Beam & block floors
Bison Precast beam and block flooring system is quick, easy and economical to install. It offers numerous advantages, including improved acoustic performance and fire resistance. It is particularly suitable for intermediate flooring for houses where sound reduction, fire resistance and thermal mass are amongst its key benefits. The system consists of inverted pre-stressed T-beams with either lightweight aircrete (Thermalite) or dense and medium dense aggregate block infill.
Beam and block is a robust solution for cost-effective suspended floors. It is suitable for use on ground and upper floors in all kinds of construction, from residential to commercial buildings.
Inverted 'T' beams
Lightweight Thermalite Block
Medium Dense Aggregate Block
Camber details
Bison Precast prestressed concrete beams exhibit an upward curve known as camber, which is a result of the compressive force near the bottom generated by the prestressing tendons. An allowance of span/300 should be taken into account in floor finishes or bearing levels.
All Bison Precast flooring systems are supported by comprehensive layout drawings, specifications and details relevant to each application.
There are three beam types, which are produced in standard profiles of 150 x 125mm, 150 x 215mm and 225 x 135mm (depth x width) to give a range of capacities to suit all loading options.
Beams are placed at appropriate centres depending on span and applied load.
Beams are positioned in accordance with the layout drawings, perpendicular to the end supports with a nominal bearing of 100mm to each end when supported by brick or block. A 75mm nominal bearing is required when supported by steelwork.
The beams may be staggered at the internal walls and multiple beams may be required to support partition walls.
A wide range of infill blocks are available for use with the system including Floorblock from Forterra Thermalite.
Forterra also provides a choice of medium and dense aggregate blocks.
Where required, blocks should be cut using suitable mechanical means to leave a clean, vertical, square-edged face.
Once all the blocks have been placed in position the floor is grouted using a 4:1 sharp sand/cement mixture, which is brushed in the direction of the beams and then at right angles to ensure all joints are completely filled.
SECTION DETAILS
Typical layout
Beam and block offers simple and robust detailing as illustrated below.
For construction purposes please refer to site-specific layout drawings provided by Bison Precast.
1 EDGE DETAIL PARALLELED TO SPAN
Section showing edge block laid on a split course block and built into the perimeter wall.
2 STAGGERING BEARING
Section showing beams sharing a minimum 100mm bearing on internal wall.
3 LOAD SUPPORTED OFF FLOOR
Section showing multiple beams concreted together to support wall over. Number of beams and centres required are dependent on the weight of the wall.
4 EDGE DETAIL PERPENDICULAR TO SPAN
Beam ends laid onto a DPC and spaced out using the block infill, with a minimum of 100mm bearing. Blocks are bedded onto split course blocks and built into the wall.
5 CHANGE OF SPAN DIRECTION
Section showing the change in direction of beam span and the maximum cantilever allowing for run-out purposes.
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Our experts are on hand to provide you with the most cost-effective solution, and can provide guidance at every stage of a project, from concept to completion. We will work with you to deliver practical support from the earliest design stages, specifying the most appropriate products and solutions from the Bison Precast range.
Bison Precast technical enquiry
From concept to completion, our experts are on hand to provide technical guidance at every stage of your project. By working with you from the earliest design stages, we can specify the most appropriate products from the Bison Precast range to help you select the most cost-effective solution.