HomeKnowledgeConcrete Slab-on-Grade — Pour-in-Place Method
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Concrete Slab-on-Grade — Pour-in-Place Method

Updated Mar 24, 2026
Standard method for ground-level concrete slabs. Includes subgrade prep, vapor barrier, rebar/mesh, form setting, pour, finish, and cure. Typical crew: 6 workers. Productivity: 40-60 CY/day.

Step-by-step: (1) Compact subgrade to 95% Proctor density. (2) Place 4-6 inches compacted gravel base. (3) Install 10-mil polyethylene vapor barrier, overlapping seams 6 inches. (4) Set edge forms to line and grade — verify with laser level. (5) Place rebar or welded wire reinforcement per structural drawings. Use chairs to maintain proper cover (typically 2 inches from bottom). (6) Pre-pour inspection — hold point. Inspector checks subgrade, vapor barrier, reinforcement placement. (7) Place concrete — order 10% overage. Test slump and air content at truck. (8) Strike off with screed. Bull float. Wait for bleed water to evaporate. (9) Power trowel to desired finish. (10) Apply curing compound or wet cure with burlap and water for 7 days minimum. (11) Cut control joints at 24-48 hours — spacing per ACI 360 (typically 2-3x slab thickness in feet). Quality checkpoints: subgrade compaction test, slump test, air content test, cylinder break tests (3-day, 7-day, 28-day).

TAGS
methodconcreteslab-on-gradepour-in-placefinishingcuring
DETAILS
steps
[{"order":1,"description":"Compact subgrade to 95% Proctor","duration_hrs":4},{"order":2,"description":"Place gravel base and vapor barrier","duration_hrs":3},{"order":3,"description":"Set forms and place reinforcement","duration_hrs":6},{"order":4,"description":"Pre-pour inspection (hold point)","duration_hrs":0.5},{"order":5,"description":"Place and finish concrete","duration_hrs":4},{"order":6,"description":"Cure 7+ days","duration_hrs":0}]
method category
concrete_placement
crew composition
{"foreman":1,"laborers":2,"finishers":3}
equipment needed
["concrete_pump","vibrator","screed","bull_float","power_trowel"]
productivity rate
{"unit":"CY/day","value":50,"crew_size":6}
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