Concrete sidewalk and approach....separate pour?

[BirksToyBox]

Getting ready to form up my concrete. Gonna have some sidewalks and a 20x10 approach. Wondering if I should break it up into 2 pours. I plan on installing rebar pins and adding a lot of rebar. I wanna just have one pour of 4.25 yards w fiber mesh. Anyone with experience doing this? Thanks

 

[NUTTSGT]

Are the sidewalks a small pour like the 4.25 yards you mention ?

You don't want to pay for a small load charge when you can be getting concrete for the same cash.

 

[txvwnut]

I suggest do it at once if you can. The only issue I could see is the sidewalk from the shop to house might have to filled with a wheelbarrow unless the truck can get the chute over it. Probably start with the sidewalks then work into the approach.

 

[wssix99]

Don't put the rebar in there and certainly don't do it like that. The mesh is fine, assuming you can get it into the center of the slab, which is difficult enough.

Rebar isn't needed in pavements like this. It doesn't do anything structurally and only provides crack control. These sections are so small that your most important thing will be putting isolation and saw cut joints in the right places at the right times. You will need a good, experienced company to place the concrete to get you proper isolation (expansion) joints in there for a single pour. Likely, your mix will need to be stiff and they will need to work fast.

Fibers are overkill also. Not sure why you would do this on outdoor pavement. Compact the base correctly, get a good company to do the placement and get the joints right and you won't have cracking. Checkout the @ConCretin guide for all the info you need.

 

[dcg9381]

My only comment is watch the slope and watch for low points when you are that close to the building. I'm made mistakes there twice.

 

[wssix99]

I should have also mentioned that I would not pin the sidewalk, to the building. The ground beneath the sidewalk will heave and cause cracking around the pins. Even if the garage is on a floating foundation, the garage and sidewalk can move differentially. This is an area where an isolation joint should be used.

 

[PT Doc]

I agree with isolating the slab from the structure. With proper ground prep you should be OK. Lots of discussion on rebar and fiber. If you plan on doing in once then I would use either or both. You could lay the rebar yourself if labor cost is an issue.

 

[BirksToyBox]

Thanks. My pins on the garage will be below the approach not into it. Rebar in sidewalk cause it will be driven across.

 

[billconner]

Are you where it will freeze?

I am - 48" - and after a lot of thought and research, did not pin apron to floor or building. I did put mesh in sidewalk and patio and some concrete steps though - all isolated from each other.

 

[HotRod68Camaro]

I just did something similar. Central TX Slab on grade. Rebar and pinned to the foundation. That's how my first parking pad was done by the builder as well.

To answer your first question. I would do it as one pour. If you do it as two pours you run the risk of there being a slight difference in color. When i expanded my pad the color was off and you can tell it was done at different times. Doesn't bother me, and eventually they'll weather to be pretty close. But it is something other than consider.

 

[pcmeiners]

Are you doing all the work ? If so divide into 2 pours.... you or your back may not survive if one pour. Total concrete needed >11 yards

"My pins on the garage will be below the approach not into it. Rebar in sidewalk cause it will be driven across. "

The pinning as you show may keep it from sinking but not from raising due to ground expansion in the winter or cracking if insufficient number of pins does not support. Also if the ground is not properly compacted, a hollow may develop under the pins