concrete slab
concrete slab
(OP)
My garage roof also serves as a patio. It is 8" thick, built in 1950, and I don't have any specs or drawings for it. In other words, I don't know how/if it is reinforced. It seems to be a one-way span, 12' ea., with a cast-in beam down the middle.
I would like to remove 2" off the top, in order to resurface the patio w/ a flagstone finish w/o raising the patio finish level.
My contractor can do this, but is understandably reluctant to do so w/o a hold-harmless say-so from me. Is this a no-brainer, or is this something a structural engineer needs to site-verify?
My house is in Chevy Chase, MD. If you can't advise me based on my description, can you recommend an engineer in my area who might look at this?
As always, thanks in advance.
I would like to remove 2" off the top, in order to resurface the patio w/ a flagstone finish w/o raising the patio finish level.
My contractor can do this, but is understandably reluctant to do so w/o a hold-harmless say-so from me. Is this a no-brainer, or is this something a structural engineer needs to site-verify?
My house is in Chevy Chase, MD. If you can't advise me based on my description, can you recommend an engineer in my area who might look at this?
As always, thanks in advance.






RE: concrete slab
However, DO NOT REMOVE TWO INCHES FROM THE TOP without consultation with a structural engineer, it will most likely fail.
I'm in the UK so obviously I can't recommend a local professional but I'm sure someone will help you out.
RE: concrete slab
RE: concrete slab
I'm sure a structural eng.can make a good guesstimate of the structural stability from the exposed section.
RE: concrete slab
okay and tell me the result
RE: concrete slab
What will it cost???
If you must retain the existing patio level and need 2 inches of new surfacing, it may be less expensive to demolish the slab and rebuild.
Have you considered 8mm, fired clay or ceramic tiles set in a thin epoxy mortar bed? These should not add greatly to the loading on the roof though it would be advisable to test load the roof and check the deflections to see if it is overloaded by any new work.
Good Luck
RE: concrete slab
I think you should seriously consider jeg's suggested demolition option. Replacing the existing deck with a steel ribbed pan deck is a possibility too.
I hope its OK to recommend AE firms here. If you still feel you need a local consultant, you could try Smislova Kehnemui Assocs. in Rockville. I have had good experiences with them.
RE: concrete slab