Getting Concrete Slabs Right:
Design Tips & Tricks for Concrete Floors

Concrete floor slabs are a cornerstone of modern construction - forming the base of everything from residential garages to expansive industrial warehouses.

Yet even the most experienced designers know that achieving durable, crack-free and cost-effective floors requires more than just good concrete. It demands an integrated design approach that considers strength, shrinkage, jointing, and the realities of site conditions.

Recognising the need for up-to-date technical guidance, Concrete NZ is delivering a new half-day seminar series, Slabs & Shrinkage: Design Tips & Tricks, aimed at engineers, architects and other construction professionals involved in slab design and specification.

Practical Insights for Real-World Performance
Led by Kent Huxford (Lewis Bradford Consulting Engineers) and Alan Ross (CERTUS Consulting Ltd), the sessions combine proven design fundamentals with practical on-site considerations. Topics include load analysis using Westergaard’s method, understanding the limitations of the CCANZ slabs-on-grade spreadsheet, and exploring jointing, shrinkage and isolation details that ensure long-term slab performance.

Attendees will also gain valuable insights into flatness specifications, subgrade preparation, curing practices, and the use of low-carbon concretes to reduce embodied emissions - a growing priority across New Zealand’s construction industry.

Learning From Success (and Failure)
Real-world examples will be presented to illustrate where slab performance has, and hasn’t, met client expectations. These case studies reinforce how a strong grasp of basic slab behaviour underpins success in more complex structural applications.

Dates & Venues

• Wellington - Naumi Hotel, Tuesday 25 November
• Christchurch - Sudima Christchurch Airport, Thursday 27 November
• Auckland - Waipuna Hotel & Conference Centre, Tuesday 2 December

Registration Fees

• Concrete NZ Member - $380 + GST
• Non-Member - $480 + GST, including complimentary membership of the Concrete NZ Learned Society through to 31 December 2026.

How to Register
Spaces are limited and demand is strong for this practical, high-value training opportunity. To register, visit Concrete NZ’s Ticket Tailor portal - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/concretenz