What gravel do you put under concrete?

crushed stone





What Material is Used for a Slab Base? The base in concrete construction is usually a form of crushed stone. Most concrete contractors want a mix of coarse and fine aggregate to create a compactable base that is going to be safe for settlement and drainage.

Does concrete need a gravel base?

Whether you pour concrete for a walkway or patio, a strong gravel base is required to prevent the concrete from cracking and shifting. Gravel is especially important in clay soil because it doesn’t drain well, which results in water pooling under the concrete slab and slowly eroding the soil as it finally drains.

How much gravel do I need under concrete?

You will need 3 inches of gravel under a concrete slab that is 4 inches thick. More gravel is better, but 3 inches is the minimum amount of gravel you should have with a 4” slab. Use ¾” washed and screened gravel, then compact it to level.

What do you put under a concrete slab?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Um so what we do is we use this little screed board over here. And we set up string lines on the top of the foundation wall because that top of the foundation wall is also the top of our slab floor.

What happens if you don’t put gravel under concrete?





Because concrete is a very porous material, it will absorb any moisture that it contacts. This can cause pooling. Without crushed stone, pooling water will settle under it and erode your slab. Adding a layer of crushed stone will add proper drainage, as well as create a barrier between your slab and the ground.

Can you lay concrete over gravel?

Cement mix might work in some cases over an existing gravel driveway. Laying a concrete driveway over an existing gravel one is possible, but it is not generally recommended. The kind of gravel that is intended to go under cement is typically a smaller grade than what is used for gravel driveways.

What size gravel is best for concrete?

Gravel for Concrete



Ideally, 6 inches of crushed stone or gravel should be used for most driveways. Proper application requires that the driveway hole be dug out, and the soil has to be prepared.

Can I pour concrete directly on dirt?

Long story short, yes you can pour concrete over dirt.

Is sand a good base for concrete?



As a general rule, stay away from using sand as a subbase. You’re better off using gravel; your concrete will last longer and have less of a chance of cracking over time.

Can you pour concrete over rocks?

Big rocks are not a problem as long as there is uniform concrete coverage and adequate rebar for temperature fluctuations. If the big rocks protrude up above grade and if you have a few in a row, it will weaken the slab. We like things uniform, including the grade, thickness of the concrete, etc.

How much sand and gravel do I need for a yard of concrete?

An average 1:2:3 mix contains one part cement, two parts sand and three parts gravel. To make 1 cubic yard of concrete, you’d need seven 94-pound bags of cement, about 1/2 cubic yard of sand and just over 3/4 cubic yard of gravel.

How do you backfill under a concrete slab?



A sand-cement grout can be used to fill voids under concrete slabs. This mix of sand, cement, and water is pumped through holes drilled to fill up the voids. While this method of slab jacking is cost-effective, there are major drawbacks to opting for this type of repair.

What can I use to compact gravel?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: You just tamp down with with that tool but the thing about that is it's not all that effective. So if you want to do the job right you basically need this this tool it's called a plate compactor.

Is 3 inches of concrete enough?

A concrete patio slab should be at least 4 inches thick and have a compressive strength of 3,000 PSI. You’re free to make it thicker or stronger, but unless specifically required for your patio build, it’s likely overkill to surpass 4 inches in thickness.

How many ton of gravel do I need?

Length in feet x Width in feet x Depth in feet (inches divided by 12). Take the total and divide by 21.6 (the amount of cubic feet in a ton). The final figure will be the estimated amount of tons required.

How deep should my gravel be?



Once you’re satisfied with the shape and route, it’s time to dig. Aim for a depth of approximately 4 inches. Once you’ve finished, smooth the base with a rake and compact is using a flattening tool.

What area will 1 ton of gravel cover?

100 square feet

Understanding Size and Coverage



Using 2 inches for the depth, the following measurements are a guide to the amount of gravel coverage per ton: 1/4 to 1/2 inch gravel, 100 square feet per ton; 1/2 to 1 inch gravel, 90 square feet per ton; and 1 1/2 to 2 inches gravel, 80 square feet per ton.

How much gravel can a dump truck haul?

A standard size of dump truck can have capacity to hold 12 cubic yards of stone or 15 yards of topsoil or 14 yards of dirt or 22 cubic yards of mulch or 16.5 cubic yards of gravel per truckload.

How many cubic feet are in a ton of gravel?



A ton of gravel with average-sized pebbles is about 0.705 cubic yards, or 19 cubic feet, assuming it has been screened for debris and contains no leftover dirt, sand, etc.

How many yards does a 6×10 dump trailer hold?

4 Cu. Yd.

6 x 10 Dump Trailer, 4 Cu. Yd. Rental.