Concrete Countertop span

[crokett]

I am pouring the countertop 2" thick on top of 1/2" durock. I need to span over the dishwasher. I do not want to lose any height under the bottom of the counter. Will rebarred concrete span the 27" or so the width of the dishwasher with no support after it cures?

If not, would durock span that after the sheetrock cures if I support it during the pour? I was thinking I could drive screws from under the durock before the pour that would tie it into the concrete so they would work together.

If that won't work, would angle iron or similar placed on top of the durock and spanning the cabinets survive in the concrete? I know rebar does.

[Stytooner]

You could use something like hardware cloth. Rebar would be better though. They sell small diameter stuff at the Big Box Stores.

[crokett]

Lee,

I have the rebar. So the concrete + rebar alone will support the concrete plus the odd person climbing on it over that span? All I need to do is support it underneath for the initial pour?

[jspelbring]

Concrete

We spanned a corner area about that size. We used angle iron, and rebar.

[Stytooner]

2" might be a little thin to sit on, but they make concrete benches that are only a little thicker. They either use rebar or steel mesh or both. As long as your rebar is long enough to give at least 6" on either side, I think it will work fine. You could use angle iron at the back too. It wouldn't be seen and would be extra support.