BISON FOR HOUSING

BEAM AND BLOCK FOR GROUND FLOORS

A MODERN METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION
 BISON SPEED AND STRENGTH
Bison Vision: To be the best provider of precast concrete solutions in the UK
From its origin in 1919, Bison has led the way in
precast concrete technology. Focused on the
construction industry, Bisons history has been one
of strong growth with market leading positions in
all the sectors in which it operates.
Strong growth has been achieved by recognising
that customers require a complete service from
design to installation on site.
BEAM AND BLOCK FLOORS
T H E A D VA N T A G E S
Massproduced elements: Economic Flooring
Beam and block floors consist of precast
prestressed concrete beams and standard building
blocks which are commonly available from
producers and builders merchants throughout the
UK. In combination they provide a most economical
type of suspended ground floor.
Nationally Available
Bison beams are produced in a number of locations
throughout the UK in order to provide maximum
economy to most geographical areas. Standard blocks
are used for infill and are always available locally.
The user has the benefit of a high quality structural
floor at optimum cost.
Ease and Speed of Erection
Beams and blocks are easily handled and quick to
place on site. Beam and block floors offer a logical
low-cost flooring solution.
Simple Accommodation of Site Services
Service runs are accommodated around the perimeter
of the floor or within the floor finish. Holes through
the floor are provided simply by removing a block, or
by drilling through a block for smaller services, or by
trimming with a trimming angle and additional beams
if larger holes are required.
Fire Resistance
The standard House Beam section provides a floor
with an inherent half hour fire resistance.
The standard Deep Beam section provides a floor
with an inherent one hour fire resistance.
Proprietary Insulation Blocks
Bison can provide Proprietary Insulation Block
1
This service covers the design, off-site manufacture
and installation of precast prestressed hollow core
flooring, beam, precast concrete staircases, precast
multi storey wall panel structures and other bespoke
solutions for stadia and construction projects.
The result is that the name Bison has become the
generic name for precast concrete.
systems. For information see Insulated Block Systems
on the Bison website at www.bison.co.uk.
Immediate Working Platform
Once a beam and block floor is erected, it is
immediately available as a working platform.
However where aerated blocks are provided, it may
be necessary to provide additional protection to the
floor during construction.
Spans up to 9 metres. Loads up to 3 kN/m2
Two types of beam are manufactured which, in
conjunction with concrete blocks, can offer spans of
up to 9.0m and accommodate loads of up to 3 kN/m2.
See the load/span tables on pages 3 and 4.
Bison Service
When you send drawings to our Head Office in
Burton upon Trent we will respond promptly. You will
quickly receive an estimate, plus a working
drawing showing the most economical and effective
layout of the beams and blocks.
Delivery and Fixing
You have the choice of collecting the Bison beams ex
works, or having them delivered to site or, if preferred,
a supply, deliver and install service is available.
Factory Produced to Rigorous Quality
Standards
Bison operate a Quality Management Scheme to
B.S. EN ISO 9001:2000 for the design and manu-
facture of precast concrete products. The scheme
ensures that all procedures and disciplines relevant
to the design and manufacturing processes are sub-
ject to an independent audit on a regular basis by
the British Standards Institution.
 T Y P I C A L C O N S T R U C T I O N D E TA I L S

3 3

6
2
5

8 1

KEY
1 Bearing on an internal wall. Dual bearing is 5 Blocks may be easily omitted to accommodate
usual with beams HB and DB. service ducts.

2 It is normal building practice to lay the beams 6 Standard walling blocks of various densities or a
on a DPC. proprietary insulating block system may be used.

3 Slip blocks are available for use with beam 7 Insulation with screed.
type HB and DB.
8 Beam spacing may be adjusted to suit span/load
4 Multiple beams where required to carry line requirements.
loads etc.

See also our brochures on Hollow Core Floors for Single Occupancy Housing and
Hollow Core Floors for Multiple Occupancy Housing.

The company maintains a policy of continuous development and reserves

the right to change specification and details without prior notice.

2
 HOUSE BEAM (HB)
L O A D S PA N TA B L E
Wt. of Load / Span Chart. (Effective span in metres)
Block
Beam + Self Wt. (as shown) + finish (1.2 kN/m2) + S.I.L
density kN/m2 shown.
MOST COMMON APPLICATIONS assumed
Block +
Grout
at kg/m3
kN/m2 0.75 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00
Beams @ 510mm c/c
440 x 215 x 100 Blocks
650 1.14 5.51 4.95 4.65 4.10 4.19
CONDITION
No.1 1325 1.72 5.06 4.61 4.37 4.17 3.99
510
1900 2.21 4.75 4.38 4.17 3.99 3.83
Beams @ 510 & 285mm c/c (eq. to 398mm c/c average)
440 x 215 x 100 Blocks
650 1.28 6.11 5.50 5.19 4.92 4.69
CONDITION
No.2 1325 1.83 5.64 5.16 4.89 4.67 4.47
510 285
1900 2.30 5.32 4.91 4.68 4.48 4.31
Double Beams @ 624mm c/c (eq. to 312mm c/c average)
440 x 215 x 100 Blocks C30 Site concrete
650 1.46 6.71 6.08 5.74 5.46 5.24
CONDITION
No.3 1325 1.98 6.25 5.73 5.45 5.20 4.99
624
1900 2.42 5.93 5.47 5.23 5.01 4.82
Beams @ 285mm c/c
440 x 215 x 100 Blocks
650 1.54 6.90 6.30 5.96 5.67 5.41
CONDITION
No.4 1325 2.04 6.49 5.95 5.66 5.41 5.19
285 285 285
1900 2.48 6.16 5.70 5.64 5.22 5.02
Double Beams @ 399mm c/c (eq. to 200mm c/c average)
440 x 215 x 100 Blocks C30 Site concrete
650 1.92 6.90 6.90 6.84 6.53 6.26
CONDITION
No.5 1325 2.36 6.90 6.88 6.56 6.29 6.04
399 399
1900 2.74 6.90 6.64 6.35 6.10 5.88
Beams @ 114mm c/c with Concrete between
C30 Site concrete 3.65 6.90 6.90 6.90 6.90 6.90
CONDITION
No.6 3.65 6.90 6.90 6.90 6.90 6.90

114 3.65 6.90 6.90 6.90 6.90 6.90

DETAILS OF BEAM
SECTION CONSTANTS FINAL PRESTRESS ULTIMATE

Area ANA BNA I Za Zb Self wt. Force ECC FPT FPB DC MU VCO
mm2 mm mm M(mm4) M(mm3) M(mm3) kN/m kN mm N/mm2 N/mm2 mm kNm kN
12656 86.7 68.3 26.137 0.30 0.383 0.298 74.94 22.7 0.29 10.36 65.64 9.10 16.31

DESIGN EXAMPLE
Normal domestic house loading 1.5kN/m2, span 3.75 metres, finishes of 40mm screed
plus tiles (say 1.2kN/m2). Select: Bison House Beam @ 510mm c/c (Max. permissible BEAM SECTION
span 4.61 metres with 1325 kg/m3 blocks).
The table is given as a guide only. When using maximum or near maximum spans 110mm
consideration must be given to the effect of camber and deflection on partitions or finishes. 70mm

Allowance should be given to specific line and point loads from partitions etc.
Bison Concrete Products Limited will be pleased to offer design advice on request. 100mm
155mm
FIRE RESISTANCE
When assessed in accordance with B.S.8110 pt 2. sect 4.3.1 the House Beam has a fire 55mm
resistance period of 0.5 hour.

3
 DEEP BEAM (DB)
L O A D S PA N TA B L E
Wt. of Load / Span Chart. (Effective span in metres)
Block
Beam + Self Wt. (as shown) + finish (1.2 kN/m2) + S.I.L
density kN/m2 shown.
MOST COMMON APPLICATIONS assumed
Block +
Grout
at kg/m3
kN/m2 0.75 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00
Beams @ 530mm c/c
440 x 215 x 100 Blocks
650 1.57 7.85 7.13 6.75 6.42 6.13
CONDITION
No.1 1325 1.72 7.29 6.70 6.38 6.10 5.86
530
1900 2.21 6.90 6.39 6.11 5.87 5.65
Beams @ 530 & 305mm c/c (eq. to 418mm c/c average)
440 x 215 x 100 Blocks
650 1.83 8.54 7.80 7.40 7.06 6.76
CONDITION
No.2 1325 1.83 7.99 7.38 7.04 6.74 6.48
530 305 1900 2.30 7.60 7.07 6.77 6.50 6.27
Double Beams @ 670mm c/c (eq. to 335mm c/c average)
440 x 215 x 100 Blocks C30 Site concrete
650 2.12 9.00 8.44 8.04 7.68 7.37
CONDITION
No.3 1325 1.98 8.67 8.04 7.68 7.37 7.10
670
1900 2.42 8.29 7.73 7.41 7.14 6.88
Beams @ 305mm c/c
440 x 215 x 100 Blocks
650 2.27 9.00 8.72 8.31 7.95 7.64
CONDITION
No.4 1325 2.04 8.96 8.32 7.96 7.65 7.37
305 305 305 1900 2.48 8.59 8.02 7.70 7.41 7.16
Double Beams @ 445mm c/c (eq. to 223mm c/c average)
440 x 215 x 100 Blocks C30 Site concrete
650 2.87 9.00 9.00 9.00 8.87 8.54
CONDITION
No.5 1325 2.36 9.00 9.00 8.92 8.60 8.30
445 445
1900 2.74 9.00 9.00 8.68 8.38 8.11
Beams @ 140mm c/c with Concrete between
C30 Site concrete
5.30 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00
CONDITION
No.6 5.30 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00

140 5.30 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00

DETAILS OF BEAM
SECTION CONSTANTS FINAL PRESTRESS ULTIMATE

Area ANA BNA I Za Zb Self wt. Force ECC FPT FPB DC MU VCO
mm2 mm mm M(mm4) M(mm3) M(mm3) kN/m kN mm N/mm2 N/mm2 mm kNm kN
23336 123.7 101.3 95.881 0.775 0.947 0.549 113.73 42.6 -1.37 9.99 88.09 22.30 27.73

DESIGN EXAMPLE
Live loading 3kN/m2, span 5.5 metres finishes of 40mm screed plus tiles (say
1.2kN/m2). Select: Bison Deep Beam @ 530mm c/c (Max. permissible span 5.86 metres
with 1325 kg/m3 blocks). BEAM SECTION
135mm
The table is given as a guide only. When using maximum or near maximum spans 90mm
consideration must be given to the effect of camber and deflection on partitions or finishes.
Allowance should be given to specific line and point loads from partitions etc. 95mm

Bison Concrete Products Limited will be pleased to offer design advice on request. 225mm

FIRE RESISTANCE 130mm

When assessed in accordance with B.S.8110 pt 2. sect 4.3.1 the Deep Beam has a
fire resistance period of 1 hour.

4
 GROUND FLOORS
PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Screed Closed Cell Block

Insulation
Dpc

Ventilation

Vapour Barrier
Void Underside of beam
Ext.ground level

Oversite clearance level

Precast Ground Floor - Ventilated Void

Since June 1974 it has been a mandatory requirement

of the N.H.B.C. that ground floors must not be
supported off deep fill. Where fill is in excess of
600mm, the ground floor must be suspended. Many
failures due to lack of compaction occur when the
fill is less than 600mm, demonstrating the value of
always using suspended floors. Use of a Bison
beam and block floor at ground floor level
provides the solution to these problems.

Bison beam and block reduces site work. For

example, it eliminates costly excavation and
consolidation of backfill prior to placing oversite
concrete. It saves cost by providing an immediate
working platform quickly and economically. The
components are easily transported and handled.

For Building Regulation requirements see our

separate data sheets also available on the Bison
website at www.bison.co.uk.

Where a beam and block floor is required to take

heavy point loads, for example in garage floor
construction, it is recommended that the floor
should have a grade 20 concrete screed, reinforced
with an A98 steel mesh, to distribute the load evenly.

5
 www.bison.co.uk
Complete, detailed and up-to-date information on technical details is available on our website.
This includes a Standard Specification, NBS Specification, information on Insulation Block Systems
and Health and Safety considerations.

BISON FOR
HOUSING
BROCHURES

Download at
www.bison.co.uk
HOLLOW CORE FLOORS HOLLOW CORE FLOORS
FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY FOR MULTIPLE
HOUSING OCCUPANCY HOUSING

6
BBF/ 07 / 05 6255_262
Consortium Communications Ltd.
Tel: 01494 681600 email: info@consortcom.co.uk
HOLLOW CORE FLOORS
F O R S I N G L E O C C U PA N C Y H O U S I N G

HOLLOW CORE FLOORS

F O R M U LT I P L E O C C U PA N C Y H O U S I N G

P R E C A S T S TA I R C A S E S

HOLLOW CORE FLOORS FOR

INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

C R O S S WA L L C O N S T R U C T I O N

BISON CONCRETE PRODUCTS LIMITED

Millennium Court
First Avenue, Centrum 100
Burton Upon Trent, DE14 2WR
FA X 0 1 2 8 3 5 4 4 9 0 0
TEL 01283 495000
E-MAIL concrete@bison.co.uk
WEB www.bison.co.uk