The latest NHBC Foundation report, Building Foundation Solutions – Future Proofing Against Climate Change, focuses on the increasingly significant issue of foundation design and how this aspect of the build process can help in futureproofing housebuilding against extreme weather caused by climate change
The report has been produced by NHBC Foundation with the aim of supporting the industry in futureproofing housebuilding in three important areas, including:
- Highlighting potential risk factors associated with climate change.
- Recognising government policies aimed at promoting an increase in tree/canopy cover within new developments.
- Understanding the carbon footprint of foundation systems and how these can be assessed and reduced.
The report provides an overview of what we currently know, including relevant legislation and policy drivers for change, the major risks to building structures and their foundations from climate effects and, of course, how to mitigate them.
Consulting the experts
The Building Foundation Solutions report provides answers to key questions examined with the prominent experts in this field RSK, a global leader in the delivery of sustainable solutions. These questions include:
- What are the known and anticipated impacts of climate change on buildings?
- How can housebuilders begin to design and build more resilient foundations to protect against changing weather patterns?
- As we approach net zero, how can housebuilders work to minimise the significant amount of carbon emissions that foundations represent?
The report also considers both the known and anticipated impacts of climate change on foundations and the potential consequences for their design and construction in the future.
Futureproofing housebuilding is more important now than ever
Richard Smith, head of standards, research and technical competency at NHBC, said: “Now more than ever, the housebuilding industry understands the need to factor in climate change as part of the design and development process and that it is essential to incorporate it from the very start of a project – from the foundations up.
“Our latest report, Building Foundation Solutions – Future Proofing Against Climate Change, provides a clear overview of this important subject and helps housebuilders by providing the knowledge to understand and improve foundation design to combat the potential effects of our changing climate.”
Reducing the carbon footprint of foundations
Foundation planning is a vital aspect of any build, and getting this right contributes to the integrity and resilience of a new home. Foundation systems represent a substantial component of carbon emissions relating to construction and can therefore make a significant impact in the drive towards net zero.
Reducing carbon within foundations can be achieved in a variety of ways. For example, using lower-carbon cement products or alternatives to cement could result in a carbon reduction of up to 50% compared with standard concrete. Other options include the increased use of timber both in the substructure and superstructure or potentially retaining and reusing existing foundations if appropriate.
The report reviews the range of low-carbon foundation solutions that are currently available, as well as the interactions between low-carbon design, construction solutions and climate change resilience. And to fully demonstrate the issues and solutions covered, case studies are included throughout.
The report is available in full now. Download it for free here.
Richard Smith
Head of standards, research and technical competency
NHBC
