Substructure
The Building Cost Information Service (BCIS), Elemental Standard Form of Cost Analysis Principles, Instructions, Elements and Definitions 4th (NRM) Edition published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in 2012, describes the rules for preparing an elemental cost analysis in standard BCIS format.
It defines the term substructure as:
‘All work below underside of screed or, where no screed exists, to underside of lowest floor finishes including damp-proof membrane, together with relevant excavations and foundations (includes walls to basements designed as retaining walls).’
It suggests that the function of the substructure is to, ‘… transfer the load of the building to the ground and to isolate it horizontally from the ground.’
According to BCIS, the substructure includes:
- Foundations up to and including the damp proof course.
- Lowest floor assembly below the underside of the screed or the lowest floor finish.
- Basement excavation.
- Basement retaining walls up to and including the damp proof course.
This a fairly narrower definition which excludes items such as; finishes, basement walls not in contact with earthwork, retaining walls not providing external walls, and so on.
Some much broader definitions consider the substructure to include all works below ground level, although clearly, this is a fairly ambiguous description.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Basement.
- Basement excavation.
- Basement v cellar.
- Building Cost Information Service.
- BCIS elements.
- Concept structural design.
- Cost planning.
- Deflection.
- Diaphragm wall.
- Elemental cost plan.
- Excavation.
- Footings.
- Groundworks.
- Planning (Subterranean Development) Bill.
- Structure definition.
- Structural engineer.
- Structural principles.
- Substrate.
- Superstructure.
- Types of structure.
Featured articles and news
How faulty science resulted in sanitation reform.
Conserving the Hilda Besse Building
Improving facilities, accessibility and overall appearance.
BSRIA IAQ topic guide published
Free download of TG 12/2021 available.
Electrotechincal mentors wanted
TESP works with The Youth Group to form skill sharing network.
OpenBuilt supply chain technology in development
Big tech collaborates on platform for the built environment.
Concerns raised over Future Buildings Standard
Letter signed by 21 organisations sent to MHCLG.
The infrastructure planning process
A look at the Government's strategic approach.
Steps to help reduce the spread of infection inside buildings.
Urban exploration and construction
This social media-centred hobby can be both dangerous and illegal.
Millwork wall treatment with a long and illustrious history.
Weekly workplace noise estimator tool
HSE introduces cumulative exposure calculator.
The Edwardians and their houses.
Cut off from civilian life for over 900 years.
Receive the Designing Buildings newsletter
Click the button to subscribe.