Concrete over big rocks?
Need a bit of guidance here,
I have tough yard and my contractors are going to pour concrete over some large boulders and filled in the remaining area with parts of other boulders (6in to 1 foot). They are planning on using rebar but not much else. I have read this is not optimal but they are pretty deep into the project now - thoughts? Should I ask them to use extra rebar? Adjust the concrete mix so it is more liquid? Wet the rocks jut in advance of the pour so the concrete binds better. Any help you can provide is genuinely appreciated, a bit outside my comfort zone here.
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'Just wondering why you may be doubting if the amount of rebar the contractors are using will be adequate, and so are thinking the project may need additional........
What are you intending to do with the concrete area after it has cured?
-Use it as a patio, store something heavy on it?
Please tell us a little more about what the overall goal is here, so that we can try to assist you.
We filled up the forms we used when we poured our stairs with broken bits of concrete and rocks. Saves on the amount of concrete used and didn't effect the strength of the stairs at all.
If you are concerned why don't you just talk to your contractor. Perhaps their response will make you feel better.
Raise your concerns with the contractor, if they are a reputable company they would not take offense to you voicing your concerns.
I would ask them to use rebar to reinforce the concrete.
We poured a concrete patio in our yard and its holding up very well. Your's looks like it is on a slope like ours so did they talk about putting in a retaining wall or is this a sloping concrete pad? I will give you all of our posts because we diy'd everything so I have all the details from the beginning. Read up on it and compare so you can form your questions correctly:
I have 3 posts associated with a patio on a slope where we prepared for the cement slab and We DIY'd the whole thing. I have ALL details in these posts starting it from scratch!!!
1st post:
https://karupp-did.net/plan-and-diagram-a-retaining-wall-to-diy/
-describes diagrams and sketches needed to build a retaining wall along with planning the wall and cement pad.
-laid out how to plan and diagram a retaining wall.
-math calculations to figure out how much stone and block to order
-how far we dug down and the cross section diagrams of what is going on under the ground
2nd post:
https://karupp-did.net/building-a-retaining-wall/
-What we did to build the retaining wall.
-what materials were needed.
-the actual building pictures
-preparation for the concrete pour
3rd post:
https://karupp-did.net/pour-a-cement-pad-diy/
-how to order concrete
-how much concrete we would need based on math calculations that I give you.
-what materials we needed
-the process of pouring the cement
I hope this helps you, that is the exact reason why I wrote it! When you look at the posts, please feel free to comment with any questions. Good LUCK!!!
Thanks! we are building steps up to the concrete and will have the pad poured level. They are going to do the retaining wall in another portion of our property to help level the earth. Really in a tough spot as we have slopes all around our home :(
Seems like they are doing it right. Concrete will flow into crevices in between the boulders and rocks. The rebar will give the bonding strength to the concrete.
I would etch them first to help adhering, just like you would if they were pouring over existing concrete. Other than that, I think you will be fine.
I'm assuming they know about the 5000lb hot tub. The question would be are they guaranteeing the slab against cracking and for how long. If it's guaranteed against cracking with "normal use" that might not include the extra weight of the hot tub. Get it in writing including what they will do in case the slab fails.
Rebars are really needed in this project