Concrete pad design for two post lift

[Eloquaint]

Hi,
I'm about to start getting quotes for laying my concrete pad and am planning on a two post lift. I'm wondering what you guys have done and have had experience with in terms of designing your pad for the lift. I'm not interested in 4 post lifts, I do too much work that needs access to the bottom of the car and the suspension unloaded.

I've downloaded the specs that Mohawk recommends for new pads with their lifts.

http://www.mohawklifts.com/consumer/library/Slab_Req-Reco_2-2010.pdf

They're saying 12" thick 48" x 144" Min
8 - #4 - Main Bars
21 - #4 - Temperature Bars
spacing:
6 in - Long Bars
8 in - Short Bars

I'm not really sure what all of that means but I'm assuming my contractor will.

Mohawk was the only one I could find that provided info on new pad design on their website. 12" seems a bit nutty but I'll do whatever it takes to keep the cars/trucks off of my head.

Also I'm wondering if its OK to put the epoxy flooring down before the lift ?

Words on your experience are appreciated.

 

[ConCretin]

Not a lift expert but I am in the concrete business. Just so you know what to look for, the lift mfg. is specifying 8, #4 bars @ 6" on center in the long direction, which are the bars that doing all the 'work' of resisting loads applied by the lift, which is why they are referred to as the 'main' bars. The 21, #4's @ 8" on center are basically there to resist tension created by thermal changes, thus the designation as 'temperature steel'. Thickening the slab to 12" does sound like overkill but it's only about a yard of concrete (<$100) so it's probably not a big deal.

 

[Stilwell]

I believe you are looking at the Mohawk specs for when your existing slab does not meet spec and are cutting out a section of that slab to enhance it for the lift.

If you are pouring a whole new slab for a new build then just pour the entire slab to spec for the heaviest rated lift you might ever want to put in there. I am in the planning stage as well and will be putting the 10,000 lb Mohawk lift in which only requires a 4" slab with 4,000 psi mix and rebar to their specs which I don't have in front of me right now.

I read on here that a lot of people go deeper under their lift but not sure I see the need for that. Further, if your entire floor meets spec, you can move your lift to any other spot in the garage if you need or want to later.

Good luck with your project!

 

[brownbagg]

4 ft wide by 12 feet long that not much of a slab