Concrete slab question

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Re: Concrete slab question

keep picking up those 15$ pallets at home depot ......

[fxpose]

Re: Concrete slab question

Thanks, I'm glad I got that particular mixer. I can easily maneuver the thing even with almost 300 lbs of concrete in it.

I'm having serious second thoughts about suspending the slabs in the other two areas. A few people have advised me against doing this due to safety issues and also the added cost of materials, especially all the additional rebars required to reinforce the slabs if suspended.
Perhaps I should just order a truckload of fill and get this area over and done with so I can move on to next area.

[jmhepworth]

Re: Concrete slab question

Like the mixer.

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Re: Concrete slab question

looks good......

[fxpose]

Re: Concrete slab question

I filled and compacted that small triangular area with dirt, layed some rebars, and poured concrete today. It took about nine-90 lb bags of concrete mix to fill that 16 sq/ft area 4-5 inches deep and used my new mixer for the first time. What a time saver, that little mixer mixed 3 bags at a time, and I was able to pour concrete directly from the mixer like a wheelbarrow.

[Archena]

Re: Concrete slab question

Wood storage and spider habitat.

Um, isn't that redundant?

[Neil2]

Re: Concrete slab question

"I thought it was for wood storage?"

Wood storage and spider habitat.

[Archena]

Re: Concrete slab question

I thought it was for wood storage? Who'd wanna survive WWIII w/o pizza?

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Re: Concrete slab question

dont forget to leave an access hole so you can use it for a bomb/survival sherlter

[fxpose]

Re: Concrete slab question

Thanks for all the replies!

I have several full sheets of salvaged plywood on hand so I am going to cut them out and use for the bottom forms.

[Archena]

Re: Concrete slab question

I'm planning to use concrete backer board for my hearth form (it was recommended by someone else). Stays in place and no risk of rot.

[Dutchoven]

Re: Concrete slab question

Regarding suspended slabs, I have seen city street maintenance workers repair old collapsed sidewalks over large storm drain entries. Sheets of suspended plywood forms are placed under pinned criss-crossing rebars and concrete poured onto that. The plywood forms are left there indefinitely as there is no way to remove them.
I can probably do the same thing here and not have to deal with filling the areas with tons of solid fill material. ......almost like building a stand for an oven.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

I am no engineer also but, you might consider corrugated roofing instead. I used to work with a mason/concrete contractor in NY and we used a good bit of it for suspended concrete floors(when we did them). Although fill with a bit of cantilevered edge would most likely be better(think of a flat topped pyramid turned upside down with the edges over the block...takes a lot of fill to move before that slab moves). Oh and I agree with Mark...don't think it necessary to the new to the old...actually might be good to use foamboard insulation as an expansion joint.
Best
Dutch

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Re: Concrete slab question

ok,, if you use your existing footings im sure you'll be fine (remember im not an engineer) but that sounds pretty solid, I dont think I would pin it to the existing foundation though,, I think you should leave it independant of your existing walls as your new walls may settle some and you wouldnt want them pulling them down... Just a thought

Cheers
Mark

[fxpose]

Re: Concrete slab question

whats the farthest distance in your pour ? you may want to break it in half ? or put in a sonotube.... Im not sure how far you can span with just rebar, Is there any architects/engineers here ??

The largest one area is 8'x12' and there are already 6 concrete pier footings inside of this area that used to hold up the old wood deck. I can easily stack columns of blocks on each footing there which can tie in with the slab pour. With enough 1/2" rebars I think it should be sufficient. I may even pin the edges of the slab to the existing foundation with rebars.

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Re: Concrete slab question

whats the farthest distance in your pour ? you may want to break it in half ? or put in a sonotube.... Im not sure how far you can span with just rebar, Is there any architects/engineers here ??