Now ready for the concrete in the pole barn

[Redlands Okie]

Rebar with clipped on strands can be laid out in advance of the pour so that the area where the truck backs in can be clear. The rebar in the truck area just needs to be about 16 to 18 inches longer on the sides that over lap the other rebar. 4 guys picks up the one or two truck sections as needed and lays it in place when needed. It’s a simple thing to do and only takes minutes.

It takes care but rebar in the truck area an be installed and backed over. The stands can be installed as the truck pulls out. This does require a very well compacted base. The tie wire tied just a little loose and a small pipe wrench can be handy to spin or twist the rebar to get it to lay flat in case things go wrong.

The first idea of carrying in sections as needed is easier usually.

 

[RNeumann]

Since I am putting various runs of pvc conduit under the slab, what size would you recommend ? 2" 1 1/2 "
1" ? Also would you run THHN wire thru the conduit ? Don't think you can run romex thru conduit.

Most circuits and boxes work with 1/2”,3/4” and 1”. The bigger conduit is for the service entrance or some big equipment. THHN is good. Romex can be run in conduit but the derating makes it inferior to THHN

 

[747driver]

Most circuits and boxes work with 1/2?3/4 and 1? The bigger conduit is for the service entrance or some big equipment. THHN is good. Romex can be run in conduit but the derating makes it inferior to THHN

I read where you have to use THHN/THWN or just THWN since it is underground where the conduit might get water in it. W stands for wet areas. I want to put pull boxes on both sides where the conduit stubs out of the floor ?

 

[747driver]

Rebar with clipped on strands can be laid out in advance of the pour so that the area where the truck backs in can be clear. The rebar in the truck area just needs to be about 16 to 18 inches longer on the sides that over lap the other rebar. 4 guys picks up the one or two truck sections as needed and lays it in place when needed. It’s a simple thing to do and only takes minutes.

It takes care but rebar in the truck area an be installed and backed over. The stands can be installed as the truck pulls out. This does require a very well compacted base. The tie wire tied just a little loose and a small pipe wrench can be handy to spin or twist the rebar to get it to lay flat in case things go wrong.

The first idea of carrying in sections as needed is easier usually.

Good explanation ! Makes sense to me. The soil is well packed so no fear of the truck rutting it up !

 

[plowhog]

Since I am putting various runs of pvc conduit under the slab, what size would you recommend ? 2" 1 1/2 "
1" ? Also would you run THHN wire thru the conduit ? Don't think you can run romex thru conduit.

I like large conduits over distance, such as 2" going through and under a pasture. But for a slab, I put in all 3/4 conduit. 3/4 will connect nicely to an electrical box, other sizes won't or may not. From memory, I think I pulled three #8 THHN wires and a #10 ground through a 3/4 conduit for my 50amp RV electric service. It worked fine. In another location my electrician pulled the same wire through 3/4" conduit to set a 60 amp subpanel.

The problem with bigger conduit sizes under a slab is it is hard to work with, is much more likely to cause cracks in the concrete, and becomes a headache when it turns up. A 3/4 conduit coming out of the slab can have a standard electrical box on it. If that is instead a 2" pipe what do you do? There are ways to solve it but using 3/4 is pretty easy. If in doubt, run two 3/4 pipes.

I am not electrically qualified but everything I have ever heard is that you *never* put romex in conduit. Romex is designed for places like inside stud walls. THHN wire (or other) is designed to be protected by conduit.

Do you have an electric subpanel at the entrance where power enters the building? You might consider adding that, and adding a long horizontal box below that panel. Lots of 3/4 conduit can go out the bottom of that box to various locations in the slab. Then a 3" metal pipe can connect the box to the subpanel above. That's how mine was done.

 

[plowhog]

I think I understand why my concrete was so much more expensive. The entire 60x60 slab was 5" inch depth, there were two 4ft concrete retaining walls, the entire perimiter had "turn down edges" for more thickness at the outer part of the slab, and all six columns were supported by footings running several feet deep. It was all rebar on chairs, all tied together, and a pump truck ran the concrete everywhere that was needed so no truck had to back onto the slab. I have a picture somewhere but it seemed there were at least 20 or 30 workers on the job site the day of the pour. Conversely, when I recently poured some new foundation for my residence remodel, there were just a few guys. I guess they need lots of people when finishing a large slab. Mine was 60x60.

 

[EddieWalker]

I must have missed something.

WHY are you running conduit under your slab?

 

[RNeumann]

I read where you have to use THHN/THWN or just THWN since it is underground where the conduit might get water in it. W stands for wet areas. I want to put pull boxes on both sides where the conduit stubs out of the floor ?

In conduit, in a building isn’t, by code considered a wet location.
But- for your viewing pleasure I present this fine wire that Home Depot can order in or stocks for nearly the same price as my wholesaler. All the specs you want and then some!

https://southwire.com/ProductCatalog/XTEInterfaceServlet?contentKey=prodcatsheet276

 

[buckeyefarmer]

If I put rebar in they won't be able to back in. The 14' door is high enough for them to back in. If I go with just a fiber mix then no problem for the truck to back in.

They reached mine with chutes, although i have doors at both ends.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I think I understand why my concrete was so much more expensive. The entire 60x60 slab was 5" inch depth, there were two 4ft concrete retaining walls, the entire perimiter had "turn down edges" for more thickness at the outer part of the slab, and all six columns were supported by footings running several feet deep. It was all rebar on chairs, all tied together, and a pump truck ran the concrete everywhere that was needed so no truck had to back onto the slab. I have a picture somewhere but it seemed there were at least 20 or 30 workers on the job site the day of the pour. Conversely, when I recently poured some new foundation for my residence remodel, there were just a few guys. I guess they need lots of people when finishing a large slab. Mine was 60x60.

That's a lot of people. Had a 8k sf slab poured a few yrs back with 4 guys or so. (laser screed and pump).

Think 3 guys did my 30x48 barn.