3/22/24, 3:33 PM WHAT ARE THE BASIC COMPONENTS OF A BUILDING STRUCTURE? - CivilBlog.

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WHAT ARE THE BASIC

COMPONENTS OF A BUILDING
STRUCTURE?
April 7, 2015 by Suryakanta

Basic Components of a Building

A building consists of following basic components.

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Basic Components of a Building

1. Foundation
A foundation is necessary to evenly distribute the entire building load on the soil in
such a manner that no damaging settlements take place. Hence, the foundations need
to be constructed on good/solid ground.

2. Plinth
A plinth is normally constructed just above the ground level and immediately after the
foundation. It raises the floor above the ground level and herewith prevents surface
water from entering the building.

3. Damp proof course (DPC)

Damp proof course is a layer of water proofing material such as asphalt or waterproof
cement. Walls are constructed above the damp proof course.

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Damp proof course prevents surface water from rising into the walls.

Dampness reduces the strength of the walls and creates unhealthy living conditions.
Also it affects the paint and plaster and increasing the cost of maintenance.

Damp proofing layer is not required where a plinth beam is constructed, because the
plinth beam already performs like a DPC.

4. Plinth beam
A plinth beam is constructed depending upon the type of the structure of the building
and nature of the soil. It provides additional stability in regard to settlements of the
building and earthquake damages.

5. Floor
This is the surface on which we do most of our activities. Floorings is laid over the filling
of the plinth and on subsequent floors.

Flooring can be done with different materials, but care must be given that the ground
below the floor is well compacted. Flooring is done to prevent dampness from rising to
the top and to have a firm platform that can be kept hygienic and clean.

6. Walls
Walls are the vertical elements on which the roof finally rests. They can be made of
different materials like bricks, stones, mud, concrete blocks, lateritic blocks etc. If the
walls are very long, columns can be provided to carry the roof.

Walls provide privacy and enclosure. Walls also provide security and protection against
natural elements such as wind, rain and sunshine.

Openings are to be provided in wall for access and ventilation.

7. Openings
Openings are normally provided in the walls as door, windows and ventilators.

Doors provide access; windows and ventilators provide light and ventilation.

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Lintels are constructed just above the openings. It is normally a stone slab or a
concrete slab.

Sill is the part of the wall that is just below the window.

Lintels are constructed to hold up the walls above the openings. In earthquake prone
areas a continuous lintel beam is provided all over the walls.

8. Stairs
A stair is a sequence of steps and it is provided to afford the means of ascent and
descent between the floors and landings.

The apartment or room of a building in which stair is located is called staircase. The
space or opening occupied by the stair is called a stairway.

There are different kind of stairs are used in buildings, like RCC stair, wooden stair,
metal stair, brick stair etc.

9. Roof
The roof provides protection for the building and the people living in it. The roof rests
on the walls and requires proper anchoring so that wind and other mechanical impact
cannot destroy it. A roof can have different shapes but it is always either flat or sloping.

Roof is typically made of RCC, stone slab, tiles etc.

10. Surfaces / Finishes

External finishes are the outer most layer of protection, which protect the structure from
weathering. Internal finishes are the layers given on internal faces. They give durability
and pleasing appearance to the inside.

Building Construction, Construction

HOW CONCRETING IS DONE UNDER WATER BY TREMIE METHOD?
WHAT ARE THE QUALITY REQUIREMENTS OF COMMON CLAY BUILDING BRICKS?

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25 thoughts on “WHAT ARE THE BASIC

COMPONENTS OF A BUILDING STRUCTURE?”

mustapha Ibrahim
February 14, 2024 at 12:48 am

thanks

Reply

Jabeer
February 12, 2024 at 7:45 pm

I am a student this blog helped me,i am proud to be an engineer

Reply

N/A
April 15, 2021 at 7:42 pm

Thanks you so much.

Reply

D.Thejasree
February 24, 2021 at 4:51 pm
https://civilblog.org/2015/04/07/what-are-the-basic-components-of-a-building-structure/ 5/14
3/22/24, 3:33 PM WHAT ARE THE BASIC COMPONENTS OF A BUILDING STRUCTURE? - CivilBlog.Org

Thank u for preparing a clear explanation on this basic topic sir.This is the basic
thing that a civil engineer need to know at the starting stage of building
construction.

Reply

Hasheem
December 6, 2020 at 7:46 pm

What is Anchor in building construction

Reply

Bernard
November 7, 2020 at 11:18 pm

Hello Sir,
It is impressive and true info. for better understanding.
Thanks ?

Reply

chotara raj kumar

October 31, 2020 at 8:22 pm

this is very use full information and it’s use full for me

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Reply

Mahesh Nachaiah
July 6, 2019 at 4:33 pm

Learned something about a structure. Nice, informative to a lay man. Basic

knowledge is must for every citizen. This Blog helped something basic. Thanks

Reply

soe kenonto
March 21, 2019 at 10:21 am

thanks it is very helpful.

Reply

salisu abdul ganiu

December 6, 2018 at 2:23 pm

thanks and i love it

Reply

Chiboy
November 22, 2018 at 3:53 am

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3/22/24, 3:33 PM WHAT ARE THE BASIC COMPONENTS OF A BUILDING STRUCTURE? - CivilBlog.Org

Nice One

Reply

HUZAIFA SD
November 13, 2018 at 2:58 pm

Nice and thanks for information

Reply

Carol Fontius
October 3, 2018 at 10:26 pm

One really does learn something new everyday as long as you open your minds
to it!

Reply

Richmond Danso
September 25, 2018 at 2:51 pm

I really appreciate this , it has given me a broad mind of building

Reply

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yakub owoseni
September 21, 2018 at 3:33 am

it like this I’m a student I want to know all about construction

Reply

Dhanesh singh gond

July 21, 2018 at 2:30 am

Nic information builduing construction work very very thank

Reply

Sshivkant jha
May 27, 2018 at 3:58 pm

Ur information r very useful to handle my. Bldg work.very very thank-you.

Regards
S K jha

Reply

Jeremiah Dalama
March 5, 2018 at 12:46 am

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3/22/24, 3:33 PM WHAT ARE THE BASIC COMPONENTS OF A BUILDING STRUCTURE? - CivilBlog.Org

Thanks

Reply

Jeremiah Dalama
March 5, 2018 at 12:45 am

This article has been very helpful to my teachings. It has really me. My sincere
thanks to the author.

Reply

Ola
February 22, 2018 at 4:12 am

Nice article

Reply

pankaj singh
September 30, 2017 at 11:13 pm

hi nice article
https://civilmentality.blogspot.in/2017/09/components-of-building-building-
has-to.html

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Reply

James Oluoch
May 23, 2017 at 11:26 pm

Will comment later

Reply

K. hemanth kumar
March 19, 2017 at 6:24 pm

Thanks

Reply

Anu
January 17, 2017 at 5:03 pm

Thanks so much for the information.

Reply

Adeyemo akanni
April 17, 2016 at 6:30 pm

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I like all work civl eng

Reply

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