Concrete question
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Saskatchewan
Concrete question
Momma wants a concrete pad (for a gazebo) in the centre of the lawn, with some sidewalks leading to/from it. How thick of concrete and what strength ( sand/gravel ratio per bag of concrete) do I need?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
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From: Washington State
4" minimum.
How big are you making it? You may want to consider getting the concrete delivered. The concrete place will mix it up correctly. Doing it by the bag for anything more than 2 cubic yards is a PITA.
How much do you need? Take the length (times) width (times) height and divide by 27 to get total cubic yards. Make sure you convert your height measurement to feet. 4" is .333 feet.
Here's a great concrete site. http://www.cement.org/basics/concretebasics_faqs.asp
How big are you making it? You may want to consider getting the concrete delivered. The concrete place will mix it up correctly. Doing it by the bag for anything more than 2 cubic yards is a PITA.
How much do you need? Take the length (times) width (times) height and divide by 27 to get total cubic yards. Make sure you convert your height measurement to feet. 4" is .333 feet.
Here's a great concrete site. http://www.cement.org/basics/concretebasics_faqs.asp
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Senior User
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From: Saskatchewan
I live 10 miles from town and only need about 2 yds. I don't think they'd be to fussy about sending a truck out; unless I paid through the nose for it.
I've got a little mixer here; so not to scared to mix up that much. Should I use a mesh? I'm only going about 12' X 12'.
I've got a little mixer here; so not to scared to mix up that much. Should I use a mesh? I'm only going about 12' X 12'.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Rome, GA
[QUOTE=Monsta]4" minimum.
How big are you making it? You may want to consider getting the concrete delivered. The concrete place will mix it up correctly. Doing it by the bag for anything more than 2 cubic yards is a PITA.
How much do you need? Take the length (times) width (times) height and divide by 27 to get total cubic yards. Make sure you convert your height measurement to feet. 4" is .333 feet.
Here's a great concrete site. http://www.cement.org/basics/concretebasics_faqs.asp[/QUOTE]
An easier way to figure is length times width divided by 81. Thats for a 4 inch slab. example I want to pour a pad in front of my shop 16x12. That equals 192 square ft. Divide 192 by 81 that equals 2.370 yards . So I will order 2 and 1/2 yards and if I have all my depths right I should have a little left over. Thats the way I learned to figure concrete. If I had to figure for 8 inches I would double the amount if I needed it for a 6 inch slab I would go 1.5 times the amount.
How big are you making it? You may want to consider getting the concrete delivered. The concrete place will mix it up correctly. Doing it by the bag for anything more than 2 cubic yards is a PITA.
How much do you need? Take the length (times) width (times) height and divide by 27 to get total cubic yards. Make sure you convert your height measurement to feet. 4" is .333 feet.
Here's a great concrete site. http://www.cement.org/basics/concretebasics_faqs.asp[/QUOTE]
An easier way to figure is length times width divided by 81. Thats for a 4 inch slab. example I want to pour a pad in front of my shop 16x12. That equals 192 square ft. Divide 192 by 81 that equals 2.370 yards . So I will order 2 and 1/2 yards and if I have all my depths right I should have a little left over. Thats the way I learned to figure concrete. If I had to figure for 8 inches I would double the amount if I needed it for a 6 inch slab I would go 1.5 times the amount.
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Again we don't do Imperial meaurement in Canada anymore.
We do metric.
The calculations have already been supplied.
I presume the slab in question is for people to stand and sit on.....(Gazebo /elevated patio) .....not drive or park a car or truck on.
The weight bearing outside perimeter can be a little thicker..say 5" thick 8" wide
The width of a 2" x 4" (3 1/2") is plenty for the slab.....Heck, Sidewalk blocks are only 1 3/4" and they are used for weight pilings for decks.
after re-read:
Correction to typo in post #2
30 Mpa should have read 20 Mpa.
I can understand the OP's concern for price .
Delivery charges on 2 cubic metres will be astronomical
Concrete Cost $130.00+/cu meter
In town Small delivery charge for 2 meters = $75 - $100
Extra Out of town delivery charge $2.00/Km x 17 Km one way = $34.00
Plus, Specialty Tools rental.
I still believe having it delivered is still the wisest way to do this project.
28 years of every aspect of concrete business.
We do metric.
The calculations have already been supplied.
I presume the slab in question is for people to stand and sit on.....(Gazebo /elevated patio) .....not drive or park a car or truck on.
The weight bearing outside perimeter can be a little thicker..say 5" thick 8" wide
The width of a 2" x 4" (3 1/2") is plenty for the slab.....Heck, Sidewalk blocks are only 1 3/4" and they are used for weight pilings for decks.
after re-read:
Correction to typo in post #2
30 Mpa should have read 20 Mpa.
I can understand the OP's concern for price .
Delivery charges on 2 cubic metres will be astronomical
Concrete Cost $130.00+/cu meter
In town Small delivery charge for 2 meters = $75 - $100
Extra Out of town delivery charge $2.00/Km x 17 Km one way = $34.00
Plus, Specialty Tools rental.
I still believe having it delivered is still the wisest way to do this project.
28 years of every aspect of concrete business.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Saskatchewan
Thanks for the info Dennis. I'm just outside of Prince Albert; Gateway to the beautiful North. I should also mention that I have my own little sand pit just on the other side of trees by the house. This is influencing my choice also.
Thanks,
Fred
Thanks,
Fred
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We used to have a plant in Prince Albert.
The biggest key to this is the quality of the materials
Requires Clean Washed sand & gravel.
Does the soil contain alkali ?
yes ! ...Use Kalicrete or S.R. Cement..... Not Portland.
Ground preparation is vital on weight bearing areas.
You could use 2 additives to help guarantee a long life to the concrete.
Pozzilith .....Makes the concrete easier to finish
and
MBVR (air entraining agent)
Think sponge toffee ..for added protection against adverse weather change ie:
Cold winters / Hot summers ......and weird falls & springs .
Do you have tools, placing and finishing experience ?
Concrete wheelbarrow
Bow Rake
Square mouth shovel
Skreeting skills
Bull float
Hand float
Edger
Finishing trowl.
Soft push broom
Just wondering
The biggest key to this is the quality of the materials
Requires Clean Washed sand & gravel.
Does the soil contain alkali ?
yes ! ...Use Kalicrete or S.R. Cement..... Not Portland.
Ground preparation is vital on weight bearing areas.
You could use 2 additives to help guarantee a long life to the concrete.
Pozzilith .....Makes the concrete easier to finish
and
MBVR (air entraining agent)
Think sponge toffee ..for added protection against adverse weather change ie:
Cold winters / Hot summers ......and weird falls & springs .
Do you have tools, placing and finishing experience ?
Concrete wheelbarrow
Bow Rake
Square mouth shovel
Skreeting skills
Bull float
Hand float
Edger
Finishing trowl.
Soft push broom
Just wondering
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 387
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From: Cambridge, Ontario
I'd go with at least 5" perimeter and 4" pad with a minimum of 25Mpa- 32Mpa with 6% Air and C-2 exposure with .70 W\C ( water to cement ratio) in my location ( Ontario, Canada), could also request fiber mesh to be batched in at the plant or added on site to load, versus cutting and fitting steel mesh. Depending on location will determine your exposure rating.. but you will definitely want air entrainment in it. Find an independent supplier rather than the Big companies. Dufferin, Lefarge or CBM, they will charge you top dollar for concrete and delivery, with a minimum 3 meter underload charge. www.mpaq.com has a free concrete calculator for meters and yards and associated costs.
Last edited by CretePumper; Jun 23, 2007 at 04:55 PM.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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Check with the local code authorities for the depth of foundation and reinforcement required under the proposed structure. It would not be cool to have Momma conked on the head by a 2x4 (50x100mm) because the structure was being pulled apart by frost heave...
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 387
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From: Cambridge, Ontario
Also another option if it's available in your area is a " Elkin Mobile Mixer ". for a backyard pour these are ideal.. These mobile mixers carry Portland, sand, stone and water onboard and batch only what is needed for the job onsite, avoiding shortages or leftover waste.
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Living in/near Prince Albert his choices are very limited you guys.
It's not like a lot of places with all sorts of this type of thing.
There MAY be 2 or 3 concrete plants in the area.
Either Inland or Lafarge and one independent.
Inland took over our plant.
It's not like a lot of places with all sorts of this type of thing.
There MAY be 2 or 3 concrete plants in the area.
Either Inland or Lafarge and one independent.
Inland took over our plant.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
From: Cambridge, Ontario
Seems to be a powder war on the rise around here .. our Ready-Mix division just got bought out by Essroc they paid big dollars to get into the market in this area, although they have shared the market in Toronto area for awhile in a joint adventure with Lafarge to create = Innocon ..... seems the Independents are a dying breed.
Last edited by CretePumper; Jun 23, 2007 at 06:02 PM.
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