Slab on Grade on Frozen Gravel Soil?

Due to time constraints we can't wait till mid May [if we're lucky] for the ground to thaw. Instead we will be bringing in about 8 inches of gravel fill [we have a 5 acre pit], building up the pad, compacting that, setting forms, vapor barrier, rebar every 16 inches both ways [30x60], pouring 6 inch slab with thicker footings around perimeter. Here is the question [bout time]

As the ground does begin to thaw it will thaw from the perimeter of the slab towards the center "protected" area. Is this going to cause any drastic movement of the soil/slab?

The soils are all gravel base. Thanks all [img]/forums/images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

If the soil is gravel based and isn't wet should all be ok. If there are frost heaves it would indicated ice lenzes and future problems.

Needless to say the pour will be kept warm.

Egon

Sometimes the poorly drained organic material can heave and give troubles. I would recomend you look into removing the topsoil one way or another and get some coarse material in below your gravel. The way it has been explained to me is, look at how railway beds are built. They can't have any heaving.