Concrete Pad - Control/Expansion Joints?

[BILL_K]

Another product
http://www.apscork.com/screed.html

 

[fishman]

Wow, thanks for the info. Now I see what you were talking about. That could be really beneficial if one was limited on funds or manpower. I bet one could even pour their slab 1/3 at a time over a three month period and pay as you go. Very interesting.

Thanks for the link BillK, but as it turns out it's the same as Tugwell's. I guess great minds think alike? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[zuiko]

That looks like a pretty neat product. You leave it in the concrete, right? Do you see them when it's finished?

 

[tugwell]

zuiko --

Yeah, the metal stays in the slab. All you see is a 1/4" strip of galvanized steel -- less obvious than the fiber expansion joints.

(You're doing better than me if you can figure how to get it out of the finished slab ! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

I'm still trying to get a picture of my pour posted. I'll have to get to work for a scanner -- I'm vacationing this week!

Tugwell

 

[varmint]

Tugwell: as a guy who's worked in architecture and building since 1963, I've seen a lot of slabs, and learned a bit. You've gotten a lot of good advice, and I'd second the use of steel wire, a 4" slab with 3500# mix, and some sand or pea gravel over a 6 mil poly vapor barrier. I didn't notice where you are, but if it's a colder environment, some air entrainment is good where the slab might be subject to freeze/thaw. And, for that matter, some rigid foam insulation around the perimeter is great, if you'll be heating the space above. You want control joints (for the shrinkage) no more than every 20' or so, all directions. I have used epoxy finish on new slabs, and can't recommend it too highly.

 

[Currmudgeon]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( All you see is a 1/4" strip of galvanized steel -- less obvious than the fiber expansion joints. )</font>

Those are neat. But they're not expansion joints. They will serve as contraction joints, however. Most of the joints you see are contraction joints to regulate and hide the shrinkage cracks.

You need expansion joints in really big slabs, and around hard points, like stair protrusions and columns. For those, the fiber stuff is what you want.