Does pad need to be compacted again after lift traffic on pad?

[Husky79]

So I hired someone to build the pad, it is all sand, then the builders got the lift stuck on the pad few times.

I have already leveled it off with my tracked skidsteer. I am not sure if I should have the pad compacted again before the concrete comes?

slab will be 40'x104'x4"

 

[wssix99]

You shouldn't need to re-compact if the ruts were localized or shallow.

If the ruts were as deep as your compaction lifts, I would look at getting the compactor back out.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I was going to ask how deep were the ruts ?

 

[Husky79]

we had to use shovel, i would say worst was 10 inches in like 3 to 5 spots

 

[Chaznsc]

Rutting is a failed compaction test.

 

[jack stand]

Shouldn't be necessary with sand. It's not that great for compaction for a wheeled vehicle as it dries. Should be stable for a slab BUT if there's any ground water, don't skip a good layer of poly on the sand before anything else. Tape any seams.

 

[Husky79]

Rutting is a failed compaction test.

Its all sand, turned out that the builders had the lift on flat ground switch not incline switch. It was a rental lift, they called the rental place next day and found out about that. then it was fine for the rest of the week.

 

[Chaznsc]

Its all sand, turned out that the builders had the lift on flat ground switch not incline switch. It was a rental lift, they called the rental place next day and found out about that. then it was fine for the rest of the week.

I’d have a geotechnical opinion provided before I pour on sand. Sand has zero compaction value.

 

[Husky79]

I’d have a geotechnical opinion provided before I pour on sand. Sand has zero compaction value.

I believe the sand that is used is called fill sand. Once its wetted and packed level, the surface is pretty solid that it feels like cement. It's almost like class 5 but rocks are smaller. It just is terrible material for wheeled vehicles if you turn the wheel it will break it up. But If going straight, the lift left barely any foot print.

It is what I was recommended by people around here for slab with post frame, my neighbor built in 2020 has the same pad material and it's still standing.