Before you begin to construct a new driveway, it’s important to know how thick it should be. Most residential driveways are four inches thick. In order to increase the strength of the driveway, you should increase the thickness by at least two inches. You can also increase the thickness of your concrete by adding steel reinforcement, which can double the strength of the slab and add a further 15% to the cost of the driveway. Depending on the size of your driveway, you may also want to include a sub-base and a properly prepared base. These steps can also increase the durability of your concrete driveway.
Whether you plan to install a driveway on top of soil or on top of grass, you must first decide on the type of soil. If you want a driveway that will withstand a high level of groundwater, you should choose a soil mixture that is a combination of clay, sand, and gravel. This mix is known to be the best choice for driveways. But this doesn’t mean that a driveway made of sand or organic soil is the best option.
Residential Driveways PSIs
Residential driveways are typically constructed with concrete that has a compressive strength of 3,000-4,000 psi. If you’re considering a commercial driveway, you may want to consider a higher strength concrete. This will make the driveway able to support a greater amount of weight. However, it will increase the cost and time of the installation. You can also consider adding rebar to your driveway. This will not only increase its compressive strength but also increase its flexural and tensile strength. By adding rebar, you’ll be able to increase the strength of the concrete and prevent it from cracking.
The amount of concrete that is used to build a driveway will determine the life expectancy and durability of the structure. For residential properties with light traffic, four inches of concrete slab thickness is sufficient. However, for heavy traffic and heavier SUVs, a five-inch concrete slab thickness is recommended. A one-inch increase in thickness will add 50 percent more load-bearing capacity and significantly increase the life of the driveway. It’s also important to pay attention to the edges of a driveway, as heavy traffic can damage the edges. You might need to reinforce the edges of your concrete driveway.
Why the Right Thickness is Important
The proper thickness of concrete is important because it’s brittle, and cracks in the slab will occur. However, the cracks will be random and only a structural issue when they’re parallel to the driveway. Nevertheless, random cracks are unsightly and unattractive. To prevent random cracks, you should place control joints at intervals of at least one-fourth of the concrete slab thickness.
Most residential driveway codes require four inches of concrete on a six-inch base. However, stronger concrete will allow driveway thickness to be as low as three inches. However, this will increase the overall cost of your driveway, but it will increase its strength by 50%. Moreover, a thicker slab will support more weight, but you will need to reinforce it with a rebar. In addition to a thicker slab, you should also consider how thick you want your concrete driveway to be.
Contact a Reliable Concrete Company in Savannah
Concrete is a great choice for pavement construction because it is durable, low-maintenance, and versatile. Additionally, you can choose between different textures, colors, and patterns, which will complement your property. This will ensure that your driveway will be the perfect addition to your home. You should always make sure you are contacting a professional company in the area! Contact us today for a free estimate.