1. Foundation: Foundation is the most important part of the building.
Building activity starts with digging the ground for foundation and then
building it. It is the lower most part of the building. It transfers the load
of the building to the ground. Its main functions and requirements are:
(a) Distribute the load from the structure to soil evenly and safely.
(b) To anchor the building to the ground so that under lateral loads
building will not move.
(c) It prevents the building from overturning due to lateral forces.
(d) It gives level surface for the construction of super structure.
2. Plinth: The portion of the wall between the ground level and the ground
floor level is called plinth. It is usually of stone masonry. If the foundation
is on piles, a plinth beam is cast to support wall above floor level. At the
top of plinth a damp proof course is provided. It is usually 75 mm thick
plain concrete course.
The function of the plinth is to keep the ground floor above ground level,
free of dampness. Itsheight is not less than 450 mm. It is required that
plinth level is at least 150 mm above the road level, so that connections to
underground drainage system can be made.
3. Walls and Columns: The function of walls and columns is to transfer
the load of the structure vertically downwards to transfer it to foundation.
Apart from this wall performs the following functions also:
(a) It encloses building area into different compartments and provides
privacy.
(b) It provides safety from burglary and insects.
(c) It keeps the building warm in winter and cool in summer.
4. Sills, Lintels and Chejjas: A window frame should not be directly
placed over masonry. It is placed over 50 mm to 75 mm thick plain
concrete course provided over the masonry. This course is called as sill.
Lintels are the R.C.C. or stone beams provided over the door and window
openings to transfer the load transversely so as to see that door or window
frame is not stressed unduly. The width of lintels is equal to the width of
wall while thickness to be provided depends upon the opening size.
Chejja is the projection given outside the wall to protect doors and
windows from the rain. They are usually made with R.C.C. In low cost
houses stone slabs are provided as chejjas. The projection of chejja varies
from 600 mm to 800 mm. Sometimes drops are also provided to chejjas
to improve aesthetic look and also to get additional protection from sun
and rain.
5. Doors and Windows: The function of a door is to give access to
different rooms in the building and to deny the access whenever
necessary. Number of doors should be minimum possible.
The size of the door should be of such dimension as will facilitate the
movement of the largest object likely to use the door.
Windows are provided to get light and ventilation in the building. They
are located at a height of 0.75 m to 0.9 m from the floor level. In hot and
humid regions, the window area should be 15 to 20 per cent of the floor
area. Another thumb rule used to determine the size and the number of
windows is for every 30 m3 of inside volume there should be 1 m2
window opening.
6. Floors: Floors are the important component of a building. They give
working/useful area for the occupants. The ground floor is prepared by
filling brick bats, waste stones, gravel and well compacted with not less
than 100 mm sand layer on its top. A lean concrete of 1 : 4 : 8, 100 mm
thick is laid. On this a damp proof course may be provided. Then floor
finishing is done as per the requirement of the owner.
Cheapest floor finish for a moderate house is with 20 to 25 mm rich mortar
course finished with red oxide. The costliest floor finish is mossaic or
marble finishing.
Other floors are usually of R.C.C. finished as per the requirements of the
owner.
7. Roof: Roof is the top most portion of the building which provide top
cover to the building. It should be leak proof.
Sloping roof like tiled and A.C. sheet give leak proof cover easily.​

abdrahmanovamir123    3   25.04.2021 11:46    3