Type of Concrete for Rink Slab

[gmf]

I am in the preliminary design phases of a new concrete slab for an existing arena. Currently the arena floor is sand. The client would like a concrete floor so the space can be used for other than ice hockey during the summer. The rink is covered and relies on natural cooling to create the ice (building located in Arctic Canada).

I am trying to determine if a specific type of concrete is used in rink slab design so as to avoid the use of control joints. When I observe the slab of other rinks, I notice no control joints are used to provide a smooth playing surface (when no ice installed). I realize that in some cases a skrinkage compensating concrete can be used, but this type of concrete appears to be less available in Canada.

Does anyone know the procedures for building a concrete ice rink slab without control joints and how to avoid significant shrinkage cracking without the control joints?

 

[hokie66]

Two general issues with your concrete:

1. It should be air entrained. This makes the concrete resistant to freeze-thaw damage.
2. For crack control without joints, you will need something in the order of 0.5 to 0.6%Ag reinforcement.

 

[dik]

In addition to Hokie's comments, a low slump, superplasticised mix and possibly 40mm aggregate. Want as little water as possible... and likely a 30 MPa mix... (4500 psi) with 25% fly ash.

Dik

 

[MiketheEngineer]

And don't pour it in the middle of winter!!

 

[hokie66]

For a rink floor, do you have to worry about freezing the subgrade and thus raising the floor? I would have thought you might have a similar situation as causes freezer floors to rise, where the solutions involve insulation and/or subfloor ventilation.

 

[dik]

If frozen most of the year... it would be a good idea to recirculate the heat from the cooling system beneath the slab.

Dik

 

[TopKnot]

Good rink floors are insulated and heated below to prevent frost heave. They are built all the time. Find a contractor that pours these in your area. Since they do them a lot, they are design build and they will do better than what you specify. I was skeptical, and they built the best slab I have ever seen.

If I had to specify it, I would use a lot of reinforcing, a wet cure or the right curing compound, I would keep the vapor barrier out of contact with the slab to reduce curl, and be smart about scheduling the pour. No cold weather. Watch moisture in bedding.