# What is bedding in construction?
**In construction, bedding is the supporting layer or material on which a construction element is placed or laid.** The bedding distributes the weight evenly over the subgrade and provides a level, stable base.
## Types of bedding
### Sand bedding
A layer of sand (typically 30–50 mm thick) on which paving, slabs, or foundation blocks are laid. The sand allows elements to be levelled.
### Mortar bedding
A layer of mortar on which bricks or natural stone slabs are laid. The mortar bonds the elements and takes up height differences.
### Gravel bedding
A layer of gravel or crushed stone beneath a foundation or floor slab. The gravel provides drainage and load distribution.
### Geotechnical bedding
In geotechnics, bedding refers to the bearing capacity of the soil beneath a foundation, expressed as the modulus of subgrade reaction.
## Application
– **Paving** — pavers on a sand bed with jointing sand
– **Brickwork** — the first course of bricks on a mortar bed
– **Foundations** — strip foundation on a compacted sand bed
– **Pipework** — pipes on a sand bed in the trench
## Related terms
– Modulus of subgrade reaction
– Foundation
– Paving patterns
– Mortar
– Sand
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