Whats the max depth for 10:1 sand/cement

[cdorling]

Hallo

For my 'landscaping' project it just remains for me to lay the slabs. Unfortunately, when I started this 2 week project (1 1/2 years ago!) I excavated just a little too much (the area was originally sloped). Apart from building retaining walls, steps etc I've laid 1 ton(ne?) of MOT and walked about on it but it leaves a bit more than 50 mm for the sand/cement drymix. I don't really want to buy another ton and be left with, say 60%, and I can't find anyone supplying less than a ton.

3 questions if I may:-

1) is walking about for a few weeks enough, or do I need to compact it eg with the end of a sledge hammer

2) some areas have predominantly larger stuff, bits of bricks etc that I've smashed, do I need to infill with grit sand or gravel?

3) how much more than 50mm of sand/cement can I use?

Many thanks, again, Chris

[IanMelb]

50cm ?? Half a metre? Of cement/sand?

Sounds like a lot - I was told that it's cheaper to use type 1 to make up the depth than it is to use concrete...

And from what I've read on this site, I doubt whether walking on the type1 will be enoug - not unless you weigh over a tonne

The professionals will be able to confirm/refute ...

[cdorling]

Thanks Ian, now corrected to 50 mm.
I'm knocking on a bit, give me inches and I know where I am!

[lutonlagerlout]

you can buy 25-40 kg bags of type 1 at most garden centres and builders merchants
you need too try and compact it it,even if you use a sledge hammer and a 1m length of 4 by 2
occasionally i would increase bedding material to up to 100mm but this is only rarely and for a specific reason
30-50 mm is optimun
cheers LLL

[cdorling]

Thanks LLL (you've advised me before)

It's not a huge area so a sledgehammer + wood it is.

But re a smaller quantity of type 1 MOT, all my local blders merchants (BuildCentre, Travis P, Covers, Jewson) only offer a min size of a 1 ton bulk bag. I hadn't thought about a garden centre, I'll visit one tomorrow. But if anyone has any leftovers in the Brighton area...

[lutonlagerlout]

if you cannot find any MOT stone then you could always use leanmix concrete,12:1 dry-mix of 20 mm ballast and cement
cheers LLL