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I am hiring a company to do some concrete work. We are going to have an 11' x 10' slab laid over what is basically bare sand. We live in southern California and the temps can get to 122 in the summer. But we never experience freezing cold temperatures. Just thought I should mention that.

The contractor said we don't need rebar or wire for our project. But I wanted to get some input here before we start. The concrete is a little patio area for sitting and will have a small bar height table and four chairs. There will be a firepit. It will get very light foot traffic but no cars at all.

Should we use reinforcement? I'm getting a lot of conflicting advice from my searches online.

Thanks.

Adrien
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1 Answers1

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Frost heave is likely not your concern, but soil movement due to ground shifts, erosion, water flow, and perhaps sprawling root systems of surrounding trees or shrubs is.

Support under the slab can shift for many reasons, sometimes leaving sections of the slab to support its own weight. The static load and any additional (seismic) vibrations over time can cause minute cracks in the slab. These cracks can remain contained if the slab contains mesh.

Rebar is used for larger loads (e.g. driveways, foundation) or for securing the slab to existing structures (garage, piers etc...)

The cost and labour of laying mesh are negligible compared to the total cost of the slab, and although the risk of failure is small, the small amount of extra effort IMO outweighs the hassle and cost of possible rework, and the (often) years of unsightliness preceding such repair.

P2000
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