Pole Barn Concrete Specs

[Mancino]

Hey GJ members,

I've been absorbing as much info as I can from this site for my pole barn build. I have the structure up and mostly sheeted. Before the build, I had 2ft of clean aggregate put in, and set the posts in concrete...on a side note, one area I wish I had the knowledge of beforehand was to do the perma-columns rather than set the posts directly into the soil but what's done is done now.

So, this year looks like I'll have enough money for concrete, and I could really use it! I'm tired of working in the mud!!

I would like to run radiant tubing through the floor, so obviously I need to insulate it. I planned on a VB, then 2" XPS board on the base, but here is where I get a little fuzzy.

My questions are:

1. I plan to have a 2 post lift, so does the 2" foam still get installed where I would have my pads, and just leave the radiant tubing out of that section? Or do I not put tubing AND foam in that section??

2. How deep vertically should I go down on the edges with the foam board?


A few pictures of the build...

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[ForceFed70]

Your lift posts can go on top of concrete with foam insulation underneath. However, you'll want the concrete to be good and thick in this location. At least 6". Look at what the lift manufacturer recommends. Long story short - the foam doesn't impact the concrete's ability to support weight. If properly installed it's no different that having concrete on top of compacted soil/gravel.

How deep to run the foam on the edges can be answered as "the deeper the better". I typically target double the slab thickness. So if you have a 6" slab, I try to go at least 6" lower than the bottom of the slab. More is better, but you run into demising returns.

 

[tfinniii]

Run pex around lift pads and either bring boards out to front on posts or even with or something to keep concrete around posts from being able to lock to posts.

 

[SunsetsAndFriends]

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[rburke65]

I placed my VB UNDER my foam sheeting. It's hard to hand dig vertically down to install the foam board....but it will be worth it. I'm in Ohio and I went down...12" to 16" and I doubled up the thickness. I also laid the 4'x8' foam sheets flat against the outside walls of the pole barn....4 foot out..... to retard the frost affect. I cover edit with weed guard .....to hide the "white".....and then covered that with river Rock that was about the size of a lemon....orange. I do not have my heat source connected yet but it stays surprisingly warm.

 

[Mancino]

Ok, great! The info on the foam depth is very helpful.

The pex portion I'm fairly comfortable with doing. I've done systems in my house and also helped do systems in friends houses.

I don't have a specific lift in mind I've been looking for, but I've looked up several lift manufacturers specs and they minimum of 4-4 1/2", so I planned on doing 5".

 

[lakeroadster]

...I had 2ft of clean aggregate put in,

How did they compact the 2 ft of fill?

 

[Mancino]

Ok, another question....

I have a small 24"x16"x6" scissor lift I use for lifting my atv and motorcycles...I'm thinking it may be a good idea to form a spot in the concrete for an in-floor lift.

What would I do with the insulation in that section?

 

[SunsetsAndFriends]

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[jack stand]

That scissor lift load is a non issue and would be a far less load than a jack stand or a floor jack under a normal pick up truck. Don't worry about it.

 

[Mancino]

Load-wise I'm not worried about it, I just wasn't sure if I would have to insulate under that as well.

Makes sense though what DoIt said...

Thanks guys!