I want to build a 8' x 8' coop on a slab. Can I get away with 2" of concrete or 4"
Coop
- Thread starter kardar2
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You can try anything you wish. The main reason 4” is a standard dimension for a concrete slab thickness is that you normally need 2” of concrete on each side of any steel reinforcement for it to grab onto. It’s called “cover”. If you put any kind of reinforcement in it the reinforcement won’t do any good unless you have enough cover on each side. Sometimes you can “get away with” only 1-1/2” of cover but most commercial specifications and building codes call for 2” of cover.
A 2” slab will crack pretty badly. It could easily shatter. A 4” slab can and probably will crack too but not nearly as badly, even without reinforcement. But concrete cracks. That’s the reason reinforcement is in there, to hold it together when it cracks. Concrete is great in compression but horrible in tension or bending.
It’s pretty common practice to make the section around a slab a little deeper when it will be supporting a wall right over it. Say make a 6” curb around the perimeter. That helps stop the weight of the wall from causing uneven settlement.
Can you “get away with” a 2” slab? People get away with a lot of things all the time. You may not be happy with the results but you may be able to get away with it. Standard practices are there to minimize problems. That does not guarantee you won’t have problems, a 4” slab is likely to crack a bit anyway, especially without reinforcement, but it’s your choice.
A 2” slab will crack pretty badly. It could easily shatter. A 4” slab can and probably will crack too but not nearly as badly, even without reinforcement. But concrete cracks. That’s the reason reinforcement is in there, to hold it together when it cracks. Concrete is great in compression but horrible in tension or bending.
It’s pretty common practice to make the section around a slab a little deeper when it will be supporting a wall right over it. Say make a 6” curb around the perimeter. That helps stop the weight of the wall from causing uneven settlement.
Can you “get away with” a 2” slab? People get away with a lot of things all the time. You may not be happy with the results but you may be able to get away with it. Standard practices are there to minimize problems. That does not guarantee you won’t have problems, a 4” slab is likely to crack a bit anyway, especially without reinforcement, but it’s your choice.
RR makes excellent points.
Where is the 'Jones valley area' @kardar2 ?
Skimping on a slab/foundation could have much greater ramifications if you live in a freezing climate.
Where is the 'Jones valley area' @kardar2 ?
Skimping on a slab/foundation could have much greater ramifications if you live in a freezing climate.
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- #4
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks ridgerunner. I was not sure if I could get away with 2 inches. The only weight would be the coop and chickens. So I thought I might be able to save some money LOL
Money now, or more money and aggravation later. Mary
You could do a perimeter foundation (rat wall) and have a dirt/ gravel floor. Mary
Thats what I did, 1 foot footings all around with cinderblocks, then the framing. Dirt floor
Gary
- Thread starter
- #9
How do you clean up the poop?
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