Concrete pumps

[Bangkok]

From where I sit, I can see a 45 floor tower block being built.  There is the usual crane in the lift shaft to raise the rebar and other materials, but it never seems to lift any containers of concrete.  Is there likely to be a pump that I cannot see (the building is covered with tarps, but the strength of such a pump would have to be enormous) or is it manually going up a lift in wheel barrows  (seeming inefficient)

[Octavius]

Its simple really.  Not practical or efficient to use wheelbarrows!

Concrete can be moved from the point of discharge, generaly a ready-mixed concrete truck, to the place at which it is required by pumping. Concrete pumps apply pressure to a column of fresh concrete in a pipe, forcing the concrete through a lubricated pipe-line. Concrete pumps are often used to reach places that are difficult or impossible to reach by other placement methods. For example, pumping is often used on high-rise projects or deep basements. Pumping is also used when the space available for construction equipment is limited.

The main advantages of pumping over other means of placement are that it is faster and can reach areas that are difficult or impossible to reach. Pipelines can be horizonal or vertical, pass through narrow spaces, travel over or under walls, turn sharp corners etc

[Bangkok]

Thank you.  I was struggling a little with the concept of pumping tonnes of concrete up to high places. 

[Octavius]

No problemo, ask me for all your concrete needs!

[slimfandango]

Ah, the joy of holidays on the Costa del Sol, eh?