Extra concrete or extra cmus?

[mrusk]

So we are in the final design phase of a raised patio with huge poured concrete walls.

We have several different levels and have 3 different sets of curved stairs with a minimum length of 15 feet. Two sets have 3 steps, 1 set has 2 steps.


These are masonry steps. Frost line is 42" in north jersey. Normally it pencils out to pour a normal 8" footing and block the rest of the way up (sorta like pedestal method with srws). I am debating on pouring the 42" solid with concrete. Then blocking up for the steps.

I have not done enough block work to have my production #s nailed down.

What do your guys do in situations like this? It almost seems like cost wise it is almost even taking in consideration materials and payroll cost. But when it comes to time, I save atleast 2 days with the all concrete method.

[Grn Mtn]

are there not limitations to pouring that much concrete? like it will take 30 days to cure or you have to keep water on it when that thick? just making that stuff up but I though concrete had parameters you had to follow.

[mrusk]

Good question GMT

[sancraig]

Call your local redi mix and tell them what your doing and they should be able to give you a mix that would work. Also usually there would be an awful lot of steel reinforcement for something of that thickness. The last thing I thought of was make sure if you do that use some good quality curing agent on that to help it cure more evenly.

[Mbella]

Matt, I'm confused...If it "normally pencils out", but you don't have enough experience?

Given the fact that you don't have enough experience, I would pour. It's much easier to judge how long it will take to pour the concrete than to place the cmus. You have to give a number.....go with what you know.

[mrusk]

Matt, I'm confused...If it "normally pencils out", but you don't have enough experience?

Given the fact that you don't have enough experience, I would pour. It's much easier to judge how long it will take to pour the concrete than to place the cmus. You have to give a number.....go with what you know.


Mike are you trying to take a jab at me?

I have alot of experience laying block. I know how long it takes me to build a pillar. I know how much block I can lay in a day on a foundation wall. I just never build curved set of stairs. There for I am unsure how much block I can lay in a day in a situation where I can't just run a string line and lay to the string.



Just because it pencils out on some jobs, does not mean it will pencil out on all.

[kootoomootoo]

tie some steel and pour it. We used to pour pads 8 foot deep and stick a prefab building on it within days.

[Mbella]

A Jab at you? No.

Just didn't understand that by "normal for you" you were referring to walls without a radius.