Base for slab laying

[Groupie]

I am about to lay concrete slabs 900x600x50 (heavy b*gg*rs)and I have whacked the sub base and now want to know how thick a whacked layer of sharp sand i should put knowing the slabs are heavy?
PS 17sq metres of slabs ,how do i work out how much sand i shall need at a known thickness. Thx
PPS Or would Stone dust be better?

[Buenchico]

B&Q states that you should have 10cm of hardcore (for firm, well drained soil - more for softer soil) topped with 5cm of mortar:
http://www.diy.com/di...tio/lay_a_patio.jsp#2

Assuming that you're using 5cm of something (irrespective of whether that be mortar, sand or stone) the calculation for the required volume will be 17 sq m x 0.05 m = 0.85 cu m.

Chris

[Groupie]

Thank you for the link and answer

[TonyV]

best to lay slabs on mortar - maybe about 4 or 5 to 1