I’ve spent some time over the last few weeks getting ready for pouring the concrete.
Busting up the floor was step one, but I had to back-fill with gravel, pack it down then add some reinforcement from rebar and remesh.
The existing concrete wasn’t thick enough to dowel into (drill and epoxy in rebar) so I ended up using many long pieces and hammering them back into the soil and existing gravel layers.
I used rebar and remesh, as well as a minimum depth of 6 inches, going 7 or greater for added strength. I’ve also gone with 5000psi instead of the minimum suggested 4000.
Since the weather was off, and the ground was wet I ended up not using a truck. It would have made a mess getting back to the barn. I ended up mixing and pouring about a full cubic yard by hand.
The pits are 3×3 feet and at least 6 inches of depth for the concrete.
After the pour, I’ve kept them wet, and intend to keep them wet for at least 7 days to help ensure I get a proper and strong cure.
30+ days from here I’ll be drilling anchor holes and securing the lift.