Building Construction: Unit 1 Summary
Introduction to Buildings
Buildings serve various functions such as living (houses, apartments), education (schools), health
(hospitals),
work (offices), transport (terminals), and recreation (theaters). They reflect societal progress.
Classification of Buildings
1. By Occupancy (National Building Code of India 1970):
- Group A: Residential buildings (lodging houses, private dwellings, dormitories, apartments, hotels).
- Group B: Educational buildings (schools, colleges).
- Group C: Institutional buildings (hospitals, custodial institutions, prisons).
- Group D: Assembly buildings (theaters, halls, religious spaces, terminals).
- Group E: Business buildings (offices, libraries).
- Group F: Mercantile buildings (shops, markets).
- Group G: Industrial buildings (factories, plants).
- Group H: Storage buildings (warehouses, garages).
- Group I: Hazardous buildings (for combustible or toxic materials).
2. By Construction Type:
- Fire-resistive: High-rise, durable concrete or steel structures.
- Non-combustible: Modern commercial buildings with reinforced masonry.
- Ordinary: Non-combustible walls, wooden roofs.
- Heavy Timber: Older buildings using large lumber; fire-resistant but prone to weathering.
- Wood-Framed: Common in modern homes; less fireproof and wind-resistant.
Building Components
1. Foundations (Sub-structure)
Transmit building loads to soil; essential for stability and crack prevention.
2. Super-structure
- Walls and Columns: Provide enclosure, privacy, and load-bearing.
- Floors: Divide space horizontally, supporting weight.
- Roofs: Protect from weather; include roof decking and coverings.
- Doors and Windows: Provide access, light, ventilation; supported by lintels.
- Vertical Transportation: Includes stairs, lifts, ramps for movement between floors.
3. Building Finishes
Protect surfaces and enhance appearance through plastering, painting, whitewashing, and more.
Loads on Buildings
1. Dead Loads: Permanent structural weight.
2. Live Loads: Movable loads due to occupancy or use.
3. Wind Loads: Horizontal forces from wind.
4. Snow Loads: Weight of accumulated snow on roofs.
5. Earthquake Loads: Vibrations causing lateral and vertical forces.
