FUNCTIONS OF BUILDING COMPONENTS.

22JAN
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FUNCTIONS OF BUILDING COMPONENTS.
To build means making use of solid materials to create a space that will fulfil a particular
function. The building as a structure must fulfill the following conditions:

Satisfy the need for which it was built (function).

Must resist the loads coming to it i.e. (must be stable).
Must continue to fulfill its function (durability).
Must be achieved with the minimum use of resources. (economy).
Buildings are constructed to serve a range of purposes viz:
for shelter, to have a conducive place for work, for schools, industries, entertainment and all
you can think of.
Buildings are produced by the coordination of the inputs of a group of people, under the
provisions of a guiding law called the building regulations.
A building is broadly divided into two parts: (1) substructure, (2) superstructure. The portion
of the building below the ground is the substructure and the portion above it is the
superstructure. The components of a building can be broadly summarized as follows:

Foundations
Walls
Floors
Doors and windows
Stairs
Roof
Services etc.
FOUNDATIONS.
It is the lowest part of a structure below the ground level and which is in direct contact with
the ground, and transmits all dead, live and other loads to the soil beneath in a manner that
these do not stress the soil beyond its safe allowable bearing capacity. The function of the
foundation is, therefore, to spread the load from a building to the ground so that any
movement that will occur do not cause damage to any part of the building. The foundation
should be strong and this is influenced by the kind of materials used for its construction. It
should be stable, and this is dependent on the way in which the foundation transmits the
load to the soil, and the way in which the soil reacts.

STRUCTURAL STABILITY.
The different parts of the building is subjected to a number of forces. These forces when
they act on any part of the building cause the deformation of the parts. Buildings, however,
should be capable of resisting these forces, and their ability to do so lies in their strength.
The forces that act on the foundation of a building are the weight of the building which acts
downwards. On the other hand, the soil on which the building rests is offering some amount
of resistance and this reaction is in the upward direction. The foundation is, therefore in
between two forces acting in opposite directions, and thus is in compression. (compression
is a state in which a body has its length shortened because two forces are pushing on it from
both ends). Foundations should be built with material that is good in compression which can
resist the effect of the two forces on the foundation.

Now, the materials that are used in the construction of the foundation are usually stronger
than the natural soil which has to support them. It is, therefore important that the forces
acting through the foundation are distributed over a wider area. It is also assumed that
these forces acting on a building is spread by the foundation through an angle of 45 o from
the vertical. This is achieved by making the foundation wider and thicker.

The soil is a mixture of air and water, and is easily compressible when pressure from the
building acts on it. Again since we cannot change the soil but take it as it is, the only
remedies are:

Spread the load from the foundation over a wider area.

Take the load to a greater depth where the soil is stronger.

SETTLEMENTS.
The pressure which the foundation exerts on the soil compresses the soil making the
foundation to move downwards. This is called settlement. As earlier listed as one of the
functions of foundation, it shoul be able to transfer the load safely without causing uneven
settlement of the building.
Settlement of the soil is caused by the action of the weight of the building downwards. But in
the real sense, settlement results from the water in the soil being forced out of it making the
solid particles to pack closely together. Anything that will cause the change of volume of
water in the soil is likely to cause settlement and consequently movement of the building.
Conversely, if the water table rise as in the rainy reason, the result is that the soil swells
causing the soil to move upwards. If this happens, the foundation is lifted and you can
imagine what effect this would leave on the building.
CAUSES OF SETTLEMENT OF FOUNDATION.
The causes of foundation settlement are rarely due to the design (or under-design) of the
structure itself. More commonly, damage is caused as changes occur within the foundation
soils that surround and support the structure. The following are a few of the more common
causes of foundation settlement.

Weak Bearing Soils

Some soils are simply not capable of supporting the weight or bearing pressure exerted by a
buildings foundation. As a result, the footings press or sink into the soft soils, similar in
theory to how a person standing in mud sinks into soft, wet clay. In such cases, footings may
be designed to spread the load over the weak soils, thereby reducing potential foundation
settlement.

Poor Compaction
Placement of fill soils is common practice in the development of both commercial and
residential subdivisions. In general, hilltops are cut down and valleys are filled in order to
create buildable areas. Properly placed and compacted fill soils can provide adequate
support for foundations. When fill soils are not adequately compacted, they can compress
under a foundation load resulting in settlement of the structure.

Changes in Moisture Content

Extreme changes in moisture content within foundation soils can result in damaging
settlement. Excess moisture can saturate foundation soils, which often leads to softening
or weakening of clays and silts. The reduced ability of the soil to support the load results in
foundation settlement. Increased moisture within foundation soils is often a consequence of
poor surface drainage around the structure, leaks in water lines or plumbing, or a raised
groundwater table.
Soils with high clay contents also have a tendency to shrink with loss of moisture. As clay
soils dry out, they shrink or contract, resulting in a general decrease in soil volume.
Therefore, settlement damage is often observed in a structure supported on dried-out soil.
Drying of foundation soils is commonly caused by extensive drought-like conditions,
maturing trees and vegetation

Maturing Trees and Vegetation

Maturing trees, bushes and other vegetation in close proximity to a home or building are a
common cause of settlement. As trees and other vegetation mature, their demand for water
also grows. The root systems continually expand and can draw moisture from the soil
beneath the foundation. Again, clay-rich soils shrink as they lose moisture, resulting in
settlement of overlying structures. Many settlement problem takes decades after the
structure was built to happen. This period coincides with the maturation and growth of the
trees and vegetation.

Soil Consolidation
Consolidation occurs when the weight of a structure or newly-placed fill soils compress
lower, weak clayey soils. The applied load forces water out of the clay soils allowing the
individual soil particles to become more densely spaced. Consolidation results in downward
movement or settlement of overlying structures.
DURABILITY.
Foundations are subjected to compressive forces, built in soils that are often damp, and
which contain harmful chemicals and salts that may affect the material used for its
construction. Insect, animals may find their way through it wrecking their havoc on it, roots
of trees close by as we have analyzed in settlement will have their effect on the foundation.
The effects of these forces may be minimized if durable materials are used in the
construction of the foundation. The material used for the foundation is usually concrete. And
the walls are equally given special treatment like filling hollow sandcrete blocks with weak
concrete and rendering the walls.
1.2. WALLS.
These are constructed with various types of material ranging from blocks, bricks, concrete,
stones. The external walls separate the outside from the inside, and enclose the space
within. The internal walls help to divide the building into room spaces and are called
partition walls.
FUNCTIONS OF WALL.
1.

It should support upper floors and roofs together with their super imposed loads; this function is taken
care of by the strength of the walling materials. Blocks are made to a specific strength. Below this
strength, the blocks may not be able to withstand load.
2.
Walls should resist damp penetration. Water may enter the building through the wall through a number
of ways:
Water penetration from the driving force of rain

Rising damp i.e. water rising up from the ground through the walls. If water penetrate the
building, the following are likely to happen:

The growth of fungus will be favoured

Furnitures in the building will be destroyed
An uncomfortable temperature which injurious to human health will set in.

Walls can resist damp penetration by:

Using thick layer of material which allows water to pass through slowly, such that when
favorable condition for evaporation comes, the water evaporates without reaching the inner face of the
wall.
Introducing cavity walls i.e. two leaves of block. This will help create a discontinuity
in the passage of water to the other leaf.Cavity walls are generally found on dwellings
built after 1932. Before this, the main form of construction in the UK was the
solid masonry wall. Cavity walls are constructed of two masonry (brick or block) walls,
with a cavity (gap) of at least 50mm (2 inches) between.Originally, the main reason for the
cavity was to prevent penetration from rain and damp.

Introducing DPC and DPM in the case of rising damp.

3.

Walls should provide adequate thermal insulation. Thermal insulation ensures that:

Excessive heat loss from the building is prevented

A large heat gain from outside in hot weather is also prevented.
Condensation is prevented.
Expansion and contraction of the structure is reduced.
In summary, thermal insulation ensures that a reasonable internal temperature is
maintained. Materials used as walling material should have the features able to make them
perform well.
4.

walls should provide sufficient sound insulation. Around us are sources from which noise enters the
building making the occupants uncomfortable with its effect. The intensity of noise decreases if there is a

considerable distance between the source and the receiver. A barrier between the source of the sound
and the hearer will reduce the effect even more. The external wall acts as a barrier in the sense that when
sound waves strike the surface of the wall, some of the sound is reflected, some absorbed and some set
the wall vibrating, thus setting up sound waves on the opposite face. The greater the mass of the walling
material, the more it will absorb the sound and provide greater sound insulation. Any opening in the wall
allows sound to pass through. For effective sound insulation, wall material must be thick and air tight.
sound insulation of walls is improved by rendering, lining with independent steel stud acoustic quilt.

5.

Walls should offer adequate fire resistance. Fire is not only spread by combustible materials around the
house, but it can adversely affect the wall that encloses the internal space (i.e. in the sense of conducting
heat and igniting a closer materials. Walls, must, therefore, be constructed with materials that would
reduce fire spread both from the inside and outside of the house. This means that walling materials must
retain sufficient strength to stand up long enough for the people inside to leave the building. When walls
have to constructed with different materials, it is necessary to consider how the materials react to fire in
order to know how to combine them so that they can provide the necessary fire resistance. In choosing
materials for walls, it is not only important to go for non combustible materials, but also to consider
whether the material will not lose its strength very quickly.

______________________________________________________________________
Foundation:

The most lower part of the building. The main function of the foundation is to
transfer load to sub soil. It is the most important part of structure. Most of the
failure of a structure may happen due to foundation failure. Foundation should
be strong enough to meet the following requirements-

It should be strong enough to distribute the load to sub soil.

It is capable to support structure.
Read More: Types of Foundation
Plinth:

The part between surrounding ground level and ground floor of the building is
called plinth. The purposes of the plinth are-

Transfer the incoming load from super structure to the foundation.

Provide damp proof to the building

Support the back filling as a retaining wall.

Plinth also increases the esthetical look of the building.

Keep in mind that, sometimes, plinth isn't considered as sub structure and
count it as an individual part of a structure.

Super structure:
The part above plinth level is called super structure. Super structure contains
many other structural components. Such asWall
Floor/Slab
Lintel and sunshade
Step and stair
Roof
Wall: Wall is used to separate the usable area of floor for different purpose.
Such as bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living etc. Other prime purpose of wall is

to provide privacy and security.

Floor: The main purpose of floor is to provide better living space and support
of occupants, furniture and other equipment of a building. The purpose of
making different floor in different level of a building is to create
more accommodation within limited space. Floor should be strong, durable,
damp prove and heat protected.
Lintel and Sunshade: Lintel is provided for the purpose of supporting wall
above door or window opening. Sunshade is generally combined with lintel
above window opening to protect rain and sun.
Read More: Types of RCC Lintel
Step and Stair: Stair is made for easy communication among various floors
of a building. Stair consists of steps. steps height should be comfortable
enough for vertical movement.
Roof: The top most part of a building is the roof. Roof is build for the purpose
of enclosing and protect the living area/floor area from weather effect. Roof
should be stable, durable and weather resistant.
There are also others structural parts of a building. Such as water tank, septic
tank and parapet etc. Septic tank and under ground water tank is completely
separate structural part and not included in building structure. But, parapet
and overhead water tank are parts of building structure.

platform

platfrm/

noun
1.

1.
a raised level surface on which people or things can stand.
"there are viewing platforms where visitors may gape at the chasm"

Foundation PlanA FOUNDATION PLAN is a top view of thefootings

or foundation walls, showing their areaand their location by distances between
centerlines and by distances from reference lines orboundary
lines. Actually, it is a horizontalsection view cut through the walls of
thefoundation showing beams, girders, piers orcolumns, and openings, along
with dimensionsand internal composition.

FOOTING:
The supporting base or groundwork of a structure, as for a monument or wall. Also called footer.

A foundation structure (or, more commonly, foundations) the element of an architectural

structure which connects it to the ground, and transfers loads from the structure to the ground.
Foundations are generally considered either shallow or deep.[1] Foundation engineering is the
application of soil mechanics and rock mechanics (Geotechnical engineering) in the design of
foundation elements of structures.

girder
(grdr)
n.
A beam, as of steel, wood, or reinforced concrete, used as a main horizontal support in a building or bridg
e.

What is a beam?
Beams support mainly vertical loads, and are small in cross-section compared with their
span. Engineering diagrams adopt simple conventions to represent beams, supports and
loads.
This section deals specifically with the engineering design of beams. Although "beam" is a
word in common usage for engineering design, it has a very particular definition. A beam is
a structural member which spans horizontally between supports and carries loads which act
at right angles to the length of the beam. Furthermore, the width and depth of the beam are
"small" compared with the span. Typically, the width and depth are less than span/10.