Basic Components of Building Structure

Ø Building Structure

A building is defined as structure with roof and walls which are made up of any type of material, and which can be used for any purpose. The building is a structure which provides shelter to human being for their comfort living. According to their requirement they construct in various ways.

For the stability of any structure, the structure has various basic components, which gives stability to the structure. So that, structure stable and stay for long time safely. The building structure has following basic components.

Basic components of building structure give support, protect structure and provide shelter.

Ø Basic Components Of BuildingStructure :

1.      Foundation

2.       Columns

3.      Plinth

4.      Plinth beam

5.      Damp proof course (DPC)

6.      Floor

7.      Walls

8.      Stairs

9.      Beams

10.  Opening

11.  Lintels

12.  Roof

13.   Parapet

 

1.      Foundation

ü  The foundation is most important component of building; it is the base of building structure which is firstly constructed.

ü  Foundation provides stability to the structure, by distributing the load of superstructure to the earth.

ü  According to loading conditions, foundation is designed by various types  rectangular, square, trapezoidal, mat, etc.

ü  Strong and well designed foundation prevent settlement of structure

                            (  more    ......Types of Foundations) (Isolated Foundation and Types)

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2.      Columns

ü  After foundation column is constructed in framed structure.

ü  Column is the middle member which is transferred load from superstructure to the foundation.

ü  It is vertical member which support structure very well from top of foundation unto slab of structure.

ü  It has two type according to structure

1.      Architecturalcolumn : They improve aesthetic view of building

2.      Structural column      : They are constructed to transfer load of superstructure to foundation.

3.      Plinth:

ü  It is layer of cement mortar, constructed between substructure and superstructure

ü  It is constructed above the ground level.

ü  The height of plinth should be in the range of 0.6 m to 0.8 m.

ü  It increases the height of floor from ground, so the entry of water on floor is restricted and creeping also.

ü  It supports flooring tiles also.

                   

4.      Plinth beam

ü  Plinth beams are transferred load from superstructure or of wall to the column.

ü  They are constructed at or above the ground level.

ü  According to nature f soil and type of structure, size of plinth beam is decided.

5.      Damp proof course (DPC)

ü  Damp proof course (DPC) is layer of material, which is water proof.  

ü  Wall of the structure are constructed above the DPC.

ü  DPC prevent the contact of surface water to the walls.

ü  Dampness affect the strength of wall, so the user face unhealthy living conditions,

ü   Cost of maintenance is also increased due to the unwanted dampness effect on paint and plaster of the structure.

6.      Floor

ü  Floor is a horizontal surface or the layer constructed after the filling of plinth.

ü  Various materials are used for the flooring like mosaic tile, quota, marble, etc.

ü  For the flooring, ground should be well compacted and leveled primarily.

ü  It is the layer which is mostly used daily for most of purpose like cleaning, etc.

7.      Walls

ü   The walls are the vertical component of building, which support the roof of building. 

ü  The walls are used for the separating rooms from each other and the construction of outer boundary of buildings.

ü  They are acted as partition wall or compound wall.

ü  In load bearing structure, walls are carrying load.

ü  In frame structure walls are not responsible for carrying loads.

ü  The walls can be made up from bricks, stone, hollow cement concrete blocks, cement concrete blocks, etc.

ü  Enclosures are provided by walls to the structure so that structure protects from wind rain, sunlight, and from other climatic conditions.

8.      Stairs

ü  Stairs are the group of steps and landing, which connect floor to floor or number of floors with each other of a building.

ü  They are vertical accessed.

ü  They can be made from R.C.C, wood, metal, etc.

ü  The space or opening occupied by stairs called stairway.

ü  In which stair is located, at apartment or room of building is called staircase. 

9.      Beams

ü  The Beams are the horizontal members in the building.

ü  The beams are transferred loads of slabs to the columns.

ü  According to loading conditions, the size of beam is decided.

ü  They are made up of RCC.

ü  Beams are primary or main and secondary,

·         Primary beams are directly transferred load to the columns; these beams are connected end to end with column.

·         Secondary beams are transferred load to the primary and main beams first, these beams re connected end to end with main beams.

10.  Opening

ü  Opening is provided in walls, in the forms of doors, windows and ventilators.

·         Doors: they are provided access from one room to other.

·         Windows and ventilators: they are placed t outer wall of buildings so that air and sunlight enter in the buildings.

11.  Lintels

ü  Lintels are horizontal building component which are constructed above the opening of wall like windows and door, etc.

ü  The lintels support the weight of wall coming over the opening.

ü They  can be made by RCC, timber, stone, bricks, etc.  

                  

12.  Roof

ü  Roofs are top most building component.

ü  They are rested on walls of building.

ü  They cover the top of building, so that structure protect from rain, and different climatic conditions.

ü  According to the climatic condition of location, the roof shape is designed.

ü  Roof can be plain roof, pitch roof, sloping roof, hat roof, shells and domes.

ü  Roofs are made up from RCC.

13.  Parapet

 ü   They are low height walls, situated at the top of the buildings.

 ü    They are made up of bricks.

 ü    They provide safety to the people or things which used roof.