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Strip constructed floors

In strip construction of a concrete floor slab the floor is cast in long strips of typically up to about 6 to 9m width between side forms. It is quite often used where the floor is ground-supported.

The side forms into which the concrete is placed, compacted and levelled are carefully set up to an accurate line and level. The forms can be of a temporary nature and removed after the concrete has set. Alternatively, proprietary side forms of concrete and sometimes of concrete and steel can be used, which are left in place and become part of the floor slab.

In a ground-supported floor, the slab strip usually incorporates transverse joints at regular intervals (typicaly up to 6m) to release stresses resulting from restraint to concrete shrinkage. Increasing weights of steel fabric reinforcement or steel fibres along the strip can allow increased centres of transverse free movement joints.

Joints between adjacent strips should include dowel or tie bars, or other proprietary devices, across the joint to prevent differential changes in level, i.e. to avoid steps, and to assist load transfer. e.g. as wheel loads cross a joint. BS 8204 - 2:1999, refers.

Acknowledgement: Concrete Society

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Concrete for industrial floors
- guidance on specification and mix design - GCG1