Concrete footing question

[Streetcar]

How thick is your footing

 

[joeu235]

How thick is your footing

24" x 14' base 12" thick, cheek 12" x 14' x 12" thick

 

[bdog]

Looks good so far. I would pound some rebar into the ground in the middle of the form to give something to attach the horizontal rebar to. Make it look kind of like a pipe fence.

I don’t think you want to do this. Rebar is supposed to be totally encased in concrete and never touch the soil. From what I understand is if it does touch soil it starts to rust and that rust travels along the rebar into the slab and will ultimately cause it to crack apart. Granted this isn’t going to happen overnight but OP did a heck of a nice job on the cattle guard I would hate to see the footing fail years down the road.

I am no concrete expert but I have poured a lot both doing it myself and hiring it done. When it comes to rebar on small projects I go overboard because it costs so little. Putting excess rebar in a 100’x100’ shop floor would get costly quick not to mention the time to do it but on something like this the cost and time of adding more rebar is insignificant in the grand scheme of things. You never know what the future holds. Is this cattle guard the only way in or is there an alternate route if need be? If you would have asked me ten years ago if I would own a semi, dump truck, bull dozer, etc I would have thought you were crazy but I do now. The guard itself is built to withstand anything might as will go super stout on footings too.

 

[EddieWalker]

Rebar is pounded into the ground all the time and nothing happens. I've done it in California for footings, where the inspectors are known for being really brutal, and it's always passed. While I understand what you are saying in theory, has anybody ever found rebar in the ground that has rusted out? Corner posts for a survey are all half in rebar in my area, and from what I understand, they never rust away. Only time I see rust on rebar is when it's sitting out in the rain.

 

[joeu235]

It would have to rain again for the rebar to rust. I'm more worried about the whole thing falling into a crack in the ground.

 

[GLyford]

I've had rebar rust...when it sits a puddle of salt that melts off the cars.

 

[joeu235]

I put in 5 verticals with a bent end and pounded two more in the ground to support the structure. I'll dig it all up in 40 years to see if the two rusted out.

Also swapped the plastic rebar holders with dobies. So much better.


I'll be pouring Tuesday. Thanks for all the help everyone

 

[EddieWalker]

If it was mine, I would have put another piece of rebar towards the top and I would trim off the ends that are closer then two inches from the sides of the forms. I also think that you will be fine just like it is if you get your mix right and go light on the water.

 

[joeu235]

I can add another horizontal rebar easily.

Do i need to rent vibrator?

 

[Streetcar]

I can add another horizontal rebar easily.

Do i need to rent vibrator?

spade concrete with shovel and hit forms with hammer while placing concrete