Elongated concrete panels in driveway

[PG35]

At my personsl home I had my driveway sawcut into panels that measure 4.5'x9.75'. I know this goes against a recommended aspect ratio but I really like the design. The driveway is 4" thick and has 6"x6"-6/6 WWM. The mix is not a standard mix. It has a large does of colour and is an has an exposed aggregate finish but the aggregate is sand. The 28 day design strength is 32 MPa. i reLize I'm taking a risk here but I'm wondering if anyone with a similar experience can give some advise or an opinion. Thanks-you.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

I've never done anything with it personally but I know that a lot of people who have an exposed aggregate driveway apply a sealer. I imagine to prevent wearing of the aggregate in the areas that are regularly driven on and keep the surface looking nice.

Professional and Structural Engineer (ME, NH, MA)
American Concrete Industries

http://www.americanconcrete.com

 

[SlideRuleEra]

IMHO, the two most important factors are the first and the last steps in the construction:

1. Suitable thickness of well-compacted, high quality subgrade material.

2. Thorough, continuous wet curing of the concrete, preferably for 7 days.

With those actions, there is a good chance of success.

Sounds like you have already done the work. If not, I would leave out the WWM and spend the money saved for an extra inch, or so, of concrete thickness (5" to 6" thick, plain concrete).

Very low differential cost to increase concrete thickness:

Subgrade preparation, forming, placement, finishing, and curing are virtually identical for that class of thickness. Actual cost of the extra concrete is the only real difference.

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

http://www.VacuumTubeEra.net

 

[GeoPaveTraffic]

I agree with SlideRule about the thickness.

As far as the panel sizes; I expect that most, if not all, of the panels will crack mid-panel. If you like the look, I don't really see anyway around it. The cracks will likely not open very much, but they will be there.

Good luck.

Mike Lambert

 

[cvg]

I don't really understand the mix design. you say the aggregate is sand. Your mix design should include coarse aggregate also. first of all, an exposed aggregate finish with sand will not be very interesting and secondly, you need larger aggregate for durability. with sand only, your cement content will go up and I would expect a lot of shrinkage resulting in more cracking.

 

[Ron]

Can't add much to what SRE has already noted. Excellent post as usual, SRE!

Since your panels are relatively small, you'll likely avoid much in the way of shrinkage cracks; however, I've seen small panels crack when the aspect ratio is out of whack. Yours is over 2!

 

[rapt]

Can we have an update in 12 months!

I expect you will have lots of nearly square panels with some crooked self made joints. And I would expect if to be worse if you leave out the WWF