Coachella Municipal Code Ch. 15.52 Concrete on Alkaline Soil

This chapter is adopted for the general welfare of the property owners of the city in order to prevent the depreciation of property values and the elimination of economic loss to property owners of the city. The high sulfate content of soil materials within the incorporated limits of the city requires that regulations and restrictions, in accordance with this chapter, be created and adopted pertaining to the placement and protection of all concrete placed within the city which will or may come into contact with alkaline soils containing sulfates.

(Prior code § 7-76)

The regulations and restrictions of this chapter are placed upon all concrete within the city which comes into contact with alkaline soils containing sulfates.

(Prior code § 7-77)

All concrete floor slabs shall be at least eight inches above the finish grade and shall not be less than three and one-half inches in thickness.

(Prior code § 7-78)

The top of concrete floor slab shall be at least eight inches above the crest of the street or the top of the curb if curbs are in place.

(Prior code § 7-79)

All concrete used in floor slabs where floor slab is supported by earth or fill of any kind and all concrete used in footings, foundations, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, driveways and walls supporting or retaining earth or fill shall contain only sulfate resistant Type V. Portland cement. Portland cement concrete shall be composed of not less than four hundred seventy (470) pound (five sacks) of Portland cement per cubic yard of concrete, except that any concrete containing an approved water reducing admixture, used in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations shall contain not less than four hundred eighteen (418) pound (4.5 sacks) of Portland cement per cubic yard of concrete.

(Prior code § 7-80)

Ready mixed concrete shall comply with Uniform Building Code Standard No; 26-11-64 based on the specification standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials.

(Prior code § 7-81)

Soils or materials which may have an alkali or sulfate content shall not be relocated, placed or used as fill at any location within the city unless a test sample of the soil is first obtained under the direction of the department of building and tests conducted by an approved testing agency indicates that the alkali or sulfate content of the soil sample does not exceed the amount in the natural soil at the location where the fill is to be placed. The director of building may waive the test sample requirements for good cause.

(Prior code § 7-82)

A base course shall be provided beneath the concrete floor slab of any structure consisting of at least a four inch thickness of a limited capillarity material. Base course shall be either clean graded gravel or crushed rock. Material shall pass a two inch sieve and be retained in a one-fourth inch sieve.

(Prior code § 7-83)

A two-inch layer of dry washed sand shall be placed on top of the base course under of a ten (10) mil thick water-proof membrane. This waterproof membrane shall be placed on top of the base course under all slabs to provide for expansion protection for concrete.

(Prior code § 7-84)