Concrete yard - spec and cost

[bitwrx]

Hi all (but mainly @RWG Contracts ),

We're looking at getting some concreting done over the next year or so and don't really know what we need any more. Things have moved on since it was last done (when we had 50 cows, the loader was on the 4000 and telehandlers were only something the big arable boys had).

It's general yard area in a straw- and slurry-based pig unit. We have about 5-10 artics in each week, and the Manitou trundles around for most of each weekday (bedding up, mucking out etc). We shift slurry/dung several times a year, which involves contractors' machines (road tankers or tractor + tanker doing about 40-80 journeys / day for a couple of days at a time).

I'll obviously be talking to the concrete companies, but as they're the ones selling the stuff, I'm not sure I'll take just their word for it. What's the TFF wisdom on the specification to aim for? Material, thickness, finish etc.

And if you're feeling really speculative, how much is it going to cost per m^2? Assume we'll be getting someone else to lay it for us...

Thanks,
Charlie

 

[Still Farming]

Concrete alone got to £80- £100 m3 these days?

 

[Adam@Rumen]

I was talking to someone over the weekend who said there was a grant available for concreting - just a heads up but don't know any more than that sorry

 

[del_boy]

Just paid £93 for some rc45 and £98 for some pav 2 with fibres for an outside yard. From breedon concrete

 

[Werzle]

I was talking to someone over the weekend who said there was a grant available for concreting - just a heads up but don't know any more than that sorry

40% i think

 

[Clive]

40% i think

what scheme is that on ?

 

[Steevo]

RC40
min. 150mm thick
Brush or tamp finish depending how much grip you need

Estimated cost assuming double digit loads of concrete:
Concrete - £1.50/sq.ft = £16/sq.m
Laying - 80p/sq.ft = £8.33/sq.m

 

[vantage]

RC40
min. 150mm thick
Brush or tamp finish depending how much grip you need

Estimated cost assuming double digit loads of concrete:
Concrete - £1.50/sq.ft = £16/sq.m
Laying - 80p/sq.ft = £8.33/sq.m

We went 225 mm thick on new farm lane. Hanson said fibres were ok ,no need for mesh, one month later 5 unplanned cracks appeared. Go steel mesh!

 

[bitwrx]

RC40
min. 150mm thick
Brush or tamp finish depending how much grip you need

Estimated cost assuming double digit loads of concrete:
Concrete - £1.50/sq.ft = £16/sq.m
Laying - 80p/sq.ft = £8.33/sq.m

Ideal, thanks @Steevo.

We won't be ordering that much in one go, but good to have a ballpark to aim at. (Now I need to look up what RC40 means... )

 

[Steevo]

We went 225 mm thick on new farm lane. Hanson said fibres were ok ,no need for mesh, one month later 5 unplanned cracks appeared. Go steel mesh!

Indeed - forgot to mention mesh!

A252 (8mm) minimum!

 

[bitwrx]

Indeed - forgot to mention mesh!

A252 (8mm) minimum!

Noted.

 

[Steevo]

Ideal, thanks @Steevo.

We won't be ordering that much in one go, but good to have a ballpark to aim at. (Now I need to look up what RC40 means... )

Smalller areas are always quite a bit more - could easily be looking at £35/sq.m

Regards concrete spec: https://www.hanson.co.uk/en/ready-mixed-concrete/technical-information/types-of-concrete

RC = reinforced concrete (i.e. if you're gonna put mesh in it)
40 = strength - goes from 20ish up to 50ish.

 

[Werzle]

what scheme is that on ?

Water capital grant isnt it. Im not 100% sure but its all to do with water run off

 

[bitwrx]

Smalller areas are always quite a bit more - could easily be looking at £35/sq.m

Regards concrete spec: https://www.hanson.co.uk/en/ready-mixed-concrete/technical-information/types-of-concrete

RC = reinforced concrete (i.e. if you're gonna put mesh in it)
40 = strength - goes from 20ish up to 50ish.

Smashing.
When you say RC40, are you referring to their RC32/40, or 40/50?

Also, would the paving mixes not be more appropriate? Or is the entrained air not really appropriate?

Does the fact that some of the concrete will have dung effluent run across it make any difference? Urine being fairly corrosive n all...

 

[mo!]

Water capital grant isnt it. Im not 100% sure but its all to do with water run off

We've had some on the water capital as a standalone and then as part of Mid Tier. Standard costs which was pretty much what it cost. Only available in target areas and needs Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer (CSFO) endorsement.

 

[Steevo]

Smashing.
When you say RC40, are you referring to their RC32/40, or 40/50?

Also, would the paving mixes not be more appropriate? Or is the entrained air not really appropriate?

Does the fact that some of the concrete will have dung effluent run across it make any difference? Urine being fairly corrosive n all...

RC32/40 was where I was going. I've always known it as RC40 but in recent years I've noticed they've started calling it double number....may well have before and I was just not observant! The first number is the strength of concrete of 32N (32kg) per mm2 from concrete in a "standard cylinder", the second number is the strength from standard cubes tested at 28days - 40N (40kg) per mm2.

@Derky might be able to advise on RC40 vs. PAV mixes. I must admit I've never specc'd a PAV mainly because I've always used mesh thus gone RC.

 

[upnortheast]

Use air entraining additive to prevent frost damage made worse if deicing salt being used.
PAV specs
Learned the hard way with a yard I layed in 1975.
Always used it for outside jobs ever since & no further probs

 

[Derky]

Always use PAV2 with fibres on outside pours. Do tend to pour in 6 metre bays though with a good expansion joint inbetween.

 

[Derky]

Remember there are lots of different types of fibres too............... Wire, fibre glass, plastic or the old strands...............

 

[bitwrx]

RC32/40 was where I was going. I've always known it as RC40 but in recent years I've noticed they've started calling it double number....may well have before and I was just not observant! The first number is the strength of concrete of 32N (32kg) per mm2 from concrete in a "standard cylinder", the second number is the strength from standard cubes tested at 28days - 40N (40kg) per mm2.

@Derky might be able to advise on RC40 vs. PAV mixes. I must admit I've never specc'd a PAV mainly because I've always used mesh thus gone RC.

Always use PAV2 with fibres on outside pours. Do tend to pour in 6 metre bays though with a good expansion joint inbetween.

Remember there are lots of different types of fibres too............... Wire, fibre glass, plastic or the old strands...............

Who knew it could be so complicated.

Thanks for all the pointers. Will keep on researching...