Components Of A Building

Ar. Gokul Krishnan, M.Arch

Structural components Non-structural component

❖ Load bearing components. ❖ Architectural,mechanical and

These include: electrical components of a
• Foundations building.These include:
• Plinth • Parapet walls
• Walls • Door & windows
• Columns • Furnishing fixture
• Floor • Tiles
• Slab • Paint
• Beam • Non load bearing partitions
• Roof • Pipe & electrical work
• Lintel & weather shade
Superstructure
•Structure from top of the plinth
to the top of the building
•Includes: walls, beams, columns,
window, doors etc..

Substructure
•Structure below the damp proof
course that includes ground floor
& foundation.
•Transfers the recived load from
superstructure to the foundation.
•Includes: Foundation ,pier &
abutment
1.FOUNDATION
• Lowest part of a structure below the ground.
• Transfers the entire load of the building to the underlying soil.
• In order to build a good foundation there must be:
1. simultaneous action of foundation, superstructure and soil (i.e., all three
should act together).
2. One must consider and study the nature, strength and behaviour of
soil in the respective site.
• Foundations increase the stability of the structure against seismic, wind and lateral
loads
• A structure may need deep or shallow foundations depending upon the wall type.

WALL TYPE FOUNDATION

Load bearing walls Spread footing
Framed structure Independent column footing,
combined footing, rafts &piles
2.plinth
• Plinth level is build between the wall and it’s foundation.
• The height of the plinth is about 300 - 400mm from ground level.
• FUNCTIONS:
1.Creates a stable and strong base for the building .
2.Prevents building from collapsing during earthquakes.
3.Carries the load of the walls.
4.Prevents dampness and moisture entry.
3.walls
• Carries load from the building and transfers it to the foundation
• Sound proofing
• Provides privacy, security and protection against adverse effects of
weather
• Building units of wall :
1.brick - brick masonry
2.stone- stone masonry
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 Types of wall

Load bearing wall Non-loading bearing wall

1.Precast concrete wall
2.Retaining wall
3.Masonry wall Parapet wall Cavity wall
4.Pre panelized metal wall
5.Brick wall
6.Stone wall
Curtain wall Buttress wall

Partition wall Shear wall

Precast concrete wall Retaining wall
Pre panelized metal wall Parapet wall
4.columns

Pier Column
• Vertical load bearing member intended to transfer a compressive load
coming from beams and slabs.
• Compression member
• There are different types of columns based on the types of reinforcement,
loading, shape, construction material and slenderness ratio.
• Pier, is similar to a column but it increases the stiffness of the wall to carry
additional load and also strengthens the wall to resist the pressure without
buckling.

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5.floor

Athangudi tiles
• Main purpose: level division of a building ; creates more accommodation
on a given plot of land.
• Consists of two parts :

Sub floor : foundation beneath the flooring

material used for finishing.
Supports all loads.

Flooring : covering of desired specification (tile ,

terrazzo).
Provided over sub floor for aesthetic finishing.
Terrazzo
6.slab
• Horizontal structural component.
• They are supported by beams, columns & walls.
• Transfers load of a structure to beams and walls.
7.BEAMS

Transfers load of slab to the columns

8.ROOFS
• Uppermost component of a building.
• Protects from adverse weather.
• Consists of two components :

Roof decking : components that make up the framing of the roof.

ROOF TYPE COMPONENTS
Pitched roof Truss
Curved roof Shell/dome
Flat roof Flat slab

Roof covering / Terracing : in the form of tiles, AC sheets, GI sheets.

Curved roof AC Roofing
9.LINTEL & WEATHER SHADE
• Lintel is a beam placed above doors and windows , it supports the load
from the structure above it.

Sunshade and lintels also serve as decorative

elements.