Stage Five
Substructure
The substructure or under building is that largely hidden section of the building which is built off the foundations to the ground floor level.
The standard form of under building construction uses two skins of dense concrete blockwork for all external walls. This is built centrally off the foundation concrete to the ground floor or damp proof course level otherwise know as DPC. Build Center will organise for blocks and damp proof membrane to be sent direct to site.
Several sustainable products can be included in the construction of a substructure.
Thermalite, the leading brand of aerated concrete blocks from Hanson, offers the most environmentally friendly range of aircrete products available in the UK today. Up to 80% of the material used in Hanson’s thermalite blocks is pulverised fuel ash, a by product from coal burning power stations
Visqueen Eco Membrane is a blown film of extruded low-density polyethylene for use as a damp proof membrane. It is manufactured from 100% post-use waste, is black in colour and available in 250mu, 300mu and 500mu thicknesses.
