How to use concrete sleepers for a shed base?

WaynoandChez

Greetings all. Finally our first post. 
Has anyone used the Pioneer sandstone style concrete sleepers?

 I am thinking I’ll use them for the base of my 3 metre by 3 metre shed, the fall of my land is around 450mm over 3 metres so I need to build up the rear & sides. The sleepers come 200x75 in 1.58 metre lengths so they’re a good length for my purpose, and they apparently come with a variety of posts. 
Then fill the centre with dirt, compact it and form a concrete slab for the floor. 
Thoughts??? In my head they look amazing with a smooth cream shed. 

EricL

Hello @WaynoandChez 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about concrete sleepers.

That sounds like a solid plan, and those Pioneer sandstone-style concrete sleepers should work well for creating a sturdy base. I've seen them at the store but have not used them personally. Since your fall is 450mm over 3 metres, you'll need to stack multiple sleepers at the rear and sides to create a level area. The 1.58m length is handy because it means you won’t need as many posts to support them.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Post Selection & Footings – Make sure to use the correct steel posts designed for retaining walls, such as H- or C-section galvanised posts, set in concrete at least 600mm deep (or deeper for stability). Given the height difference, you may also want to include some form of lateral support to prevent movement. I suggest engaging the services of an engineer to make sure you get the correct depth for your sleeper posts.
   
• Drainage – Backfilling with gravel behind the sleepers and installing some agricultural drainage pipe will help prevent water pressure from pushing against the wall over time.
   
• Compaction – Once you fill the area with dirt, compact it in layers rather than all at once. This will prevent sinking or uneven settling beneath your shed slab.
   
• Slab Considerations – When forming the slab, reinforce it properly with mesh, and ensure it’s at least 100mm thick for strength. You might also want to extend the slab slightly beyond the shed footprint to prevent water pooling around the edges.

Visually, your idea sounds great—smooth cream sheds contrast beautifully with sandstone-style sleepers. If you haven't already, check with your local council about any regulations regarding retaining walls over 400mm and shed foundations. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric