LESS WASTE SHARPER DESIGN

Designing out Waste: design detail sheet

Post tensioned floor slab

Standard: Reinforced concrete slab

Post tensioned slab

Thinner slab

Tendon anchorage device

The best opportunities for improving

materials resource efficiency in construction
projects occur during the design stage.
Implementing these opportunities can provide
significant cost savings, reductions in waste
disposed to landfill, and carbon reductions.
This sheet is part of a series highlighting
alternative design details which use less
materials or result in less waste being created
than ‘standard’ details used in construction.
The benefits provided by the alternative design
detail are quantified, and technical
considerations presented.
Potential benefits:
■ Typically 35% cheaper than reinforced
solid slab.
■ Slab thickness reduced by
average 75mm.
■ Reduced storey height may allow
additional floors in taller buildings.
■ Possible to save 82 tonnes CO2e per
1000m2 slab.

Halving
Waste to
Landfill
02 Designing out Waste: design detail sheet

Photo source: VINCI Construction UK Limited

The strength of ordinary reinforced concrete

slabs is dependent on the thickness of the
slab and the degree of reinforcement
included – this must be carefully calculated
to overcome concrete’s low tensile strength.
Post tensioning enhances concrete’s load
carrying capacity by using high tensile steel
cables or rods to apply compressive forces to
the concrete after it has set. All tendon
forces are transmitted to the slab (no
stresses are applied to the formwork).
Post tensioned slabs have been widely and
successfully used in the USA and Australia
for several decades and are now becoming
increasingly popular in the UK. They are
significantly thinner than ordinary reinforced
slabs, minimising the weight of a building as
well as reducing its overall height (it may be
possible to incorporate an extra storey on a
ten storey building).
Materials resource efficiency is achieved not
only in the slab itself, but also in columns,
walls and foundations which have less weight
to support. Enhanced strength means that it
is also possible to achieve greater spans
between columns or walls.
Further information
■ Post tensioned flat slabs are economic up
to 12m.
■ Exposing the soffit will improve the benefits
of thermal mass. This can help regulate
temperature and reduce heating and
cooling requirements.
■ Reducing slab thickness may affect sound
insulation. Take care to avoid the need for
increasing ceiling structure to compensate,
particularly in residential properties.
■ Bonded post tensioned slabs require no
different consideration during demolition
than standard reinforced slabs.
WRAP has produced a range of guidance and
tools to help design teams with designing for
resource efficiency in construction projects.
These resources are freely available at
www.wrap.org.uk/construction
 Designing out Waste: design detail sheet 03

Potential benefits*

■ Slab thickness typically reduced by 75mm; steel reinforcement by up

to 50% (typically 20kg/m2).
Materials/waste ■ Light weight and long spans allow fewer columns and thinner
foundations. Downstands may be eliminated.
■ Up to 300mm reduction in storey height compared to steel-framed
buildings – also reduces external cladding requirements.

■ Average £67/m2 saving compared to reinforced concrete slab (slab

only).
Cost
■ Further cost savings for supporting structure.
■ Reduced materials can result in lower transport costs.

■ Reduction of both reinforcement installation and concrete pour can

speed up programme.
Time
■ Prefabrication of tendons reduces fixing time.
■ Early stressing enables formwork to be stripped quickly.

■ Typical embodied carbon reduction of 82kgCO2e/m2.

Carbon ■ Further embodied carbon reduction for supporting structure.
■ Minimising screed offers additional savings.

■ Consider specifying concrete with recycled content.

Recycling
■ Use of post tensioned slabs has no implications for recyclability.

■ Techniques are well established and understood.

■ Design methods can accommodate irregular grids.
Constructability
■ Tendons can be positioned to suit the building’s geometry.
■ Clear, flat soffits enable flexibility and economy in service layout.

■ Use of formwork systems offer high level of control and replicability.

Replicability
■ Suitable for all situations where conventional slab might be used.

*All stated benefits are provided as guidance only and may vary from project to project.

Design stage of implementation:

RIBA Stage C/D (Concept Design/Design Development)

Relevant standards:
BS8110 Structural use of concrete
Eurocode 2

NBS Ref:
E05 (In situ concrete construction)
E10 (Mixing/ casting/ curing in situ concrete)
E20 (Formwork for in situ concrete)
E30 (Reinforcement for in situ concrete)
WRAP and Faithful+Gould believe the content of this report to be correct as at the date of writing. However, factors such as prices, levels of recycled
content and regulatory requirements are subject to change and users of the report should check with their suppliers to confirm the current situation. In
addition, care should be taken in using any of the cost information provided as it is based upon numerous project-specific assumptions (such as scale,
location, tender context, etc.). The report does not claim to be exhaustive, nor does it claim to cover all relevant products and specifications available on
the market. While steps have been taken to ensure accuracy, WRAP cannot accept responsibility or be held liable to any person for any loss or damage
arising out of or in connection with this information being inaccurate, incomplete or misleading. It is the responsibility of the potential user of a material
or product to consult with the supplier or manufacturer and ascertain whether a particular product will satisfy their specific requirements. The listing or
featuring of a particular product or company does not constitute an endorsement by WRAP and WRAP cannot guarantee the performance of individual
products or materials. This material is copyrighted. It may be reproduced free of charge subject to the material being accurate and not used in
misleading context. The source of the material must be identified and the copyright status acknowledged. This material must not be used to endorse or
used to suggest WRAP's endorsement of a commercial product or service. For more detail, please refer to WRAP's Terms & Conditions on its web site:
www.wrap.org.uk.

Waste & Resources The Old Academy Tel: 01295 819 900 Helpline freephone
Action Programme 21 Horse Fair Fax: 01295 819 911 0808 100 2040
Banbury, Oxon E-mail: info@wrap.org.uk
OX16 0AH

www.wrap.org.uk/construction