Basic Components of a Building
1. Foundation
A foundation is necessary to evenly distribute the entire building load on the soil in such a
manner that no damaging settlements take place. Hence, the foundations need to be constructed
on good/solid ground.
2. Plinth
A plinth is normally constructed just above the ground level and immediately after the
foundation. It raises the floor above the ground level and herewith prevents surface water from
entering the building.
3. Damp proof course (DPC)
Damp proof course is a layer of water proofing material such as asphalt or waterproof cement.
Walls are constructed above the damp proof course.
Damp proof course prevents surface water from rising into the walls.
Dampness reduces the strength of the walls and creates unhealthy living conditions. Also it
affects the paint and plaster and increasing the cost of maintenance.
Damp proofing layer is not required where a plinth beam is constructed, because the plinth beam
already performs like a DPC.
4. Plinth beam
A plinth beam is constructed depending upon the type of the structure of the building and nature
of the soil. It provides additional stability in regard to settlements of the building and earthquake
damages.
5. Floor
This is the surface on which we do most of our activities. Floorings is laid over the filling of the
plinth and on subsequent floors.
Flooring can be done with different materials, but care must be given that the ground below the
floor is well compacted. Flooring is done to prevent dampness from rising to the top and to have
a firm platform that can be kept hygienic and clean.
6. Walls
Walls are the vertical elements on which the roof finally rests. They can be made of different
materials like bricks, stones, mud, concrete blocks, lateritic blocks etc. If the walls are very long,
columns can be provided to carry the roof.
Walls provide privacy and enclosure. Walls also provide security and protection against natural
elements such as wind, rain and sunshine.
Openings are to be provided in wall for access and ventilation.
7. Openings
Openings are normally provided in the walls as door, windows and ventilators.
Doors provide access; windows and ventilators provide light and ventilation.
Lintels are constructed just above the openings. It is normally a stone slab or a concrete slab.
Sill is the part of the wall that is just below the window.
Lintels are constructed to hold up the walls above the openings. In earthquake prone areas a
continuous lintel beam is provided all over the walls.
8. Stairs
A stair is a sequence of steps and it is provided to afford the means of ascent and descent
between the floors and landings.
The apartment or room of a building in which stair is located is called staircase. The space or
opening occupied by the stair is called a stairway.
There are different kind of stairs are used in buildings, like RCC stair, wooden stair, metal stair,
brick stair etc.
9. Roof
The roof provides protection for the building and the people living in it. The roof rests on the
walls and requires proper anchoring so that wind and other mechanical impact cannot destroy it.
A roof can have different shapes but it is always either flat or sloping.
Roof is typically made of RCC, stone slab, tiles etc.
10. Surfaces / Finishes
External finishes are the outer most layer of protection, which protect the structure from
weathering. Internal finishes are the layers given on internal faces. They give durability and
pleasing appearance to the inside.
Basic Com
COmponents of a Building
A building consists of following basic components.
1. Foundation.
Foundation is a very important part of a building.
All the loads of superstructure are transmitted to the foundation.
A foundation engineer should know how to examine the soil profile and arrive at a suitable foundation.
The following are some of the different types of foundation generally used:
1. Strip foundation (shallow foundations)
2. Footing foundation (shallow foundations)
3. Raft foundation (shallow foundations)
4. Pile foundation (deep foundations)
5. Pier foundation (deep foundations).
In framed construction, we use footings as the foundation for the column and the brickwork for walls starts from
grade beams connecting columns.
(Grade beams on under-reamed piles are also called capping beams).
Read Also: Unit Weight of Building Materials [A Complete List].
2. Plinth
The plinth is a dividing line between the substructure and superstructure.
Thus, the projecting part of the wall above the ground level to the floor level is the plinth.
The plinth is usually kept at least 45 cm (1.5 ft) above the general ground level of the building.
3. Plinth Beam.
It is capped by a beam called plinth beam.
The provision of a plinth beam and damp-proof course at plinth level are very important in building construction.
4. Damp Proof Course (D.P.C).
The damp proof course is a layer provided in building to prevent the entering of dampness from the ground to the
building components.
5. Walls and Columns.
Walls are mostly made of masonry.
It may be of brick, block-work, stonework, etc.
Buildings may also be constructed as a framed structure with columns and footings and
then Walled.
Most of the flats and high-rise buildings are built this way.
In many places in the masonry, we use arches and lintels.
6.Floors.
Floor is an important part of a building.
It is the place where the inhabitants perform their most activities.
It is constructed on the filling and laid over the plinth level.
Floors are usually made from different types of materials, such as, timber, brick, R.C.C.
Top floors are nowadays usually made of reinforced concrete.
Read Also: Fineness Test of Cement; Its Apparatus, Procedure.
7. Roof.
A roof is an important part of all buildings.
The most important item in housing is to have a “roof over one’s head.”
A roof is a layer which covers the structure from the top.
It also prevents the building and inhabitants from the ill effects of the environment.
Depending on the finances available and also the climatic conditions, we can have different kinds of roofs.
Roofs can be sloped or flat.
Many types of roofs and roofing materials are available nowadays.
Watch the video below for better understanding.
8. Fabrication of Doors and Windows.
Openings are necessary in buildings for passages inside and outside the buildings.
We also need windows for lighting and ventilation.
A detailed study of doors and windows is an important part of building construction as the expenditure on this item
alone can go up to 15 to 20 percent of the total cost of civil works.
Traditionally, doors and windows were made of wood and hence, this work is sometimes referred to as woodwork
in buildings.
Other woodworks like provision of cupboards are also important, but it comes under the subject of interior
decoration.
Read Also: Construction Specifications; Its Types, Importance.
9. Stairs and Lifts.
Nowadays most buildings are made more than one storey high.
Which means there should be a way to go from one storey of the building to another.
Knowledge of various elements of a staircase and the construction of a simple staircase is essential to all those
involved in building construction.
Study of the layout and design of ornamental staircases is a special subject.
Usually, vertical transportation devices like electric lifts are to be provided in buildings having more than four
floors including the ground floor.
We must also be familiar with these devices.
10. Building Finishes.
The final appearance of a building depends very much on its finishing.
We have to deal with the following:
1. Plastering and pointing
2. Painting of walls, woodwork, grillwork, etc.
It is essential that we have a knowledge of the finishing to be used on the various materials of construction such as
plaster, wood, metals, etc.
11. Building Services.
Water supply, drainage, sanitation, electric supply lifts, external works, construction of cupboard, etc. are
considered as items outside of civil works and are called building services.
Water supply, drainage, and sanitation (building service).
These works are considered separate from civil works and are also estimated separately.
Design and details of these will be studied in public health engineering under building services.
However, an elementary treatment of the subject is always included in basic building construction.
Electrical works (building service).
Lighting and supply of electricity for various pieces of equipment used in buildings also come under building
services.
The supply and distribution of electricity in a building is a specialized work to be carried out by an electrical
engineer.
However, the basics of these works are also usually dealt with in elementary building construction.
Usually, a lump sum equal to 25 to 30 percent of civil works is estimated as the probable expense for the above
two items taken together.
