Building on fill
BRE (Building Research Establishment) is the UK's leading centre of expertise for construction, the built environment, energy, fire, security and many associated issues.
On 13 October 2015, BRE published Building on fill: geotechnical aspects 3rd edition 2015 (FB 75), written by Ken Watts and Andrew Charles.
The increasing demand for land for development and the political and commercial impetus to build on brownfield land means that a high proportion of new commercial, industrial and housing developments are now built on ‘fills’. That is, they are built on ground that has been deposited by human activity rather than by natural geological processes.
It is important therefore that there is a good understanding of the behaviour of fills and the ways they can be safely and economically rendered suitable for development.
This 336-page book, now in its third edition, encompasses BRE’s unique experience over a period of more than 40 years of research and consultancy, and brings the subject up to date since publication of the second edition 14 years earlier.
New material in the third edition includes:
- Recent research findings and industry experience.
- Ground improvement and treatment using proprietary and non-proprietary techniques.
- Case histories and updated cases from the second edition.
- Studies on the behaviour of fills over a longer time period and a wider range of fills.
Its contents include:
- Fills in context.
- Engineering behaviour of fills.
- Construction on fills.
- Performance of fills.
- Appendices.
- References and further reading.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Brownfield land.
- Contaminated land.
- Cover systems for land regeneration - thickness of cover systems for contaminated land (BR465).
- Fill.
- Ground conditions.
- Ground heave.
- Ground improvement techniques.
- Ground investigation.
- Hydraulically treated soils in residential construction (BR 513).
- Methane and other gasses from the ground.
- Pollution.
- Radon.
- Solid and liquid contaminants risk assessments.
Featured articles and news
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.