Correct Concrete Mix For Driveway

For jobs requiring more than about 30 bags consider ordering ready mix concrete from a truck instead.

Correct concrete mix for driveway.

For a driveway you will want a much stronger mix of 4 000 psi with a 0 5 water to cement ratio which provides a denser concrete and hence increases the wear ability. Concrete is a mixture of cement gravel and sand. I ll show you the actual concrete batch plant ticket with the cement sand and aggregate break downs for the yards we used. The way you measure the ratio could be in shovels buckets or wheel barrows.

In order to create high quality concrete it is critical that you have the right proportions of these materials. By using these materials they follow these steps. Cement is the powdered dry material that is mixed in with gravel water and sand to become a binder for concrete. You can use it for fence post footings deck footings and even small concrete pads.

An overly wet mix can lead to finishing problems and a weak surface. For most small jobs around the home bagged concrete mix is the most convenient and least expensive way to go. Mix water with the cement sand and stone which will form a paste that will bind the substances together until the mix. Place concrete at a minimum thickness of 4 inches.

Because concrete is permeable it will draw moisture from the ground that it rests on. Slumps greater than 5 inches should be avoided warns pca. These are the actual concrete mix ratios for 3000 3500 4000 and 4500 psi concrete that i use to pour concrete floors patios pool decks and more. For driveway paving the slump or stiffness of the mix should be about 4 inches.

Thickness is the major factor even more than the strength of the concrete in determining a driveway s structural capacity. For information on testing fresh concrete see air contentand density unit weight. When durability is key high strength concrete makes a great choice. This is ideal for foundations footers and heavy equipment.

Increasing the thickness from 4 inches to 5 inches will add approximately 20 to your concrete cost but will also boost your driveway s load carrying capacity nearly 50. In areas with cold winters concrete mix should have a 6 percent. To withstand the weight of vehicle traffic choose a concrete with a strength of 4 000 pounds per square inch for your driveway. As long as you re consistent you ll get a good strong mix.

This sets in just 20 to 40 minutes. A standard concrete mix is 2 500 psi. Alter the materials as the strength properties of the concrete are inversely proportional to the water cement ratio. Placing concrete at the proper thickness.