AS 2870 Amendments and ACP 2022

Residential Slabs and Footings

Eric Lume
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RAFT SLAB DESIGN AND DETAILING – VICTORIAN STRUCTURAL BRANCH COMMITTEE

OF ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA 12 JULY 2016

Title Description Size

Compliance with AS 2870-2011 – Recent Failure Investigations and Design

Presentation by Peter Bayetto 23.1 MB
by Engineering Principles (rev 2)

Presentation by Eric Lume Residential Slabs and Footings - Construction Requirements 6.3 MB

Presentation by Scott Munter Residential Slabs and Footings – Reinforcement and Slab Design 7.3 MB

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TECHNICAL NOTES Publications

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Revision of AS 2870 (2011)
To address problem areas identified since 2011 revision, including:
 Footing performance
 Normal and abnormal sites (weather + zero lot alignments)
 Site classification – impacts of construction
 More guidance for Class P sites
 Guidance for concrete strengths > 25 MPa
 Guidance for high strength reinforcement
 Review reinforcement detailing requirements
 Review plumbing requirements
 Designing for trees (currently informative Appendix)

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Footing Performance
 Are performance limits still meeting homeowner expectations?
 Usually no damage (Category 0)
 Low incidence of damage (Category 1)
 Occasional incidence of damage (Category 2)

 Moderate damage (Category 3) should not be regarded as a failure for abnormal moisture conditions
Damage
Description of typical damage and required repair Approx. crack width limit
category
Table C1 0
Hairline cracks < 0.1 mm
AS 2870 Negligible
1
Fine cracks that do not need repair < 1 mm
Very slight
Cracks noticeable but easily filled. 2
< 5 mm
Doors and windows stick slightly Slight
Cracks can be repaired and possibly a small amount of wall 5 mm to 15 mm
3
will need to be replaced. Doors and windows stick. Service (or a number of cracks 3
pipes can fracture. Weather tightness often impaired. Moderate
mm or more in one group)

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Footing Performance Assessment

 Footing performance assessed by wall distress category

 Performance not assessed using Table 4.1 of AS 2870

Maximum differential
Maximum differential
Type of construction deflection, as a
deflection, mm
function of span, mm
Clad Frame L/300 40
Articulated masonry veneer L/400 30
Masonry veneer L/600 20
Articulated full masonry L/800 15
Full masonry L/2000 10

 Include performance criteria for new walling systems

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Normal and Abnormal Sites
Add new abnormal moisture conditions
 Condition identifying and treating initially desiccated sites

 Zero lot alignment sites

 Smaller lot sizes

 Requirement for trees

 Site classification P

 More guidance for Class P sites

ABS
Released 8-9-2020

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Site Classification
 Undertaken by suitably qualified people
 More reliable classification in difficult or non-standard conditions
 Currently number of boreholes not specified
 Extent of investigation not covered
 Tree removal during land development
 Basements
 Changes to classification if backfill and drainage not adequate

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Guidance for Class P Sites
 Currently no guidance provided
 Guidance will provide more standard approach
 Reduce the number of sites outside scope of Standard
 Provide more economical footing designs for Class P sites

Concrete Strengths > 25 MPa

If concrete strength > 25 MPa
 Ductility requirements of Clause 4.4(i) need to be satisfied

 Provide additional Tables to cover 32 MPa and 40 MPa concretes

High Strength Reinforcement

Include use of 600 MPa reinforcement

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Reinforcement Detailing Requirements
Items to be reviewed and/or included:
 Requirements for lapping of mesh

 Ensure edge bar located along slab edges

 Surface condition of reinforcement (Tech Note 1)

 Cover set using bar chairs (Tech Note 3)

 Bar chair spacing (Tech Note 3)

 Bending of reinforcement on site (Tech Note 4)

 Lap lengths (Tech Note 7)

 Include AS/NZS 2425 reference

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Plumbing Requirements

 Review existing requirements for flexible connections

 Ensure consistency with plumbing Standard

Designing for Trees

 Trees and reduced boundary distances
 Normal and abnormal sites
(weather and zero lot alignments)

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In 2022, the ABCB introduced a separate Housing Provisions Document
 While referred to as a Standard, it has not been produced by
Standards Australia.
 The Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions are divided into two compliance
pathways:
 Acceptable construction practices
Most common forms of national construction practice –
ABCB Housing Provisions.
 Acceptable construction manuals
DTS referenced documents - Standards.
 Both are now regarded as Deemed-to-Satisfy Solutions for
achieving the Performance Requirements in the NCC.

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 The ABCB Housing Provisions alternative DTS to AS 2870

 AS 2870 generally accepted as industry Standard for

residential slabs and footings
 Presentation will:
 Compare both DTS Solutions
 Identify areas requiring attention
 Will concentrate on Part 4 of the Housing Provisions –
Footings and slabs.
 Will also briefly cover:

 Part 3.2 Earthworks.

 Part 3.3 Drainage.

 Part 3.4 Termite risk management

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H1P1 Structural Stability and Resistance (Volume 2 of NCC page 70)
(1) By resisting the actions to which it may reasonably be expected to be subjected, a
building or structure, during construction and use, with appropriate degrees of reliability,
must:
(a) perform adequately under all reasonably expected design actions; and

(b) withstand extreme or frequently repeated design actions; and

(c) be designed to sustain local damage, with the structural system
remaining stable and not being damaged to an extent disproportionate
to the original local damage; and
(d) avoid causing damage to other properties.

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AS 2870 – Performance of Footing Systems (Clause 1.3.1)
Buildings supported on footing systems designed and constructed in accordance
with the Standard on a normal site that is:
(a) Not subject to abnormal moisture conditions; and

(b) Maintained so that site classification does not change and abnormal moisture
conditions do not develop;
Are expected to experience (defined in Appendix C):
 Usually no damage - category 0 (negligible)

 A low incidence of damage - category 1 (very slight)

 An occasional incidence of damage - category 2 (slight)

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 Description of typical damage Approx. crack Change in offset from a 3 m Damage
width limit in floor straightedge centred over category
defect
Extract Table C2
Hairline cracks, insignificant movement 0
of slab from level < 0.3 mm < 8 mm
Classification of Damage Negligible
with reference to Fine but noticeable cracks. Slab
< 1.0 mm < 10 mm
1
reasonably level Very slight
concrete floors
Cracks noticeable but easily filled. 2
< 2.0 mm < 15 mm
Doors and windows stick slightly Slight

Description of typical damage and Approx. crack Damage

required repair width limit in floor category
Extract Table C1
Hairline cracks 0
< 0.1 mm
Classification of Damage Negligible

with reference to walls Fine cracks that do not need repair

< 1 mm
1
Very slight
Cracks noticeable but easily filled. 2
< 5 mm
Doors and windows stick slightly Slight

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The most controversial aspect of AS 2870 is almost certainly that some damage may
occur even though all parties have fulfilled their obligations competently.
 Some factors unknown even after detailed investigation

 Compromise between cost and reasonably foreseeable actions

 Standard designs not expected to fully resist all actions

 Homeowners may request more conservative design

 Owner created problems eg trees and garden beds

 Inadequate drainage and maintenance, water leaks

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Concrete Thickness
Test Hole Top Cover Thickness
1 100 - 120 135
2 75 118
3 116 120

Site Details
5
Class M site
Levels taken 14 months after construction
10
Little change over next 5 years
(5 mm max in one corner)

10

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H1D4 Footings and slabs
(1) Performance Requirement H1P1 is satisfied for the design and
construction of footings and slabs if they comply with either (a) or (b):
(a) One of the following:
(i) AS 2870.
(ii) AS 3600.
(b) Subject to (2), Section 4 of the ABCB Housing Provisions.
(2) Section 4 of the ABCB Housing Provisions may only be used where the
footing or slab satisfies points (a) to (k) covered in the following slides.

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(a) Class A, S or M sites only (AS 2870 also M-D, H1, H1-D, H2, H2-D)

 Site classification in accordance with AS 2870

 AS 2870 has additional requirements for Class M sites

 Risk of down grading classification to comply

(accuracy and range of ys results)

Site Class M: 20 < ys ≤ 40

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 Design Engineer – Class P: The classification of a site with uncontrolled
filling up to…0.4 m for material other than sand shall be Class P
 Piling through fill recommended
 Maximum design movement = 15 mm (Class S)
 Geotech 1: Class H2 but insufficient site investigation to conclude this
 Geotech 2: Class H1 (would have been Class H at time of construction)
 Assessed as Class M based on measured ys values after construction
(ys is characteristic surface movement)

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 Concluded:
 Settlement caused by 3 years of dry weather following wet period
 Trees on adjacent property exacerbated problem
 No structurally significant damage
 Slope of 1:371 less than half of advised maximum of 1:150
 Diff. movement less than 0.25 of design target max. movement
 No piers to left side (required by original design)
 600 fill under slab also requires piers (but uncertain if installed)
 House expected to suffer significant damage a couple of times
 Underpin left side – piers 2.5 m deep
 Articulate services along left side

Most reported problems caused by existing design and detailing requirements in Standards
either not complied with, misinterpreted or even ignored, or lack of site maintenance

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(b) Slab:
(i) Not more than 18 m long or wide (AS 2870 ≤ 30 m)
(ii) Slab does not contain permanent joints
(iii) Slab is of a geometric shape with only external right angles (AS 2870 has no limitations)

(c) Slab or footing has not more than one re-entrant corner (AS 2870 has no limitations)

(d) Not constructed on aggressive soil types (AS 2870 has provisions)

(e) Building has:

(i) No more than two trafficable floors; or

(ii) Maximum 8 m high walls (excluding gables) (AS 2870 Max. 8.5 m including gable)

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(f) Footing does not support more than one concrete slab (AS 2870 at first floor level – subject
to provisions of Clause 3.9)
(g) No wing walls or masonry arches unless walls detailed for movement in accordance with
CCAA TN61 – Articulated Walling
(h) Single leaf earth or stone masonry walls ≤ 3 m high (AS 2870 no limits)
(i) Site is considered to be normal as defined in Part 3.2 of Housing Provisions (should be H1D3)
• Moisture conditions result of seasonal and climatic changes
• No recent removal of previous buildings, structures or large trees
• No unusual moisture conditions (drains, dams, channels & ponds)
(j) Site not in an alpine area (AS 2870 includes)
(k) Building has no specific earthquake design requirements (Appendix A of AS 1170.4)

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(i) Site is considered to be normal
No recent removal of large trees

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(i) Site is considered to be normal (No unusual moisture conditions)
 Drains
Note:
 Channels
Existing building Distortion limit
 Ponds generally
Note:
1:200
Distortion limit
 Dams generally 1:200

 Tanks
New building
 Trees Heave
Heave
due to due Settlement
wetting Settlement
to wetting
 Fill due
duetotodrying
drying

 Urbanisation Previous structure has Cut and Fill

changed moisture conditions
 Previous structures

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What about zero lot alignments? Site maintenance? Planting trees?

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Concrete – Section 4.2.10 of Housing Provisions
Must comply with AS 3600 and have a 28 day strength ≥ 20 MPa.
Placed, compacted and cured in accordance with good building practice – some
explanation into good practices offered.
AS 2870
(a) Should comply with AS 1379 Specification and supply of concrete.

(b) AS 2870 designs limited to concrete strengths of 20 & 25 MPa.

(c) For higher strengths, ensure ductility requirements are achieved
(Clause 4.4(i) of AS 2870 – Mu ≥ 1.2 Mcr).
(a) AS 2870 has same requirements to place, compact and cure in accordance with good
building practice (Clause 6.4.7) but provides no further guidance.

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 Lack of compaction Addition of excess water Curing improves strength, reduces
reduces durability and increases risk of flaking permeability and reduces risk of
strength and cracking cracking/crack widths
Voids in concrete

Cover with plastic

Honeycombed concrete Flaking of surface

Drying shrinkage
cracking Chemical curing compound

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Reinforcement – Section 4.2.11 of Housing Provisions
 Must comply with AS 2870 (Note: should be AS/NZS 4671).
 Must be free of loose rust, mud, paints and oils.

 Must be firmly fixed in position to prevent movement during concreting.

 Bar chairs must be spaced ≤ 800 mm centres for steel mesh (AS 2870 contains similar
requirements but does not specify maximum spacing of bar chairs. AS 3727 reduced
to 600 mm).
Note: Bar chairs should comply with AS/NZS 2425.
 Details for cover, lapping and bars at re-entrant corners same as AS 2870.
 Alternative mesh/bar sizes also consistent
(Table 4.2.11a consistent with Table 3.3 of AS 2870).

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Guaranteeing Quality of Reinforcement – 2 options:
1) Buy from an SRIA Member – all have ACRS Certification
2) Request Third Party/Independent Certification - ACRS or Equivalent
Australian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels
ACRS Processor Certificate
 Only available if reinforcement supplied by ACRS
Certified Mill
 Required by purchasers to prove quality reinforcement
delivered to site conforms to relevant Australian Standards:
● AS/NZS 4671 Steel for the reinforcement of concrete
● AS 3600 Concrete structures
● AS 5100.5 Bridge design Part 5: Concrete
● NZS 3109 Concrete construction

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Need for an ACRS or equivalent certificate?

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Need for an ACRS or equivalent certificate?
Every project should specify one and obtain to guarantee quality

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 Section 4.2.14 of Housing Provisions – Beam Depths
Edge and Internal Beam Depth
Site Class Type of Construction
AS 2870 (2011) ABCB Housing

 Depths in red approx. consistent with Class A Clad Frame 300 Same
Articulated masonry veneer 300 Same
1996 revision of AS 2870
Masonry veneer 300 300
 Strength & ductility of some Housing
Articulated full masonry 400 400
Provisions may be compromised and Full masonry 500 400
impact performance compared to AS Class S Clad Frame 300 300
2870 solutions Articulated masonry veneer 300 300
Masonry veneer 300 300
Articulated full masonry 500 + 2N12 top 450
Full masonry 700 + 2N16 top 450
Class M Clad Frame 300 300
Articulated masonry veneer 400 400
Masonry veneer 400 400
Articulated full masonry 625 + 2N12 top 500
Full masonry 950 + 2N16 top 850

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 Footing Requirements Housing Provisions AS 2870

Pad Footings Section 4.2.13(7) – Class A & S sites Includes Class M, H1 & H2 sites
Covers Clad Frame only Refers to AS 1684 for footing sizes
Design to AS 3600 or AS 4100 Appendix E – Uplift and horiz. loads
Strip Footings Section 4.2.15 - Class A, S & M sites Includes M-D and H1 sites
Side slip joints required to int. beams Max 6 m cts. for all site Classes
Class M full masonry – beams at 6 m cts. Beams ≥ 700 mm require slip joints
Footing Slabs Section 4.2.16 Clause 3.3
Class A sites only, all wall types Class A or S sites
Maximum length 18 m Maximum length 30 m
Footing Slabs Section 4.2.21 Consistent with Figures 3.1, 3.2 and
Minimum Edge Beam width Minimum 150 mm 3.3
Stiffened Slab with Deep Edge Beam Not included Clause 3.5
Class A, S & M sites for masonry
veneer and articulated masonry
veneer
Footings for Single Leaf Masonry, Mixed Section 4.2.17 Covered in Table 3.1
Construction and Earth Wall Construction Consistent with Table 3.1 of AS 2870 Includes Precast Panels
Footings for Fireplaces on Class A & S Sites Section 4.2.18 Covered in Clause 3.10.2
Section 4.2.22 of HPs Consistent with AS 2870 Class A & S sites only
Shrinkage Cracking Control Section 4.2.19 Covered in Clause 5.3.7
(Brittle Floor Coverings) Consistent with AS 2870
Recessed areas of slabs Section 4.2.22 Clause 5.3.5 (Figure 5.3)
Provides details of depths and No details of depths or laps provided
reinforcement
Stepped Footings Section 4.2.7 consistent with AS 2870 Clause 5.4.3 provides details
Edge Rebates Section 4.2.9 consistent with AS 2870 Clause 5.3.4 provides details

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Section 4.2.20 of Housing Provisions provides details of Loadbearing steel
column
slab thickenings to support loads.
Thickening depth
Slab thickening could be on rolled fill but min. bearing capacity SL 72
of 100 kPa.
Note that the minimum bearing capacity of the material
supporting most localised thickenings in Section 4.2.20 is 1000
kPa – mistake?
AS 2870 - steel posts supported on pad footings, external
or internal beams
Square thickening size

Figure 4.2.20 of Housing Provisions

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Details consistent with AS 2870
Damp-proof membrane covered in State variations
Note for damp-proofing membranes:
 Ensure products meet requirements of NCC
 Obtain evidence of conformity and compliance
 Builders and inspectors should check that material supplied and
installed is what has been specified in the plans and specifications
 Check that product is continuously branded as required by NCC

 Refer Advisory Notice Building 01/20

Department for Infrastructure and Transport, SA

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AS 2870 specifies requirements for both detailing and construction
 Masonry detailing – control joints

 Variations in foundation material – part of footing on rock

 Drainage requirements – near or under footings

 Plumbing requirements – Clause 5.6.4 (b) and 6.6 (e) (i)

Flexible joints to drains

 commence within 1 m of the building perimeter

 accommodate movement up to ys in any direction

 be set at mid-position of their range at time of installation

ie movement range of 0.5 ys from the initial setting

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Flexible joints to drains

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Part 3.2 of Housing Provisions - Un-retained bulk earthworks
Housing Provisions specify:
 Cut and fill slopes for various soils in Table 3.2.1 (AS2870 – max. 1 in 2).
 Not more than 2 m in height from natural ground level (AS 2870 no limit).
 Placed and mechanically compacted in layers 150 mm thick maximum.
 If supporting footings or slabs, placed and compacted in accordance with
Section 4.2, and have surface water diverted away from structures.
 Section 4.2.5 specifies (consistent with AS 2870):
 Pad footings, strip footings, edge beams not connected to the slab
 Natural soil (100 kPa min.)
 Class A an S Sites only – controlled sand fill
 Edge beams connected to the slab:
 Natural soil (50 kPa min.) or controlled fill
 For slab panels, load support panels and internal beams
 Natural soil (50 kPa min.) or Controlled or Rolled fill

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Termite management – in accordance with AS 3660
Performance Requirements (Clause 2.3.1 of AS 3660.1)
A concrete slab or footing used as a termite barrier shall….
‘be designed and constructed so that any cracks passing through the slab
or footing do not exceed 1 mm in width through the depth of the slab’

Deemed-to-satisfy requirements for concrete slabs (Clause 4.3.1)

‘A slab-on-ground shall be designed and constructed either in accordance
with AS 2870 or AS 3600’.
 Cracking became major issue
 Resulted in large number of enquiries

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Cement Concrete and Aggregates Australia - Technical Report TR/F129 (December 1996)
For slabs constructed in accordance with AS 2870
 30% of slabs displayed no cracking
 Approx. 80% had cracks less than 0.4 mm

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Requirement to provide is Note 1 under Tables 4.2.14 a, b and c of HPs
To be in accordance with Clauses 5.3.8 and 5.3.9 of AS 2870

Continuity of internal and external beams critical and must be maintained

 from edge to edge of the slab
 across steps in the slab (Clause 6.4.4 (c) (iii) of AS 2870)
 at re-entrant corners
 provide internal beam
 if < 1.5 m, refer details in Figure 5.4

Continuity of footing beams

(Figure 5.4 from AS 2870 - 2011)
(dimensions in metres)

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 Beam continuity in rafts - Commentary

Arrangement of stiffening beams

(Figure C5.4 from AS 2870 - 2011)

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Beam continuity in rafts – maintain stiffness (Figure C5.5 from AS 2870 – 2011)
Arrangement of stiffening beams

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 Clause 5.3.8 of AS 2870
Continue edge beam to next
internal beam
Some beams not continuous Internal beam max. 4 m from corners?

Continue internal beam Provide additional internal beams

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Housing Provisions
 No spacing requirements for internal beams on Class A and S sites
 For Class M sites, maximum spacing of internal beams to be 6 m, but only if depth is 700
mm or greater (ie full masonry only)
 Where required, internal beams must extend from external footing to external footing.

AS 2870
 Internal beams spaced at max. 6 m centres for all Site Classes (refer Figure 3.6(c))

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Not just about footing/raft design
Walling must also be considered
Vertical articulation joints covered in some detail in Section 5.6.8 of Table 13.1 from AS 4773.1 (2015)

Housing Provisions
Covered more thoroughly in AS 4773.1 Masonry for small buildings
 Called up in NCC

 Contraction joints included

 Expansion joints included

Also refer to:

CCAA TN61 - Articulated Walling at [Link]
Referenced in AS 2870

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Typical articulation joints

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 For brittle floor coverings (finishes):
 Minimum SL92 mesh or extra layer of slab mesh
 Use appropriate bedding system
 Delay placement of brittle finishes
Consistent with Clause 5.3.7 of AS 2870 Polished concrete

Large tiled areas

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 Probably most common system (Design to AS 2870)
New systems in marketplace
Cupolex
(Design to AS 3600)

NuPod 300 by Neumann Steel Reinforcing (Design to AS 2870)

Images courtesy of Neumann Steel

Images courtesy
of Cupolex

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New systems in marketplace
QPOD - 1200 mm x 1200 mm grid (Design to AS 2870)

Caution with water

retention to avoid leaks

Images courtesy of QPOD

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 SRIA is here to help.
 Even though new Housing Provisions apply to very limited Class A, S and M sites, take care
in approving details, particularly with Class M site variability and detailing issues such as
beam continuity.
 Most reported problems caused by existing design and detailing requirements in Standards
either not complied with, misinterpreted or even ignored, or lack of site maintenance.
 Still requires reference to AS 2870 (2011).
 Obtain a JAZ-ANZ accredited 3rd party ‘Processor’ Certificate to guarantee quality of
reinforcement.
 Check specified spacing of bar chairs and reference to AS/NZS 2425.
 If inspecting, question if something does not look right on site or key information is missing.
 AS 2870 Project Proposal to Standards Australia submitted to address existing site
classification issues and increase applicability to more sites.

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SRIA website provides links to industry – [Link]

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SRIA website provides links to suppliers – [Link]

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SRIA website provides links to suppliers – [Link]

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(order on web site)

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