Foundation worries

session savage

I am building a small 15 x 10 shed out of 6inch block. I have dug the foundation three times as wide as the block and about 1 foot deep. It is being built on very solid slig ground.
Due to the cost of getting gravel to mix for the foundation I decided to chance using the slig I dug out. I mixed the cement strong at about 4 sand, 4 slig and 2 1/2 cement. I'm not too sure if my cheap ass effort will do though.
The foundation mix seem to be weak. I can snap the slops on the ground in two with my bare hands.
I have not put any steel into the foundation (cost again).
Two of the walls will be built directly onto a large solid concrete base (where the existing shed is) and the other two walls will be built on the new foundations.
I know there will be settling differences but what I'm wondering is, do you think the shed will fall down? Surely it wont settle so much that a wall could collapse. I wouldnt worry about the inevitable cracks as I could patch them up.
I know in an ideal world I should rip out the foundations and get gravel and steel and bla bla bla, but I dont have the money for that so either I keep building the shed or leave it until I have the cash to redo the work Ive done. And I really need this shed finished by next winter because the plumbing from my well goes in here and needs to be sheltered.

Do ye think it will be ok? or have I got a lot of re-doing ahead of me?



Any suggestions would be really appreciated.

mrgaa1

i wouldn't worry too much about the slops - you've mixed it about 4:1 - as long as your cement was new and the sand wasn't affected by the recent frost then you should be fine. If the sand was affected by the frost personally I'd dig it out and redo it again.
4 sand, 4 sig, 3 cement would be about right. Don't mix it too dry - semi-dry to wetish is about right. Tamper it well - a flat stick or something and if you think there is going to be frost then cover it with straw or something similar.
Beyond that as long as your found is 1 foot deep (not really deep enough) with sides all the way round then your building should be fine.
Also I assume you are using 6inch block as you have a load lying around.
Make sure your roof is properly constructed.

SC024

penny wise pound foolish perhaps?

Poor Uncle Tom

The following is taken from the forum charter:

1.5 Structural items . Issues relating to the specification of structural components is prohibited. Any queries in this regard need to be dealt with by an architect/engineer privately.

If you have issues with a foundation, get it looked at on site by a professional.

Please read the forum charter before posting again, thank you.