Category: Structure & materials
Prepared by Eng. Ahmed Fathy, Projects Manager ·
Definition
Blinding is a thin layer of plain unreinforced concrete, usually 10 cm, poured on compacted soil under footings and ground beams.
Why it matters on a project
It gives a clean, level surface for setting out and for placing reinforcement with correct cover, and keeps soil out of the footing concrete.
Measurement and pricing
Measured in cubic metres, or square metres stating thickness.
Worked example
A 2.0 × 2.0 m footing with 10 cm extra on each side: 2.2 × 2.2 × 0.10 = 0.484 m³ of blinding.
Common mistake
Pouring it on uncompacted or wet soil, so it cracks and does not do its job.
Frequently asked questions
Is blinding reinforced?
No. It is plain concrete; its job is to prepare a working surface, not to carry load.
Is waterproofing laid on the blinding?
On many projects a membrane or polythene goes on it before the footing pour, per the specification.
Related terms
- Footings (foundations)Structural elements that transfer the building loads to the soil.
- Ground beam (tie beam)A ground-level beam tying the footings and carrying walls at ground level.
- Compaction testA test proving backfill layers are compacted to the required density.
- LevelThe vertical height of a point relative to a datum (zero level).
Read next
- Work out quantities with our free calculators: concrete, tiles, paint and plaster. Open the calculators
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