A slab is a structural element, made of concrete, that is used to create flat horizontal surfaces such as floors, roof decks, and ceilings. A slab is generally several inches thick and supported by beams, columns, walls, or the ground.
Concrete slabs can be prefabricated off-site and lowered into place or maybe poured in-situ using formwork. If reinforcement is required, slabs can be pre-stressed or the concrete can be poured over rebar positioned within the formwork.
Slab foundations are the easiest type of foundation to build. The simplest type of slab foundation is constructed by pouring directly onto prepared soil, but some slab foundations have extra components like supporting concrete feet or insulating foam. All types of slab foundations are fundamentally similar, featuring a large block of concrete without any open spaces underneath.
This is typically a reinforced slab supported directly by columns or caps, without the use of beams. This type of slab is generally easy to construct and requires little formwork.
