I'm building a pole barn for my tractor and storage ground slopes front to back,I need to fill in one end about 18" cant raise the area around barn so need to raise the ground inside barn before slab is poured , what is best to use dirt or gravel will have to compact what ever I use, Will driving mt tractor with full bucket and 3" lifts be enough LS 125 have 500# weight on back
getting ready for slab
- Thread starter M E Cook
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jaxs
Elite Member
Select fill is what's "supposed to be" used under slab any time grade change is required. Select fill is sand with just enough non-expansive clay mixed throughout to bind sand togeather. Concrete plant wash out will work but it will be stuck all over tractor and equipment while spreading it.
RustyA
Platinum Member
I used what locally is called pit run sand for my similar barn site leveling. Pit run is unscreened and includes some rocks and clay for binder. Fill in stages using a plate compactor and water at each 3-4 inch level to prevent future settling.
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
I personally use red clay because it's free, and it's all over my land. Here in East Texas, red clay is also what builders buy when building up a pad for construction. It's a very stable clay the compacts well and supports the weight of a building.
Sand compacts better, but it doesn't support as much weight. For fill, it's a good choice if it's affordable.
Gravel isn't normally used because of all the voids that can be in it, and the need for something that vibrates to compact it. It's also expensive here because we don't have a lot of rock.
What are they using in new construction there?
Sand compacts better, but it doesn't support as much weight. For fill, it's a good choice if it's affordable.
Gravel isn't normally used because of all the voids that can be in it, and the need for something that vibrates to compact it. It's also expensive here because we don't have a lot of rock.
What are they using in new construction there?
I believe their using gravel but no sure will find out i can get crusher run delivered and rent a plate compactor ??
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
Jumping jack would give you more compaction then a plate compactor. Only time I like to use a plate compactor is if I'm doing something like laying pavers.
For a big pad, a vibratory roller is needed for ideal compaction, but even then, 100% compaction is impossible. Back in the 80's I worked on jobs where I ran the water lines to mix the soil to build up pads and it was a huge effort to mix the soil with the right amount of water, then spread it and then compact it in lifts. The Inspector used a radioactive box to send a signal into the ground to measure how compact it was. If we where in the mid 90% level, it had to be dug out and done again. That happened a few times and there was a lot of yelling involved!!!!
For a big pad, a vibratory roller is needed for ideal compaction, but even then, 100% compaction is impossible. Back in the 80's I worked on jobs where I ran the water lines to mix the soil to build up pads and it was a huge effort to mix the soil with the right amount of water, then spread it and then compact it in lifts. The Inspector used a radioactive box to send a signal into the ground to measure how compact it was. If we where in the mid 90% level, it had to be dug out and done again. That happened a few times and there was a lot of yelling involved!!!!
jaxs
Elite Member
It work's well but must be handled right to prevent problems. There are usually chunks of cured concrete mixed with the washout. Softball size and smaller isn't a problem and larger one's can be extracted while spreading with box blade or landscape rake. As i cautioned earlier,the stuff is damp and sticky so anything it contacts recieve's a coating. Not a problem for tires and blade because it will wear off during normal use. If you plan walking on/in it,wear boots that can be washed off with hose or stepping into tub of water. I tell you this so you can plan ahead and have what is needed ready before picking material up. You don't want it to set up any more than can be prevented before you finish spreading. Have blade,landscape rake,fel or what you will spread with mounted on tractor. Have garden hose ready in the event you need it. Rubber boots,hoe,garden rake and shovel might come in handy. I don't recall sq ft of slab but i would plan on using cushion sand for final 2-4 inches to make it easier to level. Wait until material is compacted and/or set up before spreading sand to tweak level.
I hope you aren't experiencing as much hot weather as some of us are right now.
