I am buildiung a 32 x 36′ garage. Soil is well compacted. I have about 5″ of 3/4-minus gravel on top of the compacted soil. On top of the gravel will be 6 mil plastic, then #4 rebar on 16″ grid, then 5″ concrete. Question I have is “Should I compact the gravel, say with a plate compacter?” I hear gravel is self-compacting but I’m wondering if I should just go ahead and rent a plate compacter. Appreciate any thoughts.
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Replies
I would.
I would pound the carp out of it.
In fact, just to satisfy your curiousity, shoot a grade with a builder's level or laser level before you compact that 5" of gravel. After you compact shoot it again. I bet that 5" turns into 3 to 4".
Aren't you glad that didn't settle under your slab?
Words to live by!
Crushed rock with fines is NOT self compacting. A plate compactor is the right tool, with a little hand-work in the corners using the butt end of a 6x6 or an actual hand compacting plate if you have one (mine is a 10x10 steel plate on the end of a handle).
Drain rock is somewhat self compacting, sand is more so... but you want to pound anything you are using as slab base.
Are you not going to put insulation under your slab? Is the building never going to be heated?