DURABLE & ECONOMICAL POOLS

Constructing a pool is inevitably a rather difficult and time consuming task and it is obviously desirable that the result of this work should last as long as possible. Pools will improve with age and can give pleasure for generations provided they are constructed properly and with durable materials

Portland cement based materials are among the most durable available, even the crude early types of this cement used by the Romans 2000 years ago, still survive to this day, no other man made material has such a pedigree. Wet conditions, such as in pools, are an ideal environment for Portland cement based materials that actually harden by reacting with water

Of course, as with all materials, they have their limitations and problems can arise and the pool then becomes a source of worry rather than of pleasure These limitations, in particular cracking resulting in leakage of water, have in the past inhibited the use of concrete pools. All cement based materials, particularly mortars, are prone to cracking, quite independently of external stresses, this is made worse when a high cement content is used, which is essential for an impermeable and durable material

Over I0 years ago the author introduced into the UK special cement reinforcing fibres, Rein fibres, and a formulation using these fibres for a high performance mortar, Fibromix. These mortars, with their superior qualities were found to be particularly beneficial in pool construction overcoming the problems previously associated with cement based materials and providing a means of simply and economically constructing very durable pools. Of course, building a durable pool is far easier where cost is not a restraint but it is certainly now possible for the DIY pool builder to economically construct a durable concrete pool which will give pleasure for generations.

Rein Fibres

Rein fibres are high elastic modulus, synthetic fibres developed and patented specifically for reinforcing cementitious materials. (there may be fibres that look the same but, because of the patent, there are none that are the same) One application of these fibres was to produce a very high performance mortar, which has proved to be an excellent material for pool construction. It has been used, over the last decade very successfully in thousands of pools, both as a waterproof rendering and to construct the complete pool shell, directly in the ground.

High Performance Mortars.

Fibromlx mortars are waterproof because they enable a high cement content to be used without the otherwise inevitable problems of cracking. Rein fibres not only overcome the tendency to self induced cracking, enabling a higher cement content to be used, but they actually make the resulting mortar far more resistant to cracking and fracture than conventional mortar.

Using & Finishing Fibromix Mortars.

Fibromlx mortars are simply produced in the same way as ordinary mortars, preferably in a small cement mixer as thorough mixing is important, the Rein fibres being simply added to the mix.

The Fibromix mortar is spread on like a conventional mortar, although it spreads more easily and stays in position better than ordinary mortars. A steel float is used to spread and finish the mortar and a very smooth finish can be achieved. Since cement hardens by chemically reacting with water there is no point in delaying the filling of the pool and this can be done about 48 hours after rendering. It is not essential to apply paints to Fibromix mortars, but, if this is not done, then, before fish can be put into the pool, the lime released from the cement must be removed. The easiest way to do this is to change the water after about 28 days, the longer it is left the better. It is, of course, essential to check the pH of the water before any fish are introduced. Pool paints can of course be applied to a Fibromix render following the paint manufacturer's instructions.

Fibromix, as the Complete Pool Shell

Pools are always best constructed below ground, so that the pressure from surrounding ground and the water resist each other. Fibromix mortars can be used to produce the complete pool shell using excavation as the mould. The material is built up by in layers directly onto the excavation. For structural stability and to hold the material sides need to slope. The exact angle will depend on the material surrounding the excavation. Strong ground conditions can provide a surface which is strong enough to be both to be both structurally sound and to hold the render as it is applied even on steeply inclined surfaces. An initial thin wet coat of Fibromix can be used to help stabilise the ground before the application of the shell. As the shell will be relatively thin it must be formed into a curved shape to provide strength and an inverted dome is the preferred shape.

Construction of Side Walls.

Where vertical sides are required then strong side walls are essential to prevent the ground collapsing into the pool. Concrete blocks provide the ideal material for sidewalls. Bricks can be used but require far more care in selection. The load on the walls is mainly a bending, one and avoiding long straight walls will increase the strength.

A round pool is ideal but concrete blocks, because of their size, are difficult to lay on curves, a pool with faceted sides overcome this problem, as shown. Where long straight sides are inevitable increasing the wall thickness is desirable, doubling the thickness will give a 400% increase in resistance to flexural loads.

T

he Pool Base.

Where sidewalls are used, a concrete slab is generally used for the base, unfortunately, frequently placed on compacted hard-core. This is a mistake in a pool as subsequent consolidation of the hard-core can result in support for the pool base, (slab, walls & water), being lost and lead to structural failure of the pool. Sometimes steel fabric is placed in the slab, the amount of steel and it’s placing provide no useful reinforcement, it creates potential problems from steel corrosion and is unnecessary.

The base of a pool is not normally subject to bending stresses. The weight of the water is perfectly uniformly distributed and the ground should uniformly resist this. The pool should be completed as soon as possible after the excavation to avoid the base swelling and becoming unconsolidated. If excavations are undertaken below the pool base, e g. for drainage, these should preferably, be made level with weak concrete. If a concrete base is used it will have to be rendered with Fibromix to prevent leakage and this render overlapped up the rendered walls. A single 5mm coating is sufficient. In good ground conditions a thick concrete slab can, in fact, be eliminated entirely and a number of coats of Fibromix render can be used as the complete base, as described earlier, for the complete shell.

Emptying a pool when the water level in the surrounding ground is higher than the base can prove disastrous, as the pool can then tend to float on the ground water. Although a thick concrete slab might well resist such pressure better than a thinner Fibromix shell this can make such a problem worse as it can then lead to lifting of the whole hole pool and fracture both of the walls and base. It is in fact far better, if such a situation accidentally arises, for the base to fail and allow the water to enter.

General Limitations.

The foregoing notes are intended to assist pool builders and it is hoped they will help avoid unnecessary problems, work, and expense. The suggestions are given in good faith but they cannot be expected to guarantee success in all situations and varying strata conditions must be allowed for.

Reinforcement Systems, cannot accept responsibility for the use of our materials which are outside our full control or for the quality of the other materials used. REIN fibres themselves are produced to ISO 9001, BS5750. Other inferior fibres are not an alternative to REIN. Pools should only be built on solid consolidated ground and in accordance with good building practice.

The tremendous advantages of REIN fibres have been demonstrated in the construction of thousands of ponds since their introduction in 1983.

ADVANTAGES

  • No restriction on sites.
  • No unsightly creases
  • Infinite choice of designs
  • No limitation on depth
  • Tough, long lasting material.

    Ponds can easily be constructed to any design.
    For further information on the REIN range of can be gained from any nominated supplier or direct from:

    Reinforcement Systems,
    Raines House, Denby Dale Road, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 1HR.
    Tel. 01924 882432
    Fax. 01924 291008

    The above pond is approx 60 foot long, 25 foot wide and 4 foot deep. The filter system is approx 12 foot wide and 15 foot long, and is divided into three separate runs of filters, each comprising a vortex chamber ( the octagonal bay at the far end of the pond), a bush chamber and a media chamber. It is calculated the pond and filter system contain a combined volume of just under 40,000 gallons. The pool shell is constructed using REIN FIBROMIX. This uses REIN polypropylene fibres added to a high cement ratio concrete. A waterproof render is achievable in just 5mm of this REINforced mortar thus allows a pond to be constructed with no restriction on site, no unsightly creases, infinite choice of designs amd no limit on depth. The REIN cement has been sealed with clear G4 sealer to provided complete protection from alkali seeping into the water. Full details on REIN FIBROMIX can be obtained from JOE DICKINSON , REINFORCEMENT SYSTEMS Fax 00 44 1924 291008 or email Joe_Dickinson@hotmail.com