What kind of rock for pad and how much?

[HMXDave]

Originally Posted by Gordon Dewald

How much you need will be determined by how solid the base underneath is. If it is well packed sand or granular type material you will not need as much as if your base is a clay or silt type of material.

I would suggest a minimum of 5 - 5 inches of 3/4 minus with a high fracture count to get a good solid foundation. Quarried rock would be a bonus.

When we build our storage shed we put in enough gravel to allow for future concrete. We have 15" of gravel. We will take out 5- 6" if we put in concrete. The remaining gravel is well drained and will hopefully prevent excessive cracking in the concrete. Overbuilt by most standards but the additional cost was minimal overall.

I used 3/4 minus for all my driveways and RV pad...5 to 6" thick. The dirtier, the better (IE lots of the "minus" part). Very solid....had a cement truck in there for some backyard patio expansion and ZERO deflection or grooving.

[Gordon Dewald]

Originally Posted by HMXDave

I used 3/4 minus for all my driveways and RV pad...5 to 6" thick. The dirtier, the better (IE lots of the "minus" part). Very solid....had a cement truck in there for some backyard patio expansion and ZERO deflection or grooving.

The best is a well graded mixture. That is the large, medium and small size proportions are such that most if not all of the voids are filled between the top size. A small amount of clay would help bind the mixture. Stability is enhanced with the larger sizes have significant fracture (two more fractured faces on each particle).

Well graded quarried rock is the best IMO. We used 3/4- from a local gravel pit as it is all that is available in our area.

[TQ60]

Suggest visiting local building department as they should know what works best in your area.

They also can give advice regarding code and zoning as you may need to place it just so to avoid neighbors complaining.

You may need lots more or maybe less depending on your geological buildup.

[gtsum2]

Heading to local luck stone tomorrow to see what my options are for. This will be put down on property not owned by me (client of mine), and whatever the cost is will go against my monthly amount for rent. So want something that will work, but nothing like a concrete high dollar pad

Thanks again for all the info

[Dutchstar08]

4" compacted road base an 6" of 4000 psi concrete and never look back.
But that's just mine. Do it once is always my motto.

[gtsum2]

Getting 17 tons of #57 delivered tomorrow. Thanks again for all the insight!

Next house we build will not be in a community with hoa restrictions, but on enough land to hang a few deer stands and allow for a covered shelter with full hookups!