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FAQs
Find answers to common questions about DesignHub
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SuperSlab FAQs
SuperSlab is a fully engineered and compliant concrete foundation system. It offers time and cost savings, while enhancing energy efficiency and structural strength. SuperSlab is CodeMark certified and BRANZ appraised for peace of mind.
Yes. SuperSlab offers improved R-value and thermal mass, creating a warmer floor. SuperSlab+ enhances this further with a fully insulated or edge-insulated system that exceeds standard thermal requirements.
Not usually. Shear keys aren’t required under CodeMark unless specific seismic conditions apply. In seismic zones (e.g., Christchurch), shear keys are still recommended unless soil conditions indicate lateral spreading; however, this can be determined by our engineering team in the design process.
Yes, BRANZ appraisal No.964 (2017) acknowledges that a SuperSlab flooring system complies with the New Zealand building code. If a SED is required, PS1 and PS4 statements will be required when lodging a consent.
What is a PS1? A Design Producer Statement. This is confirmation from an engineer that it is designed to the New Zealand Building Code.
What is a PS4? A Construction Review Producer Statement. This is confirmation from an engineer that it has been constructed in accordance with the details shown on the consented documents relating to the PS1.
Yes. When CodeMark conditions are met, councils must accept SuperSlab. All supporting calculations and drawings are provided by the slab designer and can be submitted with your initial building consent or as an amendment.
If your site qualifies as ‘good ground’, engineering isn't required under CodeMark. If an SED is needed, design generally takes 3-5 working days.
SuperSlab includes rib structures that average around 125mm of flat concrete. However, this is offset by savings in:
• Excavation and disposal
• Hard fill requirements
• Block perimeter foundations
Yes. Experienced contractors can install a SuperSlab in approximately 3 days. Traditional footings typically take around 2 weeks, resulting in significant time and labour savings.
Yes. SuperSlab works well on sloping sites. Minor steps can often be poured in a single pour. For more significant level changes, the retaining wall footing is integrated into the lower slab, reducing excavation. Stepped floors may require a SED.
The standard SuperSlab system is designed for 2.5 kPa (suitable for residential garage loads). With specific design input, the system can be upgraded to handle loads up to 10 kPa. Reinforcement and topping thickness may vary for heavier applications.
Yes. SuperSlab can be used on sites with an allowable bearing pressure starting at 50 kPa (as per Table 1 in the SuperSlab Technical Manual). For other ground conditions, a Specific Engineering Design (SED) may be required. The system can also span between piles on poor ground or deep topsoil, making it suitable for a wide range of land classifications.
Yes, any qualified builder can construct a SuperSlab foundation when following the supplied plans and construction specifications.
Permacore FAQs
Permacore is a purpose-designed permeable concrete mix featuring an open-graded, no-fines structure. This composition enables water to pass through the slab efficiently, supporting sustainable drainage on site.
By allowing rainfall to infiltrate the ground, permeable concrete limits surface ponding, reduces peak‑flow volumes entering council infrastructure, and assists with groundwater recharge. This can defer the need for costly detention tanks or enlarged pipes.
Typical applications include footpaths, retaining walls, cycleways, car‑park stalls, driveways, patio areas, and tree surrounds.
Routine sweeping and occasional low‑pressure water blasting keep voids clear of silt and organic debris. For high‑traffic zones, annual vacuum‑suction cleaning is recommended.
When correctly designed and maintained, Permacore offers comparable service life in low‑speed environments. Its compressive strength (10-15 MPa) suits light‑vehicle, pedestrian and landscaping loads.
DesignHub provides concrete mix designs that meet regional water-quality objectives and comply with relevant NZS 3104 performance criteria. Test certificates and design documentation can be supplied to support building-consent submissions.
Farmcrete FAQs
Farmcrete is a purpose-designed concrete for rural and agricultural environments. It is engineered to handle heavy loads, frequent washdowns, abrasion, and exposure to effluent and silage acids common on farms.
Farmcrete is suitable for a wide range of farm applications, including dairy yards, feed pads, holding yards, raceways, laneways, silage pits, washdown pads, workshops, machine sheds, and livestock housing.
While Farmcrete can be supplied in different strengths, a 30 MPa mix is generally recommended for farm environments to improve resistance to abrasion, effluent, and silage acids and to support long-term durability.
Yes. Farmcrete is designed to withstand livestock movement, tractors, feed trucks, scraping equipment, and other heavy farm machinery when designed and installed correctly.
Farmcrete is placed using standard concrete practices. Because fibres are included in the mix, finishing timing is important to achieve a smooth surface, but no specialist equipment is required.
Yes. With fibre reinforcement pre-mixed into the concrete, Farmcrete can reduce the need for steel mesh, helping speed up site setup and installation.
Yes. DesignHub (https://www.thedesignhub.co.nz/)can assist with mix selection, Farmcrete savings calculations, slab thickness guidance, and reviewing plans to ensure Farmcrete is used appropriately for each project.
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