Conservatory base reinforcement steel or not?? - Reinforcement

[bigglesskyman]

Hi,
I'm planning on building a small conservatory base approx (3 x 3 with a small 2 ft dwarf wall around it ). The base is to be laid on top of the existing concrete patio which is 9" thick and contains steel Reinforcement and in excellent condition , my intention was to lay a DPC membrain ,a slab of 75mm insulation and approx 120mm of concrete.
Do you think I should add further Reinforcement steel mesh into the base and possibly fibreglass /Polymeric Fibers as well, I'm still looking for a supplier for the fibreglass /Polymeric Fibers (but as yet I'm unable to find a builders merchant/ supplier that stocks it ) .?
Also I have to mix the concrete on site due to a difficult location, do you see any problem with buying ready mixed ballast i.e strenth etc. ?.
Any help appreciated.Thx

[Dave_L]

Can't see any need for any further rebar!

[seanandruby]

try stamco building supplies they do small bags of fibre for concrete

[Dave_L]

Most concrete plants will have such fibres - surely you'd be able to buy an amount?

[Ted]

Most of the decorative concrete firms listed on this site sell fibres.

Creative Impressions Ltd and PICS Ltd both do.

[Ted]

BTW, if you are mixing fibres into concrete you are knocking up on site yourself, I believe you are meant to have an agitator on your mixer.

Your cheap and reliable Belle-type mixer does not have an agitator. When I use fibres, I mix it with a drill. In a Belle Type mixer it is hard to get the fibres to disperse evenly.

Imer make mixers with agitators but they cost a lot more than a Belle.

http://www.imerusa.com/

[lutonlagerlout]

belle mixers have agitators ted
but you can get ready mix as a barrow mix load ,we use it all the time ,they give you 20 mins per metre
regards LLL

[Ted]

What is the agitator?

The bits of metal with the holes in it in the drum?

[lutonlagerlout]

yes ,they are the blades that stick out from the drum
i have only ever come across 1 mixer without an agitator and it was useless
cheers LLL

[Ted]

In my book on Concrete it says that not all ready-mix trucks have agitators.



I think that bit of metal may just be the blade, but I am not sure.

I'm sure on one pack of fibres, I bought it told you to use a drill if mixing them in yourself...

[flowjoe]

I'm still looking for a supplier for the fibreglass /Polymeric Fibers (but as yet I'm unable to find a builders merchant/ supplier that stocks it ) .?

I am sure i have seen small bags of fibres on sale at a couple of Travis Perkins yards in the South Manchester area, give em a ring and they will ship some across to your local branch

[lutonlagerlout]

gibbs and dandys in luton sell them
LLL