The basic components of a building structure

 

1. Foundation : A foundation is the most important and lowest part of the building structure. All the loads of superstructure are transmitted to the foundation rested on soil below ground level. Its main function is to distribute the load evenly and safely to the ground.

The various types of foundations and footings used in construction are as below:

• Shallow foundation

o    Isolated footing

o    Combined footing

o    Strip foundation

o    Raft or mat foundation

 

• Deep Foundation

o    Pile foundation

o    Drilled Shafts or caissons

 

·         Depth of Foundation: Depth totally depends on the structural and site ground condition. So, there are no standard dimension recommendations for it.

·         For small structures or houses depth of foundation should be at least 1.5 m from ground level.

2. Earth Filling: Earth filling work is an essential part of construction works. It must be filled to the top of the plinth level.   Earth filling is to prepare the earth for construction whether commercial or residential. Earth filling work is the most important pre-construction work as if not done properly, it would inversely affect the overall age of the structure endangering property as well as human lives.  Earth Filling or Soil Filling is done between the plinth wall. It is essential to fill the open space left between the ground level to the plinth level. Earth filling must be very well compacted so that the flooring gets a sufficiently hard surface base.

 Standard Dimensions:

Different materials can utilize as earth fills like soil, coarse aggregate, waste materials, Brick Bat, etc.

 

3. Plinth Level :  The plinth level is a part of the superstructure between the top of the tie beam at the finished ground level and the floor level of the building. It is constructed just above the ground level to protect the superstructure from dampness, which may seep in due to direct contact from the ground. The top plinth level is provided with the damp proof course, which is additional protection against dampness.

 

4. DPC (Damp Proof Course) : DPC is a layer of waterproofing material applied at the plinth level to prevent the rise of surface water into the walls. The walls are constructed over the DPC.

Read More: Damp Proof Course (DPC)

 

5. Flooring :  Flooring is a permanent covering of a floor. The main purpose of flooring is to get a good hard, level and beautiful surface for living. The floors directly resting on the ground are known as ground floors while the floors of each storey are known as upper floors.

 

6. Columns : A column is a vertical structural member intended to transfer a compressive load to the foundations.

Columns are typically constructed from materials such as stone, brick, block, concrete, timber, steel, and so on, which have good compressive strength.

7.Beams : A beam is a horizontal structural member in a building to resist the lateral loads applied to the beam’s axis. The structural member which resists the forces laterally or transversely applied to the (beam) axis is called a beam.

Beams may be of wood, steel or other metals, reinforced or prestressed concrete, plastics, and even brickwork with steel rods in the bond between bricks.

 

8. Walls : Wall is a structural element which divides the space of a house into rooms and also provides safety and shelter. Inner walls are also called as Partition walls or Interior Walls and Outer walls are also called as Exterior walls.

 

9. Sill Level: A level between the building’s window base and floor level above ground level is known as the Sill Level. The concrete bade or the mortar bed is placed at the window base level. Granite is also used at the base level of the window.

Sill level height varies from room to room and depends on the room type. For bed rooms, generally a height of 1100mm is adopted due to privacy while in the drawing room commonly height 600mm to 650mm is provided.

 

 

10. Lintel : A lintel is a horizontal member placed across an opening to support the part of the structure. It gives bearing for the masonry above the opening and transfer all the loads acting over the opining to the supporting wall.

Mostly RCC Lintel is used, but there are other types of lintel like wooden, brick, stone is also used as per suitability.  

 

 

11. Chhajja: - It is a sloping or horizontal structural overhang, usually provided for protection from sun and rain or for architectural considerations at lintel level.

 

12. Ceiling: A ceiling is an overhead interior surface that covers the upper limits of a room. It is not generally considered a structural element, but a finished surface concealing the underside of the roof structure or the floor of a story above. 

TYPE OF CEILING    •Suspended ceilings

 •False ceilings

 •Ordinary ceilings

 

13. Roof : A roof is a structure forming the upper covering of a building or other shelter. Its primary purpose is generally to provide protection from the elements, but it may also contribute to safety, security, privacy, insulation, and so on.

 

14. Parapet Wall  ; A parapet wall is a low or dwarf wall built along the edge of the roof, terrace, walkway, balcony etc. Parapet walls can be constructed using different materials like reinforced cement concrete, steel, aluminum, glass etc.

 

15. Coping : Coping is provided on the compound walls, parapet walls, boundary walls etc. to prevent the seepage of water into the wall during rainy season. The water on coping drains by providing slope. Coping on wall also gives a good aesthetic appearance to the building.

The slope of 1:20 from both sides is made to drain the rain water.

Lean concrete, tiles and stones are generally used in Coping. Now a days precast coping is also available in market.