We made square 6 by 6 foam core containers. We then lined them with plastic wrap to ensure the cement would not leak out and it would be easier to remove after dried.

 

Texture: For the first one we used a square piece of metal mesh. We placed the metal on the bottom of the container and poured the concrete over it. However when the cement dried parts of the metal mesh were embedded in the cement so we could not pull it off. The second one used Popsicle sticks. We laid them out in a grid in the container. This time we glued them to the bottom of the container so maybe they would not get stuck in the concrete. We also put the plastic wrap tightly over them and the container so that they again would not get stuck in the concrete.

 

Aggregate: For the first one we placed these metal mustache pins on the bottom of the container and poured the concrete over them. Unfortunately the mustaches floated allowing the concrete to get under them. As a result, you cannot see them, but the pin parts stick out of the other end so you can see them. The next time we decided to pour the concrete in first and then add the aggregate on top. We waited until the half of the mixture solidified (bottom) then placed little beads on top so that they would show up on the surface.

 

Admixture: We added paper clips to the mixture to maybe add strength and it could be seen as adding rebar to a concrete structure. You are unable to see any of the paper clips on the surface.

 

Opening: For the first one we crumbled up a piece of tin foil into a ball. We then placed it on the bottom of the container. Next we laid the plastic wrap over both the container and the tin foil so the cement will not be able to run under the tin foil. We poured the concrete into the container and made sure the tin foil was sticking out above the layer of concrete. The next one we tried a frame work of Popsicle sticks. We made sure to seal them really tight to each other and the container to prevent any concrete to leak through. We made a diagonal opening that goes all the way to the edge to make it easier to pull out of the concrete. 

For the final project we had to create a garden wall enclosure. At least one of the sides needed to have a texture and one had to be a curve. We used differing layers of verticle strips of carboard for the texture on two sides. We had to create a container to pour the concrete into. We added triangular supports on the outside and inside so that the concrete would not push the cardboard out. We also used a lot of glue and tape to cover up any potential areas where the concrete could leak out. Furthermore, we created a cold joint as well. A cold joint occurs when the first batch of concrete has begun to set before the next batch is added, so that the two batches do not intermix.