There are two types of structure
Superstructure:-
What is the portion of the building which is constructed above the ground level.
It include column, beams, door, window,flooring which is above the plinth level.
Substructure:-It is lower part of the building which is constructed below the ground level
It include foundation.
Component parts of building
The building basically consists of three parts namely,
1) Foundation
2) Plinth and
3) Super structure
i) Foundation: It is the lowest artificially prepared part
below the surface of the surrounding ground which is
indirect contact with sub-strata and transmits all the loads
to the ground (or sub-soil)
ii) Plinth: It is the middle part of the structure, above the
surface of the surrounding ground up to the surface of the
floor immediately above the ground. Its function in the
building is same as of sub-structure in the case of the
bridge.
iii) Super structure: It is that part of the structure which is
constructed above the plinth level (i.e., ) ground level
A building in general made of the following structural components
1. Foundation
2. Plinth
3. Walls and piers in super structure
4. Ground, basement and upper floors
5. Doors and windows
6. Sills, Lintels and weather shades
7. Roofs
8. Steps and stairs
9. Finishes for walls
10.Utility fixtures
Each of these components is an essential part of a building and
requires due consideration in design and construction for their functional
performance. The basic functional requirements of these components
discusses in the following paragraphs.
1. Foundations:
The foundation is the most critical part of any structure and most
of the failure is probably due to faulty foundations rather than any other
cause. The purpose of foundation is to transmit the anticipated loads
safety to the soil
Basic requirements:
1. To distribute the total load coming on the structure over a large
bearing area so as to prevent it from any movement.
2. To load the bearing surface or area at a uniform rate so as to
prevent any unequal or relative settlement.
3. To prevent the lateral movement of the structure
4. To secure a level or firm natural bed, upon which to lay the
courses of masonary and also support the structure.
5. To increase the suitability of the structure as a whole, so as to
prevent it from overturning or sliding against such as wind, rain,
frost etc.
2. Plinth: This is the portion of structure between the surface of the
surrounding ground and surface of the floor, immediately above the
ground. As per Byelaws, the plinth should not be less than 45cm. The
basic requirements of plinth area
1) To transmit the load of the super-structure to the
foundation
2) To act as a retaining wall so as to keep the filling portion
below the raised floor or the building
3) To protect the building from damp or moisture
penetration into it
4) It enhances the architectural appearance of the building
3. Walls and piers in super structure: The primary function of walls is
to enclose or liquid space. A load-bearing wall in the super structure
should satisfy the following requirements.
Strengths, stability, weather resistance, fire resistance, heat
insulation, sound insulation, privacy and security.
4. Ground basement and upper floors: The main function of a floor is
to provide support of occupants, furniture and equipment of a building
and the function of providing different floors is to devoid the building
into different levels for the purpose of creating more accommodation
within the limited space. The floor should satisfy the following
functional requirements.
1. Strength and stability
2. Durability and dampness
3. Heal insulation
4. Sound insulation and fire resistance
5.Doors and windows: The main function of doors in a building is to
serve us a connecting link between internal parts and also to allow the
free movement outside the building. Windows are generally provided for
the proper ventilation and lighting of a building.
The following are the functional requirements
1. Weather resistance
2. Sound and thermal insulation
3. Damp prevention and terminate-proofing
4. Fire resistance and durability
5. Privacy and security
6. Sills. Lintels and weather shades:
Windowsills are provided between the bottom of window frame and wall below, to protect the top of wall from wear and tear. The actual frame of door or window is not strong enough to support the weight of the wall above the strong enough to support
the weight of the wall above the openings and a separate structural element has, therefore to be introduced. This is known
as lintel and is similar to a beam. Weather shades on ehhajjas are generally combined with lintels of windows to protect from the
weather elements such as sun, rain, frost etc.
7. Roofs:
A roof is the uppermost part of the building whose main function is to enclose the space and to protect the same from the effects ofweather elements such as rain, sun, wind, heat, snow etc. A good roof is just as essential as a safe foundation. The functional requirements of the roof are as follows.
i) Strength and stability- strong and stable enough to take up anticipated loads
ii) Weather resistance – resistance to wind, rain, sun, snow etc
iii) Heat insulation - should provide adequate insulation against heat
iv) Sound insulation – should provide adequate deque of insulation against sound from external sources.
v) Fire resistance – Should offer the adequate deque of fire resistance.
vi) Day lighting – The provides day light in buildings with large floor area i.e., industrial buildings through window in the roof.
8.Steps and Stairs: A stair is a structural consists of number of steps leading from one floor to another. The main functions of stairs are
i. To provide means of communication between the various floors
for everyday use
ii. To escape from upper floors in the case of fire
To perform these functions, the stairs should satisfy the following requirements indesign and construction.
i) Strength and stability- Strong and stable enough to carry the anticipated loads.
ii) Fire resistance- The stairs should be made of the fire resisting material and they provide safe means of escape in the event of fire.
iii) Sound Insulation: If it is necessary to insulate the stairs
from the sound either through the proper design and use of insulating materials or separating stair structure from the building structure.
iv) Weather resistance- The stairs, if exposed to open air, should offer sufficient resistance to weather elements
such as rain, heat etc.
v) Comfort and convience: proper design and proper location of steps in a building offer several advantages such as comfort and efficiency in vertical movement,
natural light and ventilation; safety in emergency etc.
9.Finishes for walls: The finishes of several types such as pointing, plastering, painting, types such as pointing, plastering, painting,
distempering, decorative colour washing etc applied on the walls. The main function of these finishes are
a. Protect structure from the sun, rain, snow etc.
b. Provide a true, even and smooth finished surface and also to improve the asthetic appearance of the structure.
c. Rectify rather cover, to some extent, the poor or defective workmanship
d. Cover up the unsound and porous materials used in the construction
10.Utility Fixtures: These are the built in items of an unmovable nature, which add considerably to the utility of a building and hence termedas utility fixtures. The most common of such built-in fixtures are: cupboards, shelves, smokeless chulas etc. These features are generally provided in the recesses for storing valuable articles, clothes etc. The recesses in wall structure
reduce its strength, so they are avoided in the modern construction of houses.