concrete pad on a slight slope - advice

[whm_fab]

Hi Guys,


I was pondering over this and I said where better to ask than on a welding forum J because everyone here is full if knowledge.


In the next week or so, l plan to Lay an 8mx3m concrete ramp/pad up into my workshop. I say ramp, because it may be hard to see, but the workshop is about 1.5ft or so above ground level (see step into the pedestrian door for a guide.


Disclaimer **** I have absolutely no professional experience in building or concreting, this is seat of the pants stuff. I’ve learned lots from my dad (who is also not a pro) and mates etc, but essentially, we don’t have any real deep knowledge how to pull this off. Bar the slab, we built the whole workshop ourselves, so we can turn our hand to it, but concreting is a bit tricky.


My planned process – please tell me where im wrong/stupid/what are you thinking/ that wont work etc etc.


· We initially were going to put down form boards, but I cant have a 4 inch kerb along the side of the pad because ive to reverse my car transporter up there. (last pic where the green line is)

· So, as it is going to be a stiff mix, we are going to go with no forms, and hand finish the sides – is this crazy?

· I don’t want to tie it to the workshop floor under the roller shutter – so I plan on cutting a joint, and then sealing it

· I don’t plan to put in steel as I went with 35n 4 inch concrete. Concrete place says that’s more than enough?

· I plan to rent a power screed (8ft) to try and get the slope on the ramp


That’s basically it in a nutshell. Any advice or recommendations gratefully received.

 

[gaz1]

id concrete that part level then make the slope coming away from the workshop as its down to access

just so you know you will be revering up 2 different slopes with a trailer attached when one slope is much better to be reversing over

you could do a lower slope into the building but have a much better level concrete base before the entrance of the building

all up to you though

 

[Fraserb]

You'll need a decent thickness of concrete at the edge, feathering it off to nothing will just lead to it breaking up. Best thing would be to shape the hardcore under the concrete to the slope so the edges of the concrete finish up flush with the existing hardcore.

 

[whm_fab]

You'll need a decent thickness of concrete at the edge, feathering it off to nothing will just lead to it breaking up. Best thing would be to shape the hardcore under the concrete to the slope so the edges of the concrete finish up flush with the existing hardcore.

yes sorry thats exactly of my plan, ive already started to run along with a pick axe and create a dip all along the edge so the concrete will go down lower than the existing hardcore. its a very hard one to picture and plan, because it will be sloping 2 different ways.

I like to prepare and prepare, which makes me nervous that we are planning on just getting the concrete dumped and 'work it out on the day as we go' as my dad suggests

 

[Fraserb]

Best bet will be to pick axe out the edges, then lay forms in to the level you want, after that you can either lay a Batton or pull a string over the forms, you can measure under the line to see you've a decent depth of coverage.

We've laid a good few acres of concrete over the last few years and despite having various lasers and such sometimes it's just as easy with a string line

 

[dyno-tron]

First - I'm not a concrete expert!

My garage floor ('bout 5in thick) was laid without steel but the contractor had fibres added to the mix to replace the steel. Hardly any cost and less hassle.

 

[500e]

Lot of good advice on here
Do not feather edge dig down
We do a bit 2 floors both 100cube last week
+bigger jobs like these

 

[whm_fab]

First - I'm not a concrete expert!

My garage floor ('bout 5in thick) was laid without steel but the contractor had fibres added to the mix to replace the steel. Hardly any cost and less hassle.

i was thinking about that, il price it up, if its not much il go for it for that peace of mind

 

[8ob]

I would also fit aco drains across the front of the doorway to keep out driving rain, or at the very least form a small channel to divert whatever water will blow up the ramp

Bob