Fibreglass or steel mixed in concrete for driveway
peacebird15,
Apr 30, 8:07am
Im weighing up options for concreting a 200m long steep (5 to one verging on 4 to one) drive with twin ribbons probably 100-125mm thick and each 500mm to 600mm wide.The ground is a mix of clay and rotten rock. Someone suggested fibre glass or steel wire reinforcing rather than laying out reinforcing rod all over. (although some will be needed to help anchor the drive)
We are likely to be getting the concrete truck as close to the site as possible (possible issue with bridge strength) then forwarding the concrete up the drive via 4wd truck, skid steer or tractor (whatever will work!)
Does fibre glass or steel wire work well? is it strong enough? Costly? should I be looking at other options?
aj.2.,
Apr 30, 8:31am
Steel mesh is the best, it will hold the concrete together better than the Fibre glass, and as that stuff sticks up out the top of the concrete, it can be seen, but will wear away, soon enough. I question the strength of the fibre glass, and would not use it here in the Shaky city. CHCH. Cost wise you may save in the sort term using the fibre, but in the long term, steel mesh is best.
aj.2.,
Apr 30, 8:38am
The weak part of your drive is the 2 ribbons / sections, there is nothing to tie them together, for strength you are best to have it as one hole drive way, but yes the cost is more. You also say clay and rotten rock, more reason to go full size drive, and use steel mesh. Concrete should be 100mm thick, at the least point. Fill any low spots with ap 40 and compact well.
captaingraham,
Apr 30, 8:12pm
I recall a steep drive being built in Picton and it had short lengths of old rail line driven into the ground to help the concrete from slipping down the hill. Worth considering?
annies3,
Apr 30, 9:12pm
Not difficult to cut steel reinforcing mesh to fit your ribbons of concrete much better option than rods and easier to handle (place in position) should also assist to keep the mix from sliding but if it is the correct consistancy it wont slide anyway, much stronger, your ribbons are reasonably wide, there wouldn't be much of a gab between them, may be worth while doing a complete width for the little which you are leaving.
unclejake,
May 1, 3:30am
If you concreted the full width you'd save on 400 lm of boxing>
:-)
zak410,
May 1, 5:31am
ribbons can cause problem in curves for the wheels.
haydennaomi,
May 1, 6:03am
or 800l/m if you want both sides or each strip boxed. also should be layed on 100mm compacted base.putting it on clay is not ideal
smallwoods,
May 1, 11:51am
OP is asking about the new steel filings that are added to the concrete, not so much the steel mesh or rebar. We have used the fibreglass in the past as a top coat over existing concrete base, was on flat ground not a slope.
Read this article, looks likeglass fibres are no good for driveways and steel fibres would need galvanising
jacinda2059,
May 2, 4:18am
you could use both steel rebar sheet plus fibres, as the fibres help reduce shrinkage cracks, I use both in making concrete table tops and seats.
peacebird15,
May 2, 11:05am
Thanks for the great info, still doing sums but looks like mesh and crete is the way to go. part of the attraction of the ribbon is the ablity of vehicles to drive straddling the ribbons when pouring and that they are more manageable areas to trowel.
peacebird15,
Jan 17, 2:43pm
is using rotormill asphalt differcult on steep ground
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