From: im.1.maxaluminum@xoxy.net (MaxAluminum)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: Frugal concrete?
Date: 8 Nov 2003 05:26:51 -0800

"David W."  wrote in message news:...
> cyber  wrote in news:georgekspam-
> E0A9E9.21465506112003@corp.supernews.com:
> 
> > If you leave a bag on concrete mix in a damp place, you will have a
> > hunk of concrete in the shape of the bag. right?
> > so, why not pour the bag right into forms and water it?  And it will 
> > eventually draw moisture from the surrounding soil to set up. This would
> > be of course include re-bar.
> > "If I can not dance, I want no part in your revolution."  Emma Goldman
> > 
> 
> I've seen people do that with fence posts. I've never been impressed with 
> the results. You frequently end up with a hard shell filled with dry 
> concrete mix. Also, the strength of concrete depends in part on the ratio 
> of dry components to water, so dry pouring the stuff is likely to result in 
> inferior and weak finished product.

The process of in-bag curing can work quite well because a minimum of
water is used. They use it all the time in making culvert barriers and
so on. The secret is that it has to stay in the bag and must lie there
undisturbed for a long time. The result is a heavy lump. The strength,
as used,lies in interweaving bags.
You could put a fence post in with no concrete and it might be OK in
some locations so adding dry cement may appear to be working when it
really is not helping much. A better solution is to use the new quick
set mixes and you can have the project up the same day.

I never saw an Italian use dry cement this way. I have seen them patch
the edge of a step and have it last forever.