large workshop floor Help, advice, information, answers and tips on all types of flooring from laminate and carpet to timber and vinyl

[alan277]

I have an old barn with an earth floor which is well compacted by 150 years of use. I would like to turn it into a workshop by putting down a concrete floor. I am on a tight budget so would like to use the cheapest method of construction. would putting down a hardcore base then blinding it with a semi dry mix before laying the concrete do the job? what thickness of hardcore & concrete can I get away with? Also the floor area measures 8m x 10m so how do I allow for expansion? I have only layed small concrete areas in the past so any advice would be appreciated. Many thanks.

[ALDA]

A,

CONCRETE WILL EXPAND AT A SIMILAR RATE TO STEEL PER DEGREE CENTIGRADE RISE IN TEMPERATURE.
THIS IS SIGNIFICANT ONLY IF THE EDGES ARE RESTRAINED.

EXPANSION = 0.00000012 PER DEGREE RISE.

10M/I0 DEGREE RISE=1.2mm 20 DEG=2.4mm 30 DEG=3.6mm
8M/IO DEGREE RISE=0.96mm 20DEG=1.92mm 30 DEG=2.88mm

SO AS YOU CAN SEE, NOT MASSIVE AMOUNTS!!!

THE THICKNESS OF MATERIALS DEPENDS ON THE LOADS TO WHICH THE FLOOR WILL BE SUBJECTED.

IF YOU ARE THINKING OF DRIVING VEHICLES OVER/STANDING ON FLOOR, I WOULD SAY THE MINIMUM CONCRETE THICKNESS=100mm USING STEEL REINFORCEMENT AND LAID ALL IN ONE GO.
(IF LAID IN SECTIONS, ALLOW EXPANSION GAPS)

I WOULD SAY A SIMILAR COMBINED THICKNESS OF YOUR CHOSEN CENSORED/BLINDING, WELL COMPACTED, SHOULD SUFFICE.
(ENSURE EARTH IS REALY WELL COMPACTED TOO AND CONSIDER USING DAMP PROOF MEMBRANE).

10 X 8 FLOOR AREA WOULD REQUIRE 8-CUBIC METRES OF CONCRETE AT 100mm THICK AND SIMILAR AMOUNTS OF COMBINED CENSORED/BLINDING (DEPENDS ON COMPACTION).

FOOD FOR THOUGHT!!!

CHEERS,

ALDA.

[alan277]

[Thanks alda, that's just what I needed