Replies

1. 
   Piffin | May 18, 2003 11:37pm | #1

   Thickness is a small portion of the equation.

   Assume that you are talking residential garage not for heavy trucks.

   Assume you are in Florida and frost heaving will not bne a problem.

   Assume that you will place 2-#4 rebar in perimeter and 6" rewire in area, tied.

   Assume that you have well compacted gravel base (This might be a stretch in Florida, the land of sun, fun and sand).

   Assume that you will use 2500# mix and not over water it or cook it in hot sun.

   and 4" thick slab is fine.

   .

   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   FramerJay | May 19, 2003 07:41am | #2

   Aight smartazz :-)

   I'm in southern Alabama, land of red clay and no frost heave. I've never seen gravel used under any slab here, just red clay. And yes, it's for residential use. The mix will most likely be 2500#, as that's all I've seen used here (again). The pour will probably be in the summer, though so I will have to watch out for it drying too quickly.Quality before Quantity

1. 
   Piffin | May 19, 2003 08:14am | #3

   Really? I thought you had to go all the way to geogia and carolina for red clay. Just goes to show - anybody can be wrong..

   Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   Davo304 | May 19, 2003 09:49am | #4

   If your gonna frame your garage on top of the monolithic slab, I would go thicker than 4 inches; especially where your walls will be standing.   If it were me, I'd strive for a 6 inch(minimum)  foundation. And, I'd place a rebar mat throughout the entire slab.

   If you are instead only talking about pouring a slab floor between your footer, for vehicle traffic, I'd still opt for no less than 5-1/2 inches thick.

   When people think of 4 inch slabs, right away they think of using 2X4s for forming; which are only 3-1/2 inches...so already your slab is 1/2 inch less...which is really only good for foot traffic ( sidewalks and such) rather than vehicular traffic...at least IMHO.

   Davo

1. 
   brownbagg | May 19, 2003 03:33pm | #5

   I,m in your area, I did mine last week with 12x15 on the edge (turn down footings) with the center being 4 inches.  forget the wire , use fiber instead, 3000 mix.