A building structure consists of a foundation or substructure, Basement and Superstructure. The below drawing shows the different components of a single-storey building with an R.C.C. flat roof.
Foundation
Foundation is the portion of a building below the ground level (G.L). It transmits the load coming from the superstructure to the soil. There are different types of foundations to be used in the structure.
Footings
Footings are stepped courses in the foundation. These are constructed in bricks or stone (Random Rubble / Course Rubble) masonry or concrete under the base of the wall or column. Footing distributes the load of the superstructure over a larger area. There are different types of the footing to be used in the foundation.
Basement
The basement is in-between ground level and the plinth level. There will be one or two masonry footing in the basement. The space between the floor and the ground is filled with sand.
The floor constructed below the ground level is known as the basement floor. The above explanation of the basement is valid only where there is no basement floor.
The basement provides a raised platform for the floor. It serves as a base for laying the floor. The exterior wall in the basement retains the earth filling.
Super Structure
The superstructure is the portion of the building above the plinth (floor) level to the roof. Includes:
- Plinth, Flooring and damp proof course
- Masonry walls
- Doors, Windows and Ventilations
- Lintel and Sunshades
- R.C.C roof slab including Weathering course
- Parapet wall and Coping
Flooring
It forms part of the basement. The top-level flooring is called Floor level. It coincides with the Plinth level. Flooring will be in plain cement concrete (P.C.C) of 1:4:8 mix of above 130 mm thick. It is plastered with a cement mortar of 1:3 mix of 20mm thick.
Floor Area
The floor area of a building is the total area of the floor between walls. It consists of an area of rooms, a verandah, a staircase, an entrance hall, stores, toilets, sit-out, etc.
Floor Area = Total Area of the floor in between the walls = Plinth area – Area occupied by walls. The area occupied by the walls may be 10 to 15% of the plinth area.
Carpet Area
The Carpe area of a building is a useful area or livable area. It is the floor area, excluding the entrance hall, verandah, passages, kitchen, etc.
Plinth area
The plinth area is the built-up covered area of a building, measured at the floor level of any storey. It is calculated by measuring the external dimensions of the building at the floor level. Open areas, balconies, etc., projections are not included in the plinth area.
Damp Proof Course (D.P.C)
It is a layer of an impervious material provided at the plinth level to check dampness in-wall and to prevent moisture from getting through the foundation.
Masonry Walls
Masonry walls are of bricks, stones, marble, granite, concrete blocks, tiles, etc. Cement Mortar or lime Mortar is used for binding materials.
sill level
It is the bottom horizontal level of the window.
Lintel level
It is the top horizontal level of the door or window.
Lintel Beam
The lintel beam is the horizontal member placed over the opening such as the door or window, to support the structure above the opening. It is made of either R.C.C., wood or stone.
Sunshade
It is a projection from the wall provided above the window or door.
R.C.C Roof slab
It is a flat or inclined structure provided as s cover to the building R.C.C. roof slab is used to protect the building from weathering conditions, viz, rain, sun, wind, etc. Generally, the roof slab is constructed of R.C.C (Reinforced cement concrete) of about 125m thick or above.
Ceiling
The lower level of the roof slab exposed to the room is known as the ceiling. The height of all rooms for human habitation shall not be less than 2750mm measured from the surface of the floor to the bottom of the roof.
Weathering Course
It is 100mm thick brick jelly lime concrete. It is laid over the roof slab. It protects the roof from weathering actions of sunshine, rain, wind, etc.
Parapet Wall
It is a short wall of about 450mm to 600mm built over the roof all around the building. It prevents anybody, especially, children, from falling from the top of the roof of the building. Also, it fulfils the architectural requirement of the building.
Coping
It is a projection of the top of the parapet wall on the outside or both sides.
Steps
Steps are in brickwork in cement mortar 1:5 laid on P.C.C base. Sometimes concrete, tiles or granite are also used in steps for aesthetic purposes.
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