Suspended ground floors

5.2.5Transfer of loads: concrete floors

Suspended ground floors shall be designed and constructed to transmit all loads safely to the supporting structure without undue movement. Issues to be taken into account include:

  1. dead and imposed loads
  2. end bearings.

Dead and imposed loads

In-situ:

Loads should be calculated in accordance with BS EN 1991-1-1.

Suspended in-situ concrete ground floors should be designed either:

  • by an engineer in accordance with Technical Requirement R5, or
  • in accordance with BS 8103-1.

Precast:

Loads should be calculated in accordance with BS EN 1991-1-1.

Precast concrete suspended ground floors should be:

  • designed by an engineer in accordance with Technical Requirement R5
  • proprietary systems which have been assessed in accordance with Technical Requirement R3, or
  • chosen from the manufacturer’s details which are based on recognised standards and codes of practice.

End bearings

In-situ:

Bearings on supporting walls should be designed either:

  • by an engineer in accordance with Technical Requirement R5, or
  • in accordance with BS 8103-1.

Precast:

Bearings on supporting walls should be as recommended by the manufacturer, and in no case less than 90mm.