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
Twas the site before Christmas...
A rhyme for the industry and a thankyou to our supporters.
Plumbing and heating systems in schools
New apprentice pay rates coming into effect in the new year
Addressing the impact of recent national minimum wage changes.
EBSSA support for the new industry competence structure
The Engineering and Building Services Skills Authority, in working group 2.
Notes from BSRIA Sustainable Futures briefing
From carbon down to the all important customer: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living.
Principal Designer: A New Opportunity for Architects
ACA launches a Principal Designer Register for architects.
A new government plan for housing and nature recovery
Exploring a new housing and infrastructure nature recovery framework.
Leveraging technology to enhance prospects for students
A case study on the significance of the Autodesk Revit certification.
Fundamental Review of Building Regulations Guidance
Announced during commons debate on the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report.
CIAT responds to the updated National Planning Policy Framework
With key changes in the revised NPPF outlined.
Councils and communities highlighted for delivery of common-sense housing in planning overhaul
As government follows up with mandatory housing targets.
CIOB photographic competition final images revealed
Art of Building produces stunning images for another year.
HSE prosecutes company for putting workers at risk
Roofing company fined and its director sentenced.
Strategic restructure to transform industry competence
EBSSA becomes part of a new industry competence structure.
Major overhaul of planning committees proposed by government
Planning decisions set to be fast-tracked to tackle the housing crisis.
Industry Competence Steering Group restructure
ICSG transitions to the Industry Competence Committee (ICC) under the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme
CIOB PCCCS competence framework for Principal Contractors.
The CIAT Principal Designer register
Issues explained via a series of FAQs.