Preparing , preparing , you're always preparing . OZ-T's "Just build the damn shop already build ".

As an alternative to cutting crack control joints in the slab we are using cast in screeds

The screeds are 1/8" x 2" x 1" angle

To get them secure at the correct location and elevation I suspended them on 1/2" galvanized redi rod

I drilled 5/8" holes in the bottom flange of the angle at centre of slab and approx 5' on centre from there

After getting them lined up where I wanted them to go I temporarily supported them with styrofoam blocks then plumbed down and marked the hole locations on the vapour barrier

I used a 3" holesaw to remove the styrofoam in each bolt location . In centre of each of these spots I drilled into compacted subgrade with a 1 1/2" hammer drill bit to make a cylindrical cavity about 10" deep .

i suspended the redi rod bolts in these holes and then filled the holes to underside of styrofoam plane with Non Ferrous Expanding grout and let that set up overnight

After removing screeds , I replaced the styrofoam pieces made by the holesaw and taped up the vapour barrier





After grout was dry screeds were removed and each got 3 coats of sealer

I installed painted screeds this morning , using a rotary laser adjusting them up or down with a nut on bottom side of screed and locking them in place with a top nut when they were at the right height



I also managed to get my post footing boxes built , set and levelled and rebar tied up for each




pour is on for tomorrow morning

 

Am I the only person that feels as if they're watching a documentary/tutorial in a foreign language, about a topic you don't even understand, but you somehow know the person speaking is doing it correctly and you cannot look away from it?

 

Bingo

 

You might have been but not anymore!

 

So I guess these angles will serve dual purposes, A) They separate a not-full-depth portion of the slab for, like you said, control joints and B) The top edge of the angle becomes a screeding guide? I also assume that top edge is exposed when complete?

 

correct

 

Are those screeds aluminum?

You got me here man, I have never seen these used before. Although, in a commercial application why would I. Seems to not be a cost effective method for crack control for large slab pours. I do understand the concept and like it a shit ton though. If I were to build my own place like you are you tend to do things right and not necessarily for time or cost effectiveness.

Fucking brilliant man!!

 

yes , aluminum

this method is used a lot around here where the slab will be ground and polished to become the finished surface inside modern homes because the polishing machine just grinds the aluminum with the concrete and the resulting surface is perfectly flush

 

I've only understood a few of the simpler things things like "concrete slab". I sure am enjoying the ride though!

 

I am enjoying every bit of this thread. Very interesting an informative.

 

So I’m a little late to the show... I like everything I see, love the radiant. Are there any concern with the aluminum in the pour? Being from the northeast aluminum reacts very badly to road salt! Also from what I understand concrete and aluminum could form hydrogen gas!

 

That would be why he painted them so it doesn't pit while the mud is wet. If he does polish the floor the paint will come right off leaving him a nice shiny line in the floor instead of a saw cut.

Pretty fucking cool actually.

 

Road salt shouldnt be an issue in a wood shop.

 

Just here enjoying the journey.

 

I thought them Canadians used it to season their wood.

 

So our pour went off without any issues today

Volume was 13 yards of 32 mpa , 10mm stone . We also used a plasticizer .

Placing and finishing crew was me and my concrete finishing subcontractor .

We were only able to get the truck chute to about 1/2 way in so I built a chute extension and with the plasticizer we had no issues getting the concrete to the far end of the building




Bull floating



Power trowel



Slab finished



I applied some curing sealer this evening



Deer / dog / raccoon / hippy transient discouragement fencing installed



I'm sleeping in tomorrow

 

Yes those are all valid concerns , thats why the screeds are coated so the plastic concrete won't have a chemical reaction with the aluminum . The aluminum screeds are also not in contact with any of the reinforcing steel and I further isolated them from the galvanized redi rod with peel & stick gaskets between the aluminum and the galvanized washers and nuts .

Studies of failures of aluminum embedded in concrete pointed to untreated aluminum being a main issue (which can be resolved by coating the aluminum) , also galvanic issues when the aluminum is coupled to the rebar / remesh and the use of calcium chloride (which is used as an accelerator) in the concrete mix reacting with the aluminum

 

Right on. I was looking at the pictures not really reading.

 

Sorry if I missed it, what is all of the red tubing for?

Awesome thread, very detailed and even more shows the skill and knowledge you have. Well done!

 

Blood transfusions, he's really Dr. Phibes. JK

Radiant heat, hot water pumped through the slab.