Concrete Basements 20/4/2016

Concrete Basements

Introduction/background
Planning a basement
• Types & Waterproofing strategy
Concrete Basements • Site Constraints
Ground movements & Methods of 
Guidance on the design and construction of in‐situ  construction
concrete basement structures
Materials
20 April 2016 Structural design
• Loads
Charles Goodchild • ULS
CEng., MCIOB, MIStructE • SLS
Principal Structural Engineer • Example
MPA ‐ The Concrete Centre Specification and construction
Case studies

The whole lecture usually takes 90 mins.

The talk is aimed at commercial basements but the

principles are applicable to domestic basements,
water retaining structures, etc.
It is necessary to understand the background before
kicking on with the structural design.

Then: BS 8007:1987

Concrete Basements Then:
BS 8102:1990
Introduction/background
Planning a basement BS8102
• Types & Waterproofing strategy
• Site Constraints
Ground movements & Methods of 
construction Basements

Materials
Structural design
• Loads
• ULS
• SLS
• Example
Specification and construction
Case studies

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Then: CIRIA 139/140 1995

EN1992-3

Then:
Design & Construction of Deep Basements: 2004 CIRIA C660

What’s new(ish) in basements

(and water retaining structures)? BS8102
• Eurocodes
• Withdrawal of BS 8110, BS 8007 etc
• Revision to BS 8102
• New information:
• CIRIA C660
• CIRIA C580
• ICE Reducing the Risk of Leaking Substructure: A
Clients’ Guideuide

• Debate
• S Alexander, TSE Dec 06
• B Hughes, TSE Aug 08?
• ICE project 0706 on reinforcement to control
cracking (report Feb 2010)

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Basement Information Centre Basement design requires:

• an holistic
approach Space Planning

• an understanding Construction
Services
sequence
of both the ground
and the structural
behaviour
Structure
• formal Cost and risk Architecture

consideration of
construction
methods
Geotechnics Waterproofing

• communication:

Concrete Basements Wants

Clients want:
short construction times
low costs
low risk and uncertainty
Architects want:
Dry walls and base – with no impact on space planning
Simple shapes – unless it’s shapes they are defining
Large holes – often at points of maximum in-plane stress
No columns – but if you put any in, they will clad them to twice the size
Narrow beams between holes (not appreciating they will act more like props)
Contractors want:
Bottom up Construction – simpler
Cantilever walls – no props, simpler
No tanking – simpler, & anyway it always leaks somewhere
No constraint on construction sequence - leaves more options open
when things get out of sequence. He will assert that HIS sequence
CANNOT have any affect on the design forces
• Get him on-side ASAP - he can be an ally
And Engineers?
. . . . .. . . . . . a simple life!

Concrete Basements Concrete Basements

Introduction/background Outline of the design process

Planning a basement
• Types & Waterproofing strategy
1. Establish Clients requirements
• Site Constraints
Ground movements & Methods of  2. Site surveys, etc

construction 3. Outline designs, methodology and proposals

Materials 4. On approval do detailed design
Structural design
5. Construction
• Loads
• ULS
• SLS
• Example
Specification and construction
Case studies

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Planning a basement Planning a basement
Grades Types of water‐resisting construction vs risk BS 8102:2009 : 
BS 8102:2009 Table 2 provides guidance:
Grade of use
Grade 1 Some leakage, some damp.
Parking, Plant rooms
Grade 2 No water penetration or damp patches.
Plant rooms, workshops
Grade 3 Dry environment. Ventilation required.
Residential, Commercial
(Grade 4) (totally dry and vapour proof)
Archives, stores …. go to BS 5454
As an aid . .

Combinations possible

Planning a basement Planning a basement
Grades BS 8102:2009 Forms of rc basement construction related to site conditions 
and use of basement space:
Cost Water Level Form of Method of construction
increasing construction
Low: RC box In open excavation or within
generally below temporary works
floor level Contiguous Basement excavated after piling
piling with the floors acting as props in
Medium to high: Secant piling the final condition with/without
permanently or sheet piling etc subsequent concrete facing
above lowest Diaphragm Basement excavated after dia-
floor level walling phragm with the floors acting as
props in the final condition

Planning a basement Planning a basement
Types BS 8102:2009
Other subjects
Type A • Surveys and ground investigations
Barrier protection • Precautions near underground tunnels, sewers & service
mains
• Working adjacent to existing structures: Party walls

Type B • Tolerance of buildings to damage

Structurally integral  • Space planning

protection • Integrating basement with the superstructure
• Fire safety considerations
• Client approval
Type C
Drained protection

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Planning a basement Planning a basement
Exploratory works
NEEDED EARLY - commission early! Space requirements
desk study
• geological maps, borehole records,
• ordnance survey, water courses, utilities.
site surveys
• boundaries, adjoining buildings and roads,
liaison with adjacent owners, party walls,
• incoming services, tunnels
subsoil investigation
• bearing capacity, water level, pile design,
earth pressures, settlements, (modulus of
subgrade reaction) contaminants. See BS EN
1997-2
• money well spent!
assess
• risk of risk of flooding (EA), likely obstructions,
foundation details of adjoining buildings,
disposal of groundwater

Planning a basement Planning a basement

Party Walls/Adjacent buildings - notices Capping beams

• 3m and 6m notices
• Distortions cause damage – not absolute movement Guide wall?
• 10 mm often used as a trigger

Planning a basement Planning a basement
Pile tolerances
Space planning:
Check for:
• room for temporary works- clearances for piling rigs.
diaphragm wall equipment takes up considerable space.
• restrictions imposed by owners of underground tunnels
and utility companies
• dimensions of guide walls for contiguous piles (may be
around pile diameter + 800 mm);,
• wall thicknesses : zone for cavity drains if relevant;,
• tolerances for piling and temporary works;
• capping beams
• projecting features of adjoining structures.
• superstructure – follow through into basement,
• Fire – means of escape, compartmentation, access

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Concrete Basements Construction Sequence

Introduction/background
Planning a basement
• Types & Waterproofing strategy • The temporary loads from the construction sequence will
probably have an impact on the permanent design.
• Site Constraints
Ground movements & Methods of  • For anything other than a very simple basement, the
engineer should assume a construction sequence and
construction include it in the tender documents.
Materials • The contractor should be allowed to deviate from the
Structural design assumed construction sequence; but at least everyone
• Loads knows what the original assumptions were, and can see if
any change will affect the design of the permanent works.
• ULS
• SLS
• Example
Specification and construction
Case studies

Ground movements Construction methods
Vertical load Construction methods:
& relief • Open excavation
• Bottom – up
• Top – down
• Semi-top down
 Groundwater
Options for basement walls:
• In open excavations: R C walls
• Incorporating temporary embedded
Horizontal retaining walls:
load relief o King post walls
o Steel sheet piling
o Contiguous piled wall
o Secant piled wall
o Diaphragm walls
 Facing walls
Temporary works

Ground movements Construction methods

Big  Retaining Wall Types

Ben

Portcullis House: 
Observed vertical and 
horizontal movements 
around the Palace of 
Westminster car park

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Construction methods Construction methods
Contiguous Piled Wall

Secant Piles

Construction methods Construction methods
Contiguous Piled Wall

Secant Piles
600 mm diam. Rakers every 2 m Facing wall(courtesy GCL Ltd)

http://www.oasys-software.com

Construction methods Construction methods

Contiguous Piled Wall

Diaphragm Wall

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Construction methods Construction methods

Sheet Piles
Reality

Construction methods
Top Down Construction

Cart
away

Raise

Move

Dig
Propped Excavation
http://www.terraingeotech.com/index.html

Construction methods
Grouting

Propped Excavation

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Liquid applied membranes…generally 
Concrete Basements applied as a bitumen solution, elastomeric 
urethane or modified epoxy
Introduction/background
Planning a basement
• Types & Waterproofing strategy
• Site Constraints
Ground movements & Methods of 
construction
Materials
Structural design
• Loads
• ULS
• SLS
• Example
Specification and construction
Case studies

Mastic asphalt…applied in 3 coats as a 
Selection of materials
hot mastic liquid
Type A construction:
Waterproofing membranes and systems:
• Category 1 – Bonded sheet membranes
• Category 2 – Cavity drain membranes
• Category 3 – Bentonite clay active membranes
• Category 4 – Liquid applied membranes
• Category 5 – Mastic asphalt membranes
• Category 6 – Cementitious crystallisation active systems
• Category 7 – Proprietary cementitious multi-coat
renders, toppings and coatings

Bonded sheet membranes…modified  Proprietary cementitious multi‐coat 
bitumen on a range of carrier films renders, toppings and coatings

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Proprietary cementitious multi‐coat 
Selection of materials
renders, toppings and coatings
Admixtures

Selection of materials Selection of materials
Type A construction: Admixtures
Waterproofing membranes and systems:
• Category 1 – Bonded sheet membranes It’s the cracks that matter – not (usually) the concrete!
• Category 2 – Cavity drain membranes
• Category 3 – Bentonite clay active membranes Concrete Society Working Group on Water Proofing
• Category 4 – Liquid applied membranes admixtures:
• Category 5 – Mastic asphalt membranes
• no conclusive evidence to support their use (- from a
• Category 6 – Cementitious crystallisation active systems
material scientist’s point of view).
• Category 7 – Proprietary cementitious multi-coat
renders, toppings and coatings • from data there is some evidence to suggest that they may
reduce drying shrinkage (less permeability) and therefore
Types B & C construction: reduce onset of cracking and reduce crack widths
Concrete
Admixtures for watertightness Cost and risk:
Traditional: Engineering, workmanship, supervision issues, risk & £££
possible remedials and upheavals and contractual issues
vs vs
Admixtures: warranties, supervision & possible remedials and upheavals ££££
but few contractual issues ?
Whatever the basement should still be designed properly!

Selection of materials Selection of materials
Type A construction:
Concrete: Waterproofing membranes and systems:
• Benign soils: • Category 1 – Bonded sheet membranes
• Category 2 – Cavity drain membranes
RC30/37? Cement IIB-V (CEM I + 21%-35% fly ash) • Category 3 – Bentonite clay active membranes
or IIIA (CEM I + 36% - 65% ggbs). • Category 4 – Liquid applied membranes
cf BS 8007 C35A?: C28/35 (equiv) WCR 0.55 CC 325 CEM I, IIB-V,) • Category 5 – Mastic asphalt membranes
BS 8500 RC30/37: C30/37 S3 WCR 0.55 CC 300 CEM I, IIA, IIB-S, IIB-V, IIIA, IVB-V B) • Category 6 – Cementitious crystallisation active systems
• Aggressive soils: • Category 7 – Proprietary cementitious multi-coat
renders, toppings and coatings
Advise producer of DC Class.
Types B & C construction:
For DC-2: FND-2? (C25/30)?
Concrete
More aggressive soils: Cement IIIB (CEM I + 66% - 80% ggbs) or Admixtures for watertightness
IIVB-V (CEM I + 36%-55% fly ash)
Water stops
• Car Parks: C32/40? + provisos (PAV2?) • Preformed strips – rubber, PVC, black steel
• Water-swellable water stops
• Fibres? • Cementitious crystalline water stops
Possibly. Fibres only help once the concrete has cracked. • Miscellaneous post-construction techniques
• (Re) injectable water bars
• Rebate and sealant

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Cavity drain membranes…high density

Construction, inspection and testing dimpled polyethylene sheets
Waterbar

Photo credits Watermans

Construction, inspection and testing
Cavity drain
Hydrophilics
Photo credit Watermans

Construction, inspection and testing
Sump pump
Resin injection
Photo credit Max Frank
1800

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Concrete Basements Structural design :
Soil-structure interaction:
Introduction/background Consider a 8m x 1m base with 1000 kN loads each end on a
very stiff clay (Es = 150 MPa):
Planning a basement 1000 kN
1000 kN
• Types & Waterproofing strategy
• Site Constraints t = 0.5, 0.7, 0.9
or 1.1 m
Ground movements & Methods of  Settlement
construction
Materials
Structural design
≡ UDL

settlement
• Loads 250kN/m2

16.7 mm
• ULS @ SLS
• SLS
• Example
Specification and construction
Case studies

Structural design outline: Structural design ‐ Loads

Calculation of lateral earth pressures
Angle of shearing resistance:
• Granular soils:
Estimated peak effective angle of shearing resistance
Ultimate Limit State ≡ ‘normal’ design ′max = 30 + A + B + C (A - Angularity, B - Grading, C - N blows)

Serviceability Limit State ≡ control of cracking • Clay soils

In the long term, clays
behave as granular soils
exhibiting friction and
dilation.
Decoding
Eurocode 7
Fig 10.8

Structural design ‐ Loads Structural design ‐ Loads

Loads to be considered: Calculation of lateral earth pressures
• Slabs: column & wall loads, basement slab load, upward water
pressure, heave. Design angle of shearing resistance: tan ′d = tan ′k/
• Walls, lateral earth pressure, water pressure, compaction, loads (NB  according to Combinations 1 and 2)
from superstructure, imbalances.
Pressure coefficients
Design ground water pressure • Active pressure at depth z below ground surface ′ah = Kad ′v + u
• ‘Normal’ and ‘maximum’ levels
Options for basement slabs
• Soil-structure interaction
• Beams on elastic foundations
• Passive pressure at depth z below ground surface ′ph = Kpd ′v + u
• FEA
• At rest pressure at depth z below ground surface ′ph = K0d ′v + u
Options for basement walls
• Temporary conditions: construction method and sequence Surcharge loadings:
• Permanent condition • Imposed loads: general, highways
Unplanned excavations
• UDLs, point loads, strip loads, rectangular loads : Boussinesq
• Allowances for cantilever retaining systems
• Compaction pressures

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Structural design ‐ Loads Structural design ‐ SLS

Test for restraint cracking
Calculation of lateral earth pressures
A section will crack if:
Pressure coefficients: K0d, Kad or Kpd? r = Rax free = K[([cT1 +ca) R1 + ([cT2 R2) + cd R3]  ctu
where K = allowance for creep CIRIA C660 Cl 3.2
• If the soil has a chance to ‘relax’ it will and Kad is = 0.65 when R is calculated using CIRIA C660
= 1.0 when R is calculated using BS EN 1992-3
appropriate. c = coefficient of thermal expansion (See CIRIA C660 for values). See Table A6 for typical values
T1 = difference between the peak temperature of concrete during hydration and ambient
• In some situations, e.g. top down, it can’t and that is temperature °C (See CIRIA C660). Typical values are noted in Table A7
where K0d comes to the fore. Sometimes it can move ca = Autogenous shrinkage strain – value for early age (3 days: see Table A9)
R1, R2, = restraint factors. See Section A5.6
‘partially’ and some designers will go between Kad and R3 For edge restraint from Figure L1 of BS EN 1992-3 for short- and long-term thermal and long-
K0d. Some always use K0d. term drying situations. For base-wall restraint they may be calculated in accordance with
CIRIA C660. Figure L1 may be used with CIRIA C660 methods providing an adjustment for
• Where you have compaction both the ‘soil’ and creep is made (See Figure A2 and note).
For end restraint, where the restraint is truly rigid 1.0 is most often used, for instance in
initially the uncompacted backfill have a chance to infill bays. This figure might be overly pessimistic for piled slabs.
T2 = long-term drop in temperature after concreting, °C. T2 depends on the ambient temperature
move so Kad is appropriate. With compaction, you start during concreting. The recommended values from CIRIA C660 for T2 are 20°C for concrete
at Kad and move towards Kpd – hence the pressure cast in the summer and 10°C for concrete cast in winter. These figures are based on HA BD
28/87[60] based on monthly air temperatures for exposed bridges. Basements are likely to
additional to Kad.h.soil. The amount of the addition follow soil temperatures so T2 = 12°C may be considered appropriate at depth.
cd = drying shrinkage strain, dependent on ambient RH, cement content and member size (see BS
depends on the size of the design force of the EN 1992-1-1 Exp. (3.9) or CIRIA C660 or Table A10). CIRIA C660 alludes to 45% RH for internal
compaction plant. ctu
conditions and 85% for external conditions.
= tensile strain capacity may be obtained from Eurocode 2 or CIRIA C660 for both short term
and long term values

Structural design ‐ ULS Structural design ‐ SLS

Design for Ultimate Limit State T1
Difference between the peak temperature of concrete
EQU – Equilibrium Limit State
during hydration and ambient temperature °C
STR & GEO – Structural and geotechnical Limit States
• EC7: Combinations 1 and 2 CIRIA C660
Fig 4.1

e.g:
• F for ground water T1 for a 400 mm
wall, 350 kg/m3
o Normal F = 1.35 CEM I using 18 mm
o Most unfavourable F = 1.20 (≡ ‘Accidental)
ply removed after
7 days ≈ 30oC

• Structural design
o As ‘normal’ elements
o 3D nature of design

Structural design ‐ SLS Structural design ‐ SLS

Restraint factors

Design for Table 1 – Values of restraint factor R for a particular pour

configuration
BS EN 1992-3 Annex L

Serviceability
Pour configuration R
Limit State Thin wall cast on to massive concrete base 0,6 to 0,8 at base
≡ 0,1 to 0,2 at top
usually 0.5
Control Massive pour cast onto blinding 0,1 to 0,2
Beware: effects
Massive pour cast onto existing concrete 0,3 to 0,4 at
ofbase
creep
of included
0,1 to 0,2 at top

cracking Suspended slabs 0,2 to 0,4

Infill bays, i.e. rigid restraint 0,8 to 1,0

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Structural design ‐ SLS Structural design ‐ SLS

SLS Design vs time
Crack widths and watertightness
Short term load strength
BS EN 1992-3 Cl 7.3
Tightness Classes

Long term load strength . . . . plus

seasonal

. . . . . .plus drying shrinkage

Stress due to early thermal –

allowing for creep

CS TR 67

Structural design ‐ SLS Structural design ‐ SLS

Test for restraint cracking Crack widths and watertightness
A section will crack if:
Tightness Classes - notes BS EN 1992-3 Cl 7.3
r = Rax free = K[([cT1 +ca) R1 + ([cT2 R2) + cd R3]  ctu
where K = allowance for creep CIRIA C660 Cl 3.2
= 0.65 when R is calculated using CIRIA C660
= Short
1.0 when Rterm
is calculated using BS EN 1992-3
c = (≡ 3 days)
coefficient of thermal expansion (See CIRIA C660 for values). Long A6
See Table term
for typical values
T1 = difference between the peak temperature of concrete during hydration and ambient
temperature °C (See CIRIA C660). Typical values are noted in Table (≡ A7
> 10000 days)
ca =
Medium term
Autogenous shrinkage strain – value for early age (3 days: see Table A9)
R1, R2, = (≡A5.6
restraint factors. See Section 28 days)
R3 For edge restraint from Figure L1 of BS EN 1992-3 for short- and long-term thermal and long-
term drying situations. For base-wall restraint they may be calculated in accordance with
CIRIA C660. Figure L1 may be used with CIRIA C660 methods providing an adjustment for
creep is made (See Figure A2 and note).
For end restraint, where the restraint is truly rigid 1.0 is most often used, for instance in
infill bays. This figure might be overly pessimistic for piled slabs.
T2 = long-term drop in temperature after concreting, °C. T2 depends on the ambient temperature
during concreting. The recommended values from CIRIA C660 for T2 are 20°C for concrete
cast in the summer and 10°C for concrete cast in winter. These figures are based on HA BD
28/87[60] based on monthly air temperatures for exposed bridges. Basements are likely to
follow soil temperatures so T2 = 12°C may be considered appropriate at depth.
cd = drying shrinkage strain, dependent on ambient RH, cement content and member size (see BS
EN 1992-1-1 Exp. (3.9) or CIRIA C660 or Table A10). CIRIA C660 alludes to 45% RH for internal
conditions and 85% for external conditions.
ctu = tensile strain capacity may be obtained from Eurocode 2 or CIRIA C660 for both short term
and long term values

Structural design ‐ SLS Structural design ‐ SLS

9.5 Minimum reinforcement Crack widths and watertightness – recommendations for basements (TCC)
Construction Expected Crack width requirement Tight- wk mm
As,min = kc k Act (fct,eff /fyk) BS EN 1992-1-1 Exp (7.1)
typea and water performance of ness Flexural Restraint/
where kc = A coefficient to account for stress distribution. table structure Class wk,max axial,wk,1
= 1.0 for pure tension.
When cracking first occurs the cause is usually early thermal effects and the whole section is likely A Structure itself is not Design to Tightness class 0 of BS EN 0 0.30 0.30e
to be in tension. If bending involved kc may be calculated and kc < 1.0 considered watertight 1992-3. See Table 9.2. Generally 0.3 mm
k = A coefficient to account for self-equilibrating stresses for RC structure
= 1.0 for thickness h < 300 mm and 0.65 for h > 800 mm (interpolation allowed for thicknesses
between 300 mm and 800 mm).
B – high Structure is almost Design to Tightness class 1 of BS EN 1 0.30b 0.05 to
permanently high watertight 1992-3. See Table 9.2. Generally 0.3 mm
Act = area of concrete in the tension zone just prior to onset of cracking. Act is determined from section for flexural cracks but 0.2 mm to 0.05 0.20
properties but generally for basement slabs and walls is most often based on full thickness of the water table
section. mm for cracks that pass through the (wrt hd/h)
fct,eff == fctm section
mean tensile strength when cracking may be first expected to occur: B – variable Structure is almost Design to Tightness class 1 of BS EN 1 c 0.30 b 0.20
 for early thermal effects 3 days watertight 1992-3. See Table 9.2. Generally 0.3 mm
 for long-term effects, 28 days (which considered to be a reasonable approximation) fluctuating water
for flexural cracks but 0.2 mm for cracks
See Table A5 for typical values. table
that pass through the section
fyk = characteristic yield strength of the reinforcement.
B – lowd Structure is water- Design to Tightness class 0 of BS EN
= 500 MPa
tight under normal 0c 0.30 0.30
[1]CIRIA C660 Recent research[61] would suggest that a factor of 0.8 should be applied to fct,eff in the formula for crack water table 1992-3. See Table 9.2. Generally 0.3 mm
conditions. Some risk
inducing strain due to end restraint. This factor accounts for long-term loading, in-situ strengths compared with laboratory permanently below under exceptional for RC structures
strengths and the fact that the concrete will crack at its weakest point. TR 59[62] concludes that the tensile strength of
concrete subjected to sustained tensile stress reduces with time to 60–70% of its instantaneous value. underside of slab conditions.
C Structure itself is not Design to Tightness class 0 of BS EN 0 0.30 0.30e
Provision of minimum reinforcement does not guarantee necessarily considered 1992-3. See Table 9.2. Generally 0.3 mm
watertight for RC structure.
any specific crack width. It is simply a necessary amount Design to Tightness Class 1 may be (1)c (0.3) (0.05 to 0.20
or 0.20)
presumed by models to control cracking such that Fts ≥ Ftc ; but not helpful for construction type C
necessarily a sufficient amount to limit actual crack widths. Key b Where the section is not fully cracked) the neutral axis depth at SLS should be at least xmin (where xmin > max {50 mm
or 0.2 × section thickness}) and variations in strain should < than 150 × 10–6.

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Structural design ‐ SLS Structural design ‐ SLS

Crack width calculations cr = Crack-inducing strain = . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Crack width, wk = sr,max cr BS EN 1992-1-1 Exp (7.8)

where
sr,max = Maximum crack spacing = 3.4c + 0.425 (k1k2 /p,eff) a) Early age crack-inducing strain
where
c = nominal cover, cnom cr = K[cT1 +ca R1 – 0.5 ctu CIRIA C660 Cl 3.2
k1 = 0.8 NDP’s
(CIRIA C660 suggests 1.14)
k2 = 1.0 for tension (e.g. from restraint)
= 0.5 for bending
= (1 + 2)/21 for combinations of bending and tension
 = diameter of the bar in mm. b) Long term crack-inducing strain
p,eff = As/Ac,eff
Ac,eff for each face is based on 0.5h; 2.5(c + 0.5); (h – x)/3 where
cr = K[([cT1 +ca) R1 + ([cT2 R2) + cd R3] – 0.5 ctu
h = thickness of section and x = depth to neutral axis.
CIRIA C660 Cl 3.2
cr = Crack-inducing strain
= Strain between cracks
= Mean strain in steel – mean strain in concrete, (sm - cm ). . . . . .

Structural design ‐ SLS Structural design ‐ SLS

(cs - cm ): cr = Crack-inducing strain = . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consider a crack in a section:

c) End restraint crack-inducing strain

Plan (or section)
S0 S0 cr = 0.5e kckfct,eff [1 + (1/e ) /Es BS EN 1992-3 Exp (M.1)

εs Strain in reinforcement d) Flexural (and applied tension) crack-inducing strain

εsm
Strain sm - cm cr = (sm – cm) = [s – kt (fct,eff /p,eff) (1 + e p,eff /Es
εc ctu
εcm
ε= 0 cr  0.6 (s)/Es
Sr,max Strain in concrete BS EN 1992-1-1 Exp (7.9)

wk = sr,max cr = sr,max (sm - cm) cm ≈ ctu /2 See Concrete Basements Section 9.7

Structural design ‐ SLS Structural design ‐ SLS

Test for restraint cracking
A section will crack if: Good practice:
r = Rax free = K[([cT1 +ca) R1 + ([cT2 R2) + cd R3]  ctu • Crack control without direct calculation: don’t do it!
• Crack widths – keep restraint and flexural cracking
If r ≡ sm and we assume the section cracks, then to go from r to cr
separate!
we allow for the ‘tension stiffening’, by deducting cm ≈ ctu /2
• Deflection control - as per ‘normal’ design
So:
• Minimise the risk of cracking:
cr = sm - cm = K[([cT1 +ca) R1 + ([cT2 R2) + cd R3] - ctu(t) /2
Materials use cement replacements, aggregates with low c, avoid
high strength concretes

long term Construction construct at low temperatures, use GRP or steel formwork,
Short term Medium term (≡ > 10000 days) sequential pours
(≡ 3 days) (≡ 28 days)
Detailing: use small bars at close centres, avoid movement joints,
prestress

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(Thick sections > say 750 mm) (Thick sections > say 750 mm)

• Game changer! • Game changer!

• Internal restraint: • SLS Analysis:
T1 becomes large and internal restraint (difference in temperature For rafts especially, all the analysis is a waste of time unless
and stiffness between core and surface) dominates (external one knows:-
restraint still relevant). – Precise properties of the concrete being used.
– Detailed pour layout.
– The ambient temperature of the soil beneath the raft.
– Residual strains after the concrete first cracks
– Going by experience even large diameter piles offer
little or no restraint to thick slab movement (See C660
Annex A5)
– etc.
• Pass the problem to specialists!

(Thick sections > say 750 mm) Concrete Basements

Introduction/background
CIRIA C660
Fig 4.18
Planning a basement
• Types & Waterproofing strategy
• Site Constraints
Ground movements & Methods of 
construction
Materials
Structural design
• Loads
• ULS
Time • SLS
• Example
Specification and construction
Case studies

(Thick sections > say 750 mm) Structural design ‐ Example

Basement example

• Game changer!
• Internal restraint:
T1 becomes large and internal restraint (difference in temperature
and stiffness between core and surface) dominates (external
restraint still relevant).
– Try to restrict differential temperature across section.
– Insulate (cf steel shutters).
– See CIRIA C660 (and HA BA 24/87, HA BD 28/87). Slab 300 mm
Walls 250 mm
GFS 250 mm
C30/37
Class R cement
wk max =0.2 mm

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Structural design ‐ Example Structural design ‐ Example

Basement wall moment envelope, ULS
Basement reinforcement

No ground
Asreqd slab (as an upside down flat slab)

Ground
water
water
ULS: Reinforcement for SLS: Reinforcement
vertical and uplift cases for 0.20 mm crack
(mm2 /m) width assuming end
Support# Span# restraint

Column 789 T2 631 B2

strip 2118 B2 1360 T2
H20 @100 B2 & T2
Middle 362 T2 516 B2 (3140 mm2/m)
strip 656 B2 1091 T2

# NB Min = 870 mm2/m T and B

Structural design ‐ Example Structural design ‐ Example

Characteristic actions on basement wall and Basement wall reinforcement
adjacent slabs: LC1 water at ground level
Asreqd (mm2 /m) wall
Location ULS SLS (0.2 mm crack width)
EC7, EC2-1-1 etc. EC2-1-1, EC2-3 CIRIA C660

Vertical (vertically unrestrained)

Outside face Top 469 725 -
(i.e. min 1450 /2)

Inside face Middle 907 No change -

Outside face 469 725 -
i.e. min 1450 /2)(
Bottom
Horizontal (horizontally restrained)
Outside face 466 3140 1608
(LT edge restraint) (LT edge restraint)
cnom = 50 mm
Combination 1 Combination 2 Inside face 466 1130 904
(LT edge restraint) (LT edge restraint)
cnom = 30 mm

Structural design ‐ Example Structural design ‐ Example

Characteristic actions on basement wall and
adjacent slabs: LC2 no water
Lessons:
Slab
SLS dictates – even with uplift
End restraint = lots of reinforcement
Wall - Vertical rebar
Loads and load cases a nightmare but necessary
Minimum steel provides enough moment capacity in
most places
Wall - Horizontal rebar
Compaction SLS dictates – use CIRIA C660!
pressure
Cover critical
Combination 1 Combination 2
Mitigating measures?

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Structural design ‐ Example Construction, inspection and testing

Mitigating measures? :
Specification:
• BS EN 13670
Slab – lower strength and/or thinner • NSCS / NBS
H20@90B2 >> H20@125B2 if C25/30, cnom = 40 and kc = 0.8 • ICE specification for piling and embedded retaining walls

H20@90B2 >> H20@110B2 if h = 250 mm Joints

• Construction joints
• Water stops • Preformed strips –PVC, black steel
Miscellaneous • Water-swellable water stops
• (Re) injectable epoxy water bars
• Kickers
• Formwork ties
• Membranes & coatings
• Admixtures & additives
• Service penetrations
• Drainage
• Underpinning
Inspection, remedials & maintenance

Structural design ‐ Example Construction, inspection and testing

Mitigating measures – Concrete strength and Cement class (type)
Influence of T1 on Horizontal rebar in wall -
Specification –
Design to EC2-3 EC2-3 CIRIA C660
Original design National
Concrete C30/37 C30/37 C25/30 C30/37 C25/30 Structural
Cement Class
Outside reinf.
R
H20@100
N
H20@160
N
H16@125
N N
H12@125 H12@150
Concrete
As,prov 3140 1962 1608 904 753 Specification
As,prov/As,prov orig 100% 63% 51% 29% 24% (NSCS)

Cement class

Binder content for a C30/37

(indicative)

Concrete Basements
Materials
Introduction/background
Planning a basement
• Types & Waterproofing strategy Inspections
• Site Constraints
Ground movements & Methods of 
construction
Materials Waterstops

Structural design
• Loads
• ULS
• SLS
• Example
Ties
Specification and construction
Case studies

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Specification and construction
Kickers Construction

Workmanship is key
Inspections

Supervision?
Forms of contract
Contractors’
choice of Risk vs £
materials
Discuss with client!

Guidance
Performance
Spec

Concrete Basements
Additives
Introduction/background
Planning a basement
• Types & Waterproofing strategy
Ties • Site Constraints
Ground movements & Methods of 
construction
Joints Materials
Structural design
• Loads
Waterstops • ULS
• SLS
• Example
Specification and construction
Case studies

Construction, inspection and testing Concrete Basements
NSCS Max pour sizes Case study - institutional

Table 1: AREAS AND DIMENSIONS FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION.

Maximum Maximum
Construction Area (m )
2 Dimension (m )
Water – resisting walls 25 5
Water – resisting slabs 100 10
Slabs with major restraint at both ends 100 13
Slabs with major restraint at one end only 250 20
Slabs with little restraint in any direction 500 30
Walls 40 10

“Unless otherwise agreed”

. . . . . .and designed.

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Salient features
• 4 m deep basement (depth of excavation about 5 m)
• Use – archives, exhibition and public spaces
• Soil – gravels
• Water table about 1 m below ground level
• Propped secant piling to facilitate excavations GA &
• Concrete box designed to be inside the secant piles details:
• Vapour barrier membrane sandwiched between the  Temp
piles (faced with polystyrene) and the concrete box works
• Drained cavity inside walls and above floor
By courtesy Clark Smith Partnership

Sections

Construction methods

GA

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Concrete Basements Concrete Basements
Pictures! Case study - residential

Concrete Basements
The Fusion Shoreditch
Domestic case study

Buczkowski
Thanks to
Chris

The Fusion Shoreditch

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Specification: Fab. drawings

Figured dims Timber

CDM Regs Doubling joists

Masonry
Imposed Load
Padstones
Concrete
Dry pack mortar

Steelwork Formations

Temp. Works
Steel Paint
Spec Extg structure

Drains
Welds, bolts
& bolting. Bed joint reinf.
Straps
Ties.

A London basement

My house (I wish!)

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Concrete Basements: Summary

Introduction/background
Planning a basement
• Types & Waterproofing strategy Concrete Basements
• Site Constraints Guidance on the design and construction of in‐situ concrete basement 
structures
Ground movements & Methods of 
construction
Having done it
Materials
once go back and
Structural design refine it, Charles Goodchild
• Loads CEng., MCIOB, MIStructE
again,
• ULS Principal Structural Engineer
and again preferably in The Concrete Centre
Thank you
• SLS
• Example league with the constructor
Specification and construction
Case studies

Concrete Basements

This guide covers the design and

construction of reinforced concrete
basements and is in accordance with
the Eurocodes.

The aim of the guide is to assist designers of

concrete basements of modest depth, i.e.
not exceeding 10 metres. It will also prove
relevant to designers of other underground
structures. It brings together in one
publication the salient features for the
design and construction of such water-
resisting structures.
The guide has been written for generalist
structural engineers who have a basic
understanding of soil mechanics.

CS meeting 8/3/16

Basement issues.
• Clients don’t understand Grades 1, 2 and 3.
• Many specifications and designs looking for two or even 3 types of
Concrete Basements etc
Developments – what is being considered
water resisting construction (membrane + integral + drained cavity).
Within BS8102 but £££?
• NHBC looking for combination of 2 types
• Members of the WG convinced that water resisting construction is a
lot to do with workmanship. Admixtures are a load of ********– which Charles Goodchild
are just insurance policies. CEng., MCIOB, MIStructE
Principal Structural Engineer
• Designers saying ‘we’ve designed it properly now any cracks will be
The Concrete Centre
down to workmanship’. Concentrates minds!

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Structural design ‐ SLS Structural design ‐ SLS

Revision to C660? German NA to EN 1992 Revision to EC2-3?
9.5 Minimum reinforcement Crack width calculations
As,min = kc kr k Act (ctfct,eff /fyk) BS EN 1992-1-1 Exp (7.1)
where kc = A coefficient to account for stress distribution. Crack width, wk = sr,max cr BS EN 1992-1-1 Exp (7.8)
= 1.0 for pure tension.
When cracking first occurs the cause is usually early thermal effects and the whole section is likely where
kR =A coefficient totension.
to be in account for edge
If bending restraint
involved kc may betaking load
calculated andin member
kc < 1.0 under consideration
k = (1.0 =– 0.5R edge)
A coefficient to account for self-equilibrating stresses sr,max = Maximum crack spacing = 3.4c + 0.425 (k1k2 /p,eff)
where = 1.0 for thickness h < 300 mm and 0.65 for h > 800 mm (interpolation allowed for thicknesses
between 300 mm factor
and 800 according
mm). where
German NA to EN 1992:
Redge = edge restraint to BS EN 1992-3.
Act
Where = area of concrete in the tension zone just prior to onset of cracking. Act is determined from section
there is significant end restraint R and=walls
properties but generally for basement slabsedge
0. is most often based on full thickness of the sr,maxc = Maximum
= nominal cover, cnom
crack spacing = 0c + 0.278 /p,eff < s/(3.6fct,eff)
section.
k1 = 0.8
fct,eff == fctm (CIRIA C660 suggests 1.14)
mean tensile strength when cracking may be first expected to occur: k2 = 1.0 for tension (e.g. from restraint)
 for early thermal effects 3 days
ct =A  to
coefficient for long-term effects, 28 days (which considered to be a reasonable approximation)
applied to tensile strength of concrete
= 0.5 for bending
= 0.8
See Table A5 for typical values.
= (1 + 2)/21 for combinations of bending and tension
fyk =
This factor
=
characteristic yield strength of the reinforcement.
accounts
500 MPa for:  = diameter of the bar in mm.
[1] • in-situ
CIRIA strength
C660 Recent being
research [61]lower
would than
suggest laboratory
that a factorsamples
of 0.8 should be applied to fct,eff in the p,eff = As/Ac,eff
• the
formula foreffects of sustained
crack inducing strain dueloading
to end(According tofactor
restraint. This PD6687[ref
accounts forto] quoting
long-term Rusch,
loading, in-situthe
strengths Ac,eff for each face is based on 0.5h; 2.5(c + 0.5); (h – x)/3 where
comparedcapacity of concrete
with laboratory under
strengths and sustained
the fact load approaches
that the concrete will crack at its 80% of point.
weakest its short-term (twothat
TR 59[62] concludes
h = thickness of section and x = depth to neutral axis.
the tensile strength of concrete subjected to sustained tensile stress reduces with time to 60–70% of its instantaneous value.
minute) capacity – or approximately 87% under 100-minute loading. TR 59[62]
Provision
concludes of that
minimum
the tensile reinforcement
strength of concrete does not guarantee
subjected any stress
to sustained tensile cr = Crack-inducing strain
specificreduces with time
crack width. to 60–70% of its instantaneous
It is simply a necessary value. )
amount presumed by = Strain between cracks
• cracks will occur where tensile strength is weakest.
models to control cracking; but not necessarily
Where members are subject overwhelmingly to end restraint, act may be taken as = 0.7
a sufficient amount = Mean strain in steel – mean strain in concrete, (cs - cm ). . . . . .
to limit actual crack widths.

Structural design ‐ SLS Structural design ‐ SLS

Revision to EC2-3? Danish NA to EN 1992 Revision to EC2-3?
Crack widths and watertightness
Crack width calculations
Tightness Classes - notes BS EN 1992-3 Cl 7.3

Crack width, wk = sr,max cr BS EN 1992-1-1 Exp (7.8)

DENMARK: 6.3.3 of DS 411 :1999. And Danish NA to 7.3.2 of EN 1992 as an alternative:
where
ρ = (d ⋅ ftef /4 Es wk)0.5
sr,max = Maximum crack spacing = 3.4c + 0.425 (k1k2 /p,eff)
Where
ρ = Awhere
s/Ac where As/Ac is based on the area of concrete having identical centre of gravity as
the c = nominal
reinforcement. Hence, cover,
it is notcnom
necessarily the total area of the tensile zone.
d = barkdiameter
1 = 0.8
ftef as defined in DK (CIRIA C660
= (fck/40) suggests 1.14)
0.5 . f in MPa. The tensile strength is somewhat lower than
ck
the k
EC2 design
= values – probably
1.0 for tensionto(e.g.
include therestraint)
from early-age effects.
2
Es = 200,000 MPa= 0.5 for bending
wk = char crack width (assumed to be 2wm)
= (1 + 2)/21 for combinations of bending and tension
CEN/TC 250/SC 2/WG=1 N diameter
121 of the bar in mm.
Årgang LXXII.No. 3, September
= As/Ac,eff2001
p,eff
BYGNINGSSTATISKE MEDDELELSER udgivet af is based
Ac,eff for each face DANSKonSELSKAB
0.5h;FOR BYGNINGSSTATIK
2.5(c + 0.5); (h – x)/3 where
Reinforcement for creep, shrinkage and thermal actions The new DS 411: 1999 code formula.
h = thickness of section
M.B. Christiansen and M.P. Nielsen
and x = depth to neutral axis.
ISSN 1601-6548
“ . . . . acrfairly
= easy
Crack-inducing
way of ensuringstrain
especially the control of restraint cracking for a wall or a
= Strain
slab . . . . subject between
to restraint cracks
strains from shrinkage and early thermal deformations.”
With thanks to Claus Vestergaard Nielsen of Ramboll for explanations (email to chg 25/2/2014).
= Mean strain in steel – mean strain in concrete, (cs - cm ). . . . . .

Structural design ‐ SLS
Revision to EC2-3?
Crack widths and watertightness
Tightness Classes - notes BS EN 1992-3 Cl 7.3

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