Footing for mortared steps/landing

[Stonehenge]

I seem to be going mortar nuts here with this mason on board. :woot:

Anyway, working on a design that includes a set of steps - think of something like cultured stone to look like fieldstone on all vertical surfaces, horizontals will get saw-cut limestone. If this whole contraption was going to be done wet, with a footprint of say 6'x6', what kind of footing would be needed? A 6'x6', 4" thick slab? Something bigger/deeper?

[Paul]

Are you looking to keep this next to a house?


If so you are going to need more than a 4" thick slab
Something with footings or tied into the house foundation

[Stonehenge]

Yes, it will lead someone out of their house, down to a patio below.

"Tied into foundation" - rebar connecting my little slab to the foundation? I can do that.

Otherwise, would I need to pour 42" deep walls around all 4 sides of this thing?

[Paul]

No need for 4, 42" walls. 2 would be enough, Make them 2/3 the distance of the stoop. Tie them in with rebar and epoxy

[Stonehenge]

How deep on the rebar tying into the foundation? To the bottom of the footings?

Oh - one other thing - it's a 120 year old house, so the foundation is mortared limestone. Does this throw a wrench into things?

[Paul]

If it looks ok and the stones are solid I wouldn't worry. use a 12" footing and tie it in only to the stones, as close to the centers of the stones.

[Stonehenge]

This may seem like a dumb Q, but after I have my 2 walls, I still pour a slab on top of that, right? If yes, how many inches is sufficient? 4"? 5"? Do I reinforce the heck out of that slab with rebar and mesh?

[Paul]

Back fill with clean 3/4" or pea gravel. Frame your pad on top of the footings run 2 #5 rebar out of the footings, bend them over and tie # 5 rebar between them . A peice of mesh wouldn't hurt on top of that.

sorry 4" is plenty if built that way.

[Stonehenge]

Cool! I think I get it now... :const:

Thank you a bunch for this help - I certainly appreciate your taking the time to type it. ;)