Why is cement floor made in small slabs rather than a single block?

Question

It is a question based on thermal expansion.

Answer 1

TIME, TIDE AND CONCRETE WAITS FOR NO MAN.
It is poured insmall slabs because :-
1. it is easier to handle and maintain levels
2. it will expand and contract more uniformly and lessen the chance of cracking occurring
3. in large areas it enables falls of levels to be made in different directions for drainage lines.
4. in doing a big pour you have to ensure that you don't have to wait too long between loads as the first load could go off before you put down the last one.

Answer 2

To allow for expansion and flexion. Have you seen concrete driveways and sidewalks with cracks? The ideal is to have the "cracks" preset at predetermined intervals. When the concrete buckles and expands, it will use the intentional grooves, instead of making its own!

Answer 3

It may be lacking structural support from within,like rebar.The expantion and contraction theories are also at work,but only to the extent of directional changes such as in an "L" pattern.At the turn there must be a joint.

Answer 4

If u do it in a huge slab it will pull itself into with large cracks.