Behuggning av betongytor: ett test av hantverksmetoder

Abstract

During the latter half of the 18th century, when concrete started seeing general use in modern cities, the use of different methods to give the concrete a finished surface texture saw use. One of these was using different methods of mechanically altering the surface using a slew of cutting and crushing techniques with mallet and chisel. This was done in order to hide the often dull and gray look of concrete, and allude to other more expensive and luxurious stones. The work would possibly have been done by experienced stonemasons, using much of the same techniques and tools they would have used while working natural stones. Or did they? This essay explores, through the use of traditional handcrafts and tools, the claim that the working of concrete surfaces can be done with the same tools and skillset as the working of natural stone. The essay aims to comb through the available texts detailing stone cutting techniques and how they relate to the cutting, crushing and working of the surface of concrete. And, using techniques learnt from stonemasons, test some of the available stone cutting techniques, using traditional hand tools, and hand stamped concrete.