ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF A BUILDING
Every family needs a building for housing. In addition to residential purposes, buildings are required for educational, institutional, business, assembly, and industrial purposes. Buildings are also essential for storing material. In this article, I will write about the elements of a building that are essential for any type of building.
The functions and the basic requirements of these elements are presented in this article.
The basic elements of the building are as follows:
1. Foundation:
The foundation is the most important part of the building. The activity of the building begins by digging the ground for the foundation and then building it. This is the lowest part of the building. It moves the building load to the ground. Its main functions and requirements are:
(a) Distribute the load evenly and securely from structure to clay.
(B) Anchor the building to the ground so that the building does not run under the background.
(c) It prevents the building from overturning due to background forces.
(d) It provides the surface area for the construction of superstructures.
2. Plinth:
This part of the wall between the ground surface and the lower surface is called the placenta. It is usually made of stone masonry. If the foundation is on the piles, a pinch beam has been laid to support the wall above the floor level. A moist proof course is provided at the top of the plate. It is usually a plain concrete course 75 mm thick.
Plinth's job is to keep the ground surface moist. Its height is not less than 450 mm. It is necessary that the plot level be at least 150 mm above the road level so that the underground drainage system can be connected.
3. Walls and Columns:
The function of the walls and columns is to move the load downward vertically so that it can be moved to the foundation. In addition to this wall also performs the following functions:
(a) It closes the building area in different parts and provides privacy.
(b) It provides protection against theft and pest.
(c) It keeps the building warm in the winter and cools in the summer.
4. Sills, Lintels:
The window should not be framed more than the masonry. It is placed on a plain concrete course 50 mm to 75 mm thick provided above masonry. This course is called SILL.
Lintel R.C.C. Or, stone beams are provided at the door and window openings to transfer the load temporarily so that the door or window frames are not suppressed. The width of the lintels is equal to the width of the wall while the thickness provided depends on the opening size.
5. Doors and Windows:
The function of the door is to give access to different rooms in the building and to refuse whenever necessary. Minimize the number of doors possible. The size of the door should be wide enough to facilitate the movement of the largest item to use the door.
Windows are provided to provide light and ventilation to the building. They are located 0.75 meters to 0.9 meters above the surface. In hot and humid areas, the window area should be 15 to 20 percent of the floor area. Another rule of thumb that is used to determine the size and number of windows is within each 30 m3 volume where a 1 m2 window should open.
6. Floors:
Floors are an important component of a building. They provide a working area for residents. The ground floor is prepared by filling brickbats, useless stones, gravel, and is well compacted with a sand layer of less than 100 mm on top of it. A thin concrete of 1: 4: 8, 100 mm thick has been laid. A moist proof course can be provided on this. The floor is then finished according to the requirements of the owner. The cheapest floor finish for a moderate home is 20 to 25 mm with a rich mortar course with red oxide. The most expensive floor function is mosaic or marble fining.
Other destinations are usually RCC's. Finished according to the owner's requirements.
7. Roof:
The roof is the top part of the building that provides the top cover to the building. This should be leakproof.
sloping roofs such as tiled and AC sheet leak-proof cover are easily provided. But they have no plans to build an additional floor. The tiled roof provides good thermal protection.
Flat roofs provide additional floor coverings. The terrace enhances the comfort of the residents. Water tanks can be easily mounted on flat roofs
8. Step, Stairs, and Lifts:
The steps provide easy access from ground level to ground level. They are needed on the exterior wall doors. Ideal size for measures 250 to 300 mm wide and 150 mm wide. In either case, the size of two consecutive steps is not different. The number of steps required depends on the difference in the ground and floor level. Stairs allow the floor to floor access. They should consist of measures of the same size.
Elevator facilities for the elderly and disabled are to be provided in all public buildings. Hostels can have G + 3 floors built without lifts, but residential flats have only G + 2 floors without lifts. The elevator is located near the entrance. Lift volume is determined by the number of users during peak hours. Lifts are available from 4 to 20 people.
9. Finishing:
The bottom part of the slab, the top of the walls and the floor need a smooth finish with plaster. Then they are provided with a whitewash, distemper or paint or tile. Here's how to finish the job:
(a) Provide a protective cover
(b) Improve the aesthetic approach
(c) Improve poor workmanship
(D) Indicate completion of work for fine work while for the floor it contains polishing
10. Building Services:
Water supply, cleaning, and drainage work, power supply, and cabinets and showcases create excellent building services. A sump has been erected on the property near the street to store water from the municipal supply or tanker. From the sump, water is pumped into the overhead tanks placed at or above the surface of the roof to receive water within 24 hours. Plumbing is designed to provide water in kitchens, bathrooms, water rooms, sinks and garden taps.
To remove rainwater from the roof, use a pipe of at least 100 mm diameter from the bottom. A suitable slope should be provided on the roof towards the down take pipe. These pipes should be fixed 10 to 15 mm below the surface of the roof so that rainwater can easily guide downward pipes. Sanitary fittings are to be fitted with stone trap pipes with proper traps and chambers. Then the stone material pipes are connected to the drainage pipeline or septic tank underground.
Building service requires a lot of carpentry work. They are in the form of showcases, cupboards, racks, etc.
The power supply is an integral part of construction services. The building should provide enough points for the supply of lights, fans, and other electrical appliances.
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