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In this post we will be learning about Structural elements of a Sky Pool | A

Transparent
reinforced concrete building. A concrete building is made up of
Swimming Pool
elements which transfer the loads applied on it to the ground and Spanning Between
maintain the structural integrity of the building. For this post we Two Buildings
(https://stru
(https://structures-
are looking at four storied building with a podium and a basement. ctures-
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explained.c
pool-london/)
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A structure can be majorly divided into 2 components which is, JUNE 3, 2021 /
pool- 1,444 COMMENTS
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ground is generally called as sub structures and structure above LONDON/#COMMENTS)

ground is super structure. Let’s see one by one the structural

elements:
Categories

Plain cement concrete (PCC) Case Studies

(https://structures-
explained.com/category/cas
e-studies/)

Mechanics
(https://structures-
explained.com/category/me
chanics/)

Reinforced Concrete
(https://structures-
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nforced-concrete/)
Plain Cement Concrete

Starting from the sub structure, first we have is the Plain cement
concrete, also termed as PCC. It is a low strength mixture of
cement, fine aggregates (usually sand) and coarse aggregates. The
main purpose of PCC is to provide firm, rigid, non-porous,
impervious and leveled base for RCC footings, ground beams and
Slab on grade.

Foundation
 Foundation

After PCC, foundation is laid which takes loads from above and
transfers it to the ground below it. Various kinds of footings are
used in accordance with loading, site conditions, soil properties
and design.

In this building we have isolated footings, combined footings

which holds 2 or more than 2 columns, Raft or mat footings and
finally strip footing which in this case is provided to basement
wall.

Pile Foundation
 Raft with Piles

Raft with Column Thickening

Structures also use Pile foundations with different number and

arrangement of piles having a pile cap over it. Raft footings can
also be combined by piles below it or thickening below columns, if
required by design.

Tie beams
 Foundation Tie Beams

Isolated or combined footings can be connected by tie beams if

required by design. These tie beams run from column to column
having reinforcement in them. Tie beams can also connect isolated
footings with rafts if required by design.

Basement Wall / Retaining Wall

Basement Wall or Retaining Wall

Next, we will see the retaining wall or in this case, basement wall.
They are provided to retain soil from one side and may or may not
have columns resting above it or embedded in it. Retaining wall or
basement wall may have strip footing which may or may not be
eccentric as per the property limits. Such walls are also used for
water tanks below the ground.

Column Neck

Column Neck
Next, we are looking at columns below the ground also called as
column neck as their length is shorter. They are embedded in soil
and require appropriate waterproofing around them.

Ground Beams

Ground Beams

After that we look at ground beams which run from column to

column. These beams also are protected by PCC and
waterproofing as they are in contact with soil.

Slab on Grade (SOG)

Slab on Grade (SOG)

After ground beams comes Slab on Grade or S.O.G. As the name

suggests SOG is laid on the grade or ground after PCC or
waterproofing. In this case SOG acts as basement slab.  Generally,
sab on grade is not connected to column beam framing and
directly rests on the well compacted ground below it.

Podium

Podium

Next, we are looking at podium. Podium is generally required for

landscaping, internal vehicular movements like cars and bikes and
even fire trucks in case of a fire. It may house ducts for ventilation
to the basement.

Pits, Manholes and Trenches

Pits ,trenches and manholes

Next, we will talk about pits, manholes and trenches for drainage
purpose. These components may be casted in concrete, brickwork
or may come as precast units, as per requirement. These elements
also require PCC at bottom and proper waterproofing as they may
be in contact with soil.

Concrete Pads or Plinths

 Concrete Pads or Plinths

Then comes concrete plinths or concrete pads. These elements

support heavy machinery or equipment such as generators, water
pumps, transformers and provide a firm base to them. Concrete
pads can be reinforced or unreinforced as per design requirement
and can be casted on site or come in precast unit with the
equipment. 

Columns

Columns

This ends our substructure and now we will see superstructure

members. First we see columns which are vertical load bearing
members on which beams and slabs rest. Columns transfer the
gravity loads and lateral loads from wind and earthquake.
Columns can exist in various shapes and sizes according to
architectural and design requirements. They can be T shaped, L
shaped, circular, rectangular or square shape.

Concrete Walls

Concrete Walls

Next, we will learn about various types of walls present in

superstructure. First comes Shear wall. These walls are part of
lateral load resisting system which counter the wind and
earthquake forces. Shear walls are placed at appropriate locations
of the building by design and they start right from the foundation
of the building.

A combination of shear walls connected rigidly with each other is

called core wall. The core walls generally enclose elevators, stairs
or utility services in them. Core walls are also part of lateral load
resisting system of a building.

Lastly under the walls category comes Upstand walls which are
reinforced concrete walls usually of lesser height and thickness
and having one end free. These walls are generally present as
parapet walls or around openings or on the ground where some
amount of retention is required.

Beams
 Beams

Next in Superstructure comes Floor beams. They take the load

from slabs and transfer it to columns, shear walls or core walls.
Beams are basically of 2 types. First is primary beam which is
directly connected to columns or shear walls and second type is
secondary beams which are connected to primary beams and
transfer loads from slab to primary beams. The beams which have
one free end are called as cantilever beams. The beams which run
on the perimeter of the building are called spandrel beams.

Slabs

Concrete Slabs

Slabs are the horizontal surface which take the load on them and
transfers it to the beams and columns. Slabs in superstructure are
also called suspended slabs as they are supported by beams and
columns in air and not rested on ground.
There are various types of slabs based on structural load transfer
mechanism. Based on design, the slab can be broadly categorized
into 2 types first is framed system and second is flat slab system.
In framed type arrangement the slab rests on beams. These beams
may be further divided into primary, secondary and tertiary
beams.

In this building we also have a ramp which connects Basement to

podium and can take vehicular traffic. Ramp is also a part of slab
system, supported on beams and columns or walls.

Flat Slab with Drops

Second category is the flat slab system in which the slab directly
transfers loads to the column having drops or without it. The
drops above the columns prevents punching of columns in the slab
and provides stiffness above that area. If the thickness of slab
alone is enough to resist the shear, the drops can be removed. Flat
slab also can be accompanied with beams at required locations
such as on the perimeter of the building and around the openings.

Stairs
 Stairs

Last but not the least comes stairs which can be casted at site or
can come in precast panels. They can be of various types such as L
shaped U shapes, spiral, Curved as per requirement. The stairs can
be enclosed in a core wall like in this case or rest on columns and
beams as per design.

I would also like to mention openings as a part of structural

components as openings break the load path and extra care must
be taken while providing size of openings and reinforcement
around them. Openings are mainly governed by architectural or
MEP requirements.

Watch (https://youtu.be/862woJhyXjw) in video form

Structural Components of a Reinforced Concrete B

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Typical Reinforcement in a
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