Pole barn floor

[disco]

Going to pour a floor on Sat 12 June. Its going to be 5" thick.
Guy that I hired says that I dont need wire or rebar because he is going to use fiber mesh.Then he will cut joints in the slab. My tractor is a JD 4310. Prior floor was made of silo staves. Grandpa used everthing twice. It worked for years but now. I want a real floor. Is this thick enough? Do I need wire or rebar or both? Demensions 44 X 30. Fill is sand and small rocks that were under staves. 1-2 ft deep. How long should I keep covered with plastic?

 

[Docsknotinn]

I'm in the process of having a Morton pole barn built. Here the norm is a 4" thick floor with fiber mesh. No re-bar or other reinforcement. 12" sand base under the barn. Your concrete guy should tell you how long it will take to cure for your area. I'm having a 6' apron poured as well. We should be done by Mid July.

 

[beenthere]

For the little additional expense, and covering all bases, I would put the wire in AND use the fiber. I did both, and only have fine hairline cracks. Maybe the wire keeps the stress down so there are no small ones that develop.

If you were pouring within a foundation building (not pole) then maybe not expect much slab movement. But in a pole bldg, I would cover all bases. Only get one chance to do it, as cannot add the wire later on.

 

[SnowRidge]

<font color="purple">( How long should I keep covered with plastic?) </font>

I've used this company's product instead of plastic with excellent results. You get the added benefit of sealing the floor, which will prevent concrete dust in the future.

I bought it at either Lowes or HD for under $12 a gallon about seven years ago. I don't know what it costs today.

SnowRidge

 

[LarryD]

Even with steel in the concrete, it will crack. The steel only keeps the cracks from getting to wide. I have seen fiber reinforced concrete on several jobs recently and with proper control joints cut in early (24hrs), there was no uncontrolled cracking.
Concrete sealer does work to slow the hydration process but a fine mist of water will give the same results. The main thing to keep in mind is to prevent the finished floor from absorbing liquids, a good steel trowel finish the best.