Kinda OT, But how much gravel do I need?

so let's do that. My email is linked. Send me your details and I will give you a professional analysis.

I am a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Kentucky and work for the federal government as an Agricultural Engineer for the USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service. Try me.

Our situation 1:

15 acre horse farmette purchased 1.5 years ago. Clay soil that could be used to line a pond. Water can sit for days in some of the local low spots in the pasture. Located a 100' X 200' grass riding arena (just fenced the pasture and started mowing) at the highest, best drained spot on the property. Of course grass getting beat up and arena is turning to clay. Want to improve footing. Considering stripping the top 6" of soil and laying a GEOTEX fabric, 6" of something that will roll down good and hard, 3-4" of "pea" gravel for drainage, topped by 2-4" of a washed sand. I am proposing containing the added height with Railroad ties or treated lumber at the base of the existing fence. Will the GEOTEX help out at all in this situation (ie is it worth the investment here)?

Situation 2:

Lowest spot on the front half of the property is 50' from the barn and the horses have to go through it everyday to get to the pasture. Last year (wet as it was) this spot was probably dry for a total of 10 days. Considering stripping this down, (when it dries again) laying geotex, filling up with screenings to make a nice lane to walk the horses out.

Are either of these situations appropriate for the GEOTEX?

Am also looking at drain tile to try to take the water away from the low spot, but the cost is looking kind of prohibitive considering the next spot that is any lower is almost 1000' away and would require trenching through the afore mentioned high spot making a trench about 10-14' deep at that point to make fall for drainage. I don't mind spending the money if it helps make the place livable, but obviously I would like to keep it to a minimum.

Any other ideas also welcomed.

TIA,

Kirk

Seriously, Joyce, nice to meet you and congratulations on your accomplishments. I know you have worked long and hard to achieve your professional goals and we are proud to chat with you.

Thanks for being helpful to those of us who didn't pay the price.

Mark

On top of the bare dirt before the first shovel full of gravel, put geotextile on the driveway and put the rock on top of the geotextile. The trucks driver should be capable of "back dumping" - or dumping the rock as he backs down the driveway, not driving directly on the geotextile.

Geotextile keeps the rock "floating" on top of the dirt. Since rock is heavier than dirt, the natural order of things is for the rock to sink down into the dirt like water, only slower. By putting the geotextile barrier between them, you keep your rock where you want it - on the surface. Using the geotextile will prevent potholes and soft spots and you will NEVER have to add more rock - unless it gets washed off or something.

Geotextile usually comes in 9', 12', and 15' widths. The 9' would be acceptable, but the 12' will give you more "breathing room". 210' x 12' x 4" will make about 60 tons. Add more for a turn-around, about 30x30 for nearly another 20 tons.

Geotextile can be found at most any construction supplier and lots of Agriculture suppliers. An internet search will yield lots and lots of hits. Any rock you put down on top of dirt, put geotextile down between them. Anywhere.

If you use geotextile with some types of rock you will not be happy. If you are using a rock like crushed limestone that has large and small rock to where it can pack you will be fine. But if you use a one size gravel like is available in our area it will never pack down because the gravel can not pack into the dirt. This will cause your years old drive to be a loose bed like the day it was put down. While I try to put down a good layer of rock when building a drive I do not want one I may get stuck in even years from now. Others may try to put a thinner layer of rock to reduce this but that is not good either as it may expose the geotextile and cause tears in it making it useless.

A remedy to this is to put down your geotextile then add your layer of rock then a small amount of clay dirt. The clay fills the voids allowing the rocks to pack but the geotextile keeps your drive from sinking out of site.