Wheel ruts at barn entrance

[Mtsoxfan]

After enlarging the picture, it sure looks like there isn't much drop from door and out 4'. Then it looks almost like there is a very shallow bowl area. (only way I can describe) I'm not sure any solution is permanent without addressing drainage.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Pour a concrete approach, prettier than the mess you have now

 

[WinterDeere]

After enlarging the picture, it sure looks like there isn't much drop from door and out 4'. Then it looks almost like there is a very shallow bowl area. (only way I can describe) I'm not sure any solution is permanent without addressing drainage.

That's indeed what has happened over time. The general grade doesn't really have any noticeable hollow there, but the ruts do have a deep spot about 8 feet out from the door. This may be more from me stopping the tractor there to hop off and open the doors every day, than anything else. But yes, whatever I do for stability, I'll also be making sure the grade is continuously sloping away from the doorway.

I did a quick mock-up of my concept, for pour-in-place, just to get a sense of how much material it would require.



That there represents 1.55 yd3 of concrete. That'd be 93x 60-lb. bags of QuikCrete, or one very small load of ready-mix. Another compromise would be to have 1 yard of sand and 1.5 yard of aggregate delivered from the supply house right down the road, and then just cart home a dozen 94 lb. bags of Portland, to mix myself.

I'm leaning toward forming and pouring myself, both because I think it will be a heck of a lot cheaper (purchased lintels would be $4800), and because I think it will be easier to get it all level and plumb with a single 100 lb. form, versus placing 24 individual 200 lb. purhcased plinths.

I have a guy working here early this summer, replacing a walkway and repairing a retaining wall. I may just get this excavated and formed myself, and then let him handle or help me with the pour.

 

[Topzide]

What about using this: GEOBLOCK – Strong Vegetated Porous Pavement

I think this would work better, as this has draining built in. They also have a product that you can fill with gravel.

 

[WinterDeere]

Slightly more descriptive image, for those with less imagination:

 

[WinterDeere]

What about using this: GEOBLOCK – Strong Vegetated Porous Pavement

I think this would work better, as this has draining built in. They also have a product that you can fill with gravel.

Interesting! Gotta read up on this. At first glance, it looks like it goes under turf?

 

[EddieWalker]

Slightly more descriptive image, for those with less imagination:

View attachment 2771996

I think you are making it more complicated then it needs to be. Keep it simple and pour a concrete pad. Odds are too high that one of those beams will settle over time, and when one settles, then another will.

The pad does not have to be flat, or level. It's very common to pour them at an angle away from the building, but you can also make the middle the low part to shed water sideways.

 

[WinterDeere]

I think you are making it more complicated then it needs to be.

I've been known to do this. Story of my life.

Keep it simple and pour a concrete pad.

My main concern with this is that it just increases impervious area, and moves the same problem out another 15 feet from its current location. I would have the advantage of not having to follow exactly the same ruts on/off the pad, as at the doorway, but overall percolating surface would be reduced in this area.

 

[Topzide]

That's what it nice about that geogrid product. It allows the water to perculate while giving support.
Looks like you prep area, put grid in, and fill with soil and seed! It's the best of both worlds! No ruts and water drains through the grid.

 

[Cycledude]

I recommend hiring the guy you have coming to do sidewalks to pour a nice big slab in front of your barn entrance. If he is good he will make sure it’s properly excavated and filled with the proper material to make everything drain properly, after the job is done properly you will be saying gee whiz I should have spent the money to have this done years ago !
I had a nice big slab poured in front of my shop about 5 years ago, it’s been great and I wish I would have done it 30 years ago when I built the shop !