BUILDING

CONSTRUCTION

Charuni Wijerathne
BSc Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya
MSc WREM, University of Moratuwa
AMIESL, AMICE

Head of Faculty – Construction Division

ICBT Campus
IDENTIFICATION OF BUILDING
ELEMENTS
 Building
Building?
“A building is a permanent or temporary
structure enclosed within exterior walls and
a roof”.

The appearance, structure, materials and

construction methods of a building are
selected to suit different locations,
circumstances and user requirements.
 Evolution of Buildings

TREE TOP CAVE CLAY

THATCHED CURRENT
 Building
We spend (live, work, sleep etc. ) most of our time
in buildings.

 There are many different types of buildings to

suit our various requirements.

Ex. House, office, factory, school, hospital, etc.

 Building
A building can be divided into substructure
(foundation) and superstructure. Plinth is the
dividing line between substructure and
superstructure.

In building construction, we study how the civil

works are carried out in the field after the building
layout is planned by an architect and structurally
designed by an engineer.
 Types of Buildings
Buildings cam be classified in several ways based
on different criteria.
• Function
• Height
• Structural systems
• Structural material
• Type of construction
 Function

OFFICE BUILDING

HOSPITAL BUILDING

SCHOOL BUILDING
 Height

LOW RISE BUILDING

MEDIUM RISE BUILDING

HIGH RISE BUILDING

 Structural System

LOAD BEARING WALL STRUCTURE

FRAMED STRUCTURE

SHELL STRUCTURE
 Structural Material

STEEL STRUCTURE
MASONRY STRUCTURE

TIMBER STRUCTURE
 Type of Construction

PRE-FABRICATED STRUCTURE PRE-CAST CONCRETE STRUCTURE

REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE

 Building Projects
A building is constructed because someone wants it.

This person, who may act on his own or on behalf of

a group of people (company) is referred to as the
client.

A client would wish to complete a building project

within an agreed time, cost and acceptable quality.

The management of this process is project

management.
 Cost, Time and Quality
The quality, time and cost considerations are
interdependent.

If the completion date is critical  higher cost (no

time to verify all cost effective solutions).

If the cost is critical  more time (to verify the

most cost effective method).

There should be some compromise among time,

cost and quality.
 Building Project Team
A building that meets requirements of a client needs
careful planning and construction.

In order to achieve this specific inputs are needed. A

building project team consisting of following
members is required to provide these inputs.
• Client
• Project Manager
• Design Team – Architect, Structural Engineer,
Building Services Engineers, Quantity Surveyor
• Contractor
 Building Elements
The following are the basic elements of a building:
• Roof
• Floors
• Columns
• Walls
• Foundations
 Roof
Roof is the top most portion of the building which
provide top cover to the building. It should be leak
proof.

Sloping roof covers like tiles and asbestos sheets

give leak proof cover easily. But they do not give
provision for the construction of additional floors.
Flat roofs give provision for additional floors.
Terrace adds to the comfort of occupants. Water
tanks can be easily placed over the flat roofs.
Roof Types
 Roof Shape and Structure
Various shapes and materials are available for the
formation of the roof.
• Pitched (sheets or tiled) – roof is framed by steel,
timber or concrete members.
• Flat roofs – usually constructed of reinforced
concrete and are used as roof terrace, roof
gardens, observation platforms etc.
• Curved roofs – places like temples, churches etc.
have prominent roofs of distinctive shape.
• Flexible roofs – using cable, fabric or membranes.
 Floors
Floors are an important component of a building.
They give working/useful area for the occupants.

The ground floor is generally prepared by filling brick

bats, waste stones etc. on well compacted soil.
Alternatively, lean concrete is also used. On this a
damp proof course may be provided. Then floor
finishing is done as per the requirement of the owner.

Upper floors are generally made out of reinforced

concrete (RCC).
 Floor Systems
There are various types of floor systems.
• Cast insitu reinforced concrete beam and slab
floors.
• Floor systems using precast concrete ribbed
elements (no formwork or props required).
• Timber floors supported on timber or steel
beams.
• Composite floors – combinations of concrete,
steel and timber.
Beam and Slab Precast Concrete
 Columns
Columns are used to support the weight of the
suspended floors in framed structures.

Columns are generally square, rectangular or

circular in shape.

They are constructed out of reinforced concrete or

steel.
 Walls
The function of walls is to transfer the load of the
structure vertically downwards to transfer it to
foundation. Apart from this wall performs the
following functions also:
• It encloses building area into different
compartments and provides privacy.
• It provides safety from burglary and insects.
• It keeps the building warm in winter and cool in
summer.
Walls are mostly made of masonry. It may be brick,
blockwork, stonework etc.
 Foundation
Foundation is the most important part of the building.
Building activity starts with digging the ground for
foundation and then building it. It is the lower most
part of the building. It transfers the load of the
building to the ground. Its main functions and
requirements are:
• Distribute the load from the structure to soil evenly
and safely.
• To anchor the building to the ground so that under
lateral loads building will not move.
• It gives level surface for the construction of super
structure.
 Foundation Types
The type of foundation required for a building
depends on the column/wall loads and the ground
conditions of the site.
• Shallow Foundations – Strip (rubble / concrete),
pad (reinforced concrete), combined (reinforced
concrete) and raft (reinforced concrete).
• Deep Foundations – In poor ground conditions
the building may need to be founded on piles.
Shallow Foundations Deep Foundation
 Sundry Building Elements
In addition to the main building elements
following sundry elements are also components of
an ordinary building.
• Doors and windows
• Stairs
• Lifts
• Building services
SITE SELECTION
 Selection of a Building Site
Following criteria can be used to select a site
suitable to construct a building.
• Availability of vital facilities.
• Accessibility to the site.
• Geological considerations.
• Orientation of the site.
• Configuration and frontage.
• Proximity of the site to essential amenities.
• Quality of the environment.
 Vital Facilities
Following facilities are vital and need to be
available.
• Water Supply – Potable water for drinking,
washing and cleaning.
• Electricity – A must to construct a building.
• Drainage - Disposal of foul water and surface
water.
• Communication – Telephone facilities.
 Accessibility and Access
Easy access is essential.
• Safe and convenient access for pedestrians,
cyclists and motor vehicles.
• Space for parking.
 Geological Considerations
Physical characteristics of a site is important.
• Topography – Planning and layout is influenced
by the topography – flooding, drainage, contours,
levels.
• Ground Conditions – Founding strata and subsoil
conditions influence the choice of foundations.
 Poor Ground
Topography
Conditions
 Configuration and Frontage
Layout of the site and the space available are
important for certain types of buildings.
• Local Authority requirements – Allowances for
street line and rear space.
• Clients requirements – More / less frontage
depending on the type of development.
 Proximity to Essential Facilities
A building should be located to complimentary
facilities for them to function properly.
• Supermarkets should be located close to town
centres.
• Schools and offices should be located in areas
where public transport is freely available.
 Quality of the Environment
It is vital to check the following environmental
quality factors:
• Air free of pollution, dust etc.
• Water free of harmful chemicals.
• Noise levels.
• Industrial activity well controlled.
• A locality where law and order is maintained.
BUILDING LAWS
 Building Laws
In Sri Lanka as well as any country in the world,
buildings cannot be constructed in a haphazard
manner. Depending on the remoteness of the
location there are certain building laws governing
the construction of buildings.

In areas of law population such as villages in

remote country areas these laws are lax but from
village council and above they need to be followed.
In towns and more congested inner city areas,
building laws have to be strictly implemented.
 Why Building Laws?
Building laws are in action to safeguard the
following issues:
• Public health
• Land use and zoning
• Safety against hazards
• Flexibility for future planning
• Preservation of natural resources
• Preservation of archeological sites.
 Relevant Authorities
Following authorities enact building laws in areas
under their jurisdiction:
• Local Authority of the area.
• Urban Development Authority.
• Central Environmental Authority.
• Coast Conservation Board.
• Department of Wildlife.
 Authority Approval
It is necessary to obtain the approvals of all
planning authorities before starting construction of
a building.

It is generally the responsibility of the architect (or

the client) and he should initiate a dialogue with
the authorities concerned at an early stage to get
the advise of the authorities to make sure that
subsequent changes, which are costly ( due to
delays, design changes and complications), need to
be avoided.
 Parameters Regulated
Following parameters are regulated by the building laws:
• Distance to street line.
• Minimum extent of the land plot.
• Rear space.
• Side space.
• Access requirements.
• Gap between the drinking water well and the toilet pit.
• Road frontage requirements.
• Light and ventilation requirements.
• Clearance from electric lines.
• Building heights.
• Internal dimensions.
• Minimum floor area of rooms.
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
Steps in Construction of a Residential Building
Main steps involved:
• Visit the site and verify the size of the site.
• Draw a suitable plan for the building.
• Get the drawings approved by the relevant authorities.
• Prepare structural drawings.
• Site preparation, construction of sheds, fences etc.
• Set out the building.
• Construct the building.
• Complete electrical, plumbing and any other service works.
• Construct interior features like shelves, pantry cupboards etc.
• Construction of exterior works like boundary wall, gates etc.
and hardscaping and landscaping works.
 Site Layout
Following items should be considered when
planning the site layout:
• Access roads – Access should be provided for
material deliveries during construction.
• Temporary facilities – Temporary sheds need to
be constructed to store construction materials
and to provide accommodation for the workers.
 Site Preparation
• Site clearing – clearing and grubbing.
• Enclosing the site – to ensure safety of the
neighbours and to prevent stealing of
construction materials and equipment.
 Services Required at Site
Following basic services are required at site.
• Temporary electricity supply – to operate sundry
construction equipment and to provide lighting
to the labour camp.
• Temporary water supply – for construction works
and sanitary facilities of workers.
• Waste and storm water drainage – to keep the
site clean and to prevent damaging the new
construction work.
 Setting Out
Before starting construction of buildings layout of
the proposed building as shown in the drawings
need to be transferred to the ground. Following
steps need to be followed in doing so.
• Make sure that the legally required clearance for
the street line is allowed.
• Requirements of rear space and side space need
to be satisfied.
A Typical Site Plan
A Typical Site Plan
Setting Out Pegs for Centre Line
Foundation Trenches
Site Setup
 Use of Grid Lines
Usually, a primary baseline is provided from which all
other positions can be set out. It is normal to establish a
rectangular grid that includes all sides of the structure
(see example). The corner positions and the centres of
columns and their bases are set out from the baseline.

Each corner is checked by theodolite (or Total Station),

comparing observed and calculated angles. Any
adjustment to the points to meet specification is done
at this stage. The grid lines should then be projected
beyond the construction area and referenced to well-
constructed/permanent control stations.
Use of Grid Lines
 Use of Grid Lines
Example of checking procedure:
• Set up instrument on BL1 and zero to BL6.
• Observe A1, B1, C1, D1, E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, D6,
C6, B6, A6, A5, A4, A3, A2.
• Set up instrument on A1, E1, E6, A6, BL6 and
repeat.
• Adjust points if necessary.
• Reference lines beyond construction area.
 Building Plans
Building plans include:
• Setting out details.
• Layout plans of the building.
• Cross sections of the building.
• Details of all the building elements like
foundations, floor slabs, columns, beams, roof,
doors, windows etc.
• Details about the sanitary and electrical fittings.
Rather than depicting some of these items by their
actual configuration, it is usual to represent these
symbolically.
CONSTRUCTION DRAWING
PRACTICES
 Construction Drawing Practices
Construction drawing is a means of showing in
graphical form the shape, size and position
together with the composition of materials used
and the way the building is to be constructed.
Drawing Paper Sizes
Line Types
 Drawing Scale
It is not feasible to draw buildings to their actual
size. Instead they are drawn in proportion to the
actual measurements. This proportion is known as
the scale of the drawing.

Common scales are 1:5, 1:10, 1:20, 1:50, 1:100,

1:200, 1:500, 1:1000 etc.

If the scale is 1:10, the object is drawn a tenth of

its actual size. In other words the object is ten
times larger than shown on the drawing.
 Dimensioning
It is important that all drawings are fully
dimensioned, so that the builder and others know
the required size of every part of the building:
• Dimension lines should be unbroken lines
terminated at their ends with arrowheads /
oblique strokes.
• If any dimension is not drawn to scale the letters
“NTS” (not to scale) should be written after the
scale or as a general note.
Dimension Lines
 Orientation
North points are generally shown on key plans, ste
plans, block plans etc. to indicate the position of
north relative to the site or building. The point of
the arrow should be drawn to face north.
Level Marks
Symbols for Construction Materials
Conventional Symbols for Construction Materials
Conventional Symbols for Construction Materials
Conventional Symbols for Construction Materials
Conventional Symbols for Construction Materials
Door Symbols
Window Symbols
Architectural Drawing Symbols
Building Services Symbols
CONSTRUCTION
DRAWINGS
 Types of Plans
A building may be completely represented on
paper by the following types of plans:
• Site plan.
• Plan of each floor (ground floor plan, 1st floor
plan etc.)
• Foundation plan.
• Structural plan for each floor.
• Roof/terrace plan.
 Site Plans
A site plan is a location drawing showing a view
looking downwards. The purpose of a site plan is:
• Provide a general picture of a site, including its
shape and extent.
• Locate the proposed building with respect to the
roads and boundaries of the property.
• Provide information on external services,
especially drinking water well and septic tank
locations.
A Typical Site Plan
 Convention of Cutting a Plan
A building consists of a number of rooms including
toilets kitchens etc interconnected through
corridors, passages, verandahs etc. Each room may
contain a number of doors, windows, almirahs,
cupboards etc. In order to represent these
elements on a plan, the plan is conventionally cut
at window sill level.
 Typical Floor Plan
The plan of a typical floor, cut at the window sill
level should include the following details:
• Arrangement and dimensions of rooms showing
walls.
• Any steps / stairs.
• Finished floor levels.
• Positions and dimensions of doors, windows,
cupboards, etc.
• Furniture arrangement.
• Sanitary fittings.
 Doors & Windows
Doors:
• Doors are generally numbered as D1, D2, D3 etc.
• At each door position it should be made clear
which way the door is hung.

Windows:
• It is usual practice to number the windows as
W1, W2, w3 etc.
• Window positions are shown approximately on
the floor plans relative to walls.
 Room Names & Notes
A name should be given to each room or space.
• On large projects room numbers should be
provided.
• Notes should be kept to a minimum.
• Lettering should be easy to read.
A Typical Floor Plan
A Typical Toilet
 Sections
A section is a view of a building making an
imaginary cut through it.:
• A vertical section through a building will show
details of the construction of the foundations,
walls, floor, roof and other parts.
• No. of sections required depends on the size and
complexity – at least two along the length and
width.
• Sections provide overall vertical dimensions and
levels.
A Typical Cross Section
 Elevations
An elevation is a view of the building looking in a
horizontal direction:
• Elevations provide details of the external faces of
the building.
• Locate the door and window openings and other
features of the building.
A Typical Front Elevation
 Foundation Plan
A foundation plan is sectioned at the foundation
level, depicting the details of various types of
foundations provided for the building. A building
may contain the following types of foundations:
• Strip footings for walls.
• Rectangular RCC footings for columns.
• Combined RCC footings.
• Strap footings.
• Raft foundations.
 Foundation Plan

GRID LINES
Rubble Masonry Foundations for Walls
Rectangular Pad Footings
Strap Footing for Two Columns
Combined Footing
Raft Foundation
 Structural Floor Plan
A structural plan of a typical floor should contain:
• Floor level.
• Slab type / slab thickness.
• Slab reinforcement details.
• Layout / Details of beams.
• Column locations.
 Reinforcement Identification
Standard abbreviations are used to provide
information about the reinforcements.:
• R - mild steelround bars.
• T - high tensile strength (tor steel) bars.
• T1/B1 - reinforcement near the top and bottom
face of the concrete respectively.
Ex. 21T10 – 10 – 200T1 means there are 21 bars of
high tensile steel of diameter 10mm with a bar
mark 10 space 200mm apart near the top face of
concrete.
Structural Floor Plan
 Roof or Terrace Plan
The terrace plan is the plan at the roof level
showing:
• Terrace plan at the roof level.
• Roof details (material / slope angle / sloping
direction etc.).
Roof or Terrace Plan
 Building Services
Special details of building services should be given
on a layout plan of the building:
• Electrical wiring layout.
• Cold water and sewerage pipe layouts.
A Typical Electrical Wiring Layout