Jabcore helps construct a concrete floor quickly

Developers reduce the amount of time it takes to construct a concrete floor using expanded polystyrene from Vencel Resil.

'Jabcore' is one of a new generation of fill materials that are much lighter, yet have a very high strength-to-weight ratio.

The product is being widely used on building sites across the country as it reduces the amount of time taken to construct a concrete floor and has huge environmental benefits, with fewer loads delivered to site.

Jabcore provides a very effective hardcore substitute and is only around one per cent of the weight of traditional fill materials, being both thermally efficient and much easier to install.

Vencel Resil recently supplied 5,000m2 of 225mm Jabcore to groundwork contractor WDL, who installed the material on behalf of Lovell Homes for a new development in Ely in Cardiff.

Jabcore was used in double thickness, creating 450mm depth as infill material for the site which was previously a junior school and was being developed with several new homes.

The lightweight material helped to minimise the environmental impact, which includes preventing leaching and reducing stresses on the ground, which could lead to settlement.

Developer Charles Church also specified Jabcore as infill for its Old Betws Colliery Site in Ammerford, Wales.

The project involved 6,500m2 of Jabcore being installed on an area of reclaimed land which will see 100 new homes being built over the coming months.

Jabcore was supplied on call-off to groundwork contractor TR Jones.

The product was chosen because of its effectiveness both as an infill material and for improving the thermal performance of a building.

Neil Conway, General Manager for Vencel Resil, said: "Expanded polystyrene is being widely specified for reclaimed land or brownfield sites which are being re-developed as it is a much more effective fill material as well as being really easy to handle".

"The product also has major environmental benefits, which is contributing to its widespread popularity on housing developments around the country.".

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