Happy Holidays! We wish you a happy and safe holiday season. Please note that the ABCB office will be closed from 24 December 2024 until 2 January 2025.
The foundations where footings and slabs are to be located must be classified in accordance with AS 2870.
Explanatory information
Explanatory Table 4.2.2 provides a general description of foundation soil types that will assist in the classification of a site. More detailed information, including differentiation between classifications, can be found in AS 2870 or alternatively contact the appropriate authority.
Due to the limitations of this Part, if a site is classified H, E or P then reference must be made to AS 2870 for design and construction information.
Table 4.2.2 (explanatory) General definition of site classes
Sites which include soft soils, such as soft clay or silt or loose sands; landslip; mine subsidence; collapsing soils; soils subject to erosion; reactive sites subject to abnormal moisture conditions or sites which cannot be classified otherwise.
Table Notes
For Class M, further division based on the depth of expected movement is required.
For deep-seated movement, characteristic of dry climates and corresponding to a design depth of suction change HS, equal to or greater than 3 m, the classification must be M-D.
If classification M-D is established due to further division, design of footings and slabs is beyond the scope of the ABCB Housing Provisions and reference must be made to AS 2870 for design and construction information.
(3) Footing excavations must be free of loose earth, tree roots, mud or debris.
(4) Topsoil containing grass roots must be removed from the site of the foundation.
(5) On loose sand sites or sites subject to wind or water erosion, the depth below finished ground level to the bottom of footings must be not less than 300 mm.
(6) The height of a finished slab-on-ground must be in accordance with 3.3.3(b).
Notes
In New South Wales requirements for shoring and adequacy of excavation works are a prescribed condition of development consent. In addition consent authorities can place specific controls on siteworks associated with the construction of a building, by imposing further conditions of development consent.
NCC Title
Excavation for footings
NCC State
NSW
NCC Variation Type
Replacement
NCC SPTC Current
Excavation for footings
NCC ID
_a8d0ece1-9ef0-4d9c-98f4-bef9a4c3af0c
(1) Excavation for footings, including thickenings for slabs and pads must be clean cut with vertical sides, wherever possible.
(2) The base of the excavation must be—
for flat sites, generally level but may slope not more than 1:40 to allow excavations to drain; and
for sloping sites at an angle of not more than 1:10; and
(3) Footing excavations must be free of loose earth, tree roots, mud or debris.
(4) Topsoil containing grass roots must be removed from the site of the foundation.
(5) Excavation depths and soil cuts must comply with Part 3.2.
(6) On loose sand sites or sites subject to wind or water erosion, the depth below finished ground level to the bottom of footings must be not less than 300 mm.
(7) The height of a finished slab-on-ground must be in accordance with 3.3.3(b).
Sand used in controlled fill or rolled fill must not contain any gravel size material and achieve a blow count of 7 or more per 300 mm using the test method described in AS 1289.6.3.3.
Footings and slabs, including internal and edge beams, must be founded on soil with an allowable bearing pressure as follows:
Slab panels, load support panels and internal beams — natural soil with an allowable bearing pressure of not less than 50 kPa or controlled fill or rolled fill compacted in accordance with 4.2.4.
Edge beams connected to the slab — natural soil with an allowable bearing pressure of not less than 50 kPa or controlled fill compacted in accordance with 4.2.4(a)(iii) and extending past the perimeter of the building 1 m with a slope ratio not steeper than 2 horizontal to 1 vertical (see Figure 4.2.5).
Pad footings, strip footings and edge beams not connected to the slab, must be—
founded in natural soil with an allowable bearing pressure of not less than 100 kPa; or
for Class A and S sites they may be founded on controlled sand fill in accordance with 4.2.4(a).
Explanatory information
The foundations of a building are critical to its successful performance. As such, the soil must have the strength or bearing capacity to carry the building load with minimum movement.
The bearing capacity of a soil varies considerably and needs to be determined on a site by site basis. For this to occur, the appropriate people need to be consulted. These people may include a qualified engineer or experienced engineering geologist, or it may be determined by a person with appropriate local knowledge. The minimum bearing capacity (soil strength rating) may depend on the site conditions. The soil may be naturally undisturbed or be disturbed by building work or the like. Where soil is disturbed by building work and the like, the bearing capacity can be dramatically altered. This is typically the case for sloping sites where cut and fill procedures are used. In these situations the soil needs to be consolidated, generally via compaction, to achieve the required bearing capacity.
There are a number of alternatives for working on cut and filled sites. These are described in Figure 4.2.5.
Option 1 of Figure 4.2.5 refers to the controlled fill process which involves the compaction of fill in layers to achieve the bearing capacity described in 4.2.5. The depth of fill for each layer is specified to ensure effective compaction. Fill beyond these depths will need to be installed in accordance with H1D4(1).
Option 2 and 3 of Figure 4.2.5 refer to edge beams that extend through the fill into undisturbed soil which provides the 4.2.5 required bearing capacity. In this situation the fill is essentially only taking the internal slab loads.
(1) A damp-proofing membrane must be installed under slab-on-ground construction for a Class 1 building and for a Class 10 building where the slab is continuous with the slab of a Class 1 building in accordance with (2), (3), (4) and (5).
(2) Materials: A damp-proofing membrane must be—
0.2 mm nominal thickness polyethylene film; and
high impact resistant,
determined in accordance with criteria specified in clause 5.3.3.3 of AS 2870.
(3) A damp-proofing membrane must be branded continuously “AS 2870 Concrete underlay, 0.2 mm High impact resistance”.
(4) Installation: A damp-proofing membrane must be installed as follows—
Lap not less than 200 mm at all joints.
Tape or seal with a close-fitting sleeve around all service penetrations.
Fully seal where punctured (unless for service penetrations) with additional polyethylene film and tape.
(5) The damp-proofing membrane must be placed beneath the slab so that the bottom surface of the slab is entirely underlaid and must extend under internal and edge beams to finish at ground level in accordance with Figure 4.2.8.
Notes
A range of polyethylene films can be used, including black film and orange film, provided they satisfy the requirements for high impact resistance in accordance with the criteria specified in clause 5.3.3.3 of AS 2870.
NCC Title
Damp-proofing membrane
NCC State
NSW
NCC Variation Type
Replacement
NCC SPTC Current
Damp-proofing membrane
NCC ID
_93ad9a96-e5cf-4ef5-ba4e-678d3bd3b4a9
Building Classes
2,3,4,5,6,7a,7b,8,9a,9b,9c
Climate Zones
8
NCC Blurbs
A continuous damp-proofing membrane must be installed under slab-on-ground construction for all Class 1 buildings and for Class 10 buildings where the slab is continuous with the slab of a Class 1 building as follows—
Materials: A damp-proofing membrane must be—
0.2 mm nominal thickness polyethylene film; and
high impact resistant with resistance to puncturing and moisture penetration, determined in accordance with criteria specified in clause 5.3.3.3 of AS 2870; and
branded continuously “AS 2870 Concrete underlay, 0.2 mm High impact resistance” together with the manufacturer’s or distributor’s name, trade mark or code.
Installation: A damp-proofing membrane must be installed as follows—
lap not less than 200 mm at all joints; and
tape or seal with a close fitting sleeve around all service penetrations; and
fully seal where punctured (unless for service penetrations) with additional polyethylene film and tape.
The damp-proofing membrane must be placed beneath the slab so that the bottom surface of the slab is entirely underlaid and extends under edge beams to finish at ground level in accordance with Figure 4.2.8.
NCC Title
Damp-proofing membrane
NCC State
SA
NCC Variation Type
Replacement
NCC SPTC Current
Damp-proofing membrane
NCC ID
_d9e5be64-c6f6-492e-8c6d-0f609627076e
Building Classes
2,3,4,5,6,7a,7b,8,9a,9b,9c
Climate Zones
8
(1) A vapour barrier must be installed under slab-on-ground construction for a Class 1 building and for a Class 10 building where the slab is continuous with the slab of a Class 1 building in accordance with (2), (3), (4) and (5).
(2) Materials: A vapour barrier must be—
0.2 mm nominal thickness polyethylene film; and
medium impact resistant,
determined in accordance with criteria specified in clause 5.3.3.3 of AS 2870.
(3) A vapour barrier must be branded continuously “AS 2870 Concrete underlay, 0.2 mm Medium impact resistance”.
(4) Installation: A vapour barrier must be installed as follows:
Lap not less than 200 mm at all joints.
Tape or seal with a close-fitting sleeve around all service penetrations.
Fully seal where punctured (unless for service penetrations) with additional polyethylene film and tape.
(5) The vapour barrier must be placed beneath the slab so that the bottom surface of the slab is entirely underlaid and must extend under internal and edge beams to finish at ground level in accordance with Figure 4.2.8.
Concrete must be manufactured to comply with AS 3600; and—
have a strength at 28 days of not less than 20 MPa (denoted as N20 grade); and
have a 20 mm maximum nominal aggregate size; and
have a nominal 100 mm slump.
Water must not be added to the mix to increase the slump to a value in excess of that specified.
Concrete must be placed, compacted and cured in accordance with good building practice.
Concrete in slabs must be adequately compacted, and slab surfaces, including edges, moist cured for 7 days.
After vertical surfaces are stripped of formwork, slab edges must be finished prior to curing.
Loading of concrete slabs with stacked materials or building plant must not occur for a minimum of 7 days after pouring although construction of wall frames and setting out brickwork may be undertaken during this period.
Concrete must not be poured if the air temperature on site exceeds 32ºC unless written instructions from a Professional Engineer are followed.
Explanatory information
Complete discharge of the concrete from the truck should be made within one and a half hours of initial mixing with water unless a suitable retarder has been specified.
Compacting concrete by vibration removes air pockets and works the concrete thoroughly around reinforcement, service penetrations etc. and into corners of formwork to increase durability and resistance to termite infestation and salt damp attack. Care should be taken not to over-vibrate. The finishing and curing of slab edges provides an improved edge finish which is resistant to edge dampness.
Care should be taken when using chemical curing methods, because some products may not be compatible with adhesives used to fix surface finishes to the slab.
NCC Title
Concrete
NCC State
SA
NCC Variation Type
Replacement
NCC SPTC Current
Concrete
NCC ID
_01afdfbd-cfa6-4b6a-bc12-fa5c1bb5336c
Building Classes
2,3,4,5,6,7a,7b,8,9a,9b,9c
Concrete must comply with the following:
Concrete must comply with AS 3600; and—
have a strength at 28 days of not less than 20 MPa (denoted as N20 grade); and
have a 20 mm maximum nominal aggregate size; and
have a nominal 100 mm slump.
Water must not be added to the mix to increase the slump to a value in excess of that specified.
Concrete must be placed, compacted and cured in accordance with good building practice.
Explanatory information
Complete discharge of the concrete from the truck should be made within one and a half hours of initial mixing with water unless a suitable retarder has been specified.
Compacting concrete by vibration removes air pockets and works the concrete thoroughly around reinforcement, service penetrations etc. and into corners of formwork to increase durability and resistance to termite infestation and salt damp attack. Care should be taken not to over-vibrate. The finishing and curing of slab edges provides an improved edge finish which is resistant to edge dampness.
Care should be taken when using chemical curing methods, because some products may not be compatible with adhesives used to fix surface finishes to the slab.
(1) Materials used for reinforcing steel must comply with AS 2870 and be—
welded wire reinforcing fabric; or
trench mesh; or
steel reinforcing bars.
(2) Steel reinforcing bars may be substituted for trench mesh in accordance with Table 4.2.11a.
(3) Minimum laps for reinforcement as shown in Table 4.2.11b and Figure 4.2.11a must be provided where reinforcing is used.
(4) Any slab in H1D4 with a re-entrant corner must have—
two strips of 3-L8TM; or
one strip of 3-L11TM; or
3-N12 bars,
not less than 2 m in length and placed at an angle of 45° across the corner such that the centre of the 2 m length is at the location of the internal angle of the slab in accordance with Figure 4.2.11b.
(5) Footings and slabs-on-ground must have concrete cover between the outermost edge of the reinforcement (including ligatures, tie wire etc.) and the surface of the concrete of not less than—
40 mm to unprotected ground; and
30 mm to a membrane in contact with the ground; and
20 mm to an internal surface; and
40 mm to external exposure.
(6) Reinforcement must be free of loose rust, mud, paints and oils.
(7) Reinforcement must be placed as follows:
All reinforcement must be firmly fixed in place to prevent it moving during concreting operations.
Reinforcement must be supported off the ground or the forms by bar chairs made from wire, concrete or plastic.
When using wire chairs, the minimum concrete cover (see (5)) to the uncoated portion of the chair must be obtained.
Wire chairs on soft ground or plastic membrane must be placed on flat bases.
Bar chairs must be spaced at not more than 800 mm centres for steel fabric.
Table 4.2.11a Alternative mesh/reinforcing bar sizes
Trench mesh (TM)
Area — mm2
Reinforcing bar alternative
Trench mesh alternative
2-L8TM
91
2-N10 or 1-N12
Not applicable
3-L8TM
136
2-N10 or 2-N12
Not applicable
4-L8TM
182
2-N12
2-L11TM
5-L8TM
227
2-N12
3-L11TM
2-L11TM
180
1-N16 or 2-N12
2x2-L8TM
3-L11TM
270
3-N12
2x3-L8TM
4-L11TM
360
2-N16
2x4-L8TM
2-L12TM
222
2-N12
3-L11TM
3-L12TM
333
3-N12
4-L11TM
4-L12TM
444
4-N12
5-L11TM
Table Notes
Where necessary, 2 layers of mesh may be used.
L11TM and L12TM may be replaced by RL1118 and RL1218 mesh respectively.
L11TM may be replaced by two layers of L8TM.
Table 4.2.11b Minimum lap for reinforcement
Reinforcement
Minimum splice
Minimum lap at “T” intersections
Minimum lap at “L” intersections
Steel reinforcing bars ≤12 mm diameter
500 mm
Full width across the junction
One outer bar must be bent and continue 500 mm (min) around corner
Steel reinforcing bars >12 mm to ≤16 mm diameter
700 mm
Full width across the junction
One outer bar must be bent and continue 500 mm (min) around corner
Trench mesh
500 mm
Full width across the junction
Full width across the junction
Square and rectangular mesh
The two outermost transverse wires of one sheet must overlap the two outermost transverse wires of the other
Not applicable
Not applicable
Explanatory information: Reinforcement types
Reinforcement types referenced in this clause are described as follows:
Square mesh is designated in terms of the diameter of each bar and the spacing of consecutive bars. For example, SL62 consists of 6 mm bar at 200 mm spacings.
Trench mesh is designated in terms of the number of longitudinal bars and the diameter of each bar. For example, 3-L11TM consists of 3 longitudinal bars each of which are 11 mm in diameter.
Reinforcing bars are designated in terms of the number of bars and the diameter of each bar. For example, 6-N12 consists of 6 bars each of which are 12 mm in diameter.
Explanatory information: Cleaning and placement of reinforcing
In order to obtain a good bond between concrete and reinforcement, the reinforcement should be free of contamination by mud, paint, oils, etc. It is not necessary for the reinforcement to be completely free of rust. Some rusting is beneficial in promoting a good bond as it roughens the surface of the steel. Loose rust, however, must be removed from the reinforcement.
Reinforcement is designed to be in a particular place so as to add strength or to control cracking of the concrete. A displacement from its intended location could make a significant difference to the life or serviceability of the structure.
Supports for fabric reinforcement are provided to prevent the fabric distorting when workers walk on top of it to place the concrete and maintain the correct concrete cover to the fabric.
Internal and external edge beams must be arranged to form an integral structural grid (see clauses 5.3.8 and 5.3.9 of AS 2870).
A 10% increase in spacings is permitted where the spacing in the other direction is 20% less than that specified.
Where external beams are wider than 300 mm, an extra bottom bar or equivalent of the same bar size is required for each 100 mm additional width.
Where a reinforced single leaf masonry wall is constructed directly above and structurally connected to a concrete edge beam, the beam may be reduced to 300 mm wide by 300 mm deep and reinforced with 3–L8TM reinforcement.
Alternative reinforcement sizes must comply with AS 2870.
Internal and external edge beams must be arranged to form an integral structural grid (see clauses 5.3.8 and 5.3.9 of AS 2870).
A 10% increase in spacings is permitted where the spacing in the other direction is 20% less than that specified.
Where external beams are wider than 300 mm, an extra bottom bar or equivalent of the same bar size is required for each 100 mm additional width.
Where a reinforced single leaf masonry wall is constructed directly above and structurally connected to a concrete edge beam, the beam may be reduced to 300 mm wide by 300 mm deep and reinforced with 3–L8TM reinforcement.
Alternative reinforcement sizes must comply with AS 2870.
Internal and external edge beams must be arranged to form an integral structural grid (see clauses 5.3.8 and 5.3.9 of AS 2870).
A 10% increase in spacings is permitted where the spacing in the other direction is 20% less than that specified.
Where external beams are wider than 300 mm, an extra bottom bar or equivalent of the same bar size is required for each 100 mm additional width.
Where a reinforced single leaf masonry wall is constructed directly above and structurally connected to a concrete edge beam, the beam may be reduced to 300 mm wide by 300 mm deep and reinforced with 3–L8TM reinforcement.
Alternative reinforcement sizes must comply with AS 2870.
Internal beam details and spacings must comply with Figure 4.2.14b.
All masonry walls must be supported on strip footings.
Internal strip footings must be of the same proportions as the external footings and run from external footing to external footing. ‘Side slip joints’ consisting of a double layer of polyethylene must be provided at the sides of the footing only.
Infill floors may be concrete slabs, brick paving, stone flags or compacted and stabilised earth. For concrete slab infill panels, mesh may be required to control shrinkage in slab panels and around openings or restrained regions. Concrete infill slabs must use a minimum of SL62 mesh to control shrinkage (see also 4.2.19).
Where footings are wider than the specified width, an extra bottom bar or equivalent of the same bar size is required for each 100 mm additional width. If strip footings deeper than those required are used, the reinforcement must be increased to match that specified for the deepened proportions.
The measurement of Df is greater or equal to D plus 75 mm.
Alternative reinforcing sizes must comply with AS 2870.
Table 4.2.15b Dimensions and reinforcement for strip footing systems for Class S sites
All masonry walls must be supported on strip footings.
Internal strip footings must be of the same proportions as the external footings and run from external footing to external footing. ‘Side slip joints’ consisting of a double layer of polyethylene must be provided at the sides of the footing only.
Infill floors may be concrete slabs, brick paving, stone flags or compacted and stabilised earth. For concrete slab infill panels, mesh may be required to control shrinkage in slab panels and around openings or restrained regions. Concrete infill slabs must use a minimum of SL62 mesh to control shrinkage (see also 4.2.19).
Where footings are wider than the specified width, an extra bottom bar or equivalent of the same bar size is required for each 100 mm additional width. If strip footings deeper than those required are used, the reinforcement must be increased to match that specified for the deepened proportions.
The measurement of Df is greater or equal to D plus 75 mm.
Alternative reinforcing sizes must comply with AS 2870.
Table 4.2.15c Dimensions and reinforcement for strip footing systems for Class M sites
All masonry walls must be supported on strip footings.
For beams 700 mm or deeper, as specified in the table above, internal footings must be provided at no more than 6 m centres and at re-entrant corners to continue footings to the opposite external footing. Internal strip footings must be of the same proportions as the external footings and run from external footing to external footing. ‘Side slip joints’ consisting of a double layer of polyethylene must be provided at the sides of the footing only.
Infill floors must only be used for Class A and S sites.
Where footings are wider than the specified width, an extra bottom bar or equivalent of the same bar size is required for each 100 mm additional width. If strip footings deeper than those required are used, the reinforcement must be increased to match that specified for the deepened proportions.
The measurement of Df is greater or equal to D plus 75 mm.
Alternative reinforcing sizes must comply with AS 2870.
For Class M articulated full masonry and full masonry, internal strip footings must be of the same proportions as the external footing and run from external footing to external footing.
Tables 4.2.17a, 4.2.17b and 4.2.17c provide solutions for footings that are equivalent to those supporting a wall type that may be different to the actual type included in design documentation. The equivalent wall construction in the right-hand column of each of these tables recognises the types of footing systems suitable to support the actual external wall and internal wall types that may not have a specific solution for supporting footings.
Where brittle floor coverings, such as ceramic tiles, are to be used over an area greater than 16 m2, one of the following additional measures must be taken to control the effect of shrinkage cracking—
the amount of shrinkage reinforcement (steel reinforcement mesh in the slab panel) must be—
increased to SL92 or equivalent throughout the affected slab area; or
reinforced top and bottom with sheets of slab mesh throughout the affected slab area; or
the bedding system for brittle coverings must be selected on the basis of the expected slab movement and the characteristics of the floor covering (including the use of expansion joints etc.); or
the placement of floor covering must be delayed for not less than 3 months after the concrete has been poured.
For footing slabs, the width of the edge beam at the base of the rebate must not be less than 200 mm, except that if R10 or N10 ties at 900 mm spacing (or equivalent) are provided to resist vertical forces, the width of the edge beam at the base of the rebate can be reduced to 150 mm.
(1) Where a recess in a slab is provided, it must comply with one of the following:
For recess depths less than or equal to half the nominal slab thickness, the reinforcing mesh must have a minimum lap length of 400 mm measured from the inside face of the recess (see Figure 4.2.22a).
For recess depths greater than half the nominal slab thickness (see Figure 4.2.22b)—
top reinforcing mesh must overlap the bottom reinforcing mesh by not less than 400 mm; and
bottom reinforcing mesh must be two layers of SL72.
(2) Concrete cover to reinforcing in (1)(a) and (b) must comply with 4.2.11(5).