Which type of stone?

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I have a pole building that I'm trying to upgrade. It was built and used as a stable and arena. I'd like to convert it to shop/storage as money allows. My ultimate goal would be to have a concrete floor throughout. I recently spoke with a concrete guy about this and he initially recommended I start with #11 stone as a base for my concrete. When I suggested I might want to use the facility with just the stone floor for a few months or longer, he changed his suggestion to putting down #73 stone. He said it would work just as well as a base for concrete if/when I got to that point but would be far better as a floor until I got ready to pour.

What I know about stone and it's applications is just about nil so I wanted some input and some explaination as to what to use and why. I'm not questioning this fellow's knowledge or anything but would like other opinions as well. As I said, my eventual goal would be to have a poured floor but finances won't allow it to be done now or probably in one pour whenever I do start pouring.

The area in question was used as an arena and is 40'W x 80'D. I'd like to use the front 24' or 32' of that as a shop/equipment storage area now (the 8' difference would gain me a side door 8'W x 12'H). My options, as I see them at this point, are to just stone the front area (be it 24' or 32') now or to stone the entire 80' depth now. Any suggestions or ideas on how I might do this differently or better are certainly welcome.

 

[chim]

I'm not familiar with those numbers. Mebbe we're 10 years behind the curve here. We use a lot of 2A Modified for under concrete, and for driveways over a base of heavier stone. 2A Modified is stone that passes through a 3/4" screen, and has finer pieces, stone dust and sometimes a bit of dirt mixed in. It compacts very nicely.

I'd stay away from "clean" stone. Picture driving across a 4" layer of marbles. That's as solid as it gets...............chim

 

[WVBill]

There is a wealth of information here <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mundyquarries.com/>Mundy Quarries</A> that will give you a lot of information about various grades of gravel and what they mean. This is probably region-specific so it may not apply exactly where you are...

The "Homeowner" section has some good info but for the "gorey details", go to the "Designer/Specifier" section and look at the "Gradations" section...

 

[pajoube]

WVBill,
Will the terminology be the same for different parts of the country?
PJ

 

[WVBill]

Yes, the terminology probably is different depending on where you're located. Here's a link <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mathesquarry.com/products.htm> Mathes Quarry </A> to a quarry in Indiana that shows gradations and terminology there.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Thanks Bill! That information is spot on with each of the two types of stone my guy mentioned shown there. From what that shows, it seems that the advice he gave me is on the money. The #11 is dust free and recommended for concrete base while the #73 offers better compaction for driveways. I'd say that if I'm going to use that floorspace for storage and a workshop for a few months or longer I'd be better off with something like the #73 he recommended as it would compact better and give me a more solid surface.

Now for the next question. How thick/deep would I want to have that surface?

 

[WVBill]

When I built my pole building I too had to put off the paved surface due to $$. I used 6" of the VDOT #26 Crusher Run (equivalent to your #73. I park my truck, motor home, and tractor in there. The gravel has held up quite well under the truck and motor home which pull in and out in a straight line. I have to back in and do a tight 90 degree turn inside the building with the tractor to park it and there are some pretty good ruts where the front wheels make the turn. This in spite of the fact that I'm moving very slowly.

One drawback of the gravel is that if you drop a nut, small bolt, screw or clip or something, it's a devil to find!