Main Components of a Building

Building components includes the following main parts :

• (a) Substructure

• (b) Superstructure

Building components in both sub-structure and super-structure are as below :

1. Foundation

2. Plinth

3. Walls

4. Columns

5. Floors

6. Sills, lintels, and sheds

7. Doors, window, and ventilators

8. Roofs

9. Stairs, lifts, ramps

10. Building finishes

11. Utility fixtures or services

Building components of sub-structure includes:

Foundation-Structure:

The first and main building components include Foundation. Which is the main part of the building and in direct contact with the subsoil. Foundations are the important part that transmits all the load to the subsoil. A proper design foundation should transfer the loads to the subsoil, in such a way that the soil should not fail and the settlement should be within the permissible limits. The nature of the foundation depends on the type of soil. In the case of load-bearing walls, a spread footing may be designed. In the case of frame structures, rafts or piles may be the better option.

Cross Section of a building

Plinth: 

        The part of the building structure between the ground level and the top of the floor level immediately above the ground is known plinth. The plinth height is such that there is no possibility of rainwater entering the ground floor of the building.

The area measured at the plinth level known as the plinth area. The height of the plinth level should not exceed 45 centimeters.

Building Walls Structure:

        Walls are constructed to enclose or occupy a required space. Walls provide security, privacy, and protection from the weather. sun, rain, and cold. The walls divide the space so that maximum carpet area and minimum area of circulation are available. Building walls construct with bricks, stones, concrete blocks that are bound together with mortar and RCC.

Building components of a walls structure:

Types of building walls :

(i) Load-bearing walls.

(ii) Non-load bearing walls.

Load Bearing Building Walls:

Load-bearing walls are those walls that support the weight of a whole building.

Non-Load Bearing Building Walls :

Non-load bearing walls are those walls that support their own weight only and do not support the superimposed load of the structure, they act as partition walls only.

Columns :

Columns are vertical compression members which transfer the superimposed load from, the beams floors/roofs to the foundation, Based upon the material of construction, the columns may be classified as brick, RCC, PCC columns, etc. They are also classified based on their shapes such as a square, rectangular and circular, etc.

Column bearing loads

Floors : 

        Floors divide a building into different levels to create more accommodation on a given plot of land. The floor above the ground level is the ground floor. The floor below the ground floor is called the lower ground floor or basement. The function of the floor is to give a firm, rigid, dry, and even platform for the occupants of the building and for the furniture, fixture, and equipment, etc.

Building components of super-structure

A floor consists of the following two basic parts:

1. Subfloor

1. Flooring

Main Building Components

The subfloor:

The subfloor is the structural part that provides the strength and stability to support the superimposed load.
The second part of the flooring is a layer providing as per the desired specification for giving a suitable floor finish.

Sills, Lintels, and Sheds:

    Sills are provided between the bottom of the window and the top of the wall below in which the window is provided.

    The lintels are provided, over any kind of openings in walls such as windows, doors, and ventilators.

    Lintels support the weight of the wall above the openings.

    Sunshades and sheds are to protect the doors, windows, and ventilators from rain.

Doors, Windows, and Ventilators:

    Doors are necessary for a building to permit free movement inside and outside of the building. It is a movable component that fits in an opening in the wall. A door frame and a door shutter. 

    The door frame is fixed to the wall and the shutter is movable. Doors may open on the side, slide, fold, or any other type. Doors are of many materials like wood-plastic (PVC), steel. aluminum etc.

    The windows and ventilators are provided in the buildings for daylight, vision, and ventilation. Just like doors, windows also have a frame and shutter.

    The frame may be made up of any material like wood, steel, aluminum, etc., but the shutters are generally made up of transparent material like glass the number of windows and ventilators is calculated as per the requirements of the particular type of building and size of rooms.

Roofs:

    A roof is the topmost part of a building that provides shelter to keep out rain, snow, sun, and wind and to protect the building from its adverse effects. Roof decking supports the roof covering and its type depends upon the location of the building, weather conditions of the site, and funds available. Many types of roof decking naming flat slabs, pitched, dome-shaped, and shell structures, etc. are different types of roofs.

The purpose of providing a roof coating on the roof deck is to protect the building from all-weather effects. The roof coating is of various types, such as tiles, thatch, corrugated sheets, slates, etc. The choice depends upon the type of building, its location, and the type of roof decking.

For example:

In the case of flat roofs. the roof covering may consist of lime concrete and mud called terracing. The roof covering on the pitched decking may be in the form of tiles, slates, or sheets (asbestos, galvanized iron, etc.). The roof covering should be carefully constructed by giving a suitable slope for proper drainage of rainwater.

Stairs:

    Stairs are used for vertical movement inside the building structure, across various levels. The stairs, lifts, ramps, and escalators, etc., also utilize for the same purpose. A staircase is series of steps at a suitable distance that connects one floor to another. The design and planning of the staircase should aim to provide quick and comfortable movement to the user. Stairs are of many types e.g straight stairs, dog-legged stairs, open newel, circular, spiral, etc.

Building components used in structure Finishes:

    Building finishes are used to give a cosmetic and decorative touch to the building. They also provide a protective covering to the surface of the building, against the adverse effects of weather, Building finishes include the following items :

• Plastering

• Pointing

• White/color washing

• Painting

• Varnishing and polishing

• Distempering etc.

        Plastering is done on the walls, columns, and other surfaces by providing a thin layer of plaster made up of materials like cement, sand, and lime, etc.

        Pointing is done to finish the mortar joints in brick or stone masonry Painting, varnishing, and polishing is done on doors, windows, shelves, and all wood and steel items for durability.

        Whitewashing, color washing, and distempering are done to protect the surfaces against the weather and give a beautiful appearance.

Utility Fixtures or Building components and Services:

    Building services include services like electricity, water supply drainage, sanitation, air conditioning, ventilation, fire control, etc. These services should be designed and provided as per the provisions of the national building code and the provisions of the municipal bodies.