(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Any concrete experts out there?

D

Dave H (MI)

Well-known Member
Here is what I am wondering. When I grout block walls I mix concrete using pea stone for the aggregate. I am done with grouting for a while but I have 4 tons of washed sand in the truck and about the same amount of pea stone in a pile left over. I could use a nice slab in the corner of the shed for my workbench. Maybe 12x15 total. Can I mix concrete with pea stone to make a slab? Usual 3-2-1 mix with the "3" being the stone. Usually I buy 60/40 mix when I do concrete slabs but would like to use up my materials. I can dump the sand on the shed floor and grade it out but I hate to use pea stone for fill.
 
Used to be popular around here to have redi-mix delivered with pea gravel in it ,then after finishing, before it dries hose it off to show gravel. Problem was when trees dripped on that driveway or when it rained they were slippery
 
I would use it. A bucket of gravel big or small as long as it weighs the same. You really want to get into cement work or concrete. Go on U-Tube and watch some of the videos and programs on the other concret the Romans poured over 2000 years ago. Biggest trick was a specific type of volcanic ash. They even had a hydraulic cement that cured under water. Took us till around the Civil War time to figure out how to make cement again. Another view. Look into how the great Wall of china was built. Compacted earth and willow branches all the way to a type of cement made with 10% sticky rice flour. The stuff is still there! History is just fascinating.
 
For what little I know I think they use gravel mix for basement floors and footings and places when the sun will not get to them ? I think this is because it will pop out spots. Local concrete place had a lot of troubles once with some dirty limestone mix that popped on them. I think my patio and drive have some of these pop spots. I bet your workbench will be fine.
 
I was always told that "lignites" are what pop out and leave black spots. Always tell the batch plant operator that you're doing outdoor finishes,(sidewalks, patios, ect.) Different mix.
 
That is called "exposed aggregate" and can be very attractive. Don't see too many companies doing it. The big deal now seems to be stamped concrete. I don't see the point honestly.
 
I agree with Jeffcat. Look at all the old barn foundations, farm slabs, and civil WPA concrete that is/ was out there in good shape and mixed by hand. I wish we could get that today. If it were mine I'd used sand, rock, and Portland with reinforcement and maybe a cap of dish soap if it is going to be exposed to freezing to add air.
 
Place I used to work, the original part of the building was built around 1860.

The area we think was the livery stable had a concrete floor, then another layer of concrete about 4-6" was put on top of that.

I needed to run some drain lines, rented a concrete saw. It cut through the top layer like butter. Got down to the original floor, all it would do was bounce and skip! Never did get it cut as deep as needed.

Same thing in the basement, tried to cut out a square for a sump pump. I did finally get it cut, not as big as I wanted, but what an ordeal!
 
I don?t see anywhere in the American Concrete Institute technical manual where they talk about dish soap. Something new? The manuals haven?t been updated yet?
 
Increase your Portland by 3/4 shovel For exposed agg mixes(your river rock) we always used a 6.5 bag mix (4500 psi) If it is subject to freeze thaw a small amount of soap won't hurt a thing , Soap will add air which is needed in exterior concrete Or unheated.This time of year we would add 2.5oz air entraining ad mix PER yard so use the soap sparingly, a little dab will do ya !
 
For a workbench, should be fine, no heavy loading or anything, just be sure to use a correct water to cementitious material(portland cement) ratio.

Washed stone that was not crusher run, smooth, just varying sieve sizes of same was a common aggregate used in concrete mixes around here, my basement slab is made of it, late 70's era. Seems most if not all aggregate used now is crushed stone, but that was not always the case years ago. Specific to a region or area too, raw materials will vary.
 
Yeah...this is tucked in the corner. Nothing will drive on it. I will pour the rest of the floor one day soon but will have the pit make me some 60/40. They use gravel from the crusher. Make it up to order, as much as I need. Having a good relationship with the guys in the pit has been useful. I do a lot of projects. Use a lot of different materials.
 
Several of the older ready mix plants around here ONLY used natural gravel for years. They had lots of I as there sand pits had pea gravel mixed in with the sand. So they had the gravel left anyway from sorting the sand out. I have cut some of the slabs that where poured with the pea gravel. They are twice as hard as regular crushed limestone. The lea gravel is natural rock and is harder.

So just add a little extra Portland cement to the mix. I also would not recommend using the sand for fill. It does not compact well.
 
Somethijg on U'tube. There are even recipes on how to make your own. Actyally pretty simple to make. Just get hold of some volcanic ash to really make it strong. Type of chemical reaction with aluminum crystals.
roman concret.
 


I am no concrete expert but I know that the larger stone is primarily where the strength comes from, but since you will be putting just a bench on it that won't be a problem. Here in NH the stuff that "pops" is iron based. I have had a few in my 27 year old shop floor and thirty year old church floor.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Pouring concrete on the cheap
2 3
Replies
41
Views
4K
da.bees
D
T
what do you think about this?
2
Replies
22
Views
1K
docmirror
D
M
New-to-me JD-A and JD-B Repair Tips
Replies
13
Views
742
Fixingfarmer
Fixingfarmer
R
Concrete cutting saw blades
Replies
13
Views
459
zuhnc
zuhnc
R
lime mortar mix for old limestone restoration
Replies
4
Views
347
fixerupper
F
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top