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Fri 13 Aug, 2004 04:01 pm
I want to build steps and a platform on a concrete patio. I do not want to break up the concrete because it is relatively new.
The plan is to stack Unilock type blocks on a section of the existing patio. My concern is that the blocks are too heavy and will cause the concrete patio to crack or collapse over time.
The patio is 432 sq ft and 4 inches thick. The steps and platform would cover a little less than 75 sq ft. I'd need to use over 150 blocks which would weigh near 5000 pounds distributed over the 75 sq ft.
Would this weight cause the concrete to crack?
Hmmm..I'm thinking... How high is the platform gonna be off the deck?
Are there gonna be 4 posts coming up off the patio? Would that work?
If so...you could cut the concrete in 4 places...8x8...dig down 12" pour it full of concrete and set 4 dry bottoms to recieve four 4x4 posts
The platform would rise about 12 inches above the patio. I hoped to simply stack Unilock type blocks without cutting into the patio. I've seen paver patios with a higher tier. I'm trying to duplicate that using the existing concrete patio.
would the whole platform distribute its weight evenly over the patio?
The weight would evenly distrubute throughout the 75 sq ft of the platform. The patio is 432 sq ft.
was there some combination or re-bar/re-mesh laid into the concrete pour? a 4 inch slab poured with some re-inforcement should handle that weight adequately.
Around here a mesh is used for all 4" pours...if so there should be no problem
Unfortunately I don't know about reinforcement because I didn't own the house at the time they laid the concrete. How can I determine at this point?
not sure about this but I am thinking that a common metal detector (perhaps you could rent one for a few hours) might be able to detect the underlaying reinforcement material. anyway any decent concrete contractor would have automatically put in the re-bar/re-mesh, so perhaps if you could find out who did the origianal concrete pour you could get your answer.
I can't picture exactly what you're building, but couldn't you save money, time, and reduce weight by using concrete block (std size being 8x8x16, but you can get other sizes) then building your decorative structure around the block?
Are you making steps and a stoop to reach your door?
General Tsao
If the concrete is really 4" and reinforced, it will be fine. This is less weight/ sq ft than a good sized car, and is static.
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