14 FIELD GUIDE TO SLAT REPAIR & REPLACEMENT Slat longevity is an important consideration as worn or damaged areas create uneven surfaces that can injure pigs. Slats built using concrete with a low water-to-cement ratio are longer lasting and more resistant to wear. The water-cement ratio refers to the ratio of the water weight to the cement weight used in a concrete mix. A lower ratio leads to higher strength and durability but makes the mix difficult to work with and form. For this reason, most slats are produced with wet cast concrete using a water-cement ratio of 0.5. Hog Slat's machined slats are produced from dry cast concrete with a water-cement ratio of less than .39. A cubic yard of wet cast concrete formulated with 500 pounds of cement contains 250 pounds of water, while a dry cast mix only contains 195 pounds. As the excess water leaves during the curing process, it creates microscopic pores that reduce the final strength of a slat. Compromised slat strength can lead to many problems down the road, including expensive repairs, equipment damage and injury to pigs and farm personnel. Wet Cast Concrete Dry Cast Concrete 30 Gallons Water 23.4 Gallons Water . 5 Cement- Water Ratio 500 lbs. Cement . 39 Cement- Water Ratio 500 lbs. Cement
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA3MzU=