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Landscape Design

Concrete question - Brick wall foundations

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

I am building a low brick wall in my garden . Double brick , 6 bricks high - 17m long. We got some advice that a 80mm(3inch) by 300mm foundation would be fine and we also added 10mm reo. Mix is general purpose at 3 x aggregate, 2 x sand 1 x GP cement. Foundation is in and wall yet to be built . Since we have been told we need a 150mm ( 6inch ) footing . Question is can I pour another 3inch of cement over the week old foundations ? I understand this will created a cold joint but will this be an issue as its so new, no cracks etc ? I could even drill some holes into the old concrete and add rebar to join the old and new together . Or will the 3inch foundation be fine ? I understand it depends on soil type etc , but the driveway is only around 80mm too and is showing very few cracks and is over 30 years old. I'm in Australia and we get mild winters with no freezing. Any help would be much appreciated . Thanks Will.

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Comments (3)

PRO
Yardvaark
3 years ago
You're asking, can you add a 3" layer of footing on top of a 3" layer of footing that is already in place ...? Can we presume the finished footing is also wide enough? (It should stick out beyond the outer edges of the brick wall by about 6" each side. If it doesn't, add width to the whole footing in the second layer.) I say that that it will be okay. I wouldn't bother boring holes and adding vertical rebar between the layers. (Sheering of the layers is most unlikely. It's only going to matter if you have an earthquake big enough to destroy your house!) But 2 or 3 strings of 1/2" rebar in the footing running lengthwise would be a good idea. (It would aid against cracking but If the footing were to crack, it would keep the wall sections aligned.) Freshly wash the first layer free of all dirt before pouring the second layer, so that there is a good bond between them, and pour while the first layer is still damp (not wet.)
Will thanked Yardvaark
Will
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks Yardvaark , that’s very helpful . Unfortunately I didn’t do enough research before starting but sounds like I can fix it and end up hopfully with a strong wall that will last .
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PRO
Yardvaark
3 years ago
Yes, you can probably fix. And do better from the start on your next wall. :-)

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