Todd

Thanks, Probably next time is not to over think things.. We did use a company that dry mix the concrete, rather than it arrive wet, also waited until all 3 concrete lorries arrived before pumping Understand having a continuous flow , help prevent blocking. Surprised how stiff mix was, somehow being pumped and had expected it a lot more fluid. So 4 guys plus pump guy, did the pour in 3 hrs.plus set up and wash out at the end..which took longer than the pour Was surprised pump lorry could be controlled remotely from so far away..guy had handset to stop , start pump as we moved around.

Just an update Concrete pour was yesterday, pumped just over 21 m Pump line was 125 yrds.. Stepped footing was fine, started from lower part , then went to top. Shuttering is coming off today Thank you for all your advice, that's the first major hurdle out of the way..

Thank you all for for taking time to reply.. It's reassuring to hear the voices of experience. Happy to hear that it's more about pushing it into position, rather than it flowing and finding its own level.. Iv poured straight from the mixer into a strip footing before , but this is first time for pumps and steps..going to have those blocks to hand tho! Will be back when pour is done, just to let you know how it went.. Many thanks, and sorry if it was a daft question...

Sorry if my previous post was misleading.. There are approximately 6m3 in the extension foundation, This foundation has the stepped element, however on the same day we are also pouring porch ,garage and some retaining wall .that volume is about 8m3 in total.. So on the day we shift 14 M3 in total . I still don't understand if the stepped element of the pour would self level, giving same height either side tho..

Hi, thanks again for your help. 1) to get height, builder will use laser to get line, then spray paint line all way round on inside of shutter. 2) access lane to house is tight..too narrow for mixer , everything is offloaded about 100 yrds away. There is no way to get mixer on drive.. so options of dumper, but hard to pour due to slope or pump. 3) total volume for day is approx 14m3 , stepped part of foundation accounts for 6m3. Connor, Idea of putting weight on lower part is to counteract upward pressure of concrete trying to raise up ? Thanks...

Hi, many thanks for the quick and clear replies.. To answer some questions. 1) myself and three other on site , 3 are family builders. I am householder and acting labourer 2) the builders have experience of pumped concrete and the pump guy they use is doing a site visit before pour. Not sure builders have done a stepped pour before. 3) footings are min 250, so we have two steps at 500 ( min ) 4) SE design and full plan approval for BC 5) building control have visited site We are using 18 mm ply with 90x40 mm bracing to hold sides.( Photos to big to upload).. I think it's a simple (?) job .,but my engineering background questions why the wet concrete doesn't find it's way under the step shutter and become a equal height throughout the trench.. Thanks again for your time and help..

Hi, First time post, so sorry if this is a daft question Currently building a single storey extension.Site is sloping downwards meaning with have a stepped footing . 2 steps , dug out to correct depth , overlap etc. As access is tricky, we will a line pump. We have shuttered sides and risers of steps. Question is ; when we pump concrete, what stops the concrete from finding its own level and effectively acting like a manometer , basically leveling out either side of shutter? Foundation are 8mx6.5 m with steps on the 6.5 m run Hope this makes sense Many thanks..