Description
The materials used for our concrete products have been carefully selected in conformity with BS 8500-2:2015 – the complementary British Standard to BS EN 206:2013.Padstones are mass concrete blocks that are used to distribute point loads from steel beams and concrete lintels evenly over larger areas where they are built into a structure to prevent overstressing of the masonry below. Working on the principle of, the padstones, made from stronger materials (50 N/mm2) than the masonry (normally 7 N/mm2 blockwork) take the pressure from beams over smaller areas and spread it over larger masonry areas, thereby helping to prevent the occurrence of any cracks or structural damage.
This is easily done by using our padstone calculator available to download on our website, whereby the known end beam reactions, characteristic strength of masonry and beam bearing are used to determine the size of the required padstone. Our technical team is always at hand to help with sizing up of padstones In achieving elements that are capable of taking and distributing very high pressures, our precast concrete padstones are made from C50 grade concrete. As an illustration, a 215 x 100 x 140 dp padstone will take a point load of up to 700 kN after a factor of safety of 1.5 has been applier. The high strength option blockwork at 10 N/mm2 on the other hand will only withstand a pressure of 149 kN.
