Lecture No.

2b
Buildings and
Building Components
Course Instructors:

P r of. D r. Ta u h a H u s s a i n A l i
E n g r. M u h a m m a d S a l e e m R a z a

D e pa r t m e n t of C i v i l E n g i n e e r i n g ,
M e h r a n U n i v e r s i t y O f E n g i n e e r i n g A n d Te c h n o l o g y, J a m s h o r o .
 Definition of a Building.
A permanent shelter constructed of whatsoever material, having walls and roof
and used for residential, business or other purposes is called a building.
The building is intended to provide following objectives:

1. To provide shelter to the inmates.

2. To provide sufficient accommodation for the purpose for which it is
constructed.
3. To provide protection to the inmates from outside weathering agents
(heat, glare of sun, snow, rain, cold etc.).
4. To provide the inmates a safe place to work or have rest.
Primary Functions
of a Building.
 Requirements of a Building
1. It should be situated on a good building site.

2. It should be properly planned and designed to provide adequate provision for

various activities

3. All the rooms of building should be placed according to their utilities.

4. It should provide proper privacy outside as well inside of building

 Requirements of a Building
5. There should be proper orientation to provide ventilation of fresh air,
morning sun in the living rooms.

6. Electric system should be properly designed and concealed sanitary

fittings.

7. It should have a good architectural appearance.

Broad Classification of the Buildings based upon the
mechanism of load transferred to the Foundation

Old Construction Building Modern Construction

Structures

Load-Bearing Framed
Structures Structures
What is the difference ??
Typical Example of Load-Bearing
Structure
Another Example of a Load-Bearing Structure
Yet another Example of Load-Bearing Structure
Typical Example of RCC Framed Structure
S. No. Framed Structures Load-Bearing Structures
1 Load transfer path is from slab to beam, Load transfer path is from slabs to walls
beam to column and column to footing. and walls to footing.
2 Multi -Storied buildings can be constructed. Limited- Storied buildings only be
constructed.
3 Though resistant to Earthquake, if not Less resistant to Earthquake.
properly designed can be more hazardous
also.
4 Carpet area available is more. Carpet area available is less.

5 Rarely used form of construction now

Mostly used form of construction.
days.
6 Speed of construction is more. Speed of construction is less.

7 It consumes less brick. It consumes more brick.

8 It consumes more cement & steel. It consumes less cement & steel.
S. No. Framed Structures Load-Bearing Structures

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It is prone to corrosion. It is not affected by corrosion.

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Cost of repairs is more. Cost of repairs is less.

11 Thickness of wall can be maintained Thickness of wall cannot be maintained

uniform throughout. uniform throughout.
12 There is great flexibility in architectural There is no flexibility in architectural
design as there is no need to construct design as walls need to be constructed
walls over walls. And hence room layout on over walls. And hence room on different
different floors can be different. floors cannot be changed.
13 There is flexibility in changing room It is not possible to change room
dimensions. dimensions.
14 Cantilever element can be easily provided Inclusion of Cantilever element is difficult
in the system. and permitted up to short span only.
15 No Limitation of span but column/wall may Limitations of span.
obstruct free area.
General Components of a Building.
Components of
a Building

Sub-Structure Super-Structure

Foundation Masonry units

Floors, roofs

Doors, windows,
finishes etc.
Sub-Structure
Sub-structure or Foundation is the lower portion of the building, usually located
below the ground level, which transmits the loads of the super-structure to the
supporting soil. A foundation is therefore that part of the structure which is in
direct contact with the ground to which the loads are transmitted.
Super-Structure
Super-structure is that part of the structure which is above ground level, and which
serves the purpose of its intended use.
A part of the super-structure, located between the sub-structure and the super-structure
is known as plinth.
Thus, the plinth is the demarcation line of the sub and super structure.

(Task: Locate the plinth level of Civil Engineering Department, Mehran UET)
Typical examples
of super-structure
 Aspects in Building Design
• Many aspects are involved in the preliminary planning and design of buildings.
• An architect specializes in planning the orientation, layout, dimension of the rooms of
the building and the preparation of the features to make the building attractive.
• Work of small scale such small houses may be taken by non-architects also.
• However, the construction of a building should always be carried out under the
supervision of a qualified person.
• We shall now briefly examine the different components of building.
Foundations.
Foundation
 Foundation is a very important part of a building.
 Foundation engineering is a special subject.
 Foundation engineer should know how to examine the soil profile and arrive at a
suitable Foundation.
 Different types of foundation generally used:
1. Strip foundation (shallow foundation)
2. Footing foundation (shallow foundation)
3. Raft foundation (shallow foundation)
4. Pile foundation (deep foundation)
5. Pier foundation (deep foundation)

We shall further study in more detail in upcoming lectures.

Walls and Column.
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 in filled.
 Most of the flats and high-rise buildings are built this way.
 In many places in the masonry, we use arches and lintels.
 Their study also forms part of masonry construction.
Floors
Floors
 We must study the details of construction of the ground floors constructed on
the ground as well as the top floors.
 These top floors are nowadays usually made of reinforced concrete.
 A detailed study of concrete work, formwork and placing of steel reinforcement
comes under this head.
 Different types of floor finishes for these floors are also to be studied.
Roofs
Roofs
 Roof is an important part of all buildings.
 Roofs can be sloped or flat.
 Many types of roofs and roofing materials are available nowadays.
 Their study is absolutely essential for a building engineer.
 Another important study is how to make the roofs waterproof and heat-or-
weather proof.
Doors and Windows
Doors and Windows
 Openings are necessary in buildings for passages inside and outside the
buildings.
 We also need windows for lighting ventilation.
 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.
Stairs and lifts
Stairs and Lift
 Nowadays, most buildings are made more than one storey height.
 A knowledge of various elements of a staircase and the construction of simple
staircase is essential to all those involved in building construction.
 Usually, vertical transportation devices (lifts) are to be provided in buildings
having more than four floors including the ground floor.
Building finishes
Building Finishes
 The final appearance of a building depends very much on its
finishing. We need to deal with the following:
◦ Plastering and pointing
◦ Painting of walls, woodwork, grillwork, etc.

 It is essential to have a knowledge of the finishes to be used on

the various material of construction such as plaster, wood, metals,
etc.
Building Services
Building Services
Water supply, drainage, sanitation, electric supply lifts, external works,
construction of cupboard, etc. are considered as items outside civil works and are
called building services.
These works are also estimated separately.
Design and details of these are to be seen in public health engineering under
building service.
Various types of drawings used in the construction

Drawings

Drawings for Approval Working Drawings

Different types of drawings used in the construction
• Different drawing is prepared for different purpose.
• Drawing for approval is prepared for submitting to government agencies to
approve.
• After review, justification and modification in various stages the drawing is
approved for construction.
• Approved drawing is finally supplied to construction site. These drawings are
called working drawings.
• Working drawings are prepared for construction project. These are also known as
Construction Drawings.
• Construction drawing should have detail measurement and clear section of every
part of building.
Different Types of Drawings
required in construction projects
1. Architectural drawing: This type of drawing gives a complete view of building. It describes
the location of a building and where to place every parts of building etc. It holds many other
drawing sheets of different names. Such as plan, elevation, section etc.
2. Structural drawing: Its name describes about it. It explains everything about structure such as
strength of different part of structure, structural material, placement, grade and size of
reinforcement etc. It also contains many other different named drawing sheets inside it.
3. Plumbing and sanitary drawing: This type of drawings show the location of sanitary and
water supply piping and fixture and how to connect every fixture etc.
4. Electrical drawing: This kind of drawings describe the location and details of electrical wiring,
fixtures and sub-station etc. It also shows the electrical load calculation.
5. Finishing drawing: It includes all drawing about finishes and out looking of building such as
tiles, marble granite etc. Sometimes this type of drawing included with architectural drawing.
Components of
Various Drawings
Various Steps in the Construction
of a Residential Building
Designing of
Investigation of Approval of
Site Inspection various
Foundation Drawings
drawings

Interior finishes Electric and

Site
and Boundary Plumbing Execution
Preparation
walls works
Orientation of a Building
Building orientation refers to the way a building is situated on a site and the
positioning of windows, rooflines, and other features.
Definition: “The art of placing a site in such a position so that its main front faces a
particular direction is orientation of building. It also includes the arrangement of the
rooms to provide natural comforts to the inmates”
 Orientation of a building is a very important consideration because, through optimum
orientation of a building, we can achieve maximum comforts from the natural sources
without increasing the power consumption of a building.
Considerations in Orientation of Building
Considerations

Environmental Physical
Considerations Considerations

Sun Direction

Wind Direction
In Northern Hemisphere
In Southern Hemisphere
Orientation Plan
Orientation Plan
 Physical Considerations
• Natural contour of land
• Natural vegetation and trees
• Size of land and/or proposed building
• Shape of land and/or proposed building
• Approach and access roads and footpaths
• Proposed future developments
• Services availability
• Natural water ways, Lakes and ponds
• Restrictions such as rights of way; tree preservation and ancient
buildings
• Climate conditions created by surrounding properties, land or
activities
• Proposed future developments
 Objects of Orientation
It is done to achieve the following objects:

To place the buildings to suits its surroundings

To provide natural comforts to the inmates.
To provide maximum privacy to the inmates
To protect the residents from noise, dust pollution.
To protect the building from maximum direct showers of rain, in order to
prevent the dampness of the buildings.
To have good planning and designing

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Factors Affecting Orientation of Building
Surrounding of site:- The building is to oriented in such a direction so that it
suits surrounding.
Easy approach to roads and streets:- The building should be oriented in such a
way so that it should have an easy approach to the main roads and streets

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 Factors Affecting Orientation of Building
 Passage of sunlight and its position with respect to locality:-

 The sun is a good ventilating agent and is a big source of natural

light and temperature.
 It also helps in killing the germs of harmful disease.
 Therefore, it is essential to orientate the building in a way that
there should be sufficient fall of sun rays on the building, and also
enters into rooms though doors and windows.

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Factors Affecting Orientation of Building
The direction and intensity of wind/air in summer
and winter season:- The building should be oriented
in such a manner that cool breeze enters the bedroom
during nights in summer but not in winter.
Intensity of the rain:- Direct entry of rain into the
room should be avoided/prevented. The minimum
protein of building should be exposed to direct
showers of rain in order to prevent from dampers
inside the building

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Self Assessment
 What will be the ideal orientation for a residential bungalow located in
Qasimabad if the plot is west open and covered from all sides?
 How orientation will be affected in northern and southern hemispheres?