Steel plates?

[snobba]

Hello,

We have concrete blocks as the foundation for our small summer house, and I now need to raise it a few centimeters. Currently, there are some planks underneath which may not be the most optimal, so I first thought of replacing them with some higher steel plates and then casting a bit. Does anyone know where I can get steel plates that are approximately 20cmx20cm and about 4cm thick (or just 1cm and I stack a few on top of each other)?

Does anyone have some tips on where to get these? Or other material suggestions?

Thank you!

 

[Darth Peter]

The cheapest option is likely at the local scrap yard. Search for metal dealers in your area. Why not use garden slabs? They can withstand the weight. Much cheaper.

 

[Micro]

If the scrap yard doesn't have any suitable discs, you might want to check with a local smith or other workshop that might be able to cut them for you.

 

[prototypen]

I don't understand what would be wrong with planks? What is the sill made of, probably wood, so why not continue with wood. Or concrete slabs as suggested. Steel was a very odd choice, heavy, rusts, and due to the weight, it's not entirely free.

If you elaborate on the issue, maybe I can accept the steel.

Protte

 

[pbengtsson]

I have a similar problem and have been considering cutting pieces from plastic cutting boards, these are made of polyethylene plastic and seem to last forever, but how is the bearing capacity (compression) over time.

 

[Matti_75]

I have a similar problem and have been considering cutting pieces out of plastic cutting boards, these are made of polyethylene plastic and seem to last forever, but how is the load-bearing capacity (pressure) over time.

Plastic does not withstand pressure over time and slowly flows out. I have checked with various manufacturers and they advise against plastic.

 

[snobba]

Thanks, that was a good tip! But I'm wondering if it might be a bit too soft a material.

What I'm also curious about is tips on how to remove wood pieces that are under pressure from the concrete block lying above? If I can do that, I can actually place what should be underneath (with lower cm) and then just remove the plank pieces. That would lower the house the cm it needs. Maybe just sawing is enough? Or is there some fast-acting wood agent?

 

[Matti_75]

I don't understand what would be wrong with planks? What is the sill made of, probably wood, so why not continue with wood. Or concrete slabs as suggested. Steel was a very odd choice, heavy, rusts, and due to the weight, it doesn't come cheap.

If you elaborate on the problem, maybe I can accept the steel.

Protte

The sill takes the force from a beam, while the post takes significantly more force. As a result, the wood can give way, especially since there are only small braces.

The best you can do is to lift the house and form to the correct height and fill the form with expanding concrete.

 

[prototypen]

If the sill was previously on the concrete pier, won't a plank hold? Wood as wood.

Protte

 

[snobba]

I don't understand what would be wrong with planks? What is the sill made of, probably wood, so why not continue with wood. Or concrete slabs as suggested. Steel was a very odd choice, heavy, rusts and due to the weight, it's not entirely free.

If you elaborate on the issue, I might accept the steel.

Protte

Didn't see your message before... I have no arguments for steel other than it should support a weight and that it probably comes in suitable thicknesses of 1cm so I can increase more on one spot than the other.

Wood would work (it's working now) but I think it can compress and assume it can rot.

I would really like to use expanding concrete in the fall (want to be sure I don't need to adjust anything more).

Just want to explain what it looks like on the sketch I'm attaching. It's only a raising (using wooden pieces) on the rear beams of about 4.5cm that I need to lower by about 0.5cm because the slope in the bathroom is incorrect.

 

[prototypen]

One might wonder what the concrete slabs are resting on? Will they settle in the future?

I'm completely abandoning my wood line, down in the soil the wood will rot. Steel will rust.
Filling up with concrete is probably a good advice.

But why multiple layers of concrete beams?
Can't you wedge between the top beam and the sill?

Protte

(The drawing below is for our Australian friends)

 

[snobba]

Haha, yes, I couldn't remove the upside-down drawing...

Don't ask me why it looks the way it does... I think someone wanted to get the house up somehow at some point.

The settling is a bit everywhere in the vacation home area, but it seems to have stopped, although you can never be sure, of course. So that's why I'm waiting to pour concrete. I don't know what the slabs are resting on, but the inspector thought it was a good ground for them, so that's good.

Propping from the top beam and the sill will probably be difficult because then I would have to lift the house (and I don't know what to prop with since it's only 0.5cm I need to lower everything), and now I'm just thinking of lifting up the concrete beams and hoping for the best.

 

[snobba]

What one also wonders is if I can lift gradually or all at once. I will dig a little between the concrete slabs and then lift with a jack (30 tons) or place 4 jacks between the slabs.

But the best would be to just place what needs to be under the concrete beams and then remove the wood in some way. Maybe use a large drill? That should work, really?

I will now go with ground tiles at 4cm but on one side I only need 3cm, anyone have tips on other tiles that are 3cm thick?

Thanks for all the help!

 

[Darth Peter]

Casting your own slabs? Then you can reinforce them too for that real "overkill" feeling.

 

[prototypen]

There are 4 cm tiles, but there are thicker tiles as well, I have both 55 and 60 mm thick ones.

protte