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Groundwork & Foundations

Block and beam ground floor versus traditional oversight concrete

Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 3.35 PM

Planning permission kept open. Foundations to perimeter walls went in years ago . Block and beam floor intended but now the reduced level within the bldg rectangle is down to the top of the foundation semi trench-fill concrete . NOW- outside of the building ground level to full concrete depth is 1 m but the inside of building reduced level to bottom of foundation concrete is only 700 mm . Problem or not ? This is a structural thing but has anybody encountered this question? Considerations = thinking overturning motion; braced by the fact there are concrete beams for the block and beam ground floor; no counter solid material to be inside the four walls . Realising that traditional oversite conny eliminates the problem , but for the sake of slightly complex drains within the four walls , it would still be easier for block and beam ground floor . Are we overthinking this a little too much? Any ideas? Comments?

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2 Answers

Anonymous user

Concrete oversite pending site access. Better thermal value by far a more cost effective solution

Answered8 February 2018

Brayfield Construction & Interiors Ltd

Rating: 4.8 out of 5

Bury St Edmunds

As the foundations were put in years ago with the intention of a B&B floor and since then you say the oversite area within the footprint has shrunk it suggests you have a clay based soil or poor load bearing strata so I would stick with the proposed B&B design. Out of interest was there any anti heave protection put in when footings were poured or a requirement for it, ask your building control inspector about comments from their initial inspection when foundations were installed as they should of been inspected at that stage, they will be able to best advise you on moving forward From a thermal perspective a block & beam floor will need to comply with the same building regulations as a ground bearing slab so its not a lesser quality option. Also if you have restrictive access a B&B floor can sometimes be easier & quicker than a ground bearing slab - just remember to incorporate air vents.

Answered9 February 2018