ISBN 0 7337 4936 4

AS 2870/Amdt 3/2002-11-22
STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Amendment No. 3
to
AS 28701996
Residential slabs and footingsConstruction

REVISED TEXT
The 1996 edition of AS 2870 is amended as follows; the amendments should be inserted in the appropriate
places.
SUMMARY: This Amendment applies to the Preface, Clauses 1.6, 1.9, 3.1.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6.2, 4.5.1, 5.2.2,
5.3.2, 5.3.4, 5.3.6, 5.3.7, 6.4.2, 6.4.5, Figures 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 6.3, G1 and Table 3.2.
Published on 22 November 2002.
At the time of publishing Amendment No. 3 to AS 2870 was not referenced in the Building Code of Australia.
Page 2 Preface
Insert the following after the last paragraph:
The purpose of Amendment No. 3 to AS 28701996 is to bring the Standard into line with
the nomenclature now in use in Australia for the specification of reinforcing mesh and bars.
AS/NZS 4671, Steel reinforcing materials, was published in April 2001. It describes the
proportion of reinforcing mesh and bars now distributed in Australia. AS/NZS 4671 adopts
the nomenclature, which is different from that used in previous editions of AS 2870.
AS/NZS 4671 has specific relevance to grade 500L mesh and 500N bars, materials that are
currently the subject of ongoing research, particularly with regard to the issue of ductility.
Standards Australia Committee BD-025 is evaluating the results of this research. The
committee may find it appropriate to issue further amendments to this Standard should
issues of ductility be found to impact on the performance levels of footings designed in
accordance with the Standard.

Page 7 Clause 1.6
Delete the following:
AS 1289.F3.3 Part FSoil strength and consolidation testsDetermination of the
penetration resistance of a soil with a Perth sand penetrometer
AS 1302 Steel reinforcing bars for concrete
AS 1304 Welded wire reinforcing fabric for concrete
AS 3660 Protection of buildings from subterranean termites
AS 3660.1 Part 1: New buildings
and insert the following:
AS 1289.6.3.3 Method 6.3.3: Soil strength and consolidation testsDetermination of
the penetration resistance of a soilPerth sand
penetrometer test
AS 3500 National Plumbing and Drainage Code
AS 3500.2 Part 2: Sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage
AS 3660 Termite management
AS 3660.1 Part 1: New building work
AS/NZS 4671 Steel reinforcing materials

AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
A
c
c
e
s
s
e
d

b
y

S
T
A
T
E

L
I
B
R
A
R
Y

O
F

T
A
S
M
A
N
I
A

o
n

1
9

O
c
t

2
0
0
7



Page 11 Clause 1.9
Delete Clause 1.9 and replace with the following:
1.9 REINFORCEMENT DESIGNATION
1.9.1 Trench mesh For the purposes of this Standard, trench mesh is designated as
x-L8TM, x-L11TM or x-L12TM, where x is the number of main longitudinal bars required
of the appropriate trench mesh L8TM, L11TM or L12TM. Trench mesh shall comply with
AS/NZS 4671.
1.9.2 Square mesh SL62, SL72, SL82, SL92 or SL102 shall comply with AS/NZS 4671.
SL53 and SL63 refer to square mesh similar to stock mesh specified in AS/NZS 4761, but
with 5 mm bars and 6 mm bar at 300 mm centres respectively, and with the bars complying
with the requirements for grade 500L in accordance with AS/NZS 4671.
1.9.3 Reinforcing bars Reinforcing bars shall comply with AS/NZS 4671 Grade 500N,
and are specified as x-N12, x-N16, or x-N20, where x is the number of bars.

Page 18 Clause 3.1.1(b)
Delete 25 m and replace with 30 m.

Page 18 Clause 3.1.1
Add new item (j)
(j) On class M, M-D, H or H-D sites, the construction of a footing system for a single
building comprising any combination of two or more designs taken from Figures 3.1,
3.4, 3.5 or 3.6.

Page 19 Clause 3.2(b)
Delete Y12 and replace with N12

AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
A
c
c
e
s
s
e
d

b
y

S
T
A
T
E

L
I
B
R
A
R
Y

O
F

T
A
S
M
A
N
I
A

o
n

1
9

O
c
t

2
0
0
7



Page 20 Figure 3.1 (in part)
Delete existing figure and replace with the following:

DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES
Edge and internal beams
(see Note 1)
Slab mesh
Site
class
Type of construction
Depth
(D)
mm
Bottom
reinfor-
cement
Maximum
spacing
centre to
centre (m)
Slab
length
<18m
Slab
length
18 &
<25m
Slab
length
25m&
<30m
Class A Clad frame 300 3-L8TM SL72 SL82 SL92
Articulated masonry 300 3-L8TM SL72 SL82 SL92
Masonry veneer 300 3-L8TM SL72 SL82 SL92
Articulated full masonry 400 3-L8TM SL72 SL82 SL92
Full masonry 400 3-L8TM SL72 SL82 SL92
Class S Clad frame 300 3-L8TM SL72 SL82 SL92
Articulated masonry 300 3-L8TM SL72 SL82 SL92
Masonry veneer 300 3-L11TM SL72 SL82 SL92
Articulated full masonry 400 3-L11TM SL72 SL82 SL92
Full masonry 450 3-L11TM 5.0(Note 2) SL82 SL82 SL92
Class M Clad frame 300 3-L11TM 6.0(Note 2) SL72 SL82 SL92
Articulated masonry 400 3-L11TM 6.0(Note 2) SL72 SL82 SL92
Masonry veneer 400 3-L11TM 5.0(Note 2) SL72 SL82 SL92
Articulated full masonry 500 3-L12TM 4.0 SL82 SL82 SL92
Full masonry 800 3-N16 4.0 SL92 SL92 SL92
Class Clad frame 400 3-L11TM 5.0(Note 2) SL72 SL82 SL92
M D Articulated masonry 400 3-L11TM 4.0 SL72 SL82 SL92
Masonry veneer 500 3-L12TM 4.0 SL82 SL82 SL92
Articulated full masonry 625 3-L12TM 4.0 SL92 SL92 SL92
Full masonry
Class H Clad frame 400 3-L11TM 5.0(Note 2) SL72 SL82 SL92
Articulated masonry 500 3-L12TM 4.0 SL82 SL82 SL92
Masonry veneer 700 3-N16 4.0 SL92 SL92 SL92
Articulated full masonry 1 000 4-N16 4.0 SL102 SL102 SL102
Full masonry
Class Clad frame 500 3-L11TM 4.0 SL82 SL82 SL92
H-D Articulated masonry 600 3-L12TM 4.0 SL92 SL92 SL92
Masonry veneer
Articulated full masonry
(See Note 6)
1 200 4-N16 4.0 SL102 SL102 SL102
Full masonry
FIGURE 3.1 (in part) STIFFENED RAFT SITE CLASSES A, S, M, M-D, H, H-D
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
A
c
c
e
s
s
e
d

b
y

S
T
A
T
E

L
I
B
R
A
R
Y

O
F

T
A
S
M
A
N
I
A

o
n

1
9

O
c
t

2
0
0
7



Page 21 Figure 3.1 (in part) Notes
1 Delete R10 in Note 5 and replace with R10 or N10
2 Delete Table in Note 8 and replace with the following:
Specified slab mesh
SL102 SL92 SL82
Alternative slab
mesh
Additional reinforcement at top of beams
SL92 3-L11TM
SL82 3-N16 3-L11TM
SL72 4-N16 4-L12TM 2-L12TM
3 Delete 3-8TM in Note 9 and replace with 3-L8TM

Page 22 Figure 3.2
Delete existing figure and notes and replace with the following:

NOTES:
1 Use SL63 when maximum slab length 12 000.
Use SL62 when maximum slab length >12 000 and <18 000.
Use SL72 when maximum slab length 18 000 and <25 000.
Use SL82 when maximum slab length 25 000 and <30 000.
2 In Western Australia, for slabs under 25 m in length, where specified by an appropriately qualified
engineer, the slab thickness may be reduced to 85 mm with reinforcement as specified below. All other
details remain the same.
Use SL53 when maximum slab length 12 000.
Use SL63 when maximum slab length >12 000 and <18 000.
Use SL62 when maximum slab length 18 000 and <25 000.
3 Dune sands may require compaction.
DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES
FIGURE 3.2 FOOTING SLAB FOR CLASS A SITES FOR CLAD FRAME, ARTICULATED
MASONRY VENEER, MASONRY VENEER, ARTICULATED FULL MASONRY OR FULL
MASONRY


AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
A
c
c
e
s
s
e
d

b
y

S
T
A
T
E

L
I
B
R
A
R
Y

O
F

T
A
S
M
A
N
I
A

o
n

1
9

O
c
t

2
0
0
7



Page 23 Figure 3.3
Delete existing figure and replace with the following:



AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
A
c
c
e
s
s
e
d

b
y

S
T
A
T
E

L
I
B
R
A
R
Y

O
F

T
A
S
M
A
N
I
A

o
n

1
9

O
c
t

2
0
0
7



Page 24 Figure 3.4 (in part)
Delete existing figure and replace with the following:

Slab mesh
Site class and type of construction
Beam
depth
mm
Bar size beam
reinforcement
Slab length
<25m
Slab length
25m & <30m
Class A
Clad frame, articulated masonry
veneer and masonry veneer
260 N-12 SL72 SL82
Single-storey articulated full masonry
and single-storey full masonry
310 N-12 SL72 SL82
Class S
Clad frame, articulated masonry
veneer and masonry veneer
260 N-12 SL72 SL82
Single-storey articulated full masonry 310 N-12 SL72 SL82
Class M
Clad frame, articulated masonry
veneer and masonry veneer
310 N-12 SL72 SL82
Class M-D
Clad frame and articulated masonry
veneer
310 N-12 SL72 SL82
Class H
Clad frame 310 N-12 SL72 SL82
Articulated masonry veneer 385 N-12 SL82 SL92
Class H-D
Clad frame 385 N-16 SL72 SL82
Articulated masonry veneer 385 N-16 SL82 SL92
DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES
FIGURE 3.4 (in part) WAFFLE RAFT
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
A
c
c
e
s
s
e
d

b
y

S
T
A
T
E

L
I
B
R
A
R
Y

O
F

T
A
S
M
A
N
I
A

o
n

1
9

O
c
t

2
0
0
7



Page 25 Figure 3.4 (in part)
Add the following to the Notes:
5 Internal and edge beams should be arranged to maintain continuity at re-entrant corners.
6 Modifications to the details given in this figure shall not be undertaken without engineering design carried
out in accordance with Section 4.

Page 26 Figure 3.5
Delete existing figure and Notes and replace with the following:

NOTES:
1 The reinforcement of the cavity shall consist of N12 bars at 400 centres in each direction anchored into
both the footing and the slab. The cavity shall be filled with well compacted 20 MPa concrete, or grout in
accordance with AS 3700. Single-leaf reinforced masonry may also be used.
2 Horizontal construction joints are permitted between the beams and the slab, provided the concrete-to-
concrete joint is at least 150 mm wide and is transversed by R10 or N10 fitments at 600 mm centres.
3 Beams shall be spaced in accordance with Figure 3.1.
4 Where local practice indicates satisfactory performance, the internal stiffening beams may be omitted when
all internal partition walls are of non-load-bearing framed construction.
5 Construction details are given in Section 6.
DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES
FIGURE 3.5 STIFFENED SLAB WITH DEEP EDGE BEAM FOR MASONRY VENEER
AND ARTICULATED MASONRY VENEER CLASS M SITE


AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
A
c
c
e
s
s
e
d

b
y

S
T
A
T
E

L
I
B
R
A
R
Y

O
F

T
A
S
M
A
N
I
A

o
n

1
9

O
c
t

2
0
0
7



Page 29 Figure 3.6 (in part)
1 Delete table associated with Figure 3.6 (in part) and replace with the following:
Site class Type of construction D B
Reinforce-
ment
Ds Ls
Class A Clad frame 300 300 3-L8TM 400
Articulated masonry veneer 300 300 3-L8TM 400
Masonry veneer 300 300 3-L8TM 400
Articulated full masonry 300 400 4-L8TM 400
Full masonry 300 400 4-L8TM 400
Class S Clad frame 400 300 3-L8TM 400
Articulated masonry veneer 400 300 3-L8TM 400
Masonry veneer 400 300 3-L8TM 400
Articulated full masonry 400 400 4-L11TM 400
Full masonry 500 400 4-L11TM 400
Class M Clad frame 400 300 3-L11TM 500
Articulated masonry veneer 450 300 3-L11TM 500
Masonry veneer 500 300 3-L12TM 500
Articulated full masonry 600 400 4-L12TM 500
Full masonry 900 (Note 2) 400 4-L12TM 500
Class M-D Clad frame 500 300 3-L11TM 800
Articulated masonry veneer 550 300 3-L12TM 800
Masonry veneer 700 (Note 2) 300 3-N16 800
Articulated full masonry 1 100 (Note 2) 400 4-N16 800
Class H Clad frame 500 300 3-L11TM 1 000 2 400
Articulated masonry veneer 600 300 3-L12TM 1 000 2 400
Masonry veneer 850 (Note 2) 300 3-N16 1 000 2 400
Articulated full masonry 1 100 (Note 2) 400 4-N16 1 000 2 400
2 Delete last sentence of Note 6 and replace with the following:
SL62 should normally be provided (see also Clause 5.3.7).

Page 30 Clause 3.3
Delete Clause 3.3 and replace with the following:
The bar sizes given in Table 3.2 are deemed to comply with the requirements for trench
mesh reinforcement in beams and footings. L11TM and L12TM may be replaced by
RL1118 and RL1218 mesh respectively. Two layers of L8TM may be used as a replacement
for L11TM. Where a single layer of trench mesh would be too wide for the footing or beam,
multiple layers, bundled together, or equivalent reinforcement shall be used.
Alternative arrangements of beam or footing reinforcement may be used, if the flexural
strength of the section is unimpaired.

AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
A
c
c
e
s
s
e
d

b
y

S
T
A
T
E

L
I
B
R
A
R
Y

O
F

T
A
S
M
A
N
I
A

o
n

1
9

O
c
t

2
0
0
7



Page 30 Table 3.2
Delete Table and replace with the following:
TABLE 3.2
REINFORCING BAR SIZES DEEMED TO BE EQUIVALENT
TO TRENCH MESH REINFORCEMENT
Trench mesh
Area of steel
mm
2

Bar alternative
Trench mesh
alternative
2-L8TM 91 2-N10 or 1-N12
3-L8TM 136 2-N10 or 2-N12
4-L8TM 182 2-N12 2-L11TM
5-L8TM 227 2-N12 3-L11TM
2-L11TM 180 1-N16 or 2-N12 2 x 2-L8TM
3-L11TM 270 3-N12 2 x 3-L8TM
4-L11TM 360 2-N16 2 x 4-L8TM
2-12TM 222 2-N12 3-L11TM
3-12TM 333 3-N12 4-L11TM
4-12TM 444 4-N12 5-L11TM

Page 30 Clause 3.4(b)
Delete both references to F72 and replace with SL72.

Page 31 Clause 3.6.2
Delete F72 and replace with SL72.

Page 33 Clause 4.5.1
1 Delete the value 80 mm in the table in the y
s
row and replace with 100 mm.
2 Delete 25 m from the Span row and replace with 30 m.
3 Delete the second sentence from the paragraph under the table and replace with the
following:
It may be used to override the beam spacing and reinforcement provisions, provided that
the slab mesh is not less than SL72 for slab spans <18 m; SL82 for spans 18 m and <25 m;
and SL92 for spans 25 m and provided that the ductility requirements of Clause 4.4(e) are
satisfied.


AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
A
c
c
e
s
s
e
d

b
y

S
T
A
T
E

L
I
B
R
A
R
Y

O
F

T
A
S
M
A
N
I
A

o
n

1
9

O
c
t

2
0
0
7



Page 37 Clause 5.2.2
1 Delete title of Clause and replace with Specific requirements for slabs on Class 1
buildings.
2 Insert on a Class 1 building after minimum height of the slab.
3 Delete Note to Clause and insert the following:
NOTES:
1 These minimum heights specified above are to the top of the finished ground, landscaping or
paving level.
2 The minimum height of the slab specified above is for the purpose of reducing the risk of
surface water penetrating the building.
3 In determining the slab height above ground level, consideration should be given to the
requirements of AS 3500.2, which requires a minimum height from the top of the overflow
gully riser to the lowest plumbing fixture connected to the drain. Similarly, consideration
should be given to AS 3700, which sets a minimum height from finished ground level, etc., to
the damp-proof coursing level and AS 3660.1, which gives a minimum height from finished
ground or paving levels to some termite barriers.

Page 37 Clause 5.3.2(a)
Delete fabric in the second sentence and replace with mesh.

Page 37 Clause 5.3.2(b)
Delete the first line and replace with the following:
Raft or slab mesh shall be lapped by one full panel of mesh so that the two

Page 39 Clause 5.3.4(d)
Delete reference to R10 and replace with R10 or N10.

Page 41 Clause 5.3.6(b)
Delete the first sentence and replace with:
Hot water heating pipes may be embedded in a slab, provided that the slab thickness is
increased by 25 mm and an increase made in the mesh of one level; for example, SL72 for
SL62, SL82 for SL72 and SL92 for SL82.

Page 41 Clause 5.3.7(a)(i)
Delete F92 and replace with SL92

Page 41 Clause 5.3.7(b)
1 Delete 3-8TM and replace with 3-L8TM
2 Delete 3-11TM and replace with 3-L11TM
3 Delete 3Y12 and replace with 3-N12

Page 45 Clause 6.4.2(a)
Delete AS 1289.F3.3 and replace with AS 1289.6.3.3

Page 48 Clause 6.4.5(a)
Delete F82 and replace with SL82

AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
A
c
c
e
s
s
e
d

b
y

S
T
A
T
E

L
I
B
R
A
R
Y

O
F

T
A
S
M
A
N
I
A

o
n

1
9

O
c
t

2
0
0
7



Page 48 Clause 6.4.5(b)
Delete Y12 and replace with N12

Page 49 Figure 6.3
Delete parts (c) and (d) of the existing figure and the table and replace with the following:

Wall height (h) Wall construction
h < 450
Single width masonry with engaged piers at 1200 mm
centres
h 750
Double width masonry wall 230 mm thick. Solid or
filled concrete block wall 200 mm thick
h 1 500
Double width masonry with a 75 mm filled cavity or a
200 mm filled block wall reinforced with tied N12 bars
at 400 mm spacing horizontally and vertically. For
h > 1200 mm the wall and footing shall be tied to the
slab. Cavity filling shall be well compacted 20 MPa
concrete or grout in accordance with AS 3700.
h > 1 500 Designed in accordance with engineering principles
NOTE: Drainage provisions should be made.

Page 71 Figure G1
Delete the first table and replace with the following:
Footing beam details Pile details
Minimum driven depth of pile,
mm (See Note)
Site
class
Df
mm
D
mm
Trench
mesh
Dowel pin
diameter
length mm
Clad frame and
masonry veneer
Articulated
full masonry
S 400 500 3-L11TM Not required 1 000 1 500
M 450 500 3-L12TM Not required 2 000 2 500
H 500 550 3-L12TM 20 800 2 500 3 000

AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
AMDT
No. 3
NOV
2002
A
c
c
e
s
s
e
d

b
y

S
T
A
T
E

L
I
B
R
A
R
Y

O
F

T
A
S
M
A
N
I
A

o
n

1
9

O
c
t

2
0
0
7
This page has been left intentionally blank.
A
c
c
e
s
s
e
d

b
y

S
T
A
T
E

L
I
B
R
A
R
Y

O
F

T
A
S
M
A
N
I
A

o
n

1
9

O
c
t

2
0
0
7