Components of a building refer to the different parts and systems that make up a structure. They are also as building elements.
This guide explains various building components.
First, let us discuss briefly about building elements.
Building components are essential for the safety, functionality and comfort of the occupants of the building. Major components of a building include the foundation, walls, roof, doors, windows, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems, electrical and plumbing systems, elevators and stairs. The foundation is the base of the building and provides support for the entire structure. The walls and roof form the enclosure of the building, providing shelter from the elements. The HVAC system controls indoor air quality and temperature, while the electrical and plumbing systems provide electricity and water throughout the building. Lifts and stairs provide access to the different levels of the building. All of these components work together to create a safe and functional living or working space.
Table of Contents
Different Building Components
The following are the basic elements of a building:
- Footing
- Plinth Beam
- Walls and columns
- Sills, lintels and chejjas
- Doors and windows
- Floors
- Roofs
- Steps, stairs and lifts
- Finishing work
- Building services.
Let us learn about these 10 building components in detail.
1. Footing
Foundation is the most important part of any building. It is responsible for evenly and safely distributing the load of the building on the soil, anchoring the building to the ground to prevent lateral movement, preventing the building from overturning due to lateral forces, and providing a support for the construction of the superstructure. Providing level surface.
To achieve these functions, footings must be carefully designed and constructed by a qualified professional, taking into account local soil conditions, the size and weight of the building, and any applicable building codes and regulations. The design of the foundation must consider the lateral forces that may act on the building, such as wind or seismic activity, and must be able to resist them.
2. Plinth Beam
Plinth refers to that part of the wall that lies between the ground floor and the ground level. This part of the wall is usually built using stone masonry. In situations where the foundation is based on piles, a plinth beam is usually inserted to provide support for the wall above floor level.
A damp proof course is provided on the top of the plinth to prevent dampness. This course is usually 75 mm thick plain concrete course. The main purpose of the plinth is to raise the ground floor above the ground level to prevent the spread of dampness in the building. The height of the plinth should not be less than 450 mm.
It is important to note that the plinth level should be at least 150 mm above the street level to allow easy connection to the underground drainage system. This ensures that the drainage system remains functional without any obstruction from the building structure.
3. Walls And Columns
Walls and columns are integral components of any building structure as they provide essential support and stability. The primary function of walls and columns is to transfer the load of the structure vertically downwards to the foundation, ensuring that the building remains stable and secure.
Walls have several other functions that are equally important. Firstly, walls enclose the building area into different compartments, providing privacy and a sense of division within the building. Walls also provide safety and security from burglary and insect infestations.
Walls also contribute to the insulation of the building. They help to keep the building warm in the winter and cool in the summer, providing a comfortable living environment for the occupants. The thickness and material of walls play a crucial role in maintaining the desired temperature within the building.
Columns, on the other hand, provide vertical support to the structure and work in conjunction with walls to transfer the load of the building to the foundation. They come in different shapes and sizes, with some featuring intricate carvings and decorations, while others remain unadorned.
4. Sills, Lintels And Chejjas
Window frames play an important role in providing ventilation and natural light to a building. However, it is essential to ensure that the window frame is not directly placed over masonry as it can lead to water seepage and damage to the structure. To avoid this, a 50 mm to 75 mm thick plain concrete course called a sill is provided over the masonry, and the window frame is placed over it.
Lintels are also important components of building construction. Lintels are beams made of reinforced concrete or stone that are placed over door and window openings to transfer the load transversely and prevent undue stress on the door or window frame. The width of lintels is equal to the width of the wall, while the thickness is determined by the size of the opening.
Another component used in building construction is chejjas. Chejjas are horizontal projections given outside the wall to protect doors and windows from the rain and sun. They are usually made with reinforced concrete (R.C.C.), while stone slabs can also be used for low-cost houses. The projection of chejjas varies from 600 mm to 800 mm, and drops can be provided to improve their aesthetic look and provide additional protection from the sun and rain.
5. Doors And Windows
Doors and windows are essential components of a building, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes. A door’s primary function is to provide access to different rooms in a building while also denying access when necessary. It’s important to have the minimum number of doors required for the building’s function. The size of the door should be large enough to facilitate the movement of the largest object that may need to pass through it.
Windows, on the other hand, provide natural light and ventilation to the building. It is recommended that windows be 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 percent of the floor area. Another method for determining the size and number of windows is to have one square meter of window opening for every 30 cubic meters of inside volume.
6. Floors
Floors are a crucial component of any building, providing functional and usable areas for occupants. The ground floor is typically prepared by filling it with brick bats, waste stones, gravel, and then compacted with at least a 100mm layer of sand. A 100mm thick layer of lean concrete mixed at a ratio of 1:4:8 is then laid on top of the sand layer, which may be followed by a damp proof course to prevent moisture infiltration. The final finishing of the floor is then done based on the owner’s requirements.
For a moderately priced house, the cheapest floor finish involves a 20 to 25mm thick layer of rich mortar course finished with red oxide. In contrast, mosaic or marble finishes are the costliest options for floor finishes. For other floors, such as upper levels, reinforced concrete is typically used as the primary material for the floors, which are finished as per the owner’s requirements.
Regular inspection and maintenance of floors are essential to ensure that they remain in good condition and avoid any potential safety hazards. Proper design, material selection, and maintenance can ensure that floors perform their functions efficiently and contribute to the longevity of the building.
7. Roofs
A roof is an integral part of a building, situated at the topmost portion, providing cover and protection to the structure below. It is imperative that a roof is constructed to be leak-proof. Tiled or A.C. sheet roofs, which are sloping in nature, are effective in providing a leak-proof cover. However, such roofs do not allow for the construction of additional floors. Tiled roofs offer good thermal insulation. On the other hand, flat roofs offer the possibility of constructing additional floors and provide comfort to occupants when converted into a terrace. Additionally, flat roofs are suitable for placing water tanks.
8. Steps, Stairs And Lifts
Steps provide a convenient way to access the ground floor level from ground level. They are necessary at doors in the outer wall, and should be around 250 to 300 mm wide with a 150 mm rise for the ideal size. It’s important that the size of consecutive steps are the same. The number of steps needed depends on the difference in height between the ground and the floor. Stairs are used to provide access from one floor to another and should consist of steps that are of uniform size. In public buildings, lifts should be provided for the convenience of elderly and disabled people. In hostels, it’s possible to construct buildings with up to three floors without lifts, but in residential flats, buildings with more than two floors cannot be built without lifts. The lift should be located near the entrance and the size of the lift should be based on the number of users during peak hours. Lifts are available in a variety of sizes, ranging from 4 to 20 persons
9. Finishing Work
Bottom portion of slab (ceiling), walls and top of floor required smooth finishing with plaster. Then they are provided with white wash, distemper or paints or tiles.
The functions of finishing work are:
- Give protective cover.
- Improve aesthetic view.
- Rectify defective workmanship.
- Finishing work for plinth consists in pointing while for floor it consists in polishing.
10. Building Services
Building services are a crucial part of any construction project, including water supply, sanitation and drainage works, electric supply, and carpentry works. To store water, a sump is built in the house property near the street, either from municipal supply or from a tanker. The water is then pumped from the sump to overhead tanks on or above roof level to ensure a 24-hour water supply throughout the day. Proper plumbing work is done to ensure that water reaches the kitchen, bathrooms, water closets, sinks, and garden taps.
To drain rainwater from roofs, down take pipes with a diameter of at least 100mm should be used. The roof should also have proper slopes towards the down take pipe, and these pipes should be fixed 10 to 15 mm below the roof surface to direct rainwater easily.
Sanitary fittings are connected to stone ware pipes with appropriate traps and chambers, and these pipes are connected to underground drainage of municipal lines or to the septic tank. Carpentry works such as showcases, cupboards, racks, etc. are also required as part of building services.
Electric supply is an essential part of building services, and sufficient points for the supply of lights, fans, and other electric gadgets should be provided in the building. It is important to ensure that all these services are provided efficiently to ensure the smooth functioning of the building.
Final Note
These are the components of a building. These building elements are systematically designed for proper functionality. Engineers and architecture should have a good knowledge of these components.