Elements of the building or building structure components are the important sections of a building that together form a complete structure. These elements are used to support, enclose, and protect the structure of a building. The same way that our bodies have different parts/elements, building structures have different components.
Residential buildings, commercial buildings, industrial buildings, government buildings, and many other types of buildings exist. The building components may differ depending on the type of building, but all building structures have the same key elements without which the building structure cannot be completed.
Today’s article will go over the most important structural components of a building.
Basic components of building structure are listed below.
- Foundation
- Plinth
- Wall
- Column
- Sill
- Lintel
- Chajja
- Door
- Window
- Floor
- Roof
- Stairs
- Finishing Work
- Building Services
Foundation
The foundation is the most fundamental component of any building structure. These are the building structure’s legs. Foundations are constructed to support a building’s superstructure and transmit its loads directly to the earth.
Foundations can be of various types that are appropriate for various applications. However, foundations can be divided into two types: shallow foundations and deep foundations.
When the loads from the structure are lower than the bearing capacity of the surface soil, shallow foundations are used, whereas deep foundations are used when the surface soil cannot provide the required bearing capacity and thus the loads are transferred into deeper layers when the required bearing capacity is achieved.
If a building is to last for a long time, it should always have a stronger foundation.
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Plinth
Plinth refers to the exact portion of the wall between the finished ground floor and the ground floor level. It’s a delimiter that divides the substructure from the superstructure. Plinth is built immediately after the foundation to give a platform for the columns.
Plinth, to put it simply, is like the heels on your shoes that make you appear taller. The height of the structure is increased by constructing a plinth so that surface water does not enter straight into the building. The plinth’s overall height should not be less than 45 cm. They are great for protecting the superstructure against dampness.
Wall
Walls are the structural elements that form the building’s periphery. The walls are built to evenly distribute the load from the roofs and floors to the foundation. Furthermore, they are built to divide or separate rooms and to protect the building from outside influences such as rain, dust, cold, insects, and animals, etc. It provides safety, privacy and, to some extent, soundproofs the construction.
Column
Columns are the vertical elements of a building structure. They are primarily designed to support and transfer the load from the floors and roofs to the foundation, much like the walls. The shape of the column may vary depending on the purpose, however rectangular and square shaped columns are most commonly utilised. There are various types of columns that are employed depending on the structure’s specifications.
Also Read : Column Failure and It’s Types
Sill
The sill, often known as the window sill, is the lowest section below the window frame. They are the horizontal parts of the building construction that support the window.
They are generally made of 50-80 mm concrete course, although stone, brick, wood, and slate are also utilised in current construction techniques to give the window a more appealing appearance. The exterior of the window sill is slightly slanted so that rain water can readily drain away from it.
Lintel
A lintel is a horizontal structural member that is fixed over openings such as doors and windows to support the structure or the openings. Lintels behave similarly to beams. They support the masonry above the openings and transfer all loads acting across the opening to the supporting walls. Lintels come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are used for a variety of purposes.
Chajja
Chajja is a horizontal and sloping structural element provided at lintel levels. The primary goal of installing chajja is to protect the doors and windows from rain and direct sunlight.
Door
A door is a mobile barrier that is fixed in a doorway through a building wall or partition to allow access to a building’s interior or different rooms within the building. A door’s purpose is to provide access to various rooms within a structure and to restrict access as needed.
Window
Any building’s windows are an essential component that cannot be replaced. Most of us find it difficult to imagine a home without windows because we are all so used to seeing them.
Natural light can enter a room more easily thanks to windows. They make it possible for a home’s residents to take in views of the surrounding area. Additionally, they maintain the home’s cross-ventilation.
Floor
Floors are the horizontal units of a building structure that divide it into different levels. The goal of separation or division is to create more accommodation within a limited space, one above the other for various purposes. They provide occupants with a working/useful area.
The floor can be made of a variety of materials, including joist-supported wood planks or panels, decking or panels supported by wood or steel beams, a stone or concrete slab on the ground, or a reinforced-concrete slab carried by concrete beams and columns.
Roof
The roof is the highest point of any structure. There are various types of roofs used for various purposes, but the most common are flat roofs and pitched roofs (sloping). Each type of roof has both advantages and disadvantages.
Pitched roofs are commonly used in countries with heavy rainfall or snowfall. Flat roofs are more common in countries with low to moderate rainfall and where there is no snowfall. The building’s roof, shields occupants from the outside elements.
Also Read : Flat Roof Materials for Waterproofing
Also Read : Curved Roof : Construction, Advantages & Disadvantages
Stairs
One of the most important structural components when constructing a new house, apartment, or other structure with numerous storeys is the staircase. Typically, stairs are constructed so that people can get from one floor to another.
For various kinds of buildings, different types of staircases are used. Access from one floor to another is provided by stairs. They ought to have steps that are all the same size.
Finishing Work
Finishing work is the process of properly finishing the walls of a building structure in order to make it look appealing and protect it from external damage. This procedure entails applying whitewash, distemper, and paint to the exterior and interior walls. It also includes the installation of any wall tiles, such as skirting and dado. Additionally included in this process is floor polishing.
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Building Services
The building is considered finished once all the other tasks, including plumbing, electrification, water supply, furniture, etc., have been completed under building services.
The primary goal of building services is to ensure that the building functions properly and that the residents have a comfortable and safe environment.