CON/General/TBT-CON-037
Underwater Concrete (Tremie) Placement
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Underwater Concrete (Tremie) Placement
Tremie concrete placement is used to pour concrete underwater in bored piles, cofferdams, and submerged structural elements. The tremie pipe must remain embedded in the rising concrete throughout the pour to prevent water contamination of the mix. The operation involves heavy equipment near open water, long continuous pours, and strict quality control. This talk covers the hazards and controls for tremie concrete operations.
Key Hazards
Drowning risk from working near open water or flooded excavations during the pour
Tremie pipe blockage causing the pour to fail and requiring emergency remediation
Heavy tremie pipe and hopper assembly causing crushing injuries during handling
Concrete contamination from water mixing with the placed concrete if the seal is lost
Control Measures
- Ensure edge protection and personal flotation devices are in place when working near open water.
- Prepare the tremie pipe, hopper, and all connections before starting the pour to prevent delays.
- Maintain the tremie pipe tip embedded in the rising concrete at all times during the pour.
- Use a concrete mix designed for tremie placement with the correct slump and cohesion properties.
- Coordinate concrete deliveries to ensure a continuous pour without interruption from start to finish.
- Ensure the lifting equipment for raising the tremie pipe has current LOLER examination certificates.
- Brief the pour team on the sequence, target levels, and the procedure if a tremie pipe blocks.
- Monitor concrete level rise against the planned rate and adjust the tremie pipe lift accordingly.
- Record all pour data including concrete volumes, tremie depths, and any interruptions in the pour log.
Remember
- Edge protection and personal flotation devices are required when working near open water pours
- The tremie pipe must remain embedded in the rising concrete throughout the entire pour
- Coordinate concrete deliveries to ensure a continuous pour without any interruption
- Brief the team on the sequence, target levels, and blockage procedure before starting
- Record all pour data including volumes, tremie depths, and interruptions in the pour log
Applicable Legislation: CDM Regulations 2015 · BS EN 13670 (Execution of Concrete Structures) · LOLER 1998 · Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
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