When constructing a new building, ground beams and piling go hand-in-hand. Ground Beams create the link between each pile by tying them together. This gives the foundations a singular strength instead of multiple points of strength, ultimately creating a safer and stronger foundation.
Beams help transfer the loads by acting as an additional structural element imposed along their length to their end points, where the loads are transferred to walls, columns, foundations etc.
These beams are generally pre-fabricated from concrete, but for low-rise buildings they are commonly constructed in situ. Constructing ground beams on site can be time consuming, therefore the use of the precast ground beams are generally preferred by most contractors who are working to tight time constraints.
Conventional footings can be slow to install: ground beams are a much quicker and effective method that also helps overcome the problem of uncertain ground conditions. They are also capable of creating a very accurate bearing level, reducing the amount of levelling up that is required prior to the start of the structures build.
Ground beams can support brick work as well as block work and others. They can also be used at the edge of in situ concrete floor slabs where they form permanent shuttering. Usually square or rectangular, ground beams can be designed to incorporate notches, end details and even sloping faces.
Off-site factories are capable of pre-casting ground beams to specific measurements required for each individual build. From the pre-casting factories they are transported to site where they are slowly lowered into place, typically spanning between the tops of the piles. Small in situ concrete ‘stitches’ are then used to connect the bolt and the beams securely to each other and the piles. Secondary beams can be connected to the ground beam systems to form a beam and a block ground floor.
If you require ground beams or piling in Manchester, then contact Rhino Piling today for a quote.
