What is VDF (Vacuum Dewatered) Flooring?

VDF stands for Vacuum Dewatered Flooring.

The vacuum dewatering method normally improves the strength, durability, and other properties of concrete by reducing the water-cement ratio immediately after the mix is placed, usually in floors and other flatwork.

Procedure of VDF Flooring

• Tying Line Dori (Threads) as per the slope requirements
• Laying Guide Rails to every 4 meters using MS Channels or as required in straight lines along the Line Dori, taking levels as per the slope and fixing them using concrete also called grouting and left to sit for a minimum of 24 hours
• Pouring the concrete in between the channels and spreading using Shovel or Hoe (Kudal/Parah)
• Vibrating the concrete with a poker vibrator especially to the sides of the panels
• Surface Vibration of the concrete using Double Beam Screed Vibrator running over the guide rails twice to achieve maximum compaction for RCC with double mats
• Final levelling of the concrete using the Straight Edge/Bull Float/Aluminium Bottom (Fanti/Baddha)
• A system of lower mats & top mat is laid on the green concrete & this is attached to a vacuum pump. This draws out surplus water if any. (We strongly oppose the dewatering of RMCs. RMCs have a water-cement ratio already maintained to its minimum possible level by the addition of admixtures. Further dewatering decreases the water-cement ratio below the required level thereby causing undulations in the surface, loss in strength, and formation of cracks.)
• The concrete is left to stiffen. When the base concrete has stiffened to the point when foot traffic leaves an imprint of about 3-6 mm and any bleed water should now have evaporated, but the concrete should have a wet sheen, Floor Hardener is applied at an even application rate of 3-7 Kg/Sqm or as per the requirement of the floor.
• Application of Power Floater on the surface until the surface is sufficiently compacted & leveled with no major lines appearing anymore
• Final finishing using Power Trowel and trowelling until the required finish is achieved. The finish could be any of the Smooth Finish, Sand Finish or Line Finish.

Benifits of VDF Flooring – Vacuum Dewatered Flooring

• Increased Compressive strength by more than 50%.
• Reduced Cement consumption by more than 30% as no cement is required separately for finishing.
• Increased Abrasion resistance by more than 50%.
• Increased wear resistance.
• Minimum dusting & crack formation.
• Minimum dry and plastic shrinkage and floor wraps.
• Uniform homogeneous floor with High flatness accuracy.
• Lower water permeability due to increased density.
• High early strength minimizes damage on newly cast floors.
• Earlier utilization and Reduced maintenance cost.

Typical Application Areas of VDF Flooring

• Warehouses, Godowns
• Roads, Sports Courts
• Cellars, Parking Areas
• Production Areas
• Pharmaceutical Companies
• As the base floor for Epoxy & PU Floorings