My workshop is an uninsulated 36’x24’ pole barn with a poorly done concrete floor. I’m not sure of the floor thickness, but I would guess its somewhere near 3"-4”. The floor is cracked all over the place and each winter, it moves; further breaking up the joining edges. This might also have something to do with poor drainage in the area. (I’m installing gutters and drain tile this summer to try and mitigate this).
Ultimately, I would want to empty the shop, blast out the floor and replace it with something suitable. Realistically, that’s not going to happen. Aside from having to move and temporarily store (conservatively) 4 tons of tools and supplies, I just can’t justify the funds for such a selfish endeavor in the face of my kids (2) college tuition and other domestic obligations.
Despite these limitations, I still want to put a hydraulic motorcycle lift into the floor. It’s a pain to move the lift each time I want to pull a car into the shop, so I want to set it in, flush to the floor level so I can just drive in over it when needed. (This bike lift is foot powered now, but I scored a pair of Bishamon 2K lift tables from work and am retrofitting one of the electric/hydraulic units into the bike lift).
On to the question… Do you think it is feasible to cut a 10’ x 4’ hole in the existing floor and dig down deep enough at the long ends to pour in footers? After the footers cure, pour in some concrete (6" or so) and while it’s wet, nest in and level a welded steel tray (for holding the bike lift) that has rebar sticking out the sides. Finally, pour concrete around the steel tray such that the new concrete is flush with the shop floor.
I’m sure the existing floor around the perimeter of the new concrete will continue to move each year, so I’m not planning on underpinning the new concrete to the existing floor. Rather, I’ll probably insert a rubber or fiber membrane to allow the existing floor to float around the more stable new concrete.
Do you think this will work?
For your reference, the welded steel tray will be made with ½” plate (also scored for free from work).
Ultimately, I would want to empty the shop, blast out the floor and replace it with something suitable. Realistically, that’s not going to happen. Aside from having to move and temporarily store (conservatively) 4 tons of tools and supplies, I just can’t justify the funds for such a selfish endeavor in the face of my kids (2) college tuition and other domestic obligations.
Despite these limitations, I still want to put a hydraulic motorcycle lift into the floor. It’s a pain to move the lift each time I want to pull a car into the shop, so I want to set it in, flush to the floor level so I can just drive in over it when needed. (This bike lift is foot powered now, but I scored a pair of Bishamon 2K lift tables from work and am retrofitting one of the electric/hydraulic units into the bike lift).
On to the question… Do you think it is feasible to cut a 10’ x 4’ hole in the existing floor and dig down deep enough at the long ends to pour in footers? After the footers cure, pour in some concrete (6" or so) and while it’s wet, nest in and level a welded steel tray (for holding the bike lift) that has rebar sticking out the sides. Finally, pour concrete around the steel tray such that the new concrete is flush with the shop floor.
I’m sure the existing floor around the perimeter of the new concrete will continue to move each year, so I’m not planning on underpinning the new concrete to the existing floor. Rather, I’ll probably insert a rubber or fiber membrane to allow the existing floor to float around the more stable new concrete.
Do you think this will work?
For your reference, the welded steel tray will be made with ½” plate (also scored for free from work).