Book 25, Question 6 · Video
How does concrete get to the top of a tall building?
Concrete is brought by trucks with spinning drums that keep it mixed so it will not harden. At the building, a powerful pump pushes it through steel pipes all the way up, sometimes hundreds of feet. Workers pour it into frames called forms and let it harden around steel bars. At the Burj Khalifa, concrete was pumped to nearly 2,000 feet.
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What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How does concrete get to the top of a tall building?
The Big Idea
Concrete is heavy, thick, and gooey. So how does it get to the top of a tall building? It gets pumped!
Spinning Trucks
Step one: Spinning Trucks. Concrete is brought by trucks with spinning drums. Spinning keeps it mixed so it will not harden.
Powerful Pump
Step two: Powerful Pump. At the building, a powerful pump pushes it through steel pipes all the way up. Sometimes it travels hundreds of feet.
Pour and Harden
Step three: Pour and Harden. Workers pour it into frames called forms and let it harden around steel bars. At the Burj Khalifa, concrete was pumped to nearly 2,000 feet.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look! The truck mixes it. The pump pushes it up. Forms shape it. Steel bars make it strong.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! Concrete gets harder for weeks as it cures. Steel bars are called rebar. At the Burj Khalifa, concrete was pumped nearly 2,000 feet high. Workers wear safety gear.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Mix flour and water into a thick paste. Put it in a zip bag and snip a tiny corner, with a grown-up's help. Squeeze the paste out through the hole. Is it easy or hard to push? How is this like a concrete pump?
Outro
Concrete reaches the top of a tall building after spinning trucks keep it mixed and a powerful pump pushes it up steel pipes, where workers pour it into forms around steel bars. Science is amazing! What will you discover next? Every question is a new adventure, so keep wondering and keep exploring with me! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!