Base for Slab?

[karoc]

Yea its another concrete question, ok first no HOA's,no inspections,no permits.Just me and my shop with slab and I hope common sense, so here in Tx its kinda sandy little and no rocks but my place has lots shade trees which is also on kinda slope. Well knowing that I will need to build up my base and pack it down as good as possible in preparation for the slab but I am wondering what do I need to use to build up and be able to pack it down and be stable and kinda hard I hope. Looking for ideals what kind of base you had to bring in for your pole barn? Looking for suggestions on what need to look for.

 

[ConCretin]

The primary requirement for the base material under a slab on grade is simply to provide uniform support. If the native soils are adequate for this purpose (after removal of topsoil and organics), there is no need to remove and replace them.

Depending on the nature of the soils, it might make sense to remove a few inches of existing soil and replace it with a granular material such as crushed stone to prevent the base from getting rutted or muddy from rain or construction traffic.

If you need to raise the grade of the the slab, use a granular material that is compact-able. Place it in lifts using a plate compactor. Lifts should be 4" to 8" or so depending on the size of the compactor.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Base tends to be different material depending on the location around the country. Around here, crushed limestone is used.

 

[nadogail]

Crushed Concrete Rubble seems to work well.

 

[MANTOOL]

Being involved in the crushed (limestone) stone industry for 44 years maybe this will help. If you do have a deep fill to do start with 1" limestone. Follow up (last 2"-3") of fill use 1/2" limestone to choke the voids created by the larger stone. This type of material (unlike roadway base that contains dust) will achieve all the compaction you will need once you spread and level the base to grade. Leave it alone for a couple of days....lay down your vapor barrier....your welded wire mesh and order your concrete. Hope this helps you save money.