groundworks

27 articles

• Basement Excavation Sequence: Temporary Works, Retention Systems and Building Control Requirements
• Build Over Agreement for Public Sewers: When You Need One, the Application Process and Design Restrictions
• Building Regs Part H: Foul and Surface Water Drainage Design, Gradients and Inspection Chamber Spacing
• CDM Regulations 2015 for Groundworks: Principal Designer, Notifiable Projects and Construction Phase Plans
• Concrete Mix Designs for Groundworks: ST, GEN, RC and Designated Mixes Explained
• Contaminated Land in Groundworks: Site Assessment, Waste Classification and Worker Protection
• Drainage Channels and Linear Drains: Channel Sizing, Falls and Connection to Surface Water
• Drainage Falls and Gradients: Calculating Correct Gradients for Foul and Surface Water Drains
• Excavation Safety and Trench Support: HSE Guidance on Battering, Shoring and Avoiding Trench Collapse
• Foundation Types Explained: Strip, Trench Fill, Raft, Pad and Piled — Selection and Depth
  Strip vs trench fill vs raft vs pad vs piled selection by load + soil bearing; BS 8004:2015, BS 8103-1:2011, Eurocode 7; standard residential 900-1,000mm deep frost protection; NHBC Chapter 4.2 tree-depth zones to 3m for high-water demand species in clay; sulfate-resistant cement on aggressive ground; BS EN 206 concrete spec
• French Drain Installation
  French drain: 100/150mm perforated land drain in gravel-filled trench, geotextile wrap, min 1:80 fall; 450-1000mm depth depending on purpose; Part H surface water discharge hierarchy
• Groundworks Near Trees: Root Protection Zones, Foundation Depths and NHBC Chapter 4.2
• Hardcore Sub-Base and Compaction: Material Types, Layer Thicknesses and Compaction Requirements for Slabs and Driveways
• How Do You Design and Build a Retaining Wall to UK Standards?
  Retaining walls: BS 8002, EC7 design; 1m PD limit; brick / mass concrete / RC cantilever; weep holes every 800-1000mm, 100mm perforated land drain behind, geotextile separator
• How Do You Design and Install a Soakaway to Building Regs Part H?
  Building Regs Part H3, BRE Digest 365 sizing, percolation test f value, 5m clearance from building, plastic crate 95% void ratio, 110mm inlet with rodding access
• How Do You Install a Damp Proof Membrane Under a Concrete Floor?
  DPM under slab: 1200 gauge polyethylene to BS EN 13967, 150mm lap, tape-sealed joints, lap into wall DPC; sandwich vs underlay; radon BS 8485 gas barrier
• How Do You Keep a Trench Safe Under CDM and HSE Rules?
  CDM 2015 Reg 22, HSG185, 1.2m trigger depth; trench box / hydraulic shoring / close-boarding; spoil 1m back; ladder 1m above edge; inspection start of every shift
• How Do You Prepare the Sub-base for Block Paving?
  BS 7533-3 install: 150-200mm Type 1 sub-base, 30-50mm sharp sand, 1:60 fall, haunched concrete edge restraint, herringbone pattern, SuDS Part H front garden rule
• How Do You Survey and Set Out a Site for Construction?
  BS 5606 tolerances ±5/10/15mm; CAT/Genny scan colour codes; 3-4-5 squaring; rotating laser ±1mm at 10m; TBM datum referenced to OS BM; HSG47 service avoidance
• Oversite Concrete Slab: Thickness, Reinforcement, DPM Position and Building Regs Requirements
• Raft Foundation Guide: When to Use a Raft, Design Principles and Building Control Submission Requirements
• Soakaway Design and Installation: Crate Soakaways, French Drains and BS EN 752 Sizing
• Soil Investigation and Trial Pits: Ground Assessment Methods, Depths and Recording Requirements for Domestic Projects
• Strip Foundation Design: Building Regs Part A, Minimum Depths, Widths and Concrete Specifications for Load-Bearing Walls
• Underpinning Methods: Mass Concrete, Mini-Pile and Beam-and-Base — When Each Is Used
• What Are the UK Soil Types and Their Bearing Capacities for Foundation Design?
  BS 5930 ground investigation; SPT N value; bearing 250-400 kPa gravel down to <50 soft clay; shrinkable clay/tree NHBC Ch 4.2; sulfate DS-1 to DS-5 drives FND mix
• What Concrete Mix Ratio Should I Use for Foundations, Slabs and Paths?
  BS 8500 designations: GEN 1/3, RC25/30, PAV1/2, FND2-4; C20/25 trench fill, C25/30 reinforced; 1:2:4 / 1:3:6 volume mixes; slump S1-S4; FND for sulfate ground DS-1 to DS-5