The following
are the basic elements of a building:
1. Foundation
2. Plinth
3. Walls and
columns
4. Sills,
lintels and chejjas
5. Doors and
windows
6. Floors
7. Roofs
8. Steps, stairs
and lifts
9. Finishing
work
10. Building
services.
The functions of
these elements and the main requirement of them is presented in this article.
1. 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:
(a)
Distribute the load from the structure to soil evenly and safely.
(b) To
anchor the building to the ground so that under lateral loads building will not
move.
c)
It prevents the building from overturning due to lateral forces.
(d) It
gives level surface for the construction of super structure.
2. Plinth: The
portion of the wall between the ground level and the ground floor level is
called plinth. It is usually of stone masonry. If the foundation is on piles, a
plinth beam is cast to support wall above floor level. At the top of plinth a
damp proof course is provided. It is usually 75 mm thick plain concrete course.
The function of the plinth is to keep the ground floor above ground level, free
of dampness. Its height is not less than 450 mm. It is required that plinth
level is at least 150 mm above the road level, so that connections to
underground drainage system can be made.
3. Walls and
Columns: The function of walls and columns is to transfer the load of the
structure vertically downwards to transfer it to foundation. Apart from this
wall performs the following functions also:
(a) It
encloses building area into different compartments and provides privacy.
(b) It
provides safety from burglary and insects.
(c) It
keeps the building warm in winter and cool in summer.
4. Sills,
Lintels and Chejjas: A window frame should not be directly placed over
masonry. It is placed over 50 mm to 75 mm thick plain concrete course provided
over the masonry. This course is called as sill. Lintels are the R.C.C. or
stone beams provided over the door and window openings to transfer the load
transversely so as to see that door or window frame is not stressed unduly. The
width of lintels is equal to the width of wall while thickness to be provided
depends upon the opening size. Chejja is the projection given outside the wall
to protect doors and windows from the rain. They are usually made with R.C.C.
In low cost houses stone slabs are provided as chejjas. The projection of chejja
varies from 600 mm to 800 mm. Sometimes drops are also provided to chejjas to
improve asethetic look and also to get additional protection from sun and rain.
5. Doors and
Windows: The function of a door is to give access to different rooms in the
building and to deny the access whenever necessary. Number of doors should be
minimum possible. The size of the door should be of such dimension as will
facilitate the movement of the largest object likely to use the door. Windows
are provided to get light and ventilation in the building. They are located at
a height of 0.75 m to 0.9 m from the floor level. In hot and humid regions, the
window area should be 15 to 20 per cent of the floor area. Another thumb rule
used to determine the size and the number of windows is for every 30 m3 of
inside volume there should be 1 m2 window opening.
6. Floors: Floors
are the important component of a building. They give working/useful area for the
occupants. The ground floor is prepared by filling brick bats, waste stones,
gravel and well compacted with not less than 100 mm sand layer on its top. A
lean concrete of 1 : 4 : 8, 100 mm thick is laid. On this a damp proof course
may be provided. Then floor finishing is done as per the requirement of the
owner. Cheapest floor finish for a moderate house is with 20 to 25 mm rich
mortar course finished with red oxide. The costliest floor finish is mossaic or
marble finishing.
Other floors are
usually of R.C.C. finished as per the requirements of the owner.
7. Roof: Roof
is the top most portion of the building which provide top cover to the
building. It should be leak proof. Sloping roof like tiled and A.C. sheet give
leak proof cover easily. But they do not give provision for the construction of
additional floor. Tiled roof give good thermal protection. Flat roofs give
provision for additional floors. Terrace adds to the comfort of occupants.
Watertanks can be easily placed over the flat roofs.
8. Step,
Stairs and Lifts: Steps give convenient access from ground level to ground
floor level. They are required at doors in the outer wall. 250 to 300 mm wide
and 150 mm rise is ideal size for steps. In no case the size of two consecutive
steps be different. Number of steps required depends upon the difference in the
levels of the ground and the floor. Stairs give access from floor to floor.
They should consists of steps of uniform sizes. In all public buildings lifts
are to be provided for the conveniences of old and disabled persons. In hostels
G + 3 floors can be built without lifts, but in residential flats maximum
floors permitted without lifts is only G + 2. Lift is to be located near the
entrance. Size of the lift is decided by the number of users in peak hours.
Lifts are available with capacity 4 to 20 persons.
9. Finishing:
Bottom portion of slab (ceiling), walls and top of floor need smooth
finishing with plaster. Then they are provided with white wash, distemper or
paints or tiles. The function of finishing work is:
(a) Give
protective cover
(b)
Improve aesthetic view
(c)
Rectify defective workmanship
(d)
Finishing work for plinth consists in pointing while for floor it consists in
polishing.
10. Building
Services: Water supply, sanitation and drainage works, electric supply work
and construction of cupboards and show cases constitute major building
services. For storing water from municipal supply or from tanker a sump is
built in the house property near street. From the sump water is pumped to over
head tanks placed on or above roof level so as to get water all the 24 hours.
Plumbing work is made so as to get water in kitchen, bathrooms, water closets,
sinks and garden
taps. For draining rain water from roofs, down take pipes of at least 100 mm
diameters should be used. Proper slopes should be given to roof towards down
take pipe. These pipes should be fixed at 10 to 15 mm below the roof surface so
that rain water is directed to the down take pipe easily. The sanitary fittings
are to be connected to stone ware pipes with suitable traps and chambers.
Stone ware pipes
are then connected to underground drainage of municipal lines or to the septic
tank.
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