www.greenspec.co.

uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

(13.1)
(13 1) Ground
Floor
l
(13.4) Ground floor: on ground, suspended
(13.9) Proofing, membranes, insulation
 LSBU Tech 2 Lecture
• Domestic, Small & Medium size
g
buildings
• Construction methods, materials,
services and systems
• Ground floors: ground bearing,
suspended
• intake and disposal services
 Performance Design
• Establish the Performance
requirements of the building
• Then
Th design
d i the
th elements
l t to
t meett them
th
• E.g. What is the design life?
• This forces us to address durability
• And gives an opportunity to consider
whole life costs and life cycle analysis
• W
We also
l need d tto consider
id ththe energy
demands of the building during that life
 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

Performance
Requirements
i
Principles
p of Element Design
g
 Floor Actions
• Gravity: downward pull

• Wind: Motive force (suction), pressure buffeting, Destructive, Penetrative

• Rain: Moisture deposition, penetration

• Snow: Moisture deposition, loading, slush carried in, material degradation

• Moisture vapour: permeation, condensation, insulation impaired

• Sun: Temp variation, thermal movement, heat gains, Chemical decomposition

• Dirt and Dust: infiltration, deposition, surface pollution, surface erosion

• Chemicals: surface corrosion, disintegration, decomposition

• Sound: Noise nuisance, impact, rattle, creaking,

• Attack: Manual, Ballistics, Bomb Blast

• Thermal: heat loss, cold to touch, radiant coolth, condensation,

• p
Deposits: chewing
gggum, staining,
g adhesion, trip
p hazard, surface texture p
penetration

• Gases: Ground gases: Radon (Radio Active), Methane

• Moisture: flood water, ground water rising, capillary attraction, moisture transfer
 Floor Reactions
• Gravity: Support

• Wind: rigidity, resilience, sealing, air tightness layers and detailing

• Rain: deflection, impervious skin, absorption and drainage, sealing

• Snow: deflection, impervious skin, absorption and drainage, sealing

• Moisture vapour: resistance, hygroscopicity, permeability, breathing, moisture mass

• Sun: movement joints, insulation, shielding, invulnerable materials

• Dirt and Dust: repulsion, exclusion, shielding, cleaning

• Chemicals: invulnerable materials, exclusion,

• Sound: Insulation, absorption, acoustic mass, separation, isolation,

• Attack: toughness, lamination, edge restraint, edge protection

• Insulating: thermal insulation, thermal mass, U value, G value, cold bridge avoidance/minimisation

• p
Deposits: smooth impervious
p surface, flush impervious
p jjoints,

• Gases: Gas/Damp proof membrane linked to G/DPC

• Moisture: Elevation of floor above flood plain, Separation, water resistant materials, Damp proof
membranes linked to DPC
Principles of Element Design
• Appearance • Thermal Performance
– Interior and exterior materials – Heat Resistance: loss and gain
and finishes
– Condensation Avoidance
• Structural strength and stability – Airtightness
– Load-bearing – Avoidance of Cold Bridges
– Wind resistance – Thermal Mass

• Weather barrier • Movement

– Rain, snow, wind, sun, – Structural , thermal, moisture,
– dirt dust pollution Frost heave
– Chemical
Ch i l
• Durability
– Moisture resistance, frost,
mould
– Moisture Mass & Hygroscopicity
– Ozone and sunlight degradation
Principles of Element Design
• Acoustic Performance • Rising damp
– Resistance, absorption – Barriers
– Capillary Attraction
• Fire
Fi Performance
P f
– Surface spread of flame – Hygroscopic or Hydrophobic

– Fire Resistance – Frost action

• Security • Health
– Moisture Mass
• Inspection and maintenance
– Low allergy materials
– Inside & out

• Pest infestation
– Termites,
Termites
– Termite Barriers
 Principles of
Ground Floor Design
• Floor Categories • Impact Sound
• Appearance • Thermal Insulation
• Structural Strength • Moisture Resistance
and stability
• Durability
• Deflection
• Services
• Fire Resistance Accommodation
• Sound Insulation • Finishes
• Airborne Sound
 Ref Docs
• BRAD A Structure: Load-bearing
• BRAD C Moisture Resistance
• BS
• CP
• BRE
• CIRIA
• DTI VCofP SWMP
 www.greenspec.co.uk
k

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

Ground
(11) Ground
Profile, Composition, preparation, water

Another GreenSpec CPD to download soon

 Light touch bigger footprint

Shallow excavation
Pad foundations
+ve wind pressure on roof
 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

Flood Zone: xxx mm.

Splash & Capillary
Zone: 450 mm.

Eco-Concrete
Pad foundation

12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 14

Roundwood: trees from site
No ground contact, flood zone, anti-splash height, air movement, place for nature
Gas service ventilation zone before entry, services suspension zone
 EcoConcrete
• Reduced OPC Ordinary Portland Cement content
(reduced CO2 production)
– GGBS Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag Cement (Slag)
– PFA Pulverised Fuel Ash

• Reduced Primary or Virgin Aggregates (sand and

gravel)
– Secondary aggregates (waste or by-product)
– Recycled aggregates
– Recycled concrete aggregates
– Recycled other materials (glass
(glass, plastics
plastics, etc
etc.))

• Mains drinking water supply

 Limecrete
• Replaces OPC Ordinary Portland Cement content
(reduced CO2 production)
– Lime (lower CO2, recyclable,
recyclable slow set
set, avoid frost)

• Reduced Primary or Virgin Aggregates (sand and

g
gravel)
)
– Secondary aggregates (waste or by-product)
– Recycled aggregates
– Recycled concrete aggregates
– Recycled other materials

• Mains
M i drinking
d i ki water
t supply
l
• Use permanent formwork in ground
 Hemp-Lime crete
• Replaces OPC Ordinary Portland Cement content
– Lime
• lower CO2, recyclable, slow set, avoid frost

• Replaces Primary or Virgin Aggregates (sand and

gravel)
– Plant based aggregates
• Carbon sequestration,
q , Carbon negative
g

• Mains drinking water supply

• Not suitable for foundations
– May be suitable for floors (guidance soon)
 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

Rain Splash

150 mm. rain splash

p zone

12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 19

 Dynamic Consolidation
Dynamic Consolidation of subsoil to improve load bearing capacity
Heavy touch in poor ground
Noise and Vibration issues for neighbours
Lowering of site level
Suited to continuous foundations: strip trench raft
Suited to walled construction
 Dynamic Consolidation
Dynamic Consolidation of subsoil to improve load bearing capacity
Heavy touch in poor ground
Spaced affects capacity lower down
Angle depends on soil types
Closer centres bring bearing capacity closer to surface
 Heavy touch in poor ground
Dynamic
D i C
Consolidation
lid ti off subsoil
b il tto iimprove lload
dbbearing
i capacity
it
Noise and Vibration issues
Lowering of site level
Pockets for pad foundation for framed buildings
 Post & framing
• Ideal for pad or pile
foundation
• Minimal
Mi i l excavation
ti
g
• Minimal arisings
• Or almost no
foundations at all
• Children, nature &
storage under
Hedgehog Self-build Brighton Architect: Robin Hillier
 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

Load-bearing wall
Foundations: Raft

12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 24

 Walled building foundations
• Raft Foundation
 Raft Foundations
• Often used in poor soil conditions
• E.g. in East Angila (East of England) Fenland on Peat
which
hi h hhas poor lload-bearing
db i capacity
it will
ill compress
as water is squeezed out of the sponge like sub-soil
• The building is designed to ‘float’
float on a raft
• The raft must be stiff to resist differential settlement
• The building and the raft should be simple in plan or
extra stiff (reinforcement) to compensate
• Downstand beams leave ‘dumplings’
dumplings of soil in
between
• Services must swivel to accommodate settlement
Reinforced eco-concrete
eco concrete raft
foundation on poor ground

Reinforced eco-concrete raft foundation

In clay and moisture sensitive soil: 900 mm. thick
To resist moisture movement and frost heave
Di l
Displaces excavated
t d soilil
 Cellular raft
• Historically excavated soil was sent to
landfill without question
q
• If poor soil is removed the raft may
become thicker and it may become
cellular with slabs at top and bottom
• It then displaces all of the soil
• With diminishing landfill capacity this
approach is no longer economical
 Reinforced eco-concrete
Cellular Raft foundation
on poor ground

Reinforced eco-concrete raft foundation

In clay and moisture sensitive soil: 900 mm. thick
To resist moisture movement and frost heave
Displaces more excavated soil
 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

Basement raft
• The space between the top and bottom
g enough
slabs is high g to make
accommodation
• This maximises the accommodation on
the site and offers opportunities for
plant and storage space
• But generates considerable excavation
arisings
12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 30
 Reinforced eco-concrete
Cellular raft foundation on poor
ground, turned into basement

Basement for services and storage

Reinforced eco-concrete cellular raft foundation
Displaces lots of excavated soil
 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

Floating Raft
Foundations

12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 32

Steel or reinforced eco-concrete
Cellular Raft foundation
on island subject to flooding

The Profile may be changed to have less impact

It could be boat shaped
 Steel or eco-concrete
Cellular Raft foundation
on island subject to flooding
 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

Solid Masonry: Raft

Foundation &
Concrete Floor
12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 35
 Principles of
Floor
Design
• Floor Load
• Floor Level
• Connections of wall or column to floor
• Connection of floor to foundation
• Floor shape
• Floor thickness
• Stepping
• Holes for Services
• Construction Process
• Depth above ground level
 Insitu eco-concrete
ground floor/raft foundation
on thick insulation layer
Not for clay & moisture sensitive subsoil
No down-stand beam
No cold bridge
Topsoil reused on site
Minimal excavations arisings
Insulation as formwork
Minimal insulation off-cuts and waste
150 mm. rain splash
p zone

Some Structural Engineer’s will not go there

Insitu eco-concrete ground
floor/raft foundation
on thick insulation layer
Not for clay & moisture sensitive subsoil
Thickening of floor at edge
no cold bridge
Topsoil reused on site
Some excavations arisings
Insulation as formwork
Minimal insulation off-cuts & waste (half & make 2)

Some Structural Engineer’s happier to do this

 Insitu eco-concrete
ground floor/raft foundation
on thick insulation layer
Clay & moisture sensitive subsoil
Raft with down stand beam at edge
High risk of cold bridge
Topsoil reused on site
Some excavations arisings
Insulation as permanent formwork
Minimal insulation off-cuts and waste

Cold Bridge

Frost Heave
Drying Shrinkage in hot dry weather: Trees drinking
 Insitu eco-concrete
ground floor/raft foundation
on thick insulation layer
Clay & moisture sensitive sub-soil
sub soil
Raft with down stand beam at edge
High risk of cold bridge
Topsoil & subsoil reused on site
Some excavations arisings
Insulation as permanent formwork
Minimal insulation off-cuts and waste
Z
Zero E
Energy D
Development
l t
Reduce demand
for artificial light
and heating: g
Outdoor living
Conservatory y life
sunny warm cave
to retreat to in
the cold of night

Hockerton Newark Nottinghamshire

Hot house
in the middle
of winter
 Insulation wrapped around
accommodation and thermal mass
Layering to avoid penetrations
of DPM damp proof membrane
 Car
Compost
parking

Below Ground Drainage above slab

Earth bank no views

Cloaks Cloaks
RoomDining
g Room Plumbingg Bathroom Sitting g Room Plumbing
g RoomDining g Bathroo
Plant Plant
Way through
Bedroom Bedroom

Area Kitchen Store Bedroom Living Area Kitchen Store Bedroo

Fireplace Fireplace
Porch Conservatory Porch Cons

Veranda Vera
te Private
en Garden
Zero Energy Development

Mile End Road Park

Zero Energy Development
Zero Energy
gy
Development
Use of
thermal mass
of earth to
store heat for
6 months

Mile End Road Park, E London

Zero Energy Development
Heat transfer
in soil
1m/mth
6m insulation
boards at
perimeter
6 months of
heat storage
Mile End Road Park, E London
Zero Energy Development
Heat
exchangeg
into rear
earth from
pipes, avoids
heat
exchangers
minimise
pumps and
Mile End Road Park, E London
motors
 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

Cavity Wall
Foundations:
Strip
p or Trench Fill
12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 50
 Walled building foundations
• Strip Foundation
• Trench-fill
Trench fill Foundation
 Strip Foundation
• Wide strip for labourer access either side of
wall
• Shallow
Sh ll strip:
t i less
l concrete
t (eco-concrete)
( t )
• But more brick, blocks, ties, concrete cavity
fill
• H&S Risk: requires labour to work at bottom
of trench which may be deep & can collapse
• Back filled with hardcore, consolidated in 150
mm. layers
• Labour intensive, costly, so avoided
 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

Trench fill
• Uses narrower trench but same depth
• Uses more concrete (eco
(eco-concrete)
concrete)
• Less other materials and construction
below ground, no backfill
• Less labour and risks in the ground
• Less labour intensive so cheap and
chosen
h
12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 53
 Pre 1990s Construction

• Eco Energy Refurbishment

 trench fill or strip
eco-concrete
foundation

150 mm. rain splash zone

900 mm.
To resist frost heave: moisture sensitive soil
Insitu eco-concrete ground floor
on thick insulation layer
trench fill foundation
Clay & moisture sensitive ground conditions
Flat concrete slab
Low risk of cold bridge
Topsoil reused on site
Excavations arisings
Full fill cavity wall insulation
Minimal insulation off-cuts and waste
 Thick insulation layer on
Insitu eco-concrete ground floor
trench fill foundation
Clay & moisture sensitive ground conditions
Flat concrete slab
Low risk of cold bridge
Topsoil reused on site
Excavations arisings
Full fill cavity wall insulation
Minimal insulation off-cuts and waste
 Thick insulation layer on
Insitu eco-concrete ground floor
Strip foundation
Clay & moisture sensitive ground conditions
Flat concrete slab
Low risk of cold bridge
Topsoil reused on site
Excavations arisings
Full fill cavity wall insulation
Minimal insulation off-cuts and waste
 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

Clay heave
Collapsible board

12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 59

 Clay heave
• Under floor & against foundations
• Moisture variations in clay soil causes
expansion and shrinkage
• Expansion can lead to displacement
• Collapsible board accommodates
expansion
• R
Recycled
l d content
t t paper h
honeycombb
cardboard/polypropylene sheets
 Marketing
• ‘Clayboard’ is a unique, environmentally friendly void former
and foundation stabiliser developed by Dufaylite.
y
• Clayboard is a biodegradable
g honeycomb
y core set between
lightweight polypropylene facings.
• When dry, ‘Clayboard’ is strong enough to support the weight of
wet concrete and steel reinforcement.
• Water is introduced to the ‘Clayboard’ core once the concrete is
set, degrading the ‘Clayboard’ honeycomb centre which will
ultimately lead to the creation of a void.
• This space will accommodate clay expansion without exerting
undue pressure on the structure below.
g void continues to accommodate natural soil
• The resulting
shrinkage and expansion.’
 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

Damp Proof
Membrane

12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 63

 DPM
• Fabric/Clay powder/Fabric DPM
– Uncomplicated lapping no bonding
– No specialist applicators
– Moisture
M i t activated
ti t d
• (sprinklered or ground water)

• Recycled content polyethylene sheet

• M
Many synthetic
th ti petrochemical
t h i l
polymeric sheets
 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

Damp & Gas Proof

Membrane

12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 65

 Ocean Terminal Leith Edinburgh
g www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

• Reclamation of derelict harbour site

• Part of regeneration of area
• Polluted landfill capped by building
Conran Design Partnership
Brian
12/06/2009 Murphy Specification Consultant
© NGS 2007 Foundations 66
 D&GPM
• Gas
– Methane from backfill/landfill
– Radon from granite
• Clay based not suitable
– vapour
p p
permeable when dry
y
• Reinforced polyethylene sheet
• Synthetic petrochemical polymeric
sheets
 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

Gas Venting
Board

12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 68

 Brownfield site ventilation
• Methane from biodegrading organic waste in backfill
• Liquids and chemicals from prior use
• Petro-chemicals Hydro-carbons from prior use
• Ventilated cavity below buildings allow removal
before entry into building
• Gas Proof Membrane in floors
• Often combination Damp Proof Membrane
• Cigarette smokers must take care with stubs
• Methane is combustible
 Radon Ventilation
• Radio-active granite e.g. in west
country
• Releases radioactivity into air
• Ventilated cavity below buildings allow
removal before entry into building
• R
Radon
d B Barrier:
i G
Gas P
Prooff M
Membrane
b iin
floors
• Often combination Damp Proof
Membrane
Leaky
y Buildings
g
 Greenwich Millennium Village www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007

Phase 2b
© NGS 2006 Title 1

• Reclaimed Polluted Gasworks site

• 900 mm
mm. polluted soil removed to landfill
• GPM capping 900 mm. down
• 900 mm. imported sub and topsoil
• P
Passive
i ventilation
til ti boards
b d att ground
d
level below ground floor

12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 72

Architect: Proctor Matthews
Brownfield gas ventilation boards
 Insitu eco-concrete ground floor
Gas/Damp Proof membrane
under slab ventilation &
thermal insulation board

Flat floors allows use of extensive use of modular insulation

Expanded moulded polystyrene of suitable grade
Minimises waste from off cuts
Assuming the building size or grid reflects their size
Gasses percolating up from site ventilated to perimeter
or ventilated to above roof
 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

Thermal Insulation
Board

12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 75

 Insitu eco-concrete ground floor
with under slab insulation & DPM

Flat floors allows use of extensive use of modular insulation

Minimises waste from off cuts
Assuming the building size or grid reflects their size
Materials: Expanded polystyrene or cellular glass
Performance: load
load-bearing,
bearing, water resistant
DPM keeps insulation dry and warm
Keeps thermal mass of floor close to surface to exploit
Avoid insulating screeds
Consider thin sheet finishes or dense tile
Avoid insulation underlay and carpets
 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

Suspended
Ground Floor

12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 77

 Suspended ground floor:
Opportunities
• Void to accommodate ground heave
– No need for collapsible boards

• Void to permit ventilation of ground gases

– No need for GPM Gas Proof Membrane
– Methane from backfill for Brownfield sites
– Radon from granite

• Isolate floor from ground moisture

– No need for DPM Damp Proof Membrane

• Suspend above flood level

– Might avoid flood damage

• Lends
L d iitself
lf to sloping
l i sites
i
– Spans over slopes
– Creates places for storage (but floor risk)
 Structural Floor
• Concrete Deck
– Insitu (E10)
– Precast
P t plank
l k (E60)
– Beam and block
– Insitu and clay
y pots
p

• Composite Deck
– Steel trough deck and insitu concrete (G30 & E10)

• Timber Deck (G20)

– Joists or compound joist and board or sheet
– SIPS Structural Insulated Panels
– Solid timber structural panels
 Suspended GF Types:
Economic & common:
• Suspended insitu concrete is labour intensive and not
common
• Precast concrete plank and structural screed
topping Cement:Sand
• Precast concrete beam and concrete block with
t
topping
i
• Hybrid mixtures of the above
• Services
S i pipes
i usually
ll close
l to
t wall
ll or in
i corners
• Holes drilled (cored), cut or trimmed
• Common in flats for acoustic performance (weight)
• Sand to level any pre-camber
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
150 mm. .rain
. splash
. . .zone
. . . . . . . . . . .

.
.
. . .
. . .
 . . . . . . .
150 mm.. .rain splash
.. ..
zone .. .. .. ..

Off-cut waste
 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

. . . . . . .
150 mm.. .rain splash
.. ..
zone .. .. .. ..

Off-cut waste

12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 83

Metal Trough & Insitu EcoConcrete

• Requires framed superstructure usually steel

• Steel Permanent formwork deck provides access for
labour
• Insitu eco-concrete poured onto trough and levelled
• Steel and eco-concrete bond and together to make
strong
t thi fl
thin floors
• Potential reduction in storey heights
 EcoConcrete
• Reduced OPC Ordinary Portland Cement content
(reduced CO2 production)
– GGBS Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag Cement (Slag)
– PFA Pulverised Fuel Ash

• Reduced Primary or Virgin Aggregates (sand and

gravel)
– Secondary aggregates (waste or by-product)
– Recycled aggregates
– Recycled concrete aggregates
– Recycled other materials (glass
(glass, plastics
plastics, etc
etc.))

• Mains drinking water supply

Suspended
S d d ti
timber
b
ground
d fl
floor
CI/SfB (13.1) Ground Floor
Suspended GF Types: Traditional
• Perimeter air bricks, at base of walls
• Sleeper walls open bond permits air
movementt
• Timber wall plate
• Timber Joists
• Wooden boarded floor: open or T&G jointed
• Ventilated void
• No insulation,,
• Air leaky floors
 Traditional Suspended Ground
Floor Joists

Softwood T&G boarding

Softwood joists simple design
No thermal Insulation
Wall plate on damp proof course on mortar bed

Honeycomb sleeper walls

 Victorian Construction

• Eco Energy Refurbishment

Suspended Ground Floor Joists
Refurbishment

Softwood joists simple design

Thermal Insulation
Suspended in joist space
Suspended Floor types: Eco
• Suited to load bearing walled or framed
buildings
• Frames from column and posts
• Timber I beams minimise resource use
• Suspended above flood level
• Well insulated for Zero Carbon Future
Future,
airtight and no cold bridges
• Breathing Construction and insulation
• Thermal mass can be added
 Roof:
Compound rafters
Cellulose insulation
Upper Floor:
Acoustic bricks in floor
Laminated Timber floor planks
L
Lower fl
floor:
Acoustic brick
Compound joist
Cellulose insulation
External wall:
Timber frame walls
Timber fibre insulation
Timber
i b batten
b clad
l d
Construction Resources Showrooms Southwark London
 Suspended ground floor

• Natural Carpet
• Dense timber fibre reinforced gypsum
• Acoustic brick
• Compound joist
• Cellulose
C ll l fib
fibre insulation
i l ti
 Timber Floor: Eco
• Suited to solid wall or framed buildings
• Frames from column and posts
p
• Timber I beams minimise resource use
• Suspended above basement accommodation
or ventilation zone
• Well insulated for Zero Carbon Future
Future,
airtight and no cold bridges
• Breathing Construction and insulation option
• Thermal mass can be added
 Compound Floor joist ‘I beams’ to
accommodate more thermal insulation

Compound section reduces amount of

materials used and weight
 Compound floor joist ‘I beams’, inner
and outer boards and thermal insulation

P f b i t d suspended
Prefabricated d d fl
floor panell
 Compound floor joist ‘I beams’, inner
and outer boards and thermal insulation

P f b i t d suspended
Prefabricated d d fl
floor panell
 SIP Structural Insulated Panel

P f b i t d suspended
Prefabricated d d fl
floor panell
 SIP Structural Insulated Panel

P f b i t d suspended
Prefabricated d d fl
floor panell
Load-bearing Structural Timber Panel

Prefabricated suspended floor panel

softwood lamina or plywood core option
Load-bearing Laminated Structural
Timber Floor Panel
 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

R
Resource Effi
Efficiency
i

12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 102

 Reduce Demand
• Don’t over design structure
• Except if long design life demands it
• Don’t oversize
• Don’t cut section from solid if
compound is possible
8 9
Reused wood better than new
BedZED Beddington Sutton Architect: Dr Bill Dunster,
Reclaim: BioRegional ReCLAIMED © NGS
Suspended Floor Joists

Simple design and construction

Suspended Ground Floor
J i /
Joists/Beams & Partitions
ii

9 9

Multiple section simplifies design and

construction
Suspended Ground Floor
J i /
Joists/Beams & Partitions
ii

Multiple section with flitch plate of steel

bolted together
 Suspended ground floor section

8 8 8 8

Lazy Structural Design: less calculation, more structure

Avoid over design of structural supports or around openings
Avoid creating wide cold bridges through insulation
Avoid chopping standard width insulation rolls: more waste
 Reduce Demand
• Don’t cut section from solid if compound is
possible
• Reduce solid sections to compound to reduce
weight
g and materials used

8 9
 Reduce Demand
• Consider use of materials as found:
• Round pole structures
• Or compound sections without waste
• Or use off
off-cuts
cuts in cladding
9
9 8 8 8 9

Roundwood Cut Waste Wood Boarding Cut Reassemble

 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

Reuse of what you

find on site
Materials arisings
arisings, opportunities to reclaim
for reuse or recycling on or off site

12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 111

 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

Site Autonomy

No export No
from site materials
imported to
site

12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 112

 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007 © NGS 2006 Title 1

Cut and Fill

I principle
In i i l a simple
i l idea
id
- Cut

+ Fill

12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 113

 Cut and Fill
Allow for site strip, design fill size to
accommodate excavated materials from:
Cut, retaining walls, land drains, foundations, floor
slabs, services and drain trenches and paved
areas allow for bulking
areas,

- Cut
C t

+ Fill
 Cut and Fill
Check all your quantities
first and determine the level

Or decide the level and

determine the position of the
- Cut building

+ Fill
 Excavation Arisings
g
All excavated subsoil materials to be reused on
site rather than landfilled
Use it in intelligent landscape modelling
I l di flood
Including fl d defence
d f (Env.
(E Agency
A permitting)
itti )

- Cut
C t

+ Fill
 www.greenspec.co.uk

21/10/2007
Hollyrood Scottish Parliament
© NGS 2006 Title 1

• Intelligent reuse of excavated subsoil

• Landscape features: surplus subsoil
• Topsoil and grass

12/06/2009 © NGS 2007 Foundations 117

 Environment Agency
• Government Agency:
• Police: Environment , Waterways and
Water Bodies, Landfill, Pollution, Leaks
and emissions
emissions, Fly
Fly-tipping,
tipping Site Waste,
Waste
water use and abuse
• Right to close sites if abusing the law
• Nick
Nick-name:
name: Anti
Anti-recycling
recycling league
On-site Best Practice:
Initial Site Strip: Landscape Waste
Spread Seeds on topsoil to
Topsoil
T il discourage weeds Collect
Stockpile Cover topsoil with turf Seeds

Grass
Site Strip Area
Compost
Mix Green Waste with grass cuttings compost
Leaf
Compost
Bush & Tree
Trimmings
g
Turf Sub-soil
Hardcore
On-site Best Practice:
Reuse of Green waste in Landscape
Collect
Use stockpiled topsoil
Seeds
in landscape
Topsoil
Stockpile Use stockpiled turf
in landscape
Compost
Add mature Leaf compost to Green Compost

Use hardcore in road sub-base

Leaf
and under floor slabs
Compost
T f
Turf Add manufactured topsoil to gardens
Add mature compost and Subsoil
Topsoil to make Topsoil
Stockpile Sub-soil
Hardcore