How many tonnes 3/4 mix/all in ? - Concrete base ?

Bilabonic · Post: # 69463Post **Bilabonic** Mon Oct 17, 2011 3:58 pm

Hi All

I want to lay a concrete base onto compacted soil, it is only for walking on.

It is quite a large area and i plan on shuttering sections and pouring/smoothing it.

How thick does it need to be ?

Also at the correct thickness how much 'all in' will i need per square metre ??

Thanks

Carberry · Post: # 69464Post **Carberry** Mon Oct 17, 2011 4:41 pm

Wouldnt go any less than 75mm

Cant tell you how much ballast you need when you haven't given us the area / volume.
Check here for calculators for various quantities:
http://www.pavingexpert.com/calcall.htm

Bilabonic · Post: # 69465Post **Bilabonic** Mon Oct 17, 2011 4:57 pm

How much would a tonne loose cover approx, not measured it yet but i think it's about 30m2.

mike builder/landscaper · Mon Oct 17, 2011 5:14 pm

if my memory is correct, i think it is 2 ton of ballast to a cubic mtr of concrete

Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:56 pm

6 tonnes 30 bags of cement @100mm thick
LLL

Bilabonic · Post: # 69478Post **Bilabonic** Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:58 pm

Cheers LLL

Mikey_C · Post: # 69479Post **Mikey_C** Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:09 pm

6 tonnes, not 6 dumpy bags which can weigh as little as .85 of a ton aka 850kg

Bilabonic · Post: # 69481Post **Bilabonic** Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:19 pm

Mikey_C wrote:6 tonnes, not 6 dumpy bags which can weigh as little as .85 of a ton aka 850kg

Confused

Carberry · Post: # 69483Post **Carberry** Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:42 pm

Bilabonic wrote:
Mikey_C wrote:6 tonnes, not 6 dumpy bags which can weigh as little as .85 of a ton aka 850kg

Confused

The bulk bags that are sold as '1 tonne' by builders merchants can weigh as little as 850kg. LLL and mikey are saying you need 6 tonnes, not 6 of these bags.

Bilabonic · Post: # 69484Post **Bilabonic** Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:47 pm

Never knew that, so a tonne bagged is not an actual tonne ?

So how do you order a tonne of anything then !!!!

Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:06 pm

I have a ticket in front of me bilbo
from d.h.loveday&son
tare weight of vehicle =11.6 tonnes
grossweight =31.6 tonnes
nett weight =20.3 tonnes
so i ordered 20 tonnes and i got 300kg FOC

the bulk bags as has been said are often " light" but 6 tonnes loose will be cheaper tipped anyway
LLL

Mon Oct 17, 2011 11:07 pm

to be fair they are sold as bulk backs its only an assumption they are 1ton, most are 0.5m3 bags which equalls about 900kg depending on the specific gravity of the material.

Mon Oct 17, 2011 11:28 pm

1 sales manager told me they make them like that so that if you get a bulk bag and 6 bags of cement you are still ok with a 1 ton pickup :;):
LLL

Mikey_C · Post: # 69519Post **Mikey_C** Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:35 pm

yes getting it tipped loose will probably be about half the price or less than bulk bags. however as it is "all in ballast" you will you get greater separation of fines and gravel due to the transportation process. However, it is either inexperience or the fact that your not bothered about quality that is stopping you fro getting that qty of concrete delivered by readymix or on site mixing lorries? From the previous posts I imagine it may be inexperience, in which case this post should lead you nicely into the question is readymix better and what is an on site mixing lorry?

especially as I am diy'er who was shovelled and mixed 5 ton of ballast, and wouldn't do it again!!!

rab1 · Post: # 69522Post **rab1** Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:47 pm

for 5 cube ready mix is the way forward but be warned the driver will be a grumpy little tit. trust me on this they are all grumpy little tits. :;):