Concreting - Making Driveway wider

[tcns]

Howdy guys,

I have a driveway that appears to be made for a smart car and I drive a 4wd, either way someone has to get out of the car on the grass/dirt

I have measured it up and it looks like it needs to be about 910mm wider over a lenght of 5900mm.

I want to puts this down one side of the driveway and then paint the whole lot with a concrete paint.

So far I have estimated that the little slab should be about 6" deep with reinforcing - I intend to make the boxing level with the edge so I can just use the existing slab and the boxing as a screeding guide.

Where the slabs meet do I need to use anything like that rubber looking stuff that they put between house and driveway slabs etc to absorb the expansion and contraction. I will probably hand mix (with conc mixer) it and pour in two sections 2950x910mm

How does that all sound - what have I missed ?

Cheers guys
Tom

[Dan_574]

no need to put any rubber or foam just drill holes in the side of the existing driveway, probably 16 mm(someone will tell me if Im wrong) and put rods in them and under your reo and concrete away. Dont mix your own, given the measurements you need about 0.8m3 just get 1m3 of pre-mixed and save your self time.

[Wood Butcher]

I've done jobs like this before and never used expansion foam without any problems. If possible try and drill some holes into the old slab for the reinforcing to go into. It helps to keep the slabs flat. You don't want the new slab lifting in a few years time.

On the hand mixing part. I have done this also (garden shed slab 4000x3100x100 thick) and would never do it again. The finish varies because of the time difference between pourng the first load and the last. I would consider getting premix in the mini truck. It may cost a bit more but you know that the mix is consistent and will cure at the same rate. I think that the consistency is especially important considering this is for large vehicles.

In any case, would love to se some photos and hope it all goes well!

[Pulse]

AsDan suggested use rods to tie them together. Drill big holes and use a chemical anchor such as chemset to glue in starter bars (just plain reo 12mm deformed rod) This will tie the two together and stop lifting etc. Getting it delivered is so much easier too, Its hard enough screeding and finishing let alone mixing it all. You probably won't save any money and take twice as long- I remember my Dad wanted me to hand mix 40 bags in the barrow when I was younger, but luckily I talked him out of it


Cheers
Pulse

[Rossluck]

A .5 metre ribbon of interlocking pavers supported with concrete on the outer edges would actually enhance the appearance of the driveway, last forever, and save concerns about the joint.