Soggy scalpins - Safe laying slabs on spongy base?

Other groundworks tasks, such as roads and footpaths, terracing, fencing, foundations, walls and brickwork, tools and plant.
Ian-Mitch
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Location: Hampshire

Post: # 15321Post Ian-Mitch

Eek - I'm feeling bad for having 2 live posts, but the job is huge and I'm doing it on me own :)

I've whacked down my scalpins (all 41 ton of them) but in patches they're a bit spongy underfoot, and my instinct is to not build on them. Its not like my feet sink into the scalps, its just like standing on a pillow where the surface is intact but underneath its kind .. erm .. spongy.

Should I dig them up and replace with dry scalpins? Or do I need to just be patient and wait for them to go hard (the patches have not improved in the last 3 weeks)?

I think common sense tells me to replace them but wondered if I'm being over cautious.

Thanks as ever .. Ian
Ian

Dave_L
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Post: # 15324Post Dave_L

How have you compacted the sub base?
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Ian-Mitch
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Location: Hampshire

Post: # 15328Post Ian-Mitch

With a hired whacker plate - but its just gets bogged down in certain parts which makes me nervous ...
Ian

Dave_L
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Post: # 15330Post Dave_L

What surface were these scalpings laid on?
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Dave_L
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Post: # 15331Post Dave_L

Ian-Mitch wrote:With a hired whacker plate - but its just gets bogged down in certain parts which makes me nervous ...
For such a large area/large amount of sub base, I don't think a plate compactor is heavy enough.
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Ian-Mitch
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Location: Hampshire

Post: # 15332Post Ian-Mitch

Thanks Dave ...

mmmm .. the scalpins were laid straight onto the subsoil 6 inches thick (I took out 6 inches of earth and then put the scalpins down on them). It's only for a patio but the soil is quite heavy and wet so I wanted to go for a nice thick base. I've laid land drainage which I hope will help in time ...

Should I start worrying?
Ian

lutonlagerlout
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Post: # 15335Post lutonlagerlout

this talk of sclpins worries me,what exactly are your scalpins??
cheers LLL
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Ian-Mitch
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Location: Hampshire

Post: # 15337Post Ian-Mitch

I meant scalpings I think - I've had 41 ton in total from a reputable local supplier in Farnborough - usual purply/brown mix of stone and grit which has compacted hard in most places. I think its the usual stuff (unless theres different sorts?).

Based on Daves posts - I'm tempted to run the mini digger over them this w/end to add extra weight - although the tracks churn up the scalps a bit. Good idea?

Dont forget to wrap up warm today LLL :)
Ian

bobbi o
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Post: # 15338Post bobbi o

dig them back up,put down a terram geo-membrane,re-lay and compact and all should be fine.

lutonlagerlout
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Post: # 15339Post lutonlagerlout

dig them back up,put down a terram geo-membrane,re-lay and compact and all should be fine

when this sort of thing happens to us we start whistling Ennio morrione's "the good,the bad,and the ugly"
aihaihaiha wah wah waaaaah, it always unerves punters
LOL
regards LLL :)
"what,you want paying today??"

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Ian-Mitch
Posts: 53
Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 2:09 am
Location: Hampshire

Post: # 15340Post Ian-Mitch

HA HA :)

I replaced them with dry scalpings today and whacked em in - feels much better now. They were soaking wet when they went in and I simply dont think they could lose their water anywhere. I took my chances without the membrane, only because I cant whistle LOL

I hope the land drainage will help as well. Building my first wall tomorrow - wish me luck :)

Thanks for all your advice .. Ian
Ian

Dave_L
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Post: # 15343Post Dave_L

Moving 40+ tones of material around with a small machine what a nightmare! :angry:
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lutonlagerlout
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Post: # 15348Post lutonlagerlout

what are scalpings?
LLL
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Ian-Mitch
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Location: Hampshire

Post: # 15351Post Ian-Mitch

Apparently it's typically crushed limestone and is used as a foundation to stop your patio or driveway from sinking into the ground. Search Google (images) for loads of examples.

As for the 40 tons - thats just the scalpings! Theres also 550 wall blocks, 72 concrete blocks, 100 coping stones and 8 jumbo bags on the drive. Still to be moved.

I'm off to bed - I'm tired even thinking about it
:p
Ian

Stuarty
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Location: Edinburgh

Post: # 15352Post Stuarty

Up here alot of firms give you road planings when you order scalpings, a few others give you a sort of hardcore and road planings or crushed concrete mix.

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