BISON CONCRETE

PRODUCTS Ltd

Millennium Court,
First Avenue Centrum 100,
Burton-Upon-Trent
DE14 2WR

Telephone: 01283 495000

Facsimile: 01283 544900
BEAM & BLOCK FLOORING
precast concrete products and solutions
Email: concrete@bison.co.uk
Web: www.bison.co.uk

OTHER BROCHURES
AVAILABLE

• Staircases

• Hollow Core Floors

• Crosswalls

• Lattice Flooring

• Stadia Products

• Safety Systems

February 2007 SPEED & STRENGTH

 BISON - SPEED AND STRENGTH
Bison Vision: to be the best provider of precast concrete solutions in the UK
From its origin in 1919, Bison has led the way in precast
concrete technology. Focused on the construction
industry, Bison’s history has been one of strong growth
with market leading positions in all the sectors in which it
operates. Strong growth has been achieved by
recognising that customers require a complete service,
from design to installation on site
BEAM AND BLOCK FLOORS
THE ADVANTAGES
Mass-produced elements:
Economic Flooring
Beam and Block floors consist of precast prestressed
concrete beams and standard building blocks, which are
commonly available from producers and builders’
merchants throughout the UK. In combination they
provide a most economical type of suspended
ground floor.
Nationally Available
Bison beams are produced in a number of locations
throughout the UK, in order to provide maximum
economy to most geographical areas. Standard blocks
are used for infill and are always available locally. The
user has the benefit of a high quality structural floor at
optimum cost.
Ease and Speed of Erection
Beams and blocks are easily handled and quick
to place on site. Beam and block floors offer a logical,
low-cost flooring solution.
Simple Accommodation of Site Services
Service runs are accommodated around the perimeter of
the floor or within the floor finish. Holes through the floor
are provided simply by removing a block, by drilling
through a block for smaller services, or by trimming with
a trimming angle and additional beams if larger holes
are required.
Fire Resistance
The standard House Beam section provides a
floor with an inherent half hour fire resistance.
The standard Deep Beam section provides a
floor with an inherent one hour fire resistance.
2
This service covers the design, off-site manufacture and
installation of precast prestressed hollow core flooring,
beam, precast concrete staircases, precast multi storey
wall panel structures and other bespoke solutions for
stadia and construction projects.
The result is that the name Bison has become the generic
name for precast concrete.
Proprietary Insulation Block
Bison can provide Proprietary Insulation Block
Systems. For information, see Insulated Block Systems
on the Bison website at www.bison.co.uk.
Immediate Working Platform
Once a beam and block floor is erected, it is immediately
available as a working platform. However, where aerated
blocks are provided, it may be necessary to provide
additional protection to the floor during construction.
Spans up to 9 metres. Loads up to 3 kN/m_2
Two types of beam are manufactured which, in
conjunction with concrete blocks, can offer spans of up
to 9.0m or accommodate loads of up to 3 kN/m_2.
See the load/span tables on pages 4 and 5.
Bison Service
When you send drawings to our Head Office in Burton upon
Trent we will respond promptly. You will quickly receive an
estimate, generally with a working drawing showing the most
economical and effective layout of the beams and blocks.
Delivery and Fixing
You have the choice of collecting the Bison beams ex
works, or having them delivered to site or, if preferred, a
supply, deliver and install service is available.
Factory Produced to Rigorous Quality
Standards
Bison operate a Quality Management Scheme to B.S. EN
ISO 9001:2000 for the design and manufacture of
precast concrete products. The scheme ensures that all
procedures and disciplines relevant to the design and
manufacturing processes are subject to an independent
audit on a regular basis by the British Standards
Institution.
 TYPICAL CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

3 3

2
5

8 1

1 Bearing on an internal wall. Dual bearing is 5 Blocks may be easily omitted to accommodate
usual with beams HB and DB. service ducts.

2 It is normal building practice to lay the beams 6 Standard walling blocks of various densities or a
on a DPC. proprietary insulating block system may be used.

3 Slip blocks are available for use with beam
types HB and DB.
4 Multiple beams where required to carry line
loads, etc.
7 Insulation with screed.
8 Beam spacing may be adjusted to suit span/load
requirements.

See also our brochures on Hollow Core Floors for Single Occupancy Housing and
Hollow Core Floors for Multiple Occupancy Housing

The company maintains a policy of continuous development and reserves

the right to change specification and details without prior notice.

3
 HOUSE BEAM (HB)
LOAD SPAN TABLE
Block Wt. of Load/Span Chart. (Effective span in metres)
density Beam + Self Wt. (as shown) + finish (1.2kN/m2) + S.I.L
assumed Block + kN/m2 shown
MOST COMMON APPLICATIONS at Kg/m3 Grout
kN/m2
0.75 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00
Beams @ 510mm c/c
440 x 215 x 100 Blocks
650 1.14 5.51 4.95 4.65 4.10 4.19
CONDITION
No.1 1325 1.72 5.06 4.61 4.37 4.17 3.99
510
1900 2.21 4.75 4.38 4.17 3.99 3.83
Beams @ 510 & 285mm c/c (eq. to 398mm c/c average)
440 x 215 x 100 Blocks
650 1.28 6.11 5.50 5.19 4.92 4.69
CONDITION
No.2 1325 1.83 5.64 5.16 4.89 4.67 4.47
510 285
1900 2.30 5.32 4.91 4.68 4.48 4.31
Double Beams @ 624mm c/c (eq. to 312mm c/c average)
440 x 215 x 100 Blocks C30 Site concrete
650 1.46 6.71 6.08 5.74 5.46 5.24
CONDITION
No.3 1325 1.98 6.25 5.73 5.45 5.20 4.99
624
1900 2.42 5.93 5.47 5.23 5.01 4.82
Beams @ 285mm c/c
440 x 215 x 100 Blocks
650 1.54 6.90 6.30 5.96 5.67 5.41
CONDITION
No.4 1325 2.04 6.49 5.95 5.66 5.41 5.19
285 285 285
1900 2.48 6.16 5.70 5.64 5.22 5.02
Double Beams @ 399mm c/c (eq. to 200mm c/c average)
440 x 215 x 100 Blocks C30 Site concrete
650 1.92 6.90 6.90 6.84 6.53 6.26
CONDITION
No.5 1325 2.36 6.90 6.88 6.56 6.29 6.04
399 399
1900 2.74 6.90 6.64 6.35 6.10 5.88
Beams @ 114mm c/c with concrete between
C30 Site concrete 3.65 6.90 6.90 6.90 6.90 6.90
CONDITION
No.6 3.65 6.90 6.90 6.90 6.90 6.90

114 3.65 6.90 6.90 6.90 6.90 6.90

DE T AI LS O F BE AM
SECTION CONSTANTS FINAL PRESTRESS ULTIMATE

Area ANA BNA I Za Zb Self wt. Force ECC FPT FPB DC MU VCO
mm2 mm mm M(mm4) M(mm3) M(mm3) kN/m kN mm N/mm2 N/mm2 mm kNm kN
12656 86.7 68.3 26.137 0.30 0.383 0.298 74.94 22.7 0.29 10.36 65.64 9.10 16.31

DE SI G N E X A M PL E
Normal domestic house loading 1.5kN/m2, span 3.75 metres, finishes of 40mm screed plus tiles
(say 1.2kN/m2). Select: Bison House Beam @ 510mm c/c (Max. permissible span 4.61 metres
with 1325 kg/m3 blocks).
The table is given as a guide only. When using maximum or near maximum spans
110mm
consideration must be given to the effect of camber and deflection on partitions or finishes. 70mm

Allowance should be given to specific line and point loads from partitions, etc.
Bison Concrete Products Limited will be pleased to offer design advice on request. 100mm
155mm

F IRE RE SIST AN CE
When assessed in accordance with B.S.8110 pt 2. sect 4.3.1 the House Beam has a fire 55mm
resistance period of 0.5 hour.

4
 DEEP BEAM (DB)
LOAD SPAN TABLE
Block Wt. of Load/Span Chart. (Effective span in metres)
density Beam + Self Wt. (as shown) + finish (1.2kN/m2) + S.I.L
MOST COMMON APPLICATIONS assumed
at Kg/m3
Block +
Grout
kN/m2 shown

kN/m2
0.75 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00
Beams @ 530mm c/c
440 x 215 x 100 Blocks
650 1.13 7.85 7.13 6.75 6.42 6.13
CONDITION
No.1 1325 1.71 7.29 6.70 6.38 6.10 5.86
530
1900 2.21 6.90 6.39 6.11 5.87 5.65
Beams @ 530 & 305mm c/c (eq. to 418mm c/c average)
440 x 215 x 100 Blocks
650 1.26 8.54 7.80 7.40 7.06 6.76
CONDITION
No.2 1325 1.82 7.99 7.38 7.04 6.74 6.48
530 305 1900 2.30 7.60 7.07 6.77 6.50 6.27
Double Beams @ 670mm c/c (eq. to 335mm c/c average)
440 x 215 x 100 Blocks C30 Site concrete
650 1.58 9.00 8.44 8.04 7.68 7.37
CONDITION
No.3 1325 2.06 8.67 8.04 7.68 7.37 7.10
670
1900 2.47 8.29 7.73 7.41 7.14 6.88
Beams @ 305mm c/c
440 x 215 x 100 Blocks
650 1.48 9.00 8.72 8.31 7.95 7.64
CONDITION
No.4 1325 2.00 8.96 8.32 7.96 7.65 7.37
305 305 305 1900 2.44 8.59 8.02 7.70 7.41 7.16
Double Beams @ 445mm c/c (eq. to 223mm c/c average)
440 x 215 x 100 Blocks C30 Site concrete
650 2.07 9.00 9.00 9.00 8.87 8.54
CONDITION
No.5 1325 2.45 9.00 9.00 8.92 8.60 8.30
445 445
1900 2.77 9.00 9.00 8.68 8.38 8.11
Beams @ 140mm c/c with Concrete between
C30 Site concrete
650 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00
CONDITION
No.6 1325 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00

140 1900 2.98 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00

DE T AI LS O F BE AM
SECTION CONSTANTS FINAL PRESTRESS ULTIMATE

Area ANA BNA I Za Zb Self wt. Force ECC FPT FPB DC MU VCO
mm2 mm mm M(mm4) M(mm3) M(mm3) kN/m kN mm N/mm2 N/mm2 mm kNm kN
23336 123.7 101.3 95.881 0.775 0.947 0.549 113.73 42.6 -1.37 9.99 88.09 22.30 27.73

DE SI G N E X A M PL E
Live loading 3kN/m2, span 5.5 metres, finishes of 40mm screed plus tiles (say 1.2kN/m2). Select:
Bison House Beam @ 530mm c/c (Max. permissible span 5.86 metres with 1325 kg/m3 blocks).
The table is given as a guide only. When using maximum or near maximum spans
135mm
consideration must be given to the effect of camber and deflection on partitions or finishes.
90mm
Allowance should be given to specific line and point loads from partitions, etc.
Bison Concrete Products Limited will be pleased to offer design advice on request. 95mm

FIRE RE SISTA N CE 225mm

When assessed in accordance with B.S.8110 pt 2. sect 4.3.1 the Deep Beam has a fire
130mm
resistance period of 1 hour.

5
 GROUND FLOORS
PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Screed Closed Cell Block

Insulation
DPC

Ventilation

Vapour
Barrier
Void Underside
of beam
Ext.ground
level

Oversite
Clearance
level

P R E CA S T G R OU ND FL O OR - VE NT I L AT ED VO I D

Since June 1974 it has been a mandatory requirement of

the N.H.B.C. that ground floors must not be supported
off deep fill. Where fill is in excess of 600mm, the
ground floor must be suspended. Many failures due to
lack of compaction occur when the fill is less than
600mm, demonstrating the value of always using
suspended floors. Use of a Bison beam and block
floor at ground floor level provides the solution to these
problems.

Bison beam and block reduces site work. For example,

it eliminates costly excavation and consolidation of
back-fill prior to placing oversite concrete. It saves cost
by providing an immediate working platform quickly and
economically. The components are easily transported
and handled.

For Building Regulation requirements see our separate

data sheets also available on the Bison website at
www.bison.co.uk

Where a beam and block floor is required to take heavy

point loads, for example in garage floor construction, it is
recommended that the floor should have a grade 20
concrete screed, reinforced with an A98 steel mesh, to
distribute the load evenly.

6
 www.bison.co.uk

Complete, detailed and up-to-date information on technical details is available on our website.
This includes a Standard Specification, NBS Specification, information on Insulation Block Systems and Health
and Safety considerations.

BISON FOR Uniclass

CI/SfB
M321

Hh B2d
November 2006

HOUSING HOLLOW CORE FLOORS

FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
precast concrete products and solutions
HOLLOW CORE FLOORS
FOR MULTIPLE OCCUPANCY
precast concrete products and solutions

BROCHURES

SPEED & STRENGTH

HOLLOW CORE FLOORS HOLLOW CORE FLOORS FOR

FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY MULTI OCCUPANCY HOUSING
HOUSING

7
BISON CONCRETE
PRODUCTS Ltd

Millennium Court,
First Avenue Centrum 100,
Burton-Upon-Trent
DE14 2WR

Telephone: 01283 495000

Facsimile: 01283 544900
BEAM & BLOCK FLOORING
precast concrete products and solutions
Email: concrete@bison.co.uk
Web: www.bison.co.uk

OTHER BROCHURES
AVAILABLE

• Staircases

• Hollow Core Floors

• Crosswalls

• Lattice Flooring

• Stadia Products

• Safety Systems

February 2007 SPEED & STRENGTH