Ground slab concrete works
Flat-surfaced floors built for vehicle, forklift and equipment loads at warehouse, factory, port and marina sites.
What is ground slab concrete?
Ground slab concrete is structural concrete poured directly on the ground and driven over by vehicles, forklifts and equipment. Flatness, surface hardness and joint layout matter as much as strength. In industrial plants, warehouses and ports, the prepared subgrade, reinforcement, troweling and curing are planned together.
What we do
The quality of a ground slab starts before the pour. We plan every step together, from subgrade to curing.
- Subgrade and fill inspection
- Laying the separation layer (polyethylene)
- Steel mesh or steel fibre reinforcement
- Pouring, with level and slope control
- Troweling and, where the project calls for it, surface hardener
- Joint cutting, joint filling and curing
Types of application
The choice is made by looking at the load, the number of joints and the budget together. The table below is a general comparison.
| Type | Where used | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Troweled industrial floor | Warehouses, factories, workshops | Flat, hard surface that is easy to clean. |
| Steel fibre floor | Large-panel warehouses and production areas | No mesh laying needed; joint spacing can be wider. |
| Steel mesh floor | Certain loads and slab layouts | Crack control with reinforcement laid before the pour. |
| Surface hardener floor | Areas with heavy wear | Raises the surface’s wear resistance. |
| Broom finish floor | Ramps, open areas, quay slabs | A rough surface reduces slipping. |
Ground slabs in coastal structures
At marina, port and quay sites the slab works with salt water, rain and drainage slope. In these places chloride-resistant concrete design, a non-slip surface, correct slope and joint sealing come first.
TS EN 206 defines the chloride effect from seawater through the XS exposure classes. The project specification determines which class is required; we plan the works around it.
Coast and port
- Marina and pier service roads
- Quay and storage areas
- Container and heavy vehicle yards
Land
- Industrial plants, warehouses and factories
- Housing estate and residential car parks
- Plant rooms and loading areas
How a ground slab job proceeds
Site visit and load information
We define the area, the subgrade and the loads that will pass over it.
Subgrade preparation
We check the fill, lay the separation layer and place the reinforcement.
Pouring and levelling
We pour the concrete to the specified level and slope and screed the surface.
Troweling and surface
We apply troweling, hardener or a broom finish according to the surface type in the project.
Joints and curing
We cut the joints on time, cure the concrete and do the handover inspection together.
Frequently asked questions about ground slabs
How thick should a ground slab be?
There is no single value. Thickness is calculated from the loads that will pass over it (forklifts, racking, containers), the bearing capacity of the subgrade and the reinforcement system.
Quoting a thickness without project and ground information would mislead. During the site visit we collect the load data and give our recommendation in writing.
Why are joints cut in ground slabs?
Concrete shrinks as it hardens. Controlled joint cutting makes the crack form along the joint line instead of at random. If joints are not cut in time, unwanted cracks can appear on the slab. See our joint article for details.
When can a ground slab be opened to use?
Foot traffic and heavy loads need different waiting times. Heavy loads are usually allowed once the concrete reaches the required strength. The time varies with concrete class, air temperature and curing conditions, so the decision is made from strength results.
Steel fibre or steel mesh?
Both are used for crack control. Steel fibre is mixed into the concrete; mesh is laid before the pour. Fibre removes the mesh-laying step and can allow wider joint spacing. Mesh is preferred for certain loads and slab layouts.
The choice depends on the load, the joint plan and the budget.
Can a ground slab at the waterfront be slippery?
It can be, which is why the surface finish is chosen carefully. In wet, open areas a broom finish is used instead of a troweled finish to give a rough, slip-resistant surface. The ground is also sloped for drainage.
What information is needed for a ground slab quote?
The area (m²), the intended use and expected loads, the project location, the condition of the subgrade, the surface type you want and the target schedule are enough. Photos and a sketch also make our work easier before the site visit.
Get a quote for your ground slab job.
The size of the area, its use and the project location are enough.