What mix for Dry lean?

[BML]

I am building a footpath to my front door and was advised to lay a base of Dry lean and then lay the slabs I'm using on that with a four spots of sand and cement. The base has been dug out to a depth of six inches for the Dry lean and an additional two inches for the slabs I have. Although I have tried to find the mix I need for Dry lean on the Internet all I can find are very technical articles which are beyond me so could someone please tell me how many shovels of cement to how many shovels of ballast should I put in the mixer and should it be really dry. Many thanks.

 

[Blagard]

It sounds OTT for a footpath to the front door, Assuming it is not also being driven over.

For slabs I put down a consolidated hardcore base - depth may vary as just looking for a decent subsoil but usually 3 or 4 inches is enough. I then lay slabs on a full bed of sharp sand with just a bit of cement thrown in and mixed dry (enough moisture in the sand to make it go off).

Dry lean simply means no need to add any water as the aggreagate will be damp anyway, the lean is just a little something to bind it together so maybe one shovel cement to twenty of ballast

 

[BML]

Many thanks for that. I wanted a form of concrete because the paving slabs that I laid before in the back garden didn't last long with laying them on hard core and sharp sand. I've never used Dry lean before so at least knowing what the mix is gives me a bit more confidence. Thanks again.