Hey folks,
I'm getting ready to break ground on my 30x54 here in Central KS (30" frostline). Stick built, footer/frostwall/slab (not monolithic). Interested in thoughts on the best way to get a solid base. Soil is fairly clay, and we will need to raise the slab up a bit for drainage, as we are on the side of a hill (grade drops about 2' in 54').
Excavator wants to build up a pad with screenings (small crushed limestone, lots of fines). My concern with that approach is that I'll need to overdig quite a bit to make room for the frost wall formwork, then try and re-compact the area around the wall.
I'm thinking it may make more sense to excavate and pour the walls, then add all the fill inside and prep for the slab. Thoughts?
Also interested in opinions on the best compaction equipment for this- from my research, it seems like a reversible plate compactor should compact the screenings well, but we might need something different for the clayey subgrade. Rammers are often suggested for clay soils, but are they practical for a 1600sf area? I think of them as being more used to compact footing trenches.
I appreciate any thoughts on all this- clearly lots of knowledge and experience here.
SW
I'm getting ready to break ground on my 30x54 here in Central KS (30" frostline). Stick built, footer/frostwall/slab (not monolithic). Interested in thoughts on the best way to get a solid base. Soil is fairly clay, and we will need to raise the slab up a bit for drainage, as we are on the side of a hill (grade drops about 2' in 54').
Excavator wants to build up a pad with screenings (small crushed limestone, lots of fines). My concern with that approach is that I'll need to overdig quite a bit to make room for the frost wall formwork, then try and re-compact the area around the wall.
I'm thinking it may make more sense to excavate and pour the walls, then add all the fill inside and prep for the slab. Thoughts?
Also interested in opinions on the best compaction equipment for this- from my research, it seems like a reversible plate compactor should compact the screenings well, but we might need something different for the clayey subgrade. Rammers are often suggested for clay soils, but are they practical for a 1600sf area? I think of them as being more used to compact footing trenches.
I appreciate any thoughts on all this- clearly lots of knowledge and experience here.
SW