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 BRITISH STANDARD BS 8103-1:
1995
Incorporating
Amendment No. 1

Structural design of
low-rise buildings —
Part 1: Code of practice for stability, site
Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI

investigation, foundations and ground

floor slabs for housing
BS 8103-1:1995

Committees responsible for this

British Standard

The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted to Technical

Committee B/204, Structural design of low-rise buildings, upon which the
following bodies were represented:

Building Employers’ Confederation

Chartered Institute of Building
Consumer Policy Committee of BSI
Department of the Environment (Building Research Establishment)

Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI

Department of the Environment (Construction Directorate)
Federation of Master Builders
House Builders’ Federation
Institute of Building Control
Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Structural Engineers
National Council of Building Material Producers
National House-Building Council
Royal Institute of British Architects
Scottish Office (Building Directorate)

The following bodies were also represented in the drafting of the standard,
through subcommittees and panels:

Association of Lightweight Aggregate Manufacturers

Brick Development Association
Council of the Forest Industries of British Columbia

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Sector Board for
Building and Civil Engineering,
was published under the
authority of the Standards
Board and comes into effect on
15 September 1995 Amendments issued since publication
© BSI 12-1998
Amd. No. Date Comments
First published March 1986
Second edition September 1995 8980 November Indicated by a sideline in the margin
1995
The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference B/204
Draft for comment 88/11563 DC

ISBN 0 580 23340 5

 BS 8103-1:1995

Contents

Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
Foreword ii
1 Scope 1
2 References 1
3 Definitions 1
4 Symbols 2
5 Stability and connections between elements 2
6 Site investigation 17
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7 Foundations 18
8 Ground floor slabs 26
Figure 1 — Plan form and construction of the ground floor box
to give stability 3
Figure 2 — Diagram illustrating the action of wind forces 4
Figure 3 — Walls with a difference in level on opposite sides 5
Figure 4 — Building shape 6
Figure 5 — Maximum height of building 6
Figure 6 — Measurement of storey height of walls in metres 7
Figure 7 — Basic wind speed 8
Figure 8 — Diagram of a house showing location and type of
connections necessary between elements 10
Figure 9 — Timber floor bearing on to wall 12
Figure 10 — Timber floor spanning parallel with a wall 13
Figure 11 — Timber floor supported on standard joist hanger 14
Figure 12 — Concrete suspended floor bearing on to wall 14
Figure 13 — Concrete suspended floor abutting wall 15
Figure 14 — Precast concrete beam and block type floor abutting
or spanning on to wall 15
Figure 15 — Tying of pitched roofs to gable walls 16
Figure 16 — Pitched or flat roof bearing on to a wallplate 17
Figure 17 — Types of foundation 19
Figure 18 — Foundation adjoining a trench 24
Figure 19 — Thickness of foundations 24
Figure 20 — Stepped foundations 25
Figure 21 — Position of walls on foundations 25
Figure 22 — Foundations to walls with projections 26
Figure 23 — In situ concrete ground-supported slab 26
Table 1 — Maximum heights of buildings on normal level sites 9
Table 2 — Maximum heights of buildings on steeply sloping sites 9
Table 3 — Concrete mixes suitable for unreinforced concrete in
strip footings and trench fill foundations subject to sulfates in the
ground or groundwater 20
Table 4 — Wall load categories for 4.5 m floors and 9 m roofs 20
Table 5 — Wall load categories for 6 m floors and 12 m roofs 21
Table 6 — Wall load categories for internal wall foundations 22
Table 7 — Identification of ground material and minimum
foundation widths for wall load categories 23
List of references Inside back cover

© BSI 12-1998 i
BS 8103-1:1995

Foreword

This Part of BS 8103 has been prepared under the direction of Technical
Committee B/204, Structural design of low-rise buildings.
BS 8103 will be published in four Parts:
— Part 1: Code of practice for stability, site investigation, foundations and
ground floor slabs for housing;
— Part 2: Code of practice for masonry walls for housing;
— Part 3: Code of practice for timber floors and roofs for housing
(in preparation);

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— Part 4: Code of practice for suspended concrete floors for housing.
to allow detailed consultation with other BSI Technical Committees responsible
for the structural use of materials. However, it is the intention to combine these
Parts into a single document in due course.
This standard is a revision of BS 8103-1:1986 which is withdrawn. It modifies the
scope and limitations so that they are similar to Section 1 of the Approved
Document A1/2. In particular, maximum clear spans for roofs and floors have
been raised from 9 m and 4.5 m to 12 m and 6 m respectively.
A large proportion of the national building programme is concerned with new
housing and alterations in both the public and private sectors where traditional
methods of construction are used for the majority of houses and it is to these that
this Part of BS 8103 is applicable.
However, when such dwellings are certified by organizations such as the National
House Building Council, reference should in addition be made to the appropriate
documents published by these bodies.
It is assumed that this standard will be used by those with expertise in building
construction but not necessarily in structural engineering design. Houses
constructed within the limitations stated in the relevant clauses will not require
additional specialist advice. For any conditions outside the limitations of this
standard appropriate specialist advice has to be obtained.
Where foundations other than those given in item h) of clause 1 have been
designed by suitably qualified persons, the remainder of the building may be
constructed in accordance with the relevant clauses of this standard.
When using this standard, it is important to ensure that the overall stability of
the house is achieved, and that the work of any specialist engaged is properly
coordinated. The situations included in this standard which require the
consultation of suitably qualified persons are identified in the clauses to which
they relate.
All drawings in this document only show structural details. Other details,
e.g. damp proof courses (d.p.cs), are not included.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 26, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.

ii © BSI 12-1998

1 Scope
This Part of BS 8103 gives recommendations for the
structural design of low-rise housing and covers the
stability of the structure, site investigation and
foundations and ground floor slabs used in the
construction. Foundations comprising strip footings
or trench fill founded in normal ground are the only
type described.
Low-rise housing comprises detached,
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semi-detached and terraced houses and flats
(with not more than four self-contained dwelling
units per floor accessible from one staircase), of not
more than three storeys above ground intended for
domestic occupation and of traditional masonry
construction with timber roofs and floors of timber
or concrete. For the purposes of this standard
additional habitable accommodation in the roof
space constitutes a storey of the house. The
recommendations also apply to certain single
storey, non-residential buildings, e.g. domestic
garages and annexes to residential buildings with a
floor area not exceeding 36 m2. This standard does
not include the design of basements, but providing
the basement is of one level only and is designed to
provide a firm platform at ground level the
provisions of this standard may apply to the
superstructure.
Proprietary housing systems, and houses of timber,
steel or concrete framed construction are not
covered by this standard.
The structural design recommendations described
in this standard are not specifically intended to
cover other considerations such as fire resistance,
thermal and sound insulation, resistance to damp
penetration and durability. Reference should be
made to other appropriate British Standards and
statutory regulations and their supporting technical
documents (e.g. BS 5628-3:1985 and the
appropriate Approved Documents to the Building
Regulations) for these and other matters.
In using this standard the following limitations
apply:
a) roof: maximum clear span 12.0 m;
b) floor: maximum clear span 6.0 m;
c) design wind speed: not exceeding 44 m/s
(see 5.3);
d) no part of wall or roof higher than 15 m above
lowest adjacent ground level;
e) storey height: maximum 2.7 m;
f) maximum clear length of a loadbearing wall
between vertical lateral supports of 9.0 m;
g) maximum length of any opening in loadbearing
walls: 3.0 m;
© BSI 12-1998
BS 8103-1:1995
h) only strip footings or trench fill foundations in
normal ground conditions (see 7.1).
Where foundations other than those given in item h)
have been designed by suitably qualified persons,
the remainder of the building may be constructed in
accordance with the relevant clauses of this
standard.
2 References
2.1 Normative references
This Part of BS 8103 incorporates, by dated or
undated reference, provisions from other
publications. These normative references are made
at the appropriate places in the text and the cited
publications are listed on the inside back cover. For
dated references, only the edition cited applies; any
subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, the cited
publication apply to this Part of BS 8103 only when
incorporated in it by updating or revision. For
undated references, the latest edition of the cited
publication applies, together with any amendments.
2.2 Informative references
This Part of BS 8103 refers to other publications
that provide information or guidance. Editions of
these publications current at the time of issue of this
standard are listed on the inside back cover, but
reference should be made to the latest editions.
3 Definitions
For the purposes of this Part of BS 8103, the
following definitions apply.
3.1
buttress
section of wall or pier bonded or securely tied to an
adjacent wall providing support against lateral
forces acting on the wall
3.2
cavity
space between two leaves of a cavity wall
3.3
cavity wall
two parallel single-leaf walls spaced at least 50 mm
apart and effectively tied together with wall ties
3.4
foundation
that part of a structure in direct contact with and
transmitting loads to the ground
3.5
foundation depth
distance between the finished external ground level
and the underside of the concrete in strip footings or
trench fill construction
1
BS 8103-1:1995

3.6 4 Symbols
ground-supported slab
For the purposes of this Part of BS 8103, the
concrete slab constructed directly on and supported following symbols apply:
by the ground to receive material forming or
supporting the wearing surface
a retained height of ground;
3.7
hoggin d depth of fill material;
inert natural mixture usually consisting of gravel, h1 height of main building measured to the
sand and clay highest part of the wall or roof;

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3.8 h2 height of wing or annexe measured to the
loadbearing wall highest part of the wall or roof;
wall that carries vertical and/or lateral loads in l length of wall to wing or annexe;
addition to its self weight
p1 projection of wing extending for more than
3.9 one storey;
masonry
p2 projection of single storey wing or annexe;
assemblage of structural units that are bonded or
solidly put together with mortar psf projection of strip footing beyond face of
supported wall;
3.10
nogging s step height in foundations;
solid piece of timber between timber members to t overall thickness of wall;
provide support for an attachment point t1 thickness of leaf 1 of cavity wall;
3.11
t2 thickness of leaf 2 of cavity wall;
pier
integral thickened section located in a wall tsf thickness of strip footing;
3.12 ttf thickness of trench fill;
separating wall w1 width of wall to main building;
wall between two buildings that is common to both
w2 width of wall to single storey wing or
3.13 annexe;
storey height
w3 width of wall to a wing extending for more
the underside to underside distance between floors than one storey.
or between a floor and roof or in the case of a ground
storey the distance between the top of the ground
floor and the underside of the floor above 5 Stability and connections between
elements
3.14
strip footing 5.1 Stability considerations
bed of concrete laid in the bottom of a trench, its This Part of BS 8103 together with BS 8103-2,
thickness being less than its width, that forms a BS 8103-31) and BS 8103-4 gives recommendations
strip foundation to carry a masonry wall on the sizing of individual elements of a house:
foundations, walls, floors and roof in relation to the
3.15
forces acting on them due to dead and imposed
trench fill
loading. In order to provide overall stability of the
deep bed of concrete filling a trench that forms a structure in relation to any likely loading condition
strip foundations to carry a masonry wall it is essential for these elements to be properly
joined together. When considering the plan form of
the building it is essential that the external walls
interact to form the sides of a rigid box completed by
the floors and roof as shown in Figure 1 for the
ground floor. In these forms of construction bracing
in the planes of the roof is a necessary contribution
to the overall stability.

1)
In preparation

2 © BSI 12-1998

Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI
Figure 1 — Plan form and construction of
the ground floor box to give stability
Internal masonry walls should be connected so as to
interact with external walls and brace the structure.
Internal lightweight partitions should also be
connected so that they contribute to the overall
stability but they should be discounted in the design
of the masonry. The connections between structural
elements described in 5.4 should be used as
necessary to ensure that the elements of the box
interact fully so as to transfer and share loads
placed on one element with other elements.
It is particularly important to ensure that wind
loads are transferred to buttress walls, piers and
chimneys.
In the situations shown in Figure 2 with the force
derived from wind action at right angles to the
gable, the gable in isolation is extremely vulnerable.
The front and rear walls in combination with the
floor offer substantial lateral support provided that
the wind forces from the top of the gable can be
transferred to them. A braced roof, if adequately
connected, laterally restrains the top of the gable
and transfers the loads to the front and rear walls.
© BSI 12-1998
BS 8103-1:1995
Likewise the front and rear walls depend upon the
lateral support provided by the floors and roof
connected to the gable walls.
A house should not be expected to be totally
resistant to the excessive forces that may arise due
to extreme causes such as earth tremors, explosion
or impact by vehicles. Provided that the design
procedures recommended in this standard are
correctly followed, particularly the
recommendations for connections between
elements, then the effects of the excessive forces
should be minimized if they occur.
5.2 Dimensional limits to ensure stability
5.2.1 Ground levels either side of walls
Where a wall is subjected to a lateral load from
retained material due to a difference in levels on
opposite sides, the difference in level above fully
compacted backfill should not exceed the
dimensions shown in Figure 3. The
recommendations given in Figure 3b do not apply
where there is an adjacent roadway on the upper
level, used other than by private cars, and where the
roadway for such vehicles is closer than a distance
equivalent to 1.25 times the retained height. Such
situations are outside the scope of this standard.
Figure 3 does not apply to free-standing walls.
5.2.2 Building shape
For residential buildings of not more than three
storeys, adequate stability against wind forces is
achieved if the building dimensions, as shown
in Figure 4, do not exceed the following values.
a) The height of the main building (h1) should not
be greater than twice the width of the building.
The width should be taken as w1 if p1 is equal to
or less than w3, or as w3 if p1 is greater than w3.
b) The width of the annexe (w2) should not be less
than half the height of the annexe (h2) if its
length (p2) is greater than twice its width (w2).
3
BS 8103-1:1995

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Figure 2 — Diagram illustrating the action of wind forces

4 © BSI 12-1998
5 Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI
© BSI 12-1998

Figure 3 — Walls with a difference in level on opposite sides

BS 8103-1:1995
BS 8103-1:1995
Figure 4 — Building shape
5.2.3 Height of building
The maximum height above the lowest finished
ground level adjoining the building should not
exceed 15 m as shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5 — Maximum height of building
5.2.4 Storey height
The maximum height of any storey should not
exceed 2.7 m measured as shown in Figure 6. The
height of substructure walls measured between the
top of the foundation and the top of the ground floor
slabs should also not exceed 2.7 m.
5.3 Wind loading
The magnitude of wind pressure to which a house is
exposed to is dependent on its height, geographical
location and degree of exposure.
6 © BSI 12-1998
Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI
The scope of this standard is limited to buildings
subjected to design wind speeds (as defined
in CP 3:Chapter V-2) not exceeding 44 m/s.
A simplified method of ensuring conformity to this
limitation is as follows.
a) Determine the basic wind speed at the site of
the building from Figure 7.
b) Determine the maximum permissible height of
the building from either Table 1 or Table 2
depending on the basic wind speed and ground
roughness category. (Table 1 and Table 2 are
respectively applicable to normal, level sites and
sloping sites.)
5.4 Connections between structural elements
5.4.1 General
The details of floor or roof to wall connections given
in 5.4.2 provide for the tying together of elements
recommended by this standard to ensure overall
house stability and lateral restraint for walls. All
rafters/roof joists should be fixed to the wall plate,
e.g. by framing anchors, and other connections
should be made at the positions shown in Figure 8
with the exception of the cases listed in items a)
to f). Connections, where provided, should be
inserted throughout the length of the wall at that
level. Depending on the roof or floor construction
and the location of the connection, the relevant
detail indicated in Figure 8 should be chosen from
Figure 9 to Figure 16.
Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI BS 8103-1:1995

Figure 6 — Measurement of storey height of walls in metres

© BSI 12-1998 7
 Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI

© BSI 12-1998
Figure 7 — Basic wind speed
BS 8103-1:1995

8
 BS 8103-1:1995

Table 1 — Maximum heights of buildings on normal level sites

Basic wind Maximum building height
speed m
m/s
Ground roughness category
Open countryside Open countryside with Country with many Surface with large and
with no obstructions scattered windbreaks windbreaks, small towns, frequent obstructions, city
outskirts of large cities centres
36 15 15 15 15
38 15 15 15 15
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40 15 15 15 15
42 15 15 15 15
44 15 15 15 15
46 11 15 15 15
48 9 13 15 15
50 7 10 15 15
52 6 9 15 15
54 4.5 8 14 15
56 3 7 13 15
NOTE These data apply to normal level or slightly sloping sites S1 = 1.0 as given in CP 3:Chapter V-2, which can be referred to for
further guidance on applicability of data to particular sites.

Table 2 — Maximum heights of buildings on steeply sloping sites

Basic wind Maximum building height
speed m
m/s
Ground roughness category
Open countryside Open countryside with Country with many Surface with large and
with no obstructions scattered windbreaks windbreaks, small towns, frequent obstructions, city
outskirts of large cities centres
36 8 11 15 15
38 6 9 15 15
40 4 7.5 14 15
42 3 6 12 15
44 5 10 15
46 4 8 15
48 3 6.5 14
50 5 12
52 Outside the scope of this standard 4 10
54 3 8.5
56 7
NOTE These data apply to very exposed hill scope or crests and are based on S1 = 1.36 as given in CP 3:Chapter V-2, which can be
referred to for further guidance on applicability of data to particular sites.

© BSI 12-1998 9
BS 8103-1:1995
Figure 8 — Diagram of a house showing location and type of connections necessary
between elements
Where the connections take the form of metal
restraint straps these should be fixed at centres not
exceeding 2 m unless otherwise indicated on
Figure 9 to Figure 16, as appropriate. Internal
loadbearing walls should be laterally restrained at
each level by the relevant detail shown in Figure 8
for external walls at that level.
Connections may be omitted in the following
circumstances.
a) Short lengths of wall. Where a wall is less
than 3 m long between buttressing walls.
b) Openings adjacent to walls. Where an opening
occurs in a floor directly adjacent to a loadbearing
wall, e.g. in a stair well, the length of wall without
lateral restraint should not exceed 3 m. Where
metal restraint straps would have been necessary
within the length of the opening to conform to this
standard (see Figure 8), these should be
distributed on both sides of the opening in
addition to those already provided.
10
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c) Vertical restraint straps. Straps for wall plates
and roof to resist uplift forces due to wind are not
required when the dead weight of the roof exceeds
the uplift. In low-exposure situations houses with
a roof pitch greater than 15° and clad in slates or
concrete or clay tiles having a laid mass per unit
area greater than 50 kg/m2 vertical restraint
straps are not required.
d) Lateral restraint at ground floor. Where
ground-supported floor slabs are used or where
the top of a suspended ground floor is not more
than 1 m above the finished internal or external
ground level.
e) Lateral restraint at the ceiling level of the gable.
Straps are not necessary when the height to the
midpoint of the triangular section of the gable
from the underside of the floor immediately below
is not greater than 16t where t is the overall
thickness of a solid wall, or in the case of a cavity
wall, the sum of the thicknesses of the two leaves
plus 10 mm.
© BSI 12-1998

f) Lateral restraint at party wall junctions. Straps
are not necessary where floors bear on to either
solid 200 mm thick or tied cavity party walls from
both sides at approximately the same level. This
applies irrespective of the means of support,
e.g. direct bearing or joist hangers. Floors
spanning parallel to such walls should be
strapped, however, to transmit forces from the
front and rear walls.
5.4.2 Metal restraint straps
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5.4.2.1 Straps providing lateral restraint or
restraint against uplift of roofs should normally be
of low carbon steel protected by galvanizing or other
suitably strong and durable materials in accordance
with 22.7.1 of BS 5628-3:1985.
Horizontal straps providing lateral restraint should
have a nominal cross-sectional area of 150 mm2 or
greater, a minimum thickness of 5 mm, a minimum
turn down length of 100 mm and a minimum
straight length of 600 mm. For timber members
spanning parallel to the wall, sufficient straight
length of strap should be provided to extend over
three joists or rafters.
© BSI 12-1998
BS 8103-1:1995
They should be fixed to timber members with
steel 50 mm long × No. 10 wood screws or
by 75 mm × 4 mm (8 SWG) round nails at not less
than 110 mm centres with a minimum of four
fixings. The first connection should not be less
than 112 mm from the end face of the timber
member. Where timber members spanning parallel
to a wall are to be restrained, the straps should be
attached to binders or solid noggings fixed firmly to
the joists. Additionally there should be a packing
piece between the wall and the nearest joist or
rafter.
Vertical straps resisting uplift only should have a
nominal cross-sectional area of 75 mm2, a minimum
thickness of 2.5 mm, a minimum anchorage length
of 100 mm beyond either a 90° bend, or a vertical
twist (Figure 16 refers), and a minimum straight
length of 1 000 mm.
They should be face-fixed to masonry with a
minimum of four fixings, one of which should be
within 150 mm of the bottom end of the strap. As an
alternative to face-fixings, the strap may be
“turned into” the masonry by incorporating an
additional 100 mm anchorage length beyond a 90°
bend at the bottom of the strap.
11
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© BSI 12-1998
Figure 9 — Timber floor bearing on to wall
BS 8103-1:1995

12
Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI BS 8103-1:1995

Figure 10 — Timber floor spanning parallel with a wall

© BSI 12-1998 13
BS 8103-1:1995

Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI

Figure 11 — Timber floor supported on standard joist hanger

Figure 12 — Concrete suspended floor bearing on to wall

14 © BSI 12-1998
Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI BS 8103-1:1995

Figure 13 — Concrete suspended floor abutting wall

Figure 14 — Precast concrete beam and block type floor abutting or spanning on to wall

© BSI 12-1998 15
BS 8103-1:1995

Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI

Figure 15 — Tying of pitched roofs to gable walls

16 © BSI 12-1998
Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI
Figure 16 — Pitched or flat roof bearing on to a wallplate
6 Site investigation
6.1 General
In order to decide the type of foundation and method
of construction suited to a particular site, site
investigation should be undertaken at an early
stage. The investigation should also be concerned
with determining those features necessary to plan
the siting of dwellings as well as determining soil
properties and identifying potential hazards which
will affect the eventual design of the foundation.
© BSI 12-1998
BS 8103-1:1995
Site investigation can be a complex exercise and
some site conditions may be outside the scope of this
standard.
The existence of any of the hazards listed in 6.3
located under, or close to, the site of the building
may cause the ground to behave in an abnormal
fashion, in which case a suitably qualified person
should be employed to carry out the site
investigation and foundation design.
17
BS 8103-1:1995
6.2 Methods of site investigation
Site investigation should normally fall into the
following two parts.
a) Desk study. A study of available documents
relating to the site such as maps, geological
reports, aerial photographs and records held by
the Local Authority and the Public Utilities.
Reference should also be made to British Coal
and other mining authorities.
The Electricity, Gas and Water Authorities,
British Telecommunications and also the British
Pipeline Agency should be approached to provide
information relating to existing mains or sewers
on or near the site.
b) Physical exploration of the site. This should
include a survey of ground levels and services as
well as visual inspection and should be primarily
concerned with identifying the nature of the
ground and any hazardous features.
The ground is best examined by means of
boreholes or trial pits which should be sufficient
in number to show any likely variation over the
site. They should be located having regard to the
proposed layout of the site but not under or close
to proposed foundation positions. The depth of
trial pits should be at least 2 m.
If at this depth the ground is unsuitable for the
proposed foundation a suitably qualified person
should be consulted. The suitability of the
ground should be determined by the simple field
tests described in Table 7.
NOTE More detailed information on site investigations may be
found in BS 5930.
6.3 Hazardous ground conditions requiring
special consideration
The following hazardous ground conditions should
be given special consideration:
a) slopes subject to slip or creep which can occur
on clay sites with slopes greater than 1 in 10;
b) areas liable to long-term consolidation of the
ground, particularly when this may be made-up
or reclaimed ground or where layers of peat are
encountered;
2)
Further guidance on precautions to take when building near trees can be obtained from National House Building Council
Standard, Chapter 4.2:1992 Building near trees [1]; and from BS 5837.
18
c) areas such as old refuse tips containing
material that is subject to internal combustion,
chemical change or bacteriological decay, or
which includes toxic wastes;
d) underground watercourses or buried water
courses and ponds.
e) existing services such as sewers, gas and water
mains, electricity or British Telecommunications
cables;
Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI
f) pits, both natural such as swallow holes, or due
to mining or quarrying; also bomb craters and
soft spots where trees have been taken up;
g) areas liable to subsidence caused by mining or
mineral extraction below the site;
h) wells, mine shafts, etc.;
i) old foundations or other concealed
constructions;
j) on clay soils, the presence, introduction or
recent removal of trees or heavy vegetation2);
k) areas liable to flooding or where the
water-table level is above the expected level of the
foundations;
l) areas where past experience has shown the
presence of high sulfate concentrations or other
naturally occurring potentially deleterious
substances mainly in clay soils, in sufficient
concentrations, or in circumstances that would
cause damage.
7 Foundations
7.1 Types of foundation
This standard covers the design and construction of
foundations only in normal ground, i.e. for which the
use of strip footings or trench fill foundations using
unreinforced concrete, as shown in Figure 17, are
sufficient. For sites where hazardous conditions
exist as described in 6.3 and which may require
reinforced strip footings, rafts or piled foundations,
a suitably qualified person should be consulted.
© BSI 12-1998
Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI BS 8103-1:1995

Figure 17 — Types of foundation

7.2 Foundation materials 7.3.2 Minimum width of foundations
Concrete used in foundations in non-aggressive soils For the purposes of this standard, foundation loads
should be either a GEN 3 designated mix are subdivided into nine load categories A to J
conforming to BS 5328-2, or, if the concrete is to be representing line loads at the base of the wall. Load
batched at the site, an ST 3 standard mix categories for the different forms of wall
conforming to BS 5328-2 for strip footings, or construction should be determined from Table 4,
an ST 4 standard mix for trench fill foundations. Table 5 and Table 6. The minimum widths of
Concrete mixes for use in strip footings should have foundations should be obtained from Table 7 using
a nominal slump of 75 mm while those used in the appropriate soil classification and load category.
trench fill foundations should have a nominal slump Where necessary, foundation widths in excess of the
of 125 mm. design minimum should be used to allow for setting
Where sulfates are present in the ground or out and construction tolerances. A
groundwater in sufficient quantities to be foundation 150 mm wider than the wall thickness is
damaging, suitable concrete mixes as given considered to be a practical minimum dimension.
in BS 8110-1 and BRE Digest 363:1991[2],
appropriate to the sulfates concentration, should be
used. Table 3 provides simplified guidance on
concrete mixes which are in contact with sulfate
bearing soils.
7.3 Foundation design for sites without
hazardous conditions
7.3.1 General
Where no hazards have been identified during a
preliminary exploration, foundation design can
proceed in accordance with 7.3.2 to 7.3.7. The
design may have to be amended to suit unforeseen
hazardous conditions found during construction.

© BSI 12-1998 19
BS 8103-1:1995

Table 3 — Concrete mixes suitable for unreinforced concrete in strip footings and trench fill
foundations subject to sulfates in the ground or groundwater
Ground condition by sulfates classification
Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 5
Concrete mix GEN 3 or ST3 or ST4 FND 2 FND 3 FND 4 Not applicable. Refer
appropriate (see 7.2) to specialist advice
Recommended workability 75 or 125 as 75 75 75
(nominal slump in mm) appropriate (see 7.2)

Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI

NOTE 1 Sulfates classification is in accordance with BS 8110-1 and BRE Digest 363:1991.
NOTE 2 GEN 3, FND 2, FND 3 and FND 4 are designated mixes and should conform to BS 5328-2.
NOTE 3 ST3 and ST4 are standard mixes and should be in accordance with BS 5328-2.
NOTE 4 Concrete mixes for class 1 sulfate conditions are those given in 7.2 for normal ground and the design guidance is the same.

Table 4 — Wall load categories for 4.5 m floors and 9 m roofs

Number Upper Ground floor Front/rear walls Separating walls Gable walls
of storeys floor construction
Type Type Load arrangement on Load arrangement on Load arrangement on
(see note) walls walls walls
Floors Floor Ground Floors Floor Ground Floors Floor Ground
and only Floor and only Floor and only Floor
roof and roof and roof and
roof roof roof
1 N/A GS slab A A A B A B B A B
1 N/A Timber B A B C B C B A B
1 N/A Precast C B C E D E C B C
1 N/A In situ C C C F F F D C D
2 Timber GS slab B B B D C C C B C
2 Timber Timber C B B E D D D C C
2 Timber Precast D C D G F F E D D
2 Timber In situ E D D J H H E D E
2 Precast GS slab C B B E D C D C C
2 Precast Precast E D D H H F E D D
2 Precast In situ E D D a J H F E E
3 Timber GS slab D C C F E D E D D
3 Timber Timber D C C G F E E D D
3 Timber Precast E D D J J G F E E
3 Timber In situ F E E a a J G F F
3 Precast GS slab E D C J H D F E D
3 Precast Precast G F D a a G G F E
3 Precast In situ G F E a a J G F E

NOTE GS denotes “ground supported”.

a
Loading outside the scope of this standard.

20 © BSI 12-1998
 BS 8103-1:1995

Table 5 — Wall load categories for 6 m floors and 12 m roofs

Number Upper Ground floor Front/rear walls Separating walls Gable walls
of storeys floor construction
Type Type Load arrangement on Load arrangement on Load arrangement on
(see note) walls walls walls
Floors Floor Ground Floors Floor Ground Floors Floor Ground
and only Floor and only Floor and only Floor
roof and roof and roof and
roof roof roof
1 N/A GS slab A A A B A B B A B
Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI

1 N/A Timber B A B D B D C B C
1 N/A Precast D B D G E G D C D
1 N/A In situ E D E J H J F E F
2 Timber GS slab C B B E D D D C C
2 Timber Timber C B C F E E D C C
2 Timber Precast E D D J H H F E F
2 Timber In situ F E F a a a G F G
2 Precast GS slab D C B G E D E C C
2 Precast Precast F E D a J H G F E
2 Precast In situ G F F a a a H G G
3 Timber GS slab D C C G F E E D D
3 Timber Timber E D D H G F F E E
3 Timber Precast F E E a a J G F F
3 Timber In situ H G G a a a J H H
3 Precast GS slab F E C a J E G F D
3 Precast Precast H G E a a J J H F
3 Precast In situ J H G a a a a J H
NOTE GS denotes “ground supported”.
a
Loading outside the scope of this standard.

© BSI 12-1998 21
BS 8103-1:1995

Table 6 — Wall load categories for internal wall foundations

Number of Roof load Upper floor Ground floor Total floor spana
storeys
m
Type Type (see note) 4.5 6 9 12
Load category
1 Timber NONE GS slab A A A A
1 Timber NONE Timber A A B B
1 Timber NONE Precast B C D E
1 Timber NONE In situ C D F H

Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI

2 Timber Timber GS slab A A B C
2 Timber Timber Timber B B C D
2 Timber Timber Precast C C E G
2 Timber Timber In situ D E G b

2 Timber Precast GS slab B B C D

2 Timber Precast Precast C D G J
2 Timber Precast In-situ E F J b

2 Timber NONE GS Slab A A A A

2 Timber NONE Timber A A B C
2 Timber NONE Precast B C D F
2 Timber NONE In situ C D G J
2 NONE Timber GS slab A A A A
2 NONE Timber Timber A A B C
2 NONE Timber Precast B C D F
2 NONE Timber In-situ C D G J
2 NONE Precast GS Slab A B C C
2 NONE Precast Precast C D F G
2 NONE Precast In situ D E H b

3 Timber Timber GS slab B B B C

3 Timber Timber Timber B B C D
3 Timber Timber Precast C D F G
3 Timber Timber In situ D E H b

3 Timber Precast GS slab B C D E

3 Timber Precast Precast D E G J
3 Timber Precast In situ E F J b

3 Timber NONE GS slab A A B B

3 Timber NONE Timber B B B C
3 Timber NONE Precast C C E F
3 Timber NONE In situ D E G J
3 NONE Timber GS slab A A B B
3 NONE Timber Timber B B B C
3 NONE Timber Precast C C E F
3 NONE Timber In situ D E G J
3 NONE Precast GS slab B B C D
3 NONE Precast Precast C D F H
3 NONE Precast In situ E F H b

NOTE GS denotes “ground supported”.

a
The total span is the sum of the spans on each side of the wall in question at each level. The greatest total span combination at
any supported floor level should be taken when using this table.
b
Loading outside the scope of this standard.

22 © BSI 12-1998
 BS 8103-1:1995

Table 7 — Identification of ground material and minimum foundation widths for wall load
categories
Rock or soil Simple field test Minimum foundation widtha, in mm, for load category
(kN per metre run)
Type Condition A B C D E F G H J
(20) (30) (40) (50) (60) (70) (80) (90) (100)
Rock Hard Requires at least a Equal to width of wall
pneumatic or other
mechanically
Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI

operated pick for

excavation
Gravel  Compact Requires pick for 250 300 400 500 600 650 800 900 1 000
Sand  excavation. Wooden

peg 50 mm square
hard to drive more
than 150 mm
Clay  Stiff Cannot be moulded 250 300 400 500 600 650 800 900 1 000
Sandy clay  in the fingers.

Requires pick or
pneumatically
operated spade for
excavation
Clay  Firm Can be moulded with 300 350 450 600 750 850 950
Sandy clay  substantial pressure

with the fingers and
excavated with a
spade
Sand Loose Dry lumps may have 400 600
Silty sand slight cohesion but
Clayey sand easily breaks up in
fingers. Readily
excavated with
spade. 50 mm peg
can be easily driven.
Silt Soft Easily moulded in 450 650
Clay the fingers and
Sandy clay readily excavated
Silty clay
Silt Very soft Exudes between 600 850
Clay fingers when
Refer to specialist advice
Sandy clay squeezed in fist
Silty clay
Peat —
Made ground —
a In no case should the foundation width be less than the width of the wall nor should the wall oversail the foundation.

© BSI 12-1998 23
BS 8103-1:1995
7.3.3 Minimum depth of foundations
The minimum depth of foundations should be
determined as the greatest of the following.
a) A depth to the selected bearing stratum.
b) In clays subject to seasonal moisture
movement, a depth not less than 1.0 m.
(See also BS 5837.)
c) In sands, chalk and other frost-susceptible
soils, a depth below the zone of frost action, which
may normally be taken as a minimum of 450 mm.
In upland areas and other areas known to be
subject to long periods of frost an increase in
depth may be advisable.
d) Where foundation adjoins a service trench, the
layout shown in Figure 18 should be followed.
Figure 18 — Foundation adjoining a trench
The susceptibility of soils to moisture movement,
the action of frost or changes in water table varies
widely and the advice of the approving authority
should always be sought.
Except as indicated in 7.3.5, the underside of
foundations should be maintained at a uniform
level.
7.3.4 Minimum thickness of foundations
The minimum thickness of foundations should be
the greater of 150 mm or the projection from the face
of the substructure wall to the adjoining edge of the
foundation as shown in Figure 19.
24
Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI
Figure 19 — Thickness of foundations
7.3.5 Stepped foundations
On sloping sites, or where the bearing stratum
slopes or where local proximity to a service trench
requires a greater depth, foundations may be
stepped. Each length of foundation between steps
should be horizontal and the height of steps should
not exceed the thickness of the foundation. The face
of the step in the soil should be as near vertical as
possible. The minimum length of the overlap and
the maximum step height should be as shown
in Figure 20.
7.3.6 Position of walls on foundations
In general, walls should be positioned such that the
centre of the wall is on the centre line of the
foundation (see a) or b) in Figure 21).
Where the external face of a wall is at or near the
edge of the foundation, for example where the
foundation position is determined by a boundary to
an adjacent property, (see Figure 21c) it is sufficient
to ensure that the centre of the wall is within the
middle third of the foundation width as
recommended in 7.3.2.
7.3.7 Foundations to walls with projections
Foundation widths should be increased where piers
or chimneys project beyond the general line of the
wall. The foundation should be widened so that the
distance from the edge of the concrete to the face of
masonry remains constant as shown in Figure 22.
7.3.8 Foundations on clay soils close to trees
Damage can occur to foundations on clay soils in
proximity to trees or where trees have been
removed. Foundations should not generally be
affected if they are located a distance further from a
tree equivalent to its mature height. Where a row of
trees is concerned, this distance should be increased
to 1.5 times the height. In all other cases the site
should be considered as hazardous and special
precautions should be taken (see 6.1).
© BSI 12-1998
Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI BS 8103-1:1995

Figure 20 — Stepped foundations

Figure 21 — Position of walls on foundations

© BSI 12-1998 25
BS 8103-1:1995

Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI

Figure 22 — Foundations to walls with projections

8 Ground floor slabs

In situ concrete ground-supported slabs may be
used in the majority of sites except where the depth
of fill exceeds 600 mm or other circumstances
dictate the use of suspended construction.
The minimum thickness of a concrete
ground-supported slab should be 100 mm. The slab
should be constructed on a minimum of 100 mm of
inert well-graded fill material, such as hoggin or
other suitable fill, blinded with fine material,
see Figure 23. Fill material should be compacted in
layers not greater than 225 mm thick and should
not contain any pieces that will not pass through
a 75 mm diameter ring.
Any material containing sulfates easily soluble in
ground water should not be regarded as inert.
The concrete mix for the ground-supported slab
should be a GEN 4 designated mix or an ST4
standard mix in accordance with BS 5328-2. The
recommended workability for this use is a 75 mm
nominal slump. For ground-supported floor slabs
containing any embedded metal (e.g. reinforcement
used nominally or as a crack control option), the
concrete mix should be an RC35 designated mix in
accordance with BS 5328-2. The recommended Figure 23 — In situ concrete
workability for this use is a 75 mm nominal slump. ground-supported slab
For sites where hazardous conditions exist as
described in 6.3 which, for example, may require the
provision of suspended slabs or the use of concrete
materials that are resistant to sulfate attack, a
suitably qualified person should be consulted.
Loadbearing internal partitions or walls should
have separate foundations independent of the floor
slabs.

26 © BSI 12-1998
 BS 8103-1:1995

List of references

Normative references

BSI publications
BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION, London

BS 5328, Concrete.
BS 5328-2:1991, Methods for specifying concrete mixes.
BS 5628, Code of practice for use of masonry.
BS 5628-1:1992, Structural use of unreinforced masonry.
Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, ALSTOM, 8-Feb-01, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI

BS 5628-3:1985, Materials and components, design and workmanship.

BS 8110, Structural use of concrete.
BS 8110-1:1985, Code of practice for design and construction.
CP 3, Code of basic data for the design of buildings.
CP 3:Chapter V, Loading.
CP 3:Chapter V-2:1972, Wind loads.

Other references

[2] BRE Digest 363:1991, Sulphate and acid resistance of concrete in the ground3).

Informative references

BSI publications
BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION, London

BS 5837:1991, Guide for trees in relation to construction.

BS 5930:1981, Code of practice for site investigations.
BS 8103, Structural design of low-rise buildings.
BS 8103-2:1995, Code of practice for masonry walls for housing.
BS 8103-4:1995, Code of practice for concrete suspended floors for housing.

Other references

[1] National House-Building Council Standard, Chapter 4.2:1992, Building near trees4).

3) Available from the Building Research Establishment, Garston, Watford, Herts WD2 7JR.
4) Available from NHBC, Buildmark House, Chiltern Avenue, Amersham, Bucks HP6 5AP.

© BSI 12-1998
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