Ground Floors

Functions

Support imposed loads provide a level surface

Features

Strength and stability Durability prevent damp rising prevent heat loss allow for finish
Types

o Concrete ground supported Slab Slab and screed o Timber suspended o Concrete suspended
Concrete Slab Floor 150 mm min

Rising walls o Max 900 mm hardcore o crushed stone dia. 100mm o layers 225mm deep o max. depth 900mm insulation o 100mm expanded polystyrene o At edge to prevent thermal bridging damp proof membrane o 1200 gauge plastic sheet o laid on sand blinding Steel reinforcement o A303 mesh o 50 mm above insulation concrete o 150mm o 1:3:6 mix o Power Floated Advantages Cheaper Continuous dpm. No break at wall Speeds up build process

Disadvantages Floor has to protected well during building as it is final floor Dpm can be damaged at edges if not protected Pipe work must be laid before floor poured

Screed Floor o

provide a level surface for finish o carpet / tiles / timber o take out any irregularities in the slab o accommodate pipework / cables
Components:

o o o o o

hardcore concrete base 150mm dpm insulation concrete screed (cement & sand mix) 65mm o Timber battens can be accommodated in screed for a later timber Floor Advantages screed laid after heavy work no need to protect floor during construction dpm less likely to be damaged

Disadvantages dpm not continuous from floor to wall screed must be barrowed in labour intensive / costly

Suspended Timber Floor Used for where the amount of hardcore is greater than 900 mm Components hardcore concrete tassel walls (Dwarf Walls) dpc wall plates joists floor boards insulation wall vents the ground floor stands on supporting walls

Tassel walls

Often called dwarf walls honey combed to allow air to circulate air travels through vents across under the floor and out the other side air circulation prevents dampness and decay of timbers need for a dpm

Ventilation

dpc stepped above vent vent size dia 100 mm varies depending on joists size used depends on the perimeter and the floor area where a suspended timber floor abuts a concrete floor ventilation must be provides by using piping to ensure cross flow of air

Sump risk sump effect when subfloor is below outside ground level this situation should never be allowed to arise leads to flooding

Insulation insulation placed between joists quilted insulation supported on plastic netting stapled to joists aeroboard insulation supported on battens nailed to joists

Advantages Services can be easily accommodated less moisture introduced during construction

Disadvantages draughty and less sound proof more expensive to construct (materials/ time/ labour)

Concrete suspended floor Suspended concrete ground floors are being widely used as an alternative to suspended timber ground floors Designed by a qualified engineer Two main types of suspended concrete ground floors: Cast in-situ in a cast in-situ floor, the slab is supported by the rising Walls and does not rely solely on the hardcore for support. The benefit of this is that if any settlement occurs in the fill, the floor will not collapse Precast - there are a number of precast products available beam and block type are most commonly used in house construction These usually consist of prestressed concrete beams with insulation infill panels (called blocks) Beams are supported by the external rising walls. Suspended concrete ground floors overcome the disadvantages normally associated with suspended timber floors they do not transmit noise, they are not draughty and they do not suffer from decay Hollow core or slab made off site, transported and put in place by crane Advantages Disadvantages Fire Proof Sound Proof Need of an engineer May need specialist equipment for pouring floor eg. Acros