What I don’t know about concrete work you can fill a cement mixer, so if the following question sounds dumb, well, it just might be.
I need to rip out a covered porch (the roof remains) and replace the posts, decking and framing with all new, including a wheelchair ramp where just the horizontal decking existed before. I don’t have a lot of clearance to grade – about 6-8 inches. The foundation is rubblestone, so the porch will have to be free-standing. The end of the ramp terminates at the last post that supports the roof, and begins at the next post down – about 8 feet.
To support the posts I was going to drill 24″ holes for footings/piers, like any other deck. To support the tapered end of the ramp joists, however, I was thinking of pouring a 4″ concrete slab and have the joists rest on the concrete with some sort of standoff.
My question is, do I reinforce the slab and tie it to the piers (three will be covered by the slab, two along the front, one in the back to support a girder) and pour the whole enchilada at once, or do I make the slab float independent of the piers?
My concern is what would happen if there was uplift (or settling) on the slab and it is tied to the piers.
Any ideas?
Attached are two photos of the project. Don’t laugh, it’s in worse shape than it appears. The porch columns currently rest on the decking with only three supporting posts beneath, only the last on the left of which is directly supporting the roof load above. The bumpout on the right side of the porch will be removed (it’s not original to the dormatory) and the porch rebuilt to the right wall. THe ramp will terminate on the left side and encampass the left two posts.
Thanks.
“I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” Invictus, by Henley.
Replies
Where's the Rezz when you need him.
Bump.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
I thought you were taking over Rez's place...
Sungod has yer answer...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Welcome back. I think.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
heh heh Once a week or so I'll run thru old threads in general, heating, and construction looking for unanswered posts to bring up again.
Once in a while you'll find an unanswered post sitting there from a first time poster with a question. Sometimes you can tell he went thru a lot of effort in making the post.
I can envision a guy who's been reading FHB for years and having known of the Breaktime page in the mag he comes up with a problem he needs advice on.
So he finds the BT forum and goes out and snaps some pics of the problem, learns how to post the photos, writes up a detailed description, maybe draws a diagram he scans, puts it all together and posts it on here.
Then waits. Comes back hours later in anticipation of an answer to his quest. Nothing. Comes back hours later. Nothing. Next day nothing. Friggin week goes by and nothing.
Ain't right man.
You guys see a couple day old unanswered post why don't you at least identify it with a response of some type. This IS YOUR community.
be ok, rant over. thanks for the vent
cheers
'Nemo me impune lacesset'No one will provoke me with impunity
I would use sonotubes (round cardboard forms) for the piers post. The slab would be poured around the piers with the cardboard forms still in place. Slabs settle a bit cause its not compacted well under it. While post footings are usually deeper and doesn't settle as much. The sonotube would provide an expansion joint for settling.
Great idea, thanks. Would you pour the piers first, let them cure, then pour the slab? Or does it matter as long as the separation is maintained.
Thanks for responding.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
You could pour them at the same time, but since its only two post the piers can be hand poured. Experience guys know how to stake the forms, prop the roof and suspend the post with bracket in the form without movement during its pour. Its up to you on how high you want to pour the post pad, prepaint the bottom of the wood post and slope it so water doesn't hang around the post.