> Count me as one who wants to use "poisons around their houses".
Wow, ok.
> I think the stainless mesh only has openings about 0.5 mm. Don't know why a slab with a 1.4 mm crack would be better.
There are several reasons for this. Typically mesh size is designed to be smaller than the head...
It would seem the methodology to obtain a slab that is termite resistant is no different than designing a slab to meet a certain strength requirement. It's just a matter of staying within the margins of proven specifications. If you stay within the margins it works, if you don't then it may not...
A concrete slab is an excellent termite barrier *if* made to proper specifications. See below study:
Concrete Slabs as Barriers to Subterranean Termites
My understanding is selecting a suitable mesh for a given span will not eliminate cracks, but it will keep cracks sufficiently tight. I wish to use the slab as a termite barrier and one of the requirements to that end is cracks are no greater than 1mm wide. Is line 1 of the table not going to do...
I will follow ACI 302.1 guidelines that the mesh will be in the top 1/3rd of the slab to keep surface cracks tight. Likewise the mesh will be placed on precast-concrete bar supports rather than laid on the ground and pulled up by hand during the pour.
Below is the control joint spacing...
Thanks guys. I plan to cut the control joints with a hand concrete groover, just after bull floating and when the watery sheen disappears. The edges of the slab are not actually thickened, the picture is just trying to illustrate the first pour brings the footings to 6" below the slab. Even...
I would like to place control joints along walls so they can be hidden and fit well with ceramic tile joints over them. However,I am concerned whether such control joints would activate because beneath walls of the slab is thick concrete foundation. The below image is a side view cross section...
