Padstone
A padstone is a block made from stone or concrete that is used to distribute a point load evenly into a structure. In modern building, they are typically installed to distribute the load evenly at points where the ends of beams and lintels are built into a wall. They therefore relieve a concentrated load, so the risk of crushing or cracking the material below the padstone is reduced.
In modern masonry, a wall made from concrete blocks may have padstones made from a more dense concrete block to withstand point loads; without this, the standard blocks could crack causing structural damage. Dense blocks used as padstones are typically manufactured to have compressive strengths in the region of 40N/mm2. An alternative in the same construction is to use a few courses of dense clay bricks immediately below the beam ends.
In traditional timber-framed construction, foundations in the modern sense would not usually be provided. For a cruck-framed building, the point loads from the cruck feet or posts would be transferred into padstones and eventually to the bearing layer of soil.
The concept of this early type of foundation continues today: pad foundations are used to transfer point loads into the soil and are usually placed at shallow depths. They may be square, rectangular or circular, and may even be stepped if subjected to heavy loading from the superstructure. They can be made from plain or reinforced concrete. See pad foundations for more information.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Quality Planning for Micro and Small to Medium Sized Enterprises
A CIOB Academy Technical Information sheet.
A briefing on fall protection systems for designers
A legal requirement and an ethical must.
CIOB Ireland launches manifesto for 2024 General Election
A vision for a sustainable, high-quality built environment that benefits all members of society.
Local leaders gain new powers to support local high streets
High Street Rental Auctions to be introduced from December.
Infrastructure sector posts second gain for October
With a boost for housebuilder and commercial developer contract awards.
Sustainable construction design teams survey
Shaping the Future of Sustainable Design: Your Voice Matters.
COP29; impacts of construction and updates
Amid criticism, open letters and calls for reform.
The properties of conservation rooflights
Things to consider when choosing the right product.
Adapting to meet changing needs.
London Build: A festival of construction
Co-located with the London Build Fire & Security Expo.
Tasked with locating groups of 10,000 homes with opportunity.
Delivering radical reform in the UK energy market
What are the benefits, barriers and underlying principles.
Information Management Initiative IMI
Building sector-transforming capabilities in emerging technologies.
Recent study of UK households reveals chilling home truths
Poor insulation, EPC knowledge and lack of understanding as to what retrofit might offer.
Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment
Overview, regulations, detail calculations and much more.
Why the construction sector must embrace workplace mental health support
Let’s talk; more importantly now, than ever.
Ensuring the trustworthiness of AI systems
A key growth area, including impacts for construction.