Placing, Finishing, Sawing and Curing Total Concrete Slab Packages – ForConstructionPros.com

Part one of this series focused on slab preparation and sub-base installation. In the article, we learned the importance of a well compacted and smooth subgrade, as well the proper installation of formwork, jointing, vapor barriers and other reinforcement. This article will discuss the next steps to placing, finishing, sawing and curing medium to large concrete slab on grade.

Rate of placement and screeding method are baseline decisions that must be made prior to start of placement. Placing/finishing concrete is time sensitive and susceptible to environmental conditions. Ideally you want to work within an 8- to 16-hour window for place, finish and cure/saw cutting operations.Uniform mix batch to batch and slab edge boarded.Chad White

Major considerations when scheduling concrete and planning day of placement activities include:

Planning Tips

For the purpose of this article we will be discussing concrete placement rates of 60-200 cubic yards per hour and strike-off rates of 4,0008,000 square feet per hour. Formwork and strike-off will dictate the FL numbers. Uniformity of slump and rate of placement will greatly influence FF numbers and panning/finishing processes.Roller tamp attachment to laser screed.Chad White

FF60/FL40 is the new norm for warehouse and open slab placements. Automated raking and screeding of slabs will result in higher production rates and flatter floors.

Major considerations when placing concrete include:

Installation Tips

Finishing floors is all about flatness, burnish and attention to detail. Timing of finishing steps is a critical factor and must be judged in real time.Blending edge burnish.Chad White

Major considerations for finishing concrete slabs include:

Tips for Finishing

Curing is either spray-on membrane or wet cure with blankets. There are pros and cons to both systems, and individual project requirements may dictate choice. The important thing with curing is timeliness and adherence to manufacturers and project specifications.Installing wet cure blankets.Bob Simonelli

Timing is probably the key coordination factor with saw cutting operations. A skilled crew and good equipment are required. There is nothing worse than having a great looking finish marred by crooked or spalled cuts.

Major considerations for installing control joints and curing include:

Tips for Sawing/Curing

Control and conditions of access during the placing/curing period is probably the biggest component to a slab protection plan and the hardest to police. Ensure slab protection plan is communicated to all trades. Advocate for daily cleaning by floor scrubber during construction. Ensuring that a spill kit is available while the slab is being used by other trades is a must and a major component of daily housekeeping. Scratches, gouges, spills and edge destruction are major concerns when slab is being used as a work platform by general trades.

Major considerations for slab protection include:

Execution Tips

Chad White has been involved in all aspects of concrete construction from craftsman to concrete subcontractor and is a founder of WL Concrete. Whitehas personally been involved with design and construction of many industrial slabs, including shake-on hardeners, defined traffic super flats and high tolerance random traffic floors. He is the author of numerous articles regarding concrete slab on grade installationand a speaker at World of Concrete.

Read this article:
Placing, Finishing, Sawing and Curing Total Concrete Slab Packages - ForConstructionPros.com