Concrete countertops are moved and  transported in a vertical position, much like sheets of glass. Handling and transportation are risky operations. Too much time and effort goes into making a high quality concrete countertop to risk cracks or damage from improper transport.

Countertops are transported and handled in the vertical position because the concrete is strongest in this position. Beams are stiffest when they are oriented vertically, and they are the most flexible when they are flat. Good examples of this are floor joists and roof rafters; both are commonly made from 2x material set on the narrow edge, not set flat.

If you do not understand what beams are and how compression and tension forces behave, read this article before going any further.

When a beam deflects, it creates compression in one face and tension in the other. The less a given beam deflects, the lower the tension forces. Concrete is strong in compression and weak in tension. Properly designed countertops locate the primary reinforcing near the bottom, which is generally the tension side. However, if a countertop is transported flat, it will survive the trip only if the unreinforced portion of the concrete never experiences any tension forces that would exceed its very low tensile strength. If a countertop were transported upside down, it would almost certainly crack, probably in several places.

Small, compact slabs can often safely be transported flat (right side up) because they don’t deflect much. However, long slabs have a greater tendency to flex, and a sudden pothole or bump in the road could cause a large shock and overload the concrete, cracking it. By orienting the slabs vertically, the deflection of such a deep, stiff beam is negligible. Therefore very low tension forces are developed, so the risk of cracking a slab is reduced tremendously.

When transporting slabs, A-frames or L-frames (one side of an A-frame) are used to support and secure the slabs during transport. These frames are often made of galvanized steel rigidly welded to provide a sturdy structure. Sometimes homemade wooden frames are used too, but these must be made very sturdy and rigid to protect the countertops. Either way, padding protects and separates slabs from the frame and each other, and straps or clamps keep the slabs from moving or shifting.

Individual slabs can simply be carried by two or more people, but special lifting straps and carry clamps that grab onto the edges of thinner slabs make handling safer and easier, especially for large and unwieldy slabs. Sometimes rolling carts or dollies are used too.