How thin concrete can be?
The article aims to answer “How thin concrete can be?”. It will also highlight the disadvantages of thinner concrete slabs.
How thin concrete can be?
Your concrete should be at least 2 inches thin, but the thicker it is, the more stable the slab. A slab that is four inches thick is the most frequent.
There are several uses for thinner materials, including driveways, walkways, slabs, and footers. This application necessitates the use of both fine and coarse aggregates. A “High Strength Concrete Mix” is suited for these sorts of projects.
What are the disadvantages of a thinner concrete slab?
Minimum slab reinforcement may not be sufficient to meet code-required loads depending on horizontal spans. Because of this, more reinforcing may be needed inside the slab, which may negate some of the savings mentioned earlier in material costs.
It is essential to consider the possibility of punching shear failures in thinner concrete sections. Smaller column cross-sections may not be possible when the punching shear limit condition is avoided.
When the slab-column moment frames are used, the risk of overstressing the slab at the slab/column interface increases even higher (where permitted by code).
A thicker drop panel may be required to withstand applied loads at the columns because of the large magnitudes of the unbalanced moments and shear stresses at the moment-frame sites.
To supply the requisite strength, shear studs may be installed at the column heads, or more extensive beam sections can be employed around the perimeter to create moment-frame action in place of the slab. These choices need more time and money for the job.
There is a lot of cooperation between the structural system and MEP components in flat-plate construction. There may be extra reinforcing for mechanical and plumbing risers that go through the floor slab.
Thorough coordination and evaluation of riser penetrations around columns are also required. They may have a substantial influence on the punching shear and flexural loads around the columns and may need extra flexural or shear reinforcements.
Mid-height is also where the electrical conduit is generally buried. The conduit and the slab reinforcement must be adequately protected by sufficient protection surrounding the conduit.
Slab strength may be degraded, or fractures can form if the conduit’s diameter and spacing fall outside of acceptable parameters.
As the slab’s thickness decreases, the amount of space available for these components to fit becomes more challenging to design and perhaps more costly.
This early drying is due to a decrease in the heat of hydration (i.e., less concrete mass retains heat, which is a vital component to curing) in thinner flat plate slabs with an enhanced surface-area-to-volume ratio.
The slab’s deflections grow due to early-age cracking if drying rates are increased.
Because of this drop in hydration heat, fresh-poured concrete may be more prone to freezing in cold weather because of lower concrete temperatures than would typically exist to prevent the slab from freezing.
Quick building cycles’ shoring and reshoring stresses may cause early-age cracking in thinner slabs.
Can I put new concrete over thin old concrete?
Yes, putting fresh concrete on top of existing concrete can be done, although there are numerous situations in which this is not a good idea, such as:
· It’s possible to add a few inches of cement to a doorway or stairway if there are no obstructions.
· Existing concrete is being lifted or shifted by tree roots.
· Damage to the concrete, such as large fissures or an uneven surface
· There are several scenarios when you should remove the old concrete, fix what’s already there, and start with fresh concrete.
· A driveway, basketball court, or stepping stones
There are several hazards associated with pouring fresh cement over old cement, and you should be aware of them if you plan to do so. Everything has both advantages and disadvantages, and this is no exception. Consider the following drawbacks:
Concrete’s reputation for easy maintenance might be tarnished if many layers of concrete are placed on top of one another.
There is the possibility of frost heaves if you pour fresh concrete over an old slab. Consequently, understanding the proper thickness of a concrete slab is critical to achieving success.
Due to cold temperatures and defrosting soil, frost heaves occur. Temperature fluctuations will cause the concrete to rise, resulting in fractures and separation.
Immediately fix any damage you see to prevent it from spreading. Sealing the new layer with a deep penetrating sealer is also necessary to avoid water damage. Get a professional in if you can’t figure it out yourself.
In many circumstances, you may never have any issues with your concrete at all, and that’s a good thing. However, concrete that is poured on top of an existing slab may have some of the concerns listed in this article and shorten its life expectancy.
By replacing old concrete with fresh, adequately poured concrete, you may save yourself a lot of time and money in the long run.
There is a possibility of obtaining deep potholes if you pour fresh concrete on top of existing concrete. After all, the new concrete’s quality is directly correlated to the condition of the current slab.
Before pouring fresh concrete on top of the old concrete, it is vital to be aware of the surroundings. Be careful of any doorways or stairs that might prevent you from placing concrete on top of the surface.
To prevent people from tripping over themselves, you can consider adding a few inches of concrete to the sidewalk leading to your driveway. You wouldn’t want a pathway that was several inches higher than your driveway. However, if you build a little ramp, you may fix it.
Cracks are an inevitable conclusion if the old and new concrete aren’t separated somehow. Even a tiny amount of existing concrete fractures would swiftly spread to the new concrete.
Adding a layer of separation between the two slabs is essential for both the flexibility and lifespan of the finished product. Stones, sand, or even plastic may be used to create this layer of separation.
On the other hand, plastic is not suggested for those who are concerned about the environment.
How thin can I pour concrete over my old concrete?
2 to 2 12 inches is the narrowest often utilized while pouring concrete. The same holds when fresh concrete is poured on top of existing concrete.
It would be too thin if it were any thinner than 2 inches. To determine how thick the new concrete should be, it is vital to consider the surrounding environment. A door or a staircase would need the removal of old concrete and a new one.
How can I add new concrete to my old thin concrete?
Yes, you can add new concrete to your old thin concrete slab, however, even if you may link fresh cement with old cement, it’s crucial to do it correctly to avoid any fractures or separation from forming.
The concrete may need to be replaced sooner than you’d like if you don’t do all you can to avoid it. Cracks and separation of sections are almost often a result of tying fresh concrete to old concrete. When pinning them together, you may use rebar to prevent this from happening.
To strengthen the connection between the two slabs of concrete, reinforcing bars are referred to as “rebar.”
Depending on how much concrete you have, the size of the rebars will change. Rebar is needed in larger quantities for heavy concrete, but roughly a half-inch of rebar is sufficient for smaller concrete, such as a sidewalk or driveway.
To ensure that fresh concrete is adequately bonded to existing concrete, follow these steps:
· Make six-inch-deep holes in the old concrete using a 58-inch drill bit. Make sure the holes are spaced at least 12 inches apart. If the joint is more comprehensive than tall, arrange the holes horizontally, but if it is taller, place them vertically.
· To avoid chipping, make sure the holes are at least 6 inches apart from any edges.
· To do this, fill the drains with water and flush.
· Fill the holes with water.
· Inject epoxy into the backs of the holes, making sure that the epoxy fills the holes at least halfway.
· Apply a uniform layer of epoxy to the rebar surrounds before twisting 12-inch rebars to the holes.
· Rebar may be used to patch up any epoxy leaks while curing by attaching duct tape through its end, then pulling it down into any holes.
· To keep rebar from rusting, apply metal primer to the exposed sections.
· Once the new concrete surrounds the rebar pins, it’s time to finish the job.
Can I stamp concrete on old thin concrete?
Yes, to stamp concrete, you’ll need a new batch that’s still damp from the previous day’s pour. As a result, to stamp concrete, you must first pour a fresh layer of concrete on top of the previous one.
Before beginning the process, it is essential to repair any existing cracks and separate the two layers of concrete.
Stamping concrete may be done in two distinct ways. Hand Stamps or textured rollers may be used. When working on a big area, repeated hand stamps may help prevent the surface from drying up before completing.
You may choose from various stamp designs, such as brickwork or stone texture. Stamps in the shape of stones or bricks arranged in a circle are available. With paw print stamps, you can even have some fun.
It’s essential to ensure that the existing concrete is thoroughly cleaned. Power washing is a good option if you don’t want any debris in the way.
To ensure the proper setting of the stamps, you must apply them quickly after the concrete has been poured. Pace all of your tools in front of you to speed up the procedure and minimize any unnecessary tension.
Laying the new concrete and stamping it may necessitate enlisting the assistance of a few friends. Before applying the stamps, the fresh concrete should be at least 2 inches thick and quickly leveled, and flat. That’s where your aides may come in handy.
Conclusion
In a reinforced concrete flat-plate project, it’s crucial to choose the right slab thickness. Modern engineering methodologies and finite element software are available to evaluate flat-plate systems quickly and efficiently.
A reduction in slab thickness may be considered when the code allows for it. Still, the design engineer must determine whether or not it is feasible to do so and inform the owner and the rest of the team of the potential consequences.
Reducing the thickness of the designed slab has several advantages and disadvantages, all of which must be considered to reach the best decision.
Frequently asked questions (FAQS): How thin can my concrete be?
How thin can my concrete be?
Your concrete should be at least 2 inches thin, but the thicker it is, the more stable the slab. A slab that is four inches thick is the most frequent.
There are several uses for thinner materials, including driveways, walkways, slabs, and footers. This application necessitates the use of both fine and coarse aggregates. A “High Strength Concrete Mix” is suited for these sorts of projects.
What minimum thickness for a concrete countertop could be?
The minimum and maximum thicknesses are 1 1/4″ and 3″, respectively, the industry standard.
Techniques to provide the required thickness appearance while maintaining weight and size within appropriate limitations may be used to produce any thickness greater than 3″.
Bibliography
Kitchen. How can I make concrete countertop?. Retrieved from: https://theinfinitekitchen.com/faq/question-how-thin-can-i-make-a-concrete-countertop/
López, D. L., Veenendaal, D., Akbarzadeh, M., & Block, P. (2014, September). Prototype of an ultra-thin, concrete vaulted floor system. In Proceedings of IASS annual symposia (Vol. 2014, No. 15, pp. 1-8). International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS).
Liew, A., López, D. L., Van Mele, T., & Block, P. (2017). Design, fabrication and testing of a prototype, thin-vaulted, unreinforced concrete floor. Engineering Structures, 137, 323-335.
