Beam and block floor construction - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 08:27, 13 August 2025

2025-08-13T08:27:59Z

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	* Can be difficult to provide a monolithic structure, as providing an efficient, rigid junction between the floor and the supporting beams or walls may be problematic.		* Can be difficult to provide a monolithic structure, as providing an efficient, rigid junction between the floor and the supporting beams or walls may be problematic.

−	~~Image courtesy of~~ [https://www.~~forterra~~.~~co.uk~~/~~bison~~-~~precast~~-~~concrete/~~beam-and-block-floors ~~Forterra Building Products]~~	+	NB [https://www.buildoffsite.com/content/uploads/2019/11/BoS-Glossary-2018_v2.pdf Offsite residential construction, Glossary of terms], published by Buildoffsite in 2018, defines beam and block floor as: ‘Extruded or wetcast prestressed beams between 150 mm and 225 mm deep, spaced to suit the applied loading and spans, together with blocks of various types. These may be purpose-made blocks with rebates to suit the shape of the beams (‘tray blocks’) or may be standard concrete masonry blocks which have been tested and certified for use in floors. Also commonly used are specially shaped extruded or expanded polystyrene blocks, which provide a high degree of insulation for ground floors.’<br />

−	= Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki~~ =	+
		+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

	* Blinding.		* Blinding.

77.102.131.171 at 21:01, 30 November 2021

2021-11-30T21:01:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:01, 30 November 2021
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	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

−	Beam and block is also referred to in some countries as ‘rib and block’ or ‘lintel and block’. The technique is used to create in-situ, suspended concrete floors (ground or upper) in concrete or masonry buildings and has become popular in residential ~~constructio~~	+	Beam and block is also referred to in some countries as ‘rib and block’ or ‘lintel and block’. The technique is used to create in-situ, suspended concrete floors (ground or upper) in concrete or masonry buildings and has become popular in residential construction.

	= Composition =		= Composition =

77.102.131.171 at 21:01, 30 November 2021

2021-11-30T21:01:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:01, 30 November 2021
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	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

−	Beam and block is also referred to in some countries as ‘rib and block’ or ‘lintel and block’. The technique is used to create in-situ, suspended concrete floors (ground or upper) in concrete or masonry buildings and has become popular in residential ~~construction.~~	+	Beam and block is also referred to in some countries as ‘rib and block’ or ‘lintel and block’. The technique is used to create in-situ, suspended concrete floors (ground or upper) in concrete or masonry buildings and has become popular in residential constructio

	= Composition =		= Composition =

Editor at 16:51, 13 May 2021

2021-05-13T16:51:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:51, 13 May 2021
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	* Sprung floor.		* Sprung floor.
	* Suspended ceiling.		* Suspended ceiling.
		+	* Suspended timber floor.
	* Types of flooring.		* Types of flooring.

Designing Buildings at 05:30, 22 October 2020

2020-10-22T05:30:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:30, 22 October 2020
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	* [https://www.forterra.co.uk/bison-precast-concrete/beam-and-block-floors Forterra Building Products Ltd]		* [https://www.forterra.co.uk/bison-precast-concrete/beam-and-block-floors Forterra Building Products Ltd]

−	[[Category:~~Construction_techniques~~]] [[Category:~~Products_/_components~~]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

Designing Buildings: moved Beam and block to Beam and block floor construction

2019-07-26T11:25:02Z

moved Beam and block to Beam and block floor construction

← Older revision

Revision as of 11:25, 26 July 2019

Designing Buildings at 11:24, 26 July 2019

2019-07-26T11:24:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:24, 26 July 2019
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		+	= Introduction =
		+
	Beam and block is also referred to in some countries as ‘rib and block’ or ‘lintel and block’. The technique is used to create in-situ, suspended concrete floors (ground or upper) in concrete or masonry buildings and has become popular in residential construction.		Beam and block is also referred to in some countries as ‘rib and block’ or ‘lintel and block’. The technique is used to create in-situ, suspended concrete floors (ground or upper) in concrete or masonry buildings and has become popular in residential construction.

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	* [https://www.forterra.co.uk/bison-precast-concrete/beam-and-block-floors Forterra Building Products Ltd]		* [https://www.forterra.co.uk/bison-precast-concrete/beam-and-block-floors Forterra Building Products Ltd]

−	[[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]	+	[[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Products_/_components]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]]

Editor at 10:31, 8 February 2019

2019-02-08T10:31:19Z

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−	{\|	+	Beam and block is also referred to in some countries as ‘rib and block’ or ‘lintel and block’. The technique is used to create in-situ, suspended concrete floors (ground or upper) in concrete or masonry buildings and has become popular in residential construction.
−	~~\| [[File:Forterra_beam_block_laying.x980.y420.jpg\|link=File:Forterra_beam_block_laying.x980.y420.jpg]]~~	+
−	\|-	+
−	~~\| The beam and block system from UK-based Forterra Building Products Ltd is typical of the systems available.~~	+
−	\|}	+
−		+
−	Beam and block is also referred in some countries as ‘rib and block’ or ‘lintel and block’. The technique is used to create in-situ, suspended concrete floors (ground or upper) in concrete or masonry buildings and has become popular in residential construction.	+

	= Composition =		= Composition =

Designing Buildings at 12:34, 6 February 2019

2019-02-06T12:34:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:34, 6 February 2019
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	* ‘Building Construction Handbook’ (6th ed.), CHUDLEY, R., GREENO, R., Butterworth-Heinemann (2007).		* ‘Building Construction Handbook’ (6th ed.), CHUDLEY, R., GREENO, R., Butterworth-Heinemann (2007).
	* [https://www.forterra.co.uk/bison-precast-concrete/beam-and-block-floors Forterra Building Products Ltd]		* [https://www.forterra.co.uk/bison-precast-concrete/beam-and-block-floors Forterra Building Products Ltd]
		+
		+	[[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

Designing Buildings at 14:25, 5 February 2019

2019-02-05T14:25:09Z

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	With the beams in place and supported at either end, laying the infill blocks is a quick process: assuming the blocks are to hand, a worker can drop one into place every five to ten seconds. A typical current block specification is to have dimensions of 440 x 215 x 100mm thickness, 3.5N/mm2 or 7N/mm2 minimum compressive strength, and able to support a minimum transverse load of 3.5kN on a 420mm span.		With the beams in place and supported at either end, laying the infill blocks is a quick process: assuming the blocks are to hand, a worker can drop one into place every five to ten seconds. A typical current block specification is to have dimensions of 440 x 215 x 100mm thickness, 3.5N/mm2 or 7N/mm2 minimum compressive strength, and able to support a minimum transverse load of 3.5kN on a 420mm span.

−	The advantage of beam and block is that no shuttering (support) is required on the underside of the floor as the beams are supported at each end, either on internal load bearing or on perimeter walls Once the filler blocks are installed, a continuous working surface is created upon which further work can take place safely. Often, a sand and cement grout is brushed over the top surface to fill any gaps and prevent insects and vermin from entering, as well as to assist with air tightness.	+	The advantage of beam and block is that no shuttering (support) is required on the underside of the floor as the beams are supported at each end, either on internal load bearing walls or on perimeter walls. Once the filler blocks are installed, a continuous working surface is created upon which further work can take place safely. Often, a sand and cement grout is brushed over the top surface to fill any gaps and prevent insects and vermin from entering, as well as to assist with air tightness.

	= Choice of floor finish =		= Choice of floor finish =

−	This may be followed by either timber deck flooring (eg flooring grade OSB or ply, etc) or a poured structural concrete topping (or screed). Alternatively, insulation slabs may be laid over a beam/block floor followed by a damp-proof membrane (if it is a ground floor) or vapour barrier followed by the structural concrete topping. The topping may also incorporate steel mesh reinforcement for greater strength. Once cured, the topping will allow the floor to take its full working load.	+	This may be followed by either timber deck flooring (eg flooring grade OSB, ply, etc) or a poured structural concrete topping (or screed). Alternatively, insulation slabs may be laid over a beam/block floor followed by a damp-proof membrane (if it is a ground floor) or vapour barrier followed by the structural concrete topping. The topping may also incorporate steel mesh reinforcement for greater strength. Once cured, the topping will allow the floor to take its full working load.

	Precast beams are very popular as they allow the floor to be assembled relatively quickly to create a usable working platform. The beam’s cross-section can vary and will depend on the manufacturer. It will also determine the resulting soffit which will either be closed, in which case a relatively continuous soffit will be produced, or it will be open and will require an applied ceiling: this might be plaster or enclosure by a suspended ceiling.		Precast beams are very popular as they allow the floor to be assembled relatively quickly to create a usable working platform. The beam’s cross-section can vary and will depend on the manufacturer. It will also determine the resulting soffit which will either be closed, in which case a relatively continuous soffit will be produced, or it will be open and will require an applied ceiling: this might be plaster or enclosure by a suspended ceiling.
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	* Hollows can be used for running services such as underfloor heating.		* Hollows can be used for running services such as underfloor heating.

−	~~===~~ Disadvantages ~~===~~	+	Disadvantages include:

−	Not suited to irregular plan shapes that require a large number of special-shaped units: the key to economy is standardisation	+	* Not suited to irregular plan shapes that require a large number of special-shaped units: the key to economy is standardisation
−		+	* Can be difficult to provide a monolithic structure, as providing an efficient, rigid junction between the floor and the supporting beams or walls may be problematic.
−	Can be difficult to provide a monolithic structure, as providing an efficient, rigid junction between the floor and the supporting beams or walls may be problematic.	+

	Image courtesy of [https://www.forterra.co.uk/bison-precast-concrete/beam-and-block-floors Forterra Building Products]		Image courtesy of [https://www.forterra.co.uk/bison-precast-concrete/beam-and-block-floors Forterra Building Products]
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	* Types of flooring.		* Types of flooring.

−	=== External ~~resources ==~~=	+	= External references =

	* ‘Building Construction Handbook’ (6th ed.), CHUDLEY, R., GREENO, R., Butterworth-Heinemann (2007).		* ‘Building Construction Handbook’ (6th ed.), CHUDLEY, R., GREENO, R., Butterworth-Heinemann (2007).
	* [https://www.forterra.co.uk/bison-precast-concrete/beam-and-block-floors Forterra Building Products Ltd]		* [https://www.forterra.co.uk/bison-precast-concrete/beam-and-block-floors Forterra Building Products Ltd]