Concrete sand for fill dirt?

wdpcpa

Joined: Apr 12, 2024

Posts: 2

User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

I live just outside Dallas. I have expansive clay. In the back we constructed a pond. It's about 3 feet deep and 5 feet side to side. I want to fill it in and thinking of using concrete sand. Once it is filled we will cover it with flag stone to match the rest of that area. Is fill sand OK for this purpose?

1 edit

MyNameIsJeff

Joined: May 25, 2015

Posts: 1,195

User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

3:23p, 4/12/24

AG

I don't see what it would hurt if you plan on covering with flagstone. Sand should reduce any issues with settling over time if you were to fill with dirt.

tgivaughn

Joined: Apr 5, 2012

Posts: 1,547

User Profile

Private Message

Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

4:41p, 4/12/24

AG

That sand & its price is tempting all righty ...

The potential issues will always be surface cracks where the fill below supporting has different forces from the existing grade supporting flagstone esp. when both get wet.

A structural engineer might get involved here, might suggest you begin with pushing "cut&fill" soils into hole from as far out as flagstone perimeter + a few feet
THEN bringing in #1 Select Fill for compaction in 6-inch lifts w/sheepsfoot (or dozer + time to settle) to 90% Proctor.

Then begins the advice on what to do next to support forever the flagstone, if not reif.conc flatwork.

1

wdpcpa

Joined: Apr 12, 2024

Posts: 2

User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

5:27p, 4/12/24

I just fill in between stones with crushed granite. I don't know about compaction. I thought I would just soak it really well before putting the flag stones on top.

ThreatLevel: Midnight

Joined: Jul 30, 2007

Posts: 1,938

User Profile

Private Message

Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

12:05a, 5/2/24

AG

Good advice from tgivaughn.
If you want to get crazy you could mix in a few bags of Portland cement with the Concrete sand to make your own light cement stabilized blend.

Thanks & Gig 'Em

YellAg2004

Joined: Jun 28, 2003

Posts: 12,131

User Profile

Private Message

Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

In reply to tgivaughn • 10:19a, 5/2/24

AG

tgivaughn said:
A structural engineer might get involved here, might suggest you begin with pushing "cut&fill" soils into hole from as far out as flagstone perimeter + a few feet
THEN bringing in #1 Select Fill for compaction in 6-inch lifts w/sheepsfoot (or dozer + time to settle) to 90% Proctor.

Unless I'm misunderstanding his size descriptions, this is just a tad bit overkill for a 25 SF area.

6

62strat

Joined: Nov 5, 2009

Posts: 24,971

User Profile

Private Message

Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

In reply to YellAg2004 • 11:37a, 5/2/24

AG

YellAg2004 said:
tgivaughn said:
A structural engineer might get involved here, might suggest you begin with pushing "cut&fill" soils into hole from as far out as flagstone perimeter + a few feet
THEN bringing in #1 Select Fill for compaction in 6-inch lifts w/sheepsfoot (or dozer + time to settle) to 90% Proctor.
Unless I'm misunderstanding his size descriptions, this is just a tad bit overkill for a 25 SF area.

I don't know, when I read 5x5 pond, I immediately thought I better call a structural engineer, get a soils report, and get the D6 out here.

6

bullitt

Joined: Dec 23, 2017

Posts: 123

User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

In reply to 62strat • 6:58p, 5/2/24

AG

He watched a little too much "Tool Time"

2