, and and animals.

Can the concrete be laid when the surrounding area is wet? And how long does it need to dry out, as in how many rain free days?

As long as it doesn't rain during or after pouring, for about 12 hours, rain will do nothing but good.

Concrete hardens by a chemical reaction of cement with water, so the wetter it is, and the longer it is wet, the stronger it gets. After two weeks it will be strong enough for practical purposes, but longer is good. Once it has been allowed to dry, it will not gain further strength or hardness, even if you wet if again. Putting plastic sheet or tarpaulin over it prevents it drying. Adding extra water to the mix, however, does not help.

However muddy wet ground is soft and unsuitable as a base. If you can dig off and discard the wet material immediately before pouring, that will be better. Alternatively it is possible to dig it out and spread a "dry lean" mix of cement and ballast over the base, rammed down hard, with no water. It will absorb moisture from the ground and you can then pour your mix before it rains again. You can hire a plate vibrator to ram down your hardcore base.

In muddy ground, dig the edges deeper so the underside cannot be exposed.

Thank you! We will dig out the area first, so the concrete wont be poured onto actual mud, but the area around will be muddy.

I'm a bit concerned by the 2 weeks part, would I have to leave it for 2 weeks before using it? As in letting the animals walk over it? (Ponies and sheep)

Generally concrete can be firm enough to walk on after about 24 hours but if you are talking about ponies etc maybe a couple of days might be safer.

As pp said the concrete will continue to "cure" for some time. This is why you are advised not to paint concrete for at least 28 days and some paints will specify not to do so for 6 months.

soft shoes, yes, but concrete has little strength or hardness in the first seven days. in construction concrete is usually calculated at 28 or 14 days.

horseshoes will be like hammers and the surface will be marked and chipped

If you are able to put down plastic or tarpaulin or sheets of ply, you can cover it with straw, earth or muck to cushion the impact.

Argh I was really hoping to have had it done in the summer, and now it's muddy and wet and it's a "high traffic" area. Which is why it needs concrete in the first place.

We could possibly cover in ply and straw. Thank you for the advice. I don't want yo make a mess/waste money. Equally am dreading another muddy winter.