Try pink insulation foam board. Its robust, lightweight, cuts easy on a table saw and doesn't warp. I built this diorama from the pink stuff, skim coated it with joint compound and used a nail and ruler to make the expansion joints in the "concrete". When dry I airbrushed flat light gray and shaded the floor and walls by brush. I'm planning a drydock diorama also with a Flower Class corvette, I plan on using the "pink" stuff, it works for me..... Hope this helps.