Sliding gate track (concrete)

[Leeds88]

hi,

I am doing a electric sliding gate for a customer, the drive is block paved so I have took up the relevant blocks and dug a trench 200mm deep x 200mm wide x 9 metres long.

Problem is I have no experience at all with concrete, just wondering if anyone on here does these a lot so can share some info on correct ratios, mixes and how to finish the concrete etc......

Thanks

 

[gaz1]

3-1 if your using agregate if using bags its 1 sand 1 gravel + half gravel then 1 sand in a way as long as you stay around

also use a mortar hoe much easier using one if not standared spade

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Foundation Concrete – 1:2 ½:3 ½ mix
Ideal for wall foundations or bases and laying paving slabs, etc. One part cement, two and a half sand and three and a half coarse aggregate. If using combined aggregate, this mix would be 1:5.
You may have to put expansion joints in, I am sure there are some here who will advise on that.

My local ready mix place will do a short order.
Drawbacks.
You may have to wait a day or two, as they will tag it on to another order.

You have to be ready to have it dumped when they say.

cost.

When the contractors we use have a job like that, that's what they will do. But if there is £££ they will mix it on site.

 

[Pete.]

200x200 seems awfully small for a 9m long gate.

 

[Leeds88]

The Gates 4.5m not 9m

 

[knighty]

where you dug out, what's the base underneath like ? clay? soil? etc.. (if it's soft you might need to go deeper)

check and make sure there's no obvious drainage that will run over/under/along the concrete (it'll wash the soil/whatever away and the concrete will sink)

200x200x9m you'll need about 400kg of concrete (if you mix it yourself make sure you buy extra, just incase!)

if you mix it yourself, check a few youtube videos, there'll be the most help for mixing

once you have it in the hole, you need to tamp it - basically patting it with a straight edge stick - this packs the stone/sand etc.. down into the hole and brings the fat (think juice) to the top, which helps you level it and gives you a nice smooth surface

to save your back, you can fix another bit of wood to your tamping stick... think of something like a brush with no hair on it


once you have it in the hole and pretty much flat you need to get it level - easiest way for you will be to use a long straight edge (2x4 etc.) about 2m long... and tape/screw/whatever an old spirit level to it, so you can check the level as you use it


best bet will be to check youtube (unless you can get someone who's done it before to come give you a hand)

 

[Pete.]

k)

200x200x9m you'll need about 400kg of concrete (if you mix it yourself make sure you buy extra, just incase!)

I make it twice that amount .2x.2.9=0.36m3 x2.4t/m3=0.86t

 

[Kent]

As a side question. Have you done the training on powered gates and got a force meter?

 

[knighty]

I make it twice that amount .2x.2.9=0.36m3 x2.4t/m3=0.86t

you're right, that's what I get for posting late at night

figured .36cu m, rounded it up to .4... then for some reason went with the weight of water to get 400kg instead of concoreat :-o

 

[Leeds88]

Ok thanks for all the info guys appreciate it.

 

[Leeds88]

As a side question. Have you done the training on powered gates and got a force meter?

Yeah just completed a course with BFT

 

[gaz1]

well ive mixed 2 ton bags today with someone else using the above method and also this one

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/step-by-step-guide.64354/

but we used 6 spades to mix the concrete mix all day backs a little sore but not badly aching got a loverly suntan as well in that sun today nice and red as well