The price of constructing a concrete floor is only part of the cost. Not designing and constructing the floor right first time is to expose the building owner/operator to potentially very expensive remedials and maintenance repair costs.

The basic requirements of a concrete floor slab are that it provides a flat and durable surface, capable of supporting the loads carried upon it. It should be designed and constructed fit-for-purpose – neither over, or under specified. Far to often, insufficient attention is paid to the process required to ensure such a ‘quality’ floor.

The basic steps of the process required to reduce the hidden costs of remedials and maintenance repairs include:

Design – this entails both structural and layout design to meet the operating requirements of the floor.

Materials – choice of concrete mix design, surface finishes and joint systems all have a major impact on performance

Placing – construction methods need to be carefully chosen to achieve design tolerances, joint layout and speed of construction.

Finishing – using good techniques and quality finishing equipment ensures greater flatness and durability

Testing – the final stage of the process to ensure compliance with the design requirements

These steps are all interrelated and dependent. A performance-based specification, drawn up at the very early stages of a project’s development, is the only way to ensure success in the process being followed and ultimately, the achievement of a ‘quality’ floor fit-for-purpose.

Click here to view Construction Method Spreadsheet.