Concrete Ground Beams

Ground beam is commonly used by a structural engineer for the design of a concrete building in order to withstand the sudden change of level of any part of the ground slab.

Concrete ground beams.

Ground beams are typically constructed at foundation level. Groundforce is a family owned business founded in 2004 by dave hoffman and consists of a talented group of tradesmen superintendents and project managers averaging over 20 years experience in all phases of geo construction and general engineering. Ground beams provide an alternative to traditional foundations for both blockwork and steel joists thus minimising labour and time required in traditional construction. Practically settlement cannot be avoided but it can be minimized.

This is used to achieve a tolerable amount of settlement when there is earth shaking or earth movement. Grade beams are commonly concrete beams which are designed to act as horizontal ties between footings or pile caps. Installation of the ground beams is quick and easy similar to the prestressed panels they are designed to span between steel columns or concrete pad foundations. Typically the ground beams are directly rested on the ground sometimes they can be supported by end piers.

Commonly slabs are supported by beams columns concrete or steel walls or the ground. Moore concrete can provide a fully designed solution for this product. Followings are the facts regarding the ground beam. The depth of a concrete slab floor is very small compared to its span.

The beams sit directly on top of the pad foundations and no additional support is required under the units. It is a horizontal structural component with top and bottom surfaces parallel or near so. The beams are manufactured in two profiles with a toe so the units will be self. Ground granulated blast furnace slag ggbfs our slag cement cemslag tm is a hydraulic cement material created when granulated blast furnace slag from the steel manufacturing process is ground to a fineness suited for concrete production.

They should be reinforced with continuous reinforcement that is developed within or beyond the supported column or be anchored within the pile cap or footings as per aci 318 14. Ground beads support wall joists etc. However notches sloping faces and end details can be incorporated into the construction if required. The ground beam is the beam which is provided usually at the foundation level to support building walls joists etc.

Often the concrete ground beams are designed to support brick or blockwork and can be used to form a permanent shutter to the edge of an in situ concrete floor slab. To read more about slab thickness evaluation please click here. Ground beams are designed to suit individual projects the profile will vary depending on the surcharge capacity and span between foundations.