Session-3

Building Construction

Prof. Prahlad R
 Components of Building
Components of a building
Contd
Foundation
It is the lowest part of the structure
foundation is necessary to evenly
distribute the entire building load on
the soil in such a manner that no
damage or settlements take place.
Types of foundation
Shallow Foundation
Deep foundation
Marking Foundatio
n

Excavation
Plinth

A plinth is normally
constructed just above
the ground level and
immediately after the
foundation.
It raises the floor above
the ground level and
herewith prevents
surface water from
entering the building.
Damp proof course (DPC)

Dampness reduces the

strength of the walls and
creates unhealthy living
conditions.
Also it affects the paint and
plaster and increase the cost
of maintenance
Damp proof course is a layer
of water proofing material
such as asphalt or waterproof
cement.
Walls are constructed above
the damp proof course.
It prevents surface water from
rising into the walls.
Masonry
Brick masonry
Brick masonry is the process of
constructing a building (wall)
from individual bricks laid in a
specific pattern and bound
together, usually by mortar.
Basically, the mortar joints are
the weakest as well as the most
expensive part of the masonry.
Bonding means overlapping of
bricks in a wall in alternate
courses, to bind the whole wall
together. It is essential to
eliminate continuous vertical
joints
 An un-bonded wall, with its
continuous vertical joints, has
little strength and stability and
such joints in general must be
avoided

Closer: it is a portion of brick cut

in such a manner that its one
long face remain uncut
King closer Queen closer

Bonds in Brick work

Stretcher bond Header bond

 English bond Flemish bond

Racking
bond

Points to observed in the brick work

construction:
The bricks used should be sound, hard and
well burnt with uniform size and shape.
The bricks should be thoroughly soaked in
clear water before use.
.
 No brick bats should be used in the
work except closers.
Must ensure that proper bond is
maintained throughout the work
The frog in the brick should be at top
and filled with mortar
Proper check should be made at an
specified interval to check the verticality
and level of the masonry
All the finished masonry work should be
cured for a span of 2 weeks.
 Stone masonry
if construction is carried using stones with
cement or lime mortar termed as stone
masonry
Stone masonry

Rubble masonry Ashlar Masonry

1. Random Rubble 1. Ashlar Fine

2. Uncoursed Rubble 2. Ashlar Chamfered
3. Coarsed Rubble 3. Ashlar Facing
Random Rubble masonry uncoursed Rubble masonry coursed Rubble masonry

Chamfered Ashlar masonry Ashlar facing masonry Ashlar fine masonry

Tools used in Masonry construction
Trowel: To lift and
spread mortar
Plumb bob: To check
verticality of wall
Spirit level: To check
horizontality of
surface
Hammer: For rough
dressing of stones
Line and pins: To
maintain alignment
Bevel: To set out angle
Mason Square: to
check perpendicularity
Construction guide lines

Quality of stone should be good and durable

Stones should be properly dressed before using
it for masonry
Stones should be watered before using it for
construction
Vertical joints should be avoided by using
different size stones
For continuing with the previous day work, the
upper surface the old work should scrapped
before placing bedding mortar
Curing should be done for a period of 2-3 week
 Lintels
A horizontal member provided over the
opening of door or window
Types of lintel

Wooden lintel Stone lintel

Brick lintel Steel lintel

RCC lintel
 Stairs
A stair is a sequence of steps provided to
afford the means of ascent and descent
between the floors and landings.
Components of stairs
Tread: horizontal upper part of a step on
which foot is placed
Riser: The vertical portion of a step
Rise: vertical dist between successive treads
Flight: A series of steps without any landing
in their direction
Landing: a platform or resting place provided
between two flights
Hand rail: provided to render assistance
in negotiating stair way
Newel post : it supports hand rails
Baluster: it is a wooden, metal or
masonry vertical member supporting a
hand rail.
 openwell stairs
Doglegged stairs
Bifurcated
stairs Spiral stairs
Requirements of good stair
Minimum stair width should be 100cm
Tread should not be less than 25 cm
Maximum riser should be 20cm
No of steps in a flight should not cross 12
The minimum and maximum pitch or
slope in a stair should be 25 and 40
respectively
Width of the landing should no less than
the width of stair
Location of a stair in such a way that ,
sufficient light and ventilation is ensured
in the stair way
 Roof
The roof provides protection for the
building and the people living in it.
The roof rests on the walls and requires
proper anchoring against wind and
other mechanical impact
A roof can have different shapes but it is
always either flat or sloping
 Flooring
Floors divide the building into different storey's
with a view to provide space in the vertical
direction
The covering laid above the floor is known as
flooring
Components of floor
Sub floor (Base): Provides the solid bedding for
the final finish, acts as a water proof course and
level course.
Floor finish: It visible and usable floor, this is
the surface on which we do most of our
activities.
Flooring Types

Stone flooring
Concrete flooring

Brick flooring Mosaic flooring

Terrazo flooring
Glass flooring
Requirements of good floor

It should be hard
Should be durable
Should be easy to clean and noiseless
Should be free from dampness
Should be fire resistant
Should be economical
Should have good appearance
 Surfaces / Finishes
Plastering
It is the process of covering rough surfaces of
walls, columns, ceilings and other building
components with thin coat of mortars to form
a smooth durable surface.
It protects the external surfaces against
penetration of rainwater and other
atmospheric agencies.
Gives smooth surface in which dust and dirt
cannot lodge.
Gives decorative effect.
Protects surfaces against vermin.
It conceal inferior materials or defective
workmanship
Requirements of good plaster
It should adhere to the background, and
should remain adhered during all
variations in seasons and other
atmospheric conditions
should be hard and durable
should possess good workability
It should be possible to apply during all
weather conditions
should be cost efficient
should effectively check penetration of
moisture
Interdisciplinary activities in civil works
Mechanical
Water supply facility is done to provide and distribute clean
water inside the building.
This can be done through a network of pipes. Usually pipes used
are of PVC or GI pipes.
Fire frightening system in public and commercial buildings
Drainage and sewerage
This is provided to collect and carry the wastewater away from
the building.
2.3 Garbage disposal
Garbage should be collected and disposed for creating hygienic
living conditions.
2.4 Electrcal
Electrical connections are done to provide power supply for
various needs inside the building.
Instrumentation