Oxford Method Research Programme

Typical location of structural members in undercroft zone

Preformed steel frames ready for positioning to form undercroft.

As already explained the inclusion of an undercroft in the single storey building gave a flexibility to design. With hospitals using a high number of services the variations and possible future alterations were possible.

To allow passage through the floor, preformed concrete slabs with areas known as soft spots provided this facility.

The following drawings and photographs show this construction.

Floor slabs in position for a two story building. The floor zone in the first floor acted in the same way as the undercroft. The only difference was that access to the services was by removing the ceiling tiles at the ground floor level

The following floor slab details show the 'soft spots' which would be knocked out to allow services to pass through. Partitions were positioned over them, allowing wastes to be concealed within partitions. This information is also described in the section on Oxford Method 2M & 3M Buildings

The undercroft drainage was suspended from the underside of the floor slabs. The following details show the support systems and assembly of fittings

As already described the computer aided design assisted with the zoning of services.
The above drawing shows the areas where services in a zone would be positioned

Early examples of the use of concrete slabs
showing the soft spots.
(Photos taken in 1967)

A soft spot being used for installing a sanitary
or rainwater outlet