ᐅ Topsoil on compacted reinforced concrete base for a path?

Created on: 22 Nov 2020 14:44
V
vaderle
Hello everyone,

I have a rear plot where we moved in July. Our driveway (which belongs to the property) from the street at the front is 4.5 m wide (15 feet), and after about 30 m (98 feet) the actual plot begins. The driveway was compacted with recycled concrete base material during the construction phase for the construction machines and a crane.

I recently had a walkway installed on the right side of the driveway with 6 cm (2.5 inches) curbstones on each side and paving stones in the middle.

Now, on the left side of the driveway, I want to install a row of curbstones as well. Between these curbstones and the inner curbstones of the walkway, there would then be a roughly 3.2 m (10.5 feet) wide driveway lane for the car.

There is still about 40 cm (16 inches) of vertical space up to the top edge of the curbstones. Since I have a lot of topsoil left from the excavation, I was thinking of spreading it over the driveway lane and then adding a layer of recycled concrete base material on top, followed by compaction.

That should work, right? Because under the topsoil, it is already compacted, and on the left and right sides of the driveway are the curbstones set in concrete. So despite the topsoil, the ground or the future grid pavers should not settle.

What do you think? Can I safely get rid of some excess topsoil here?

Regards
V
vaderle
25 Nov 2020 10:48
One more question came up. I can place a small garden shed directly on the ground, right? Since the carport is located halfway along the path, I can still spread the topsoil behind it. From the driveway to the carport, I would only add more recycled concrete (RC) material and skip the topsoil there.
O
Osnabruecker
25 Nov 2020 11:07
If you extend the load-bearing elements, such as pad or strip foundations, down to stable ground, that is possible.

However, don’t expect too much from it.

For example, if you place paving on top, it may heave during frost.
Nida35a25 Nov 2020 11:50
Garden sheds placed directly on soil tend to attract mice and moles. It is better to use a 5-10cm (2-4 inch) slab of ready-mix concrete, with the shed placed on top.