FIBRES IN FLOOR

SCREEDS

A CONSTRUCTION
GUIDE.

INTRODUCTION
A Screed is a mix of sand and cement that is laid
over a concrete base to provide a surface close to
the specified level and with a high standard of
flatness, which is suitable to receive a flooring
material. Its primary function, then, is to provide
a flat, smooth, sound surface and it is always
covered with another flooring material such as
carpet, plastic sheeting or tiles and never left
exposed to act as a wearing surface.

POLYPROPYLENE FIBRES
(FIBRE SCREED)
The use of polypropylene fibres within screeds
and mortar is an ever-growing product. The use
of fibre screed enables the screeding contractor
to utilise additional benefits that are not
generally available with crack control steel
mesh.
Polypropylene fibres can be added on site or at
the batching plant.
It is generally recommended that fibre screed
is supplied by quality assured screed suppliers
in order to ensure a well-mixed and consistent
product.
The benefits of having fibre screed supplied are:

SCREEDS
Fibre screed has the following advantages over
traditional sand: cement screeds:

Fig1: Production Facility at Beverley East Yorkshire

Minimum early age shrinkage cracking

Improved flexural strength

Improved flexural fatigue resistance

Easy to place and compact

A well mixed and constant material

Cannot be misplaced

No laying or lapping of mesh

Reduced permeability

No storage or hoisting of mesh

Improved pumping characteristics

Reduction of plastic shrinkage cracking

Reduction in bleeding (generally unbonded

screeds)

Plant mixed to give accurate control and

better dispersion of cement and fibres with
minimum compressive strength as specified
in BS 4721/4

Increased bond

Increased impact and abrasion resistance

(before final application)

Cost effective (approximate savings can be

as much as 1.00 per m2)

Note: The relevant British Standard for

Fibrescreed is BS 4721/4
Fibrescreed should be used in accordance
with the relevant codes of practice BS 8000
and BS 8204 Part 1.

DESCRIPTION
Fibrescreed is a thoroughly mixed, accurately
controlled blend of the following:
Well graded, washed sharp sand to BS 882
Portland Cement to BS12
Polypropylene fibres (6mm in length and 60
microns in diameter)
Proprietary retarding/water reducing admixture
to BS 4887 Part 2 giving the correct working
time, usually 8-12 hours from time of mixing.

Compatibility
Fibrescreed is an inert material and is compatible
with all building materials but wet cement based
materials may attack some non-ferrous metals
such as aluminium.
Durability
No problems will occur if the correct mix has
been specified for the correct application.
Fibrescreed is not designed as a wearing surface
and should be covered with a finishing material.
CRACK CONTROL STEEL MESH

Water to give the correct semi-dry consistence

for easy laying and thorough compaction.
PERFORMANCE
Strength:
Results based on specimens made, cured and
tested in accordance with the requirements of BS
4551: 1980 (with fibres)

Traditional
Sand;Cement
Proportions
1:3
1:4
1:5

Min. Wet
Compressive
Strength at
28days
(N/mm2)
27.0
18.0
12.5

Min. Wet
Flexural
Strength at
28 days
(N/mm2)
5.0
4.0
3.0

The sole purpose of mesh within screeds is to

control plastic shrinkage cracking of the screed.
The reinforcement that is utilised within a screed
is not structural and is intended solely for crack
control.
The function of crack control steel mesh is to
slow down the propagation of the shrinkage
cracks from the surface of the screed and to hold
together any cracks that appear within the
screed. This only applies if the crack control
steel mesh has been placed correctly in the
screed i.e. in the top section of the screed.
Therefore crack control steel mesh only works
when the screed has actually cracked. (Figure 2)
Propagation of cracks within screed

Results courtesy of Tilcon Mortars

The inclusion of polypropylene fibres offers a
three - dimensional system of secondary or crack
control reinforcement and may be considered as
an alternative to crack control steel mesh
specified for that purpose. Polypropylene fibres
should not be used as an alternative to primary or
structural reinforcement.

Figure 2

Fire Protection
As defined in BS 476 Part 4 Fibrescreed is not
combustible.
Polypropylene
fibres
are
combustible but in this form will not support
combustion
Effects of Frost
In cold conditions adequate precautions must be
taken against frost. No anti-freeze admixtures
should be added to the mix.

Crack Control Mesh

BS 8204 precludes the use of chicken wire

within floor screeds and refers to the use of
polypropylene fibres as an acceptable
alternative to chicken wire.
Crack control steel mesh does not assist with
any long-term benefit to the screed where as
in the early stages of a screed floor the use of
polypropylene fibres will assist with
additional technical benefits to the screed.
Excessive water within the screed can lead to
bleeding. This may cause the crack control
steel mesh to move towards the surface of
the screed. This is more commonly known as
delamination.

ADVANTAGES

ADFIL 660F
Adfil 660F Screedfibre (figure 3) is a high
performance polypropylene fibre specifically
designed for use in screeds, overlays and
toppings.

Reduced Plastic Shrinkage Cracking as the

addition of Adfil 660F increases the tensile
strain capacity of the mix at plastic stage

Reduced risk of curling as the rate of bleed is

controlled throughout the matrix, ensuring
proper hydration takes place

Delamination and Hollow Spots less likely to

occur as Adfil 660F can be used as a
replacement for non structural steelmesh, as
recommended by the British Cement
Association.

Increased bond strength.

Increased durability and cost effective

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Figure 3 Fibrillated Fibre Adfil 660F

Adfil 660F Screedfibre may be used in all types

of screeds.

BENEFITS

Reduced Plastic Shrinkage Cracking

Reduced Bleeding
Reduced Permeability
Reduced Risk of Delamination
Increased Bond
Increased Impact and Abrasion Resistance
Increased durability

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Length
Melt Point
Specific Gravity
Acid Resistance
Alkali Resistance
Absorption

6mm
160 C
0.91
Excellent
Excellent
Nil

DOSAGE & MIXING

Adfil 660F Screedfibre should be added at the
rate of 0.91 kg/m3 or 1kg per 2 Tonnes of
Screed. The fibres are coated to aid dispersal, but
thorough mixing is required.

The design should remain as in conventional

screeds except that there is no need to use
crack control mesh. Structural Steel if
required, cannot be replaced.
Minimum depths of screed as recommended
above should be adhered to.
Butt Joints should be designed at 3 4 metre
widths or alternatively a continuous screed
design may be considered but random
cracking may occur
Proper curing procedures should be
maintained at all times
Adfil 660F is suitable for both semi dry
and wet screeds and will not affect the
surface finish due to the very fine fibrillation
of the fibre.

Health and Safety

CEMENT BURNS (SKIN ULCERATION)
CAN RESULT FROM CONTACT WITH WET
CONCRETE OR MORTAR. PLEASE REFER
TO HEALTH & SAFETY DOCUMENTATION
SUPPLIED BY SCREED COMPANY.

TYPES OF SCREEDS

SITE MIXER RECOMMENDATIONS

Mixer
Type

Wet output
Capacity
(Litres)

Bags
Per m3

Adfil
660F
Dosage

Most screeds will be specified and will typically

comply with the following types:
20mm
20mm

Screed
Bag

65

15

100g

4/3

80

13

100g

5/3.5

95

11

125g

7/5

130

125g

10/7

185

200g

BOND STRENGTH
Adfil 660F can also be used in mortars and
renders to give increased impact and abrasion
resistance, also for increased frost resistance and
improved bond.
Recent tests conducted at an independent
NAMAS approved laboratory to BS 1881: Pt
207 Clause 8: 1992 have shown that a substantial
increase in bond strength can be achieved by
adding Adfil 660F to the mix. The test results are
as follows: Sample Type

Bond Strength

Test 1

Test 2

Test
3

Panel A
Class one
0
0
0
Mortar
Panel B
Mortar Adfil
1.7
1.5
2.3
660F
Comments made included:
Panel A - debonded when dried.
Panel B Failed at slab/coating bond

40mm

Screed is bonded to
exposed aggregate in
the base slab

A: Bonded Screed
A bonded screed should have a typical thickness
of between 20mm to 40mm. It is laid on a
previously hardened concrete base slab which
has been prepared by scabbling and has had all
dust and debris removed. (Any screed battens
that are used should be fixed at this stage)
The slab is then water soaked and a bonding coat
slurry applied (e.g. cement slurry) scrubbing it
well into the surface of the base slab. Ensure that
the bonding coat does not dry out before the
screed is placed.
Place the screed material between the battens
and spread out accordingly

Mean

Compact the screed with a hand float or by

punning or rolling.

Remove any excess material and fill any hollows

using a straightedge to rule off to the level of the
battens.

1.8

APPLICATIONS:
Fibrescreed may be considered suitable for the
following applications:
Solid concrete ground floor slabs
Precast concrete units or beams
In-situ suspended floors

Finish the surface by hand floating and

trowelling so that a flat smooth and closed
surface is left.
Repeat the procedures as necessary to complete
the whole floor area.
Note: Bonded screeds should not be thicker
than 40mm: thicker bonded screeds are more
likely to curl and become hollow.
Even with good workmanship some risk of
slight hollowness cannot be ruled out.

Screed

50mm
Min.

A floating screed should have a minimum

thickness of 65mm if it is laid on a resilient layer
of insulating material.
Floating screeds that are laid on a compressible
mat are extremely difficult to compact and for
these reasons the preferred option is to use an
ordinary screed which requires less impact to
achieve compaction.

Damp-proof
Membrane

B: Unbonded Screed
The minimum thickness for an unbonded screed
(preferably greater) if it is laid on a damp-proof
membrane or on concrete that will not provide a
good bond (e.g. a smooth high strength concrete
which cannot be scabbled or a base that contains
a form of water proofing admixture)
Unbonded screed laying is very susceptible to
serious risk of curling and hollowness, as the
damp-proof membrane or poorly prepared base
may prevent bond. Increasing the thickness and
therefore the weight can reduce this risk. It is
generally recognised that an unbonded screed of
100mm thickness, preferably in small aggregate
concrete i.e. 10mm aggregate reduces the risk to
a minimum.

A high degree of care must be taken in

constructing this screed, as the weak support of
the insulating material will increase the effect of
any weakness in the screed.
It is almost certain that with a floating screed,
some differential curling will occur at joints. The
use of a concrete overslab of at least 100mm
thickness will minimise the risk of curling.
The use of fibre screed will increase the speed of
construction and reduce the risk of plastic
shrinkage cracking but as with crack control will
not prevent the curling of screeds.
COVERAGE:
Thickness (mm)
15

Coverage Area.
M2 / tonne (approx.)
30.0

20

22.5

25

18.0

30

15.0

35

13.0

40

11.0

45

10.0

50

9.0

55

8.2

60

7.5

65

7.0

70

6.5

75

6.0

Unbonded screed bays curl at bay joints

Damp-proof
Membrane or
insulation
Curling:
Screeds laid on a damp-proof membrane or a
layer of insulating material have a high risk of
curling, as they cannot be bonded to the
concrete.
C: Floating Screed

Screed

Damp proof membrane

50mm
Min

Please note: Slight variations in sub base

levels will affect the coverage

SITEWORK:
Preparation
Where applicable the base concrete must be
clean and in particular free from lime, gypsum,
plaster, dust, oil or grease. The base concrete
should be swept to remove any loose material
and wetted with clean water if the screed is to be
placed in direct contact with the base. Just before
laying the screed a thin cement grout should be
brushed onto the surface care being taken that
the grout neither forms deep pools nor sets
before the screed is placed.
LAYING FLOOR SCREEDS
TYPE A: BONDED SCREED
1. When the base concrete has been well
prepared for bonding by scabbling to expose
the coarse aggregate, fix any screed battens
to level.
2. Clean the exposed concrete thoroughly.
3. Soak the prepared area with water for several
hours, best practice is to leave overnight.
Remove any excess water just before laying
of the floor screed.
When laying an infill strip of screed, it is
generally good practice to soak the edges of
the adjacent existing strips.
4. Next scrub a cement grout of the consistency
of cream into the base concrete surface with
a brush. If "wet screeds" are to be used for
levels lay them next.
A grouted area must not be left uncovered
for more than 20 minutes (10 minutes or less
in hot weather or in heated buildings) or the
grout will set and lose its bonding power.
Do not grout too far ahead of screed laying.
If proprietary bonding agents such as the
PVA (polyvinyl acetate) or SBR (styrenebutadiene rubber) types are specified instead
of plain cement grout, study the maker's
instructions before use. You must still
roughen the base slab, clean it and in most
cases soak with water before using any
bonding agent.
5. Spread the mixed material (or what remains
of it, if "wet screeds" have been laid) over
the grouted area to a level about 10 mm
above the batten (or "wet screed") top i.e.
giving a surcharge - the drier the material,

the greater will be the surcharge required.

Then heavily tamp down the screed to the
level to give full compaction. This part of
the laying is very important if the screed is to
be strong and bonded to the grouted base.
It is difficult to compact screeds fully by
hand without quite hard work. Compaction
can be made easier by using a handrammer
or a roller or a plate vibrator.
6. Strike off any excess compacted screed
material still above batten level by running a
rule or straightedge along the battens. Fill
any slightly low areas, recompact and rule
out.
7. Finish the section of the screed just laid, by
wood
Float or by wood float and steel trowel,
depending on the specification. Continue on
down the strip, first grouting, then spreading,
compacting, levelling and finishing the
screed as you go.
TYPES B AND C - UNBONDED AND
FLOATING SCREEDS
The construction and finishing screed of these
types follow basically steps 5, 6 and 7, outlined
above for bonded screed (there is no requirement
for roughening and grouting, or for applying
bonding agent to the base slab). Take care not to
damage damp-proof membranes or insulation
layers, particularly when using temporary level
rails or screeding battens.
The use of "wet screeds" avoids the problem
of pinning down battens.
Where a 65 mm thick floating screed is to be
laid over a flexible insulation quilt or slab,
one way to assist final compaction is to first
spread a 25 mm layer of screed material
which is compacted, left with a rough
surface, and allowed to harden for 24 hours.
The remaining 40-mm of screed can then be
compacted against this pre-hardened layer much easier than trying to compact against
soft quilting.
Curing and Protection of Screeds:
Cement / Sand screeds and low water content
concrete screeds are quite porous and will dry
out quickly if not cured properly. To ensure that
the screed gains its full potential strength it
should be covered immediately and at least for
seven days.

Long strips of screed will unavoidably crack at

random intervals as they dry and shrink. The use
of fibre screed and small bay construction will
help to prevent random cracking, but bay edges
may curl
Where room widths are not very large (up to 12
metres) full room areas may be screeded in one
operation by the use of temporary screed battens.

SCREED LEVELS

Figure 4 Protected Screed on Site.

For levelling purposes, use rectangular timber

screed battens or steel angles with tops set
accurately to the specified level. Bed them on
cement mortar and fix them securely to the base
slab. Wet screeds, accurately laid to level are
also acceptable.

If the weather is very cold, the screed will need

to be protected from frost until is has gained
adequate strength. Screeds must be protected
from damage by vehicles etc. by suitable boards
or sheeting.
Screeds should be allowed to dry out after curing
as naturally and as slowly as possible. Any rapid
artificial drying out will increase the risk of
screeds cracking and curling.
BAY SIZES
Screeds should be laid in strips of 3 or 4 metres
wide. The length is not as important and is
limited by room size and convenience. Make
simple vertical butt joints between strips and at
stop ends. If the screed contain electrical heating
cables, sub-divide the strips into bays with plain
butt joints to suit the heating mat layout.
Vertical butt joint

Figure 5 Screed levelling using batten.

Joints: Use simple butt joints between screed

strips and stop ends.

SUPPLY
Thorough mixing of the material is essential for
the purpose of obtaining good quality screeds.
Therefore it is essential to ensure that the correct
type of mixer is used for good quality screeds.
Free-fall mixers are not capable of mixing low
water content materials such as screed with any
acceptable efficiency.
Tests have shown that these machines will
induce balling of cement.
It is now
recommended that cement:sand screeds should
be mixed using forced-action mixers only i.e.
pan, paddle or pump mixers. Where large
quantity screed material is required, the
alternative is to use ready-supplied fibre
screed, which is widely available in the UK
from quality assured suppliers.
The sand cement and water should be mixed
thoroughly in a forced action mixer as previously
discussed. The sand should be added to the
mixer first then followed by the cement, finally
adequate water to give the required consistency.
The Sand should be fully coated with the cement
paste.
If a screed pump is being used, the mixing
compartment will provide thorough mixing of
the screed. The material should be mixed for at
least 3 minutes before being pumped to the point
of discharge. Any reduction in the specified
cement content must not be considered.
Pan mixers are a more efficient method for
mixing low moisture content mixes. Although
not readily available on site these mixers are
more commonly utilised by quality assured
fibre screed suppliers.
Obtaining fibre screed from quality assured
suppliers will give many undoubted benefits
to the layer such as, polypropylene fibres,
which replace crack control steel mesh and
other benefits which are covered further in
this Construction Guide, consistent quality
screed, retarders which can allow the screed
to be placed over a longer period than
conventional screed, larger
quantities
supplied direct to site opposed to what can be
mixed on site.

Figure 6 Ready to Use Screed being delivered to site

MIX DESIGN
Normally, the mix proportions specified for
cement: sand screeds lie within the range 1:3 to
1:4 by dry mass. However it is important to
bear in mind that the exact mix proportions do
not matter provided the screed fulfils its
function. Mixes richer than 1:3 are liable to
crack and curl more than weaker mixes, whereas
very lean mixes may not have adequate strength
to resist indentation by service loads.

For greatest accuracy, sand should be

batched by weight. However if equipment
for weightbatching is not available on site,
volume batching may be used, by taking
whole bags (or multiples of whole bags) of
cement,
and
then
measuring
the
corresponding volume of sand required as
shown in the table.

If volume batching is used, the sand must be

measured in a container having a known
volume e.g. a box, bucket or wheelbarrow) to
maintain a consistent and accurate mix.

For areas which receive heavy and intensive

trafficking by trolleys etc, or where a crushing
failure would have very serious consequences
(e.g. hospital operating theatres) 1:3 of cement
and sand by dry mass. For general use, 1:4 of
cement and sand by dry mass.
The mix for a cement and sand screed will be
specified for you but may be as follows:
Mix By Volume
By Dry Mass
Cement
Cement:Dry Sand
1:3
1 bag
1:4
1 bag

Dry
Sand
0.1 m3
0.13m3

Damp
Sand
0.12m3
0.16m3

The volumes shown are based on figures given for weight

batching, and have been calculated assuming sand with a
3
bulk density of 1500 kg/m , for damp sand bulking of 20%
has been assumed.

WATER CONTENT
The water content of a mix must be judged to
suit the floor layer's compaction and laying
technique. Sufficient water must be used to
enable the cement and sand to be mixed well and
to allow the screed to be compacted property
over its full depth.
The laying of only partly compacted very dry
screeds must not be allowed.
The use of a very dry screed material, which
is difficult to mix and compact, is at the root
of most screed problems. On balance, a mix
wetter than has commonly been used in the
past is to be preferred.
The term "semi-dry" screed is meaningless as
it can cover a range of possible water
contents
depending
on
individual
interpretation. A screed, which is too dry,
cannot be fully compacted by hand methods.
If a screed is too wet, it will be difficult to
control screed levels accurately. Skill and
experience are necessary to judge water
content correctly.
Press a ball of the mixed screed material in the
palm of hand, only a little excess water should
be squeezed out. Open the hand and the screed
should be moist enough to maintain a ball-like
shape but not too dry to let it crumble apart. (See
figure 7)

Figure 7 Ball Test

The addition of extra water to screeds is not

permitted, as this will weaken the screed and is
more commonly known as "retempering".
Screed that has been stockpiled on site should be
covered with a plastic sheet in order to prevent
any excess water loss and where possible it
should be protected from the sun.

Figure 8 Close up of Fibre screed

THE MATERIALS
Portland Cement BS12
Sand BS882
The quality of materials used in a screed will
affect the finished job, however good the
workmanship!
Cement
The cement should be Portland cement to British
Standard BS12. It should be stored under cover
and kept dry.
Sand
The sand (or fine aggregate) should be clean
sharp concreting sand to British Standard BS882
and graded within zones C, M or F.

Have the sand tested at intervals to ensure it

remains consistently well graded as
described in BS882.

Do not use bricklaying sand, and avoid the

use of very fine sand (e.g. to BS1199) or sea
dredged sand which can be seen to contain a
large quantity of flat shells. Fine sand can
cause excessive shrinkage, and shells lying
on the screed surface cause finishing
problems.

Sand that is too fine will also increase the

risk of "cement-balling" (the sticking
together of moist balls of cement and fine
sand) during mixing, especially when the
water content of the mix is low.

SERVICES
Screeds are very often used to cover pipes,
cables and other services and whilst this can be
convenient it can lead to problems. The cover to
such services should be a minimum thickness
specified for the type of screed, but this means
excessive thickness maybe required elsewhere.
The reduction of cover to the services can lead to
reflective cracking. Repairs to pipes or cables
buried in screeds maybe very difficult, disruptive
and expensive. For these reasons it is
recommended that wherever possible services
should be contained in full depth ducts with
covers designed to take the service loading and
which provide access from the surface to allow
for any other repairs.

FLATNESS
Guidance for the standard of flatness is given in
BS 8203 and BS 8204. A normal standard
localised tolerance is a maximum of 5mm under
a 3mm straight edge placed in contact with the
floor surface. In practice, cement / sand screeds
can often be laid to closer tolerances than this
and the standard allows for a maximum
departure of 3mm under a 3mm straight edge for
high standard floors.
SKIRTING
The screed level at the perimeter of a room must
be very accurate to allow easy fixing of skirting.
Where skirting, heating or trunking is to be
incorporated, it is advisable to fix back plates or
temporary level battens on perimeter walls
before laying the screed.
TESTING IN SITU SCREED
It is possible to prove the load and impact
carrying capacity of a screed laid on a concrete
floor base by using a simple drop weight device
developed by the British Research Establishment
(BRE) The test can be made quite soon after
screed laying, probably within seven to twenty
eight days, depending on the air temperatures,
and will help reduce the risk of unsound screed
being overlooked.
Test Procedure:
A 4kg weight is dropped through a height of
1 metre (figure 9) to impact on a steel test anvil
500mm2 in area. Four blows are applied in the
same area, which then produce an indentation.
The depth of the indentation is measured with a
gauge and this may be taken as a guide to the
screeds resistance to crushing in service

Figure 9 Drop Hammer Test Equipment

For further technical information and sales advice contact your local
ADFIL Area Manager.

ADFIL CONSTRUCTION FIBRES

Unit 28, Bergen Way
Sutton Fields Ind Est (W)
Hull, East Yorkshire, HU7 0YQ, England
Telephone 01482 863777
Fax 01482 872800
Email info@adfil.co.uk
Website www.adfil.co.uk