Introduction and Concrete question

[SkyPuncher]

Hi all, first post here. I have been reading on this great forum for a long while now and decided to join, but this is my first post. I have been using this site for general tips, tricks, tools, and of course Free Parking for laughs! I am located in IL. Hobbies are old cars, motorcycles, pipes (tobacco) metal detecting and beer drinking.

Anyhow, I have an old shop that is 30x30. From what I hear in the towns history, it use to be a welders shop. Which had to be a looonnnggg time ago, as when I got it the owner was the local FS. It is all strong tubed steel, that is bolted into the concrete, 3 per side. It has a chain hoist that runs along a steel girder that travels through the middle of the shop. Now I am wanting to put a #9,000 lb 2 post overhead lift in. I drilled a test hole to check for depth and went as deep as the drill would go, which was 5 1/2 inches, and still had more to go. So the depth should be no problem for a lift stating it has to be at least 4 inches deep. My question... Should I assume that this concrete also has rebar in it? I figure it has to be pretty strong since the building is bolted to it, right? Just am trying to cover my bases before buying the lift I guess.

Thanks,and sorry for the long first post!

 

[jkwilson]

I wouldn't assume rebar, but a metal detector can answer the question quickly.

 

[Cyberbear]

There are also cheap stud and conduit locators at HD, you may try one to see if it will find any possible metal in the slab.

 

[matt_i]

Being that thick and old, my guess is no. It sounds like they just threw extra thickness at it to make up additional strength.

If you use epoxy anchors, carefully installed, it can match the concrete strength. Wedge anchors, not so much.

 

[wssix99]

Are you worried about drilling through the rebar? A good drill and proper bit shouldn't have a problem doing that.