Architectural concrete wall and method of forming the same

Abstract

Provided is a method of forming an architectural concrete wall. The method includes conveying a concrete mixture onto a base surface and floating the concrete mixture. The method further includes providing an elongate irregular surface forming tool having a gripping portion and a distressing portion defining an irregular configuration. The exposed surface is repeatedly struck with the distressing portion of the irregular surface forming tool to define an irregular surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of forming an architectural concrete wall, the method comprising the steps of:
 conveying a concrete mixture onto a base surface, the concrete mixture defining an exposed surface;   floating the exposed surface concrete mixture;   providing an elongate irregular surface forming tool having a gripping portion and a distressing portion defining an irregular configuration; and   repeatedly striking the exposed surface at random locations with the distressing portion of the irregular surface forming tool to define an irregular surface.   
     
     
         2 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the projecting step includes pneumatically projecting the concrete mixture onto the base surface from a hose. 
     
     
         3 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the projecting step includes projecting Shotcrete onto the base surface. 
     
     
         4 . The method recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of constructing a back-form, the back-form defining the base surface upon which the concrete mixture is projected. 
     
     
         5 . The method recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of forming the concrete mixture by adding aggregates to a concrete substance prior to projecting the mixture onto the base surface. 
     
     
         6 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the distressing portion is moveable relative to the gripping portion. 
     
     
         7 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the providing step includes providing a chain, the chain defining the gripping portion and the distressing portion. 
     
     
         8 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein during each strike of the irregular surface forming tool onto the exposed surface, at least a portion of the distressing portion of the irregular surface forming tool is advanced into the exposed surface to leave an imprint of the distressing portion therein. 
     
     
         9 . The method recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing a stamp; and   pressing the stamp against the irregular surface to impart a stamp texture into the irregular surface.   
     
     
         10 . The method recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying aggregate to the concrete mixture after the concrete mixture is projected onto the base surface. 
     
     
         11 . The method recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying a retarder to the irregular surface. 
     
     
         12 . The method recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of pressure washing the irregular surface. 
     
     
         13 . A method of forming an architectural concrete wall, the method comprising the steps of:
 conveying a concrete mixture onto a base surface, the concrete mixture defining an exposed surface;   floating the concrete mixture;   providing an irregular surface forming tool;   striking the exposed surface with the irregular surface forming tool to define an irregular surface;   providing a stamp; and   pressing the stamp against the irregular surface to impart a stamp texture in the irregular surface.   
     
     
         14 . The method recited in  claim 13 , wherein the projecting step includes pneumatically projecting the concrete mixture onto the base surface from a hose. 
     
     
         15 . The method recited in  claim 13 , wherein the projecting step includes projecting Shotcrete onto the base surface. 
     
     
         16 . The method recited in  claim 13 , further comprising the step of constructing a back-form, the back-form defining the base surface upon which the concrete mixture is projected. 
     
     
         17 . The method recited in  claim 13 , further comprising the step of forming the concrete mixture by adding aggregates to a concrete substance prior to projecting the mixture onto the base surface. 
     
     
         18 . The method recited in  claim 13 , wherein during each strike of the irregular surface forming tool onto the exposed surface, at least a portion of the irregular surface forming tool is advanced into the exposed surface to leave an imprint therein. 
     
     
         19 . The method recited in  claim 13 , further comprising the step of applying aggregate to the concrete mixture after the concrete mixture is projected onto the base surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method recited in  claim 13 , further comprising the step of applying a retarder to the irregular surface.