I think this will be way outside of what most people would consider, but we have been planning to do a bit of a demonstration project for some promising technologies when we build our new shop and eventually home. We tend to be a bit on the extreme DIY side, so that means starting with a pad that we will do all on site. What that means, though, is pouring the pad in 10 sections of 20 x 25' each.
Let's start with the soil: we sit on a layer of mostly glacial till that is fairly gravelly but also loaded with some pretty big rocks. Topsoil is very thin with native grass (yes, unbroken prairie) that is a few inch skim with D5. BUT, the rocks are another deal. Have to go behind with track hoe and pick the rocks (most 100-400 lbs). Will have to blade that all and compact before next step. Will excavate for column pads (steel frame to hold overhead crane tracks) and 2 post lift. Layer of geotextile on grade. To support and insulate the pad I estimate I need 4" of EPS/cellular concrete. It has been used for some time as pad base, but usually EPS beads and some air entrained concrete. We will go with ground post-consumer EPS in cellular concrete matrix. Will give bearing capacity and insulation needed for pad. Not thinking of gravel beneath as that is what is already there (with some clay mix in the till).
The actual floor I have been debating between placed basalt rebar, post tensioning with unbonded stainless cable and just fiber alone. Met an engineer with 50 years of designing civil and mechanical stuff behind him, and he informed me that he has tested pretty much every fiber in use (except Helix - long story) and the ONLY one that showed any real difference over others was acrylic so that is the front runner. Want to pour in segments floating on the EPS foamcrete base, but not sure if I should tie one block to the next.
Know there will be some "discussion" but ask those who wish to contribute to keep and open mind, but I also have great interest in those who have used some or all of the above.
Let's start with the soil: we sit on a layer of mostly glacial till that is fairly gravelly but also loaded with some pretty big rocks. Topsoil is very thin with native grass (yes, unbroken prairie) that is a few inch skim with D5. BUT, the rocks are another deal. Have to go behind with track hoe and pick the rocks (most 100-400 lbs). Will have to blade that all and compact before next step. Will excavate for column pads (steel frame to hold overhead crane tracks) and 2 post lift. Layer of geotextile on grade. To support and insulate the pad I estimate I need 4" of EPS/cellular concrete. It has been used for some time as pad base, but usually EPS beads and some air entrained concrete. We will go with ground post-consumer EPS in cellular concrete matrix. Will give bearing capacity and insulation needed for pad. Not thinking of gravel beneath as that is what is already there (with some clay mix in the till).
The actual floor I have been debating between placed basalt rebar, post tensioning with unbonded stainless cable and just fiber alone. Met an engineer with 50 years of designing civil and mechanical stuff behind him, and he informed me that he has tested pretty much every fiber in use (except Helix - long story) and the ONLY one that showed any real difference over others was acrylic so that is the front runner. Want to pour in segments floating on the EPS foamcrete base, but not sure if I should tie one block to the next.
Know there will be some "discussion" but ask those who wish to contribute to keep and open mind, but I also have great interest in those who have used some or all of the above.