Guide for Concrete Floor and Slab Construction

Description

This guide presents state-of-the-art information relative to the construction of slab-on-ground and suspended-slab floors for industrial, commercial, and institutional buildings. It is applicable to the construction of normal weight and structural lightweight concrete floors and slabs made with conventional port land and blended cements. Slabs specifically intended for the containment of liquids are beyond the scope of this document. The design of slabs-on-ground should conform to the recommendations of ACI 360R. Refer to ACI 223 for procedures for the design and construction of shrinkage-compensating concrete slabs-on-ground.

In general, the characteristics of the concrete slab surfaceand the performance of joints have a powerful impact on theserviceability of floors and other slabs. Because the eventualsuccess of a concrete floor installation depends on themixture proportions and floor finishing techniques used,considerable attention is given to critical aspects ofachieving the desired finishes and the required floor surfacetolerances. This guide emphasizes choosing and propor-tioning of materials, design details, proper constructionmethods, and workmanship.

1.1.1 Prebid meeting—While this guide does provide areasonable overview of concrete floor construction, it shouldbe emphasized that every project is unique; circumstances candictate departures from the recommendations contained herein.Accordingly, contractors and suppliers are urged to make athorough review of contract documents beforebid preparation.The best forum for such a review is the prebid meeting. Thismeeting offers bidders an opportunity to ask questions andclarify their understanding of contract documents beforesubmitting their bids. A prebid meeting also provides theowner and the owner’s designer an opportunity to clarify intentwhere documents are unclear and to respond to last-minutequestions in a manner that provides bidders an opportunity tobe equally responsive to the contract documents.

1.1.2 Preconstruction meeting—Construction of any slab-on-ground or suspended floor or slab involves the coordinated efforts of many subcontractors and material suppliers. It isstrongly recommended that the designer require a precon-struction meeting to be held to establish and to coordinateprocedures that will enable key participants to produce the best possible product under the anticipated field conditions. This meeting should be attended by responsible representa-tives of organizations and material suppliers directly involved with either the design or construction of floors.