Components of a

Building
Dr. Femy M. Makkar
Assistant Professor
Dept.of Civil Engineering
AJCE Kanjirappally
Components of a Building
• Three important components
• Sub-structure or Foundations
• Plinth
• Super structure
 1. Sub-structure or Foundations
• It is the portion of the building below the ground level
• It transmits the load of superstructure to the soil.
• Most critical part of the building which safe guard against
the forces of wind, uplift, soil pressure, etc.
• Any fault in foundation lead to collapse of the building.
 Functions of foundation
1. It distribute the total load coming on the building
uniformly to a large bearing area.
2. It provide a level and firm surface for the construction of
super structure.
3. It prevent unequal or differential settlement of the
structure.
4. It ensures the stability of the building against sliding,
overturning, etc.
5. It ensures the stability of building against undermining
due to flood water and burrowing animals.
 2.Plinth
• Middle part of the building above the surface of the
surrounding ground up to the surface of the floor.
• It is also called basement.
• The minimum height of plinth is usually kept as 45
cm.
• Usually a projection of finely chopped stones or
concrete is provided at the top of the plinth.
 Functions of plinth
1. It transmits the load from super structure to the
sub structure.
2. It acts as retaining wall for the filling inside the
plinth or raised floor.
3. It protects the building from dampness and
moisture penetration.
4. It improves the architectural appearance of the
building
 3. Super structure
• Component of building which is constructed above the
plinth levels.
• Includes
• Walls and piers
• Floors
• Doors and windows
• Lintels
• Sunshades
• Roofs
• Steps and stairs
• Finishes for walls
 a) Walls and piers
• Main function of wall is to divide the space in to
different rooms.
• Walls support the loads from the roof and upper
floors to the foundations.
• Piers or pillars are thickened sections of the walls
placed at intervals to carry the concentrated loads.
• Walls are built with bricks, stones, or with concrete.
 Features of walls
• The walls should be strong enough to carry safely its
self weight as well as imposed loads from roofs/ upper
floors
• The external walls should provide sufficient resistance
against weathering agencies like sun, wind, rain and
snow.
• It should be stable against overturning by lateral forces.
• It should have adequate resistance against fire.
• Walls should have sufficient heat and sound insulation.
• Walls should provide sufficient privacy and security
against burglary.
 b) Floors
• Provided to divide a building into different stories for
creating more accommodation one above the other.
• The main functions is to give support to occupants,
furniture and equipments of a building.
• Features:
i) The floors should be strong enough to carry the its weight
as well as imposed loads safely.
ii) The floors should provide a clean, smooth, impervious,
durable and weather resistant surface.
iii) It should have adequate resistance against fire.
iv) It should have sufficient heat and sound insulation.
 c) Steps and stairs
• Provided for access to the building or to the other
floors of the building.
• The location of the stairs is decided in such a way
that it can be accessed easily and quickly from all
parts of the building.
• All requirements of the walls are to be satisfied by
stairs also.
 d) Doors and windows
• Doors are provided to give access to outside of the
building as well as to connect inner rooms of the
building.
• Window is an opening provided for ventilation and
natural light.
• Features:
i) Windows and doors should be weather resistant.
ii) It should have adequate resistance against fire.
iii) It should have sufficient heat and sound insulation.
iv) Doors and windows should provide sufficient privacy and
security against burglary.
 e) Beams and lintels
• Beam is a horizontal structural member which carries floor
slab or roof.
• Lintel is a beam that supports the masonry work over
openings in the walls.
 f) Sunshade
• It is a projection provided outside a building above the
doors and windows to prevent direct sunlight and rain to
the rooms.
 g) Roof
• Roof is a cover for the building to protect it from
rain, wind, snow, sunlight, etc.
• Roofs may be flat, sloping or curved type.
• Features:
i) Roofs should be strong, stable and weather resistant.
ii) It should have adequate resistance against fire.
iii) It should have sufficient heat and sound insulation.
 h) Parapet
• A short masonry wall built on top of the roof of a
building is called parapet.
• It serves as an enclosure above the roof and as an
element for good appearance.
 i) Weathering course
• It is the layer provided over the roof slab to protect the roof
from weathering agencies like sunlight, rain and wind.
 j) Finishes for walls
• Finishes for walls are pointing, plastering, painting,
distempering, etc.
• Functions:
• Protects the walls from the effect of weather.
• It covers the defective materials or poor workmanship to
some extent.
• It improves the aesthetic appearance of the building
Selection of site for a Residential building
1. The site should be fairly level with good quality soil.
2. The location should be calm and reasonably
developed.
3. It should be well connected by the roads and other
modes of transport.
4. It should have good communication facilities.
5. Electricity, water and sewer lines should be available.
6. It should be away from hazardous industries.
7. Flood prone areas, water logged areas and reclaimed
land should be avoided.
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8. The site should have good natural ventilation and lighting.
9. The amenities like school, recreation centers, shopping
centers, hospitals, etc. should be nearer.
10. Site should have good drainage properties.
11. It should have regular shape with sufficient frontage.
12. The area must be sufficient for present and future
development.
13. The places prone to air and water pollution should be
avoided.
14. The proper ownership and other legal matters have to be
checked before buying a site.
15. The type of land use recommended at proposed site
should be complied as per the town planning/
development schemes.
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