Title:
Unique Design and Construction Features
of 2,000,000 Square Feet Expansive Cement
concrete floor slab
Author(s):
Mark W. Hoffman and Edward G. Opbroek
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
1
Issue:
3
Appears on pages(s):
19-25
Keywords:
compacting; concrete construction; concrete
slabs; expansive cement concretes; floors; joints (junctions);
maintenance; shrinkage; shrinkage compensating cements;
DOI:
Date:
5/1/1979
Abstract:
Construction requirements for 2,000,000 sq ft (186,000 sq m) warehouse floor slab included minimal joints and cracks, and a carrying capacity for heavy fixed and moving loads (warehouse interior was open space, with conveyors, racks, towveyors, and isles). Design and construction procedures met all requirements: the floor structure was level and crack free; minimal construction joints; and slab strong enough to carry required superimposed loads without cracking or deforming under load. The floor, which requires minimal maintenance, was placed in 125 working days. The slab was designed to carry heavy traveling loads or concentrated loads produced by rack posts. Two different methods were used to achieve this: shrinkage compensating cement concrete was used to minimize the shrinkage cracks, and to enable casting larger floor areas at a time without the use of saw cut joints; a special method of construction was used to produce a floor structure that was virtually crack-free, hard surfaced, and level within x in. in any 10 ft or 1 in. for the full length between the perimeter walls. [Authors] ,