ELEMENTS OF A BUILDING

The basic elements of a building are following:

1.  Plinth
2.  Foundation
3.  Walls and columns
4.  Sills, lintels and chejjas
5.  Floors
6.  Doors and wind
7.  Roofs
8.  Steps, stairs and lifts
9.  Finishing work
10.  Building services.

The functions of these elements and the major requirement of them are presented in this article.

1. Foundation: Foundation is the most significant part of the building. For foundation first Building activity starts with digging the ground and then building it. It is the lower part of the building. It transfers the load of the building to the ground. Its major functions and requirements are:

1. To anchor the building to the ground so that under lateral loads building will not move.

2. Distribute the load from the structure to soil evenly and safely.

3. Due to lateral forces it prevents the building from overturning.

4. For the construction of super structure, it gives level surface

2. Plinth: The portion of the wall among the ground level and the ground floor level is called plinth. Usually it is of stone masonry. A plinth beam is cast to support wall above floor level if the foundation is on piles. At the top of plinth a damp proof course is provided. Usually It is 75 mm thick plain concrete course.

Function of the plinth is to keep the ground floor above ground level, free from dampness. Its height is not less than 450 mm. It is needed that plinth level is at least 150 mm above the road level, so connections to underground drainage system can be complete.

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. following wall performs the functions also apart from this :

1.      It encloses building area into different compartments and provides privacy.
2.      It keeps the building warm in winter and cool in summer.
3.      It provides safety from burglary and insects. 

4. Sills, Lintels and Chejjas: A window frame should not be placed over masonry directly. It is placed over 50 mm to 75 mm thick plain concrete course provided over the masonry. This course is called sill. Lintels are the R.C.C. or stone beams provided over the window and door openings to transfer the load transversely so as to see that or window or door frame is not stressed unduly. The width of lintels is equivalent to the width of wall whereas thickness to be provided depends upon the opening size. Chejja is projection given outside the wall to protect doors and windows from the rain. Usually they are made with use of R.C.C. In low cost houses stone slabs are provided as chejjas. Projection of chejja varies from 600 mm to 800 mm. Sometimes to improve acsethetic look drops are also provided to chejjas and also to get additional protection from sun and rain.

5. Doors and Windows: The function of a door is to provide access to different rooms in the building and to deny the access whenever compulsory. Number of doors should be minimum possible. The size of the door might be of such dimension as it shall facilitate the movement of the largest object likely to use the door.

In the building Windows are provided to get light and ventilation. From the floor level they are located at a height of 0.75 m to 0.9 m. the window area should be 15 to 20 per cent of the floor area In hot and humid regions,. Another thumb rule used to decide 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 essential component of a building. For the occupants they give working/useful area. By filling brick bats, waste stones, gravel the ground floor is prepared and well compacted with not less than 100 mm sand layer on its top. Incline concrete of 1 : 4 : 8, 100 mm thick is laid. Proof course may be provided on this a damp. Floor finishing is done then as per the requirement of the owner. With red oxide cheapest floor finish for a moderate house is with 20 to 25 mm rich mortar course finished. The costliest floor finish is marble or mossaic finishing.Usually other floors are of R.C.C. finished as per the requirements of the owner.

7. Roof: It is the top most portion of the building which provides top cover to the building. It must be leak proof. Sloping roof like A.C. and tiled sheet give leak proof cover simply. But for the construction of additional floor they do not give provision. Tiled roof give good thermal protection.

For additional floors Flat roofs give provision. Terrace adds to the comfort of occupants. Water tanks can be simply placed over the flat roofs.

8. Step, Stairs and Lifts: from ground level to ground floor level Steps give convenient access they are needed at doors in the outer wall. For steps 250 to 300 mm wide and 150 mm rise is ideal size. In no case the size of 2 consecutive steps is different. Number of steps needed depends upon the difference in the levels of the ground and the floor. Stairs provide access from floor to floor. They might consist of steps of uniform sizes.

Lifts are to be provided in all public buildings for the conveniences of old and disabled persons. In hostels G + 3 floors may be built with no lifts, but in residential flats maximum floors allowed without lifts is only G + 2. Lift is to be located near the entrance. Size of the lift is determined by the number of users in peak hours. With capacity 4 to 20 persons Lifts are available.

9. Finishing: Bottom portion of slab (ceiling), walls and top of floor require smooth finishing with plaster. With white wash, distemper or paints or tiles then they are provided. The function of finishing work is:

1.  Improve aesthetic view
2.  Give protective cover
3.  Finishing work for plinth consists in pointing while for floor it consists in polishing.
4.  Rectify defective workmanship

10. Building Services: sanitation, electric supply work , Water supply and drainage works, and construction of cupboards and specify cases constitute major building services.

From municipal supply or from tanker for storing water a sump is built in the house property near street. as to get water all the 24 hours  From the sump water is pumped to over head tanks placed on or above roof level so Plumbing work is made so as to get water in, bathrooms, kitchen, sinks and garden taps.

Down take pipes of at least 100 mm diameters might be used for draining rain water from roofs. Appropriate slopes should be given to roof towards down take pipe. These pipes might be fixed at 10 to 15 mm below the roof surface so that rain water is easily directed to the down take pipe

The sanitary fittings are to be linked to stone ware pipes having suitable traps and chambers. Stone ware pipes are then linked to underground drainage of municipal lines or to the septic tank.

Various carpentry works are needed for building service. They are in the form of cupboards, showcases, racks etc.

Electric supply is necessary part of building services. The building might be provided with enough points for supply of lights, fans, cooler, heater and other electric gadgets.