B O W E N U N IV E R S I T Y IW O

(Of the N ig e r ia n B a p t is t C o n v e n t io n )
College of Environmental Science (COEVS)
Department of Architecture
Semester/Session: 1st Semester, 2024/2025
BUILDING COMPONENTS ANS METHODS I (ARC 203)
MODULE 1
WEEK 1 Introduction
1. BUILDING AS AN ENCLOSURE
A building can be defined as a physical structure erected with the basic
function of creating or providing shelter for human beings and/or their
possessions and activities (which may include goods, animals, and all the
mechanical, electrical and other installations/equipment needed for
present day living).
Regardless of technological developments, the provision of a physically
comfortable space was not the only or principal purpose of building. In
addition to meeting the basic human needs for shelter (or protection
from the elements), buildings may also meet man’s desire for
satisfaction from his environment.
Sir Henry Wotton in his book “The Elements of Architecture” listed three
conditions that a good building must satisfy, namely: comfortable
environmental condition, stability and safety aesthetic and
psychological appeal.
A modern building would likewise fulfill the requirements for
environmental control, structural concepts and aesthetic excellence
which can be likened to a life-support machine that meets certain
functional and performance requirements if properly constructed.
2. FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF BUILDINGS
The major function of a building is to provide shelter and in so doing,
enclose space in such a way as to create a satisfactory internal
environment relative to the purpose (or use) of the particular building
This presumes that, the space within the building must provide
conditions appropriate to the activities to take place within it and to the
comfort and safety of occupants, provide adequate and effective the
elements.
For any shelter to be acceptable as a building, especially in the sense of
being a life-support machine, it must fulfill among others, the following
functions:
1. Adequate and effective shelter from weather elements. (rain, sun,
wind etc.)
2. Provide structural stability including safety from collapse, (fire, storm
and resistance to the physical forces of snow, rain, wind and
earthquakes, etc.
3. Provide adequate security against human and animal foes
4. Efficiently, economically, quickly and well-constructed, allowing easy
maintenance, alterations and extensions.
5. Be a source of Energy for appliances and provide means for modern
communication such as satisfying the inherent demand in mental, social,
cultural and spiritual of people.
6. Meet standards and requirements in terms of weather resistance,
thermal insulation, sound insulation, fire protection and provision of
adequate heat, light and ventilation. A building can be analyzed in terms
of the various related duties it fulfills and the precise performance
requirements established for each.
7. Provide the facilities necessary for human metabolism such as
clean air and water, the removal of waste produce, optimal thermal and
humidity control, privacy, and visual/acoustic comfort.
8. Based on a suitable design and functional plan capable of adaptation
to various functions, external landscaping or internal furniture
arrangements.

3. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS OF A BUILDING

The factors, involved in the creation of a building are complex,
numerous, diverse and closely interdependent. However, these
requirements are not in order of importance because, for a particular
element and type of a building, any of them may be more significant
than others.
1. Strength and stability: Strength of a building refers to its capacity
to carry loads without failure of the construction method. Stability on the
other hand refers to the ability of a building to resist collapse, distortion,
localized damage and movement.
The loads and forces acting on a building are:
a. Dead loads: The weight of all the materials from which it is made,
which is more or less constant during the life of a building.
b. Live or imposed loads: The weight of people using a building, their
furniture, goods, storage etc. As they will vary, an average maximum
load is assumed from tables giving values applicable to the particular
use of a building.
2. Aesthetics/appearance: The appearance of a building is initially
determined by the activities to be accommodated which will be strongly
influenced the scale and proportion of the overall volumetric
composition. The shapes of the individual spaces forming the overall
volume are defined by "boundaries', namely the walls, floors, roofs, etc.
These are ultimately required to conform to precise aesthetic and
technical criteria, which in turn are affected by the composition, form,
shape, texture, color and position of the materials employed, as well as
the skill with which they are placed in a building and the cost.
Appearance of a well-designed building is therefore the reflection of a
balance between aesthetics, aims or fashion and the appropriate
construction methods and materials. For example, an undue dominance
of technology v the aesthetics of a building
3. Durability: This is the measure of the rate of deterioration of both
the inside and the outside of buildings resulting from their subjection to
forces such as: daily wear and tear by users, constant influences of
climate (wind, rain. hail, sunlight), attacks from vandals and vermin, or
even damage by fire, explosions and structural movements.
The degree to which a building will suffer from erosion and/or staining
depends upon many interacting variables. For instance, the design and
construction method, as well as materials selected should be able to
provide prolonged durability, and are generally influenced by an
interrelationship between initial costs and likely future maintenance
costs.
4. Weather resistance: This is concerned with methods of ensuring
that wind and water do not adversely affect the fabrics of a building or
its internal environments.
6. Sound control. This must be considered from two aspects:
The elimination or reduction of unwanted sound generated by
sources within or outside a building (sound attenuation).
The creation of good sound within a building where speech and music
need to be cleared, unmarred by sound reverberation, blurring and
echoes by placing as much distance as possible between the source and
the recipient (functional organization). Fabric materials and construction
techniques.
7. Fire control: Fire can be highly destructive to a building and its
occupants causing death, injury and financial losses, the design and
construction method employed for a building must safeguard occupants
from death or and also minimize the amount of destruction.
These goals can be achieved through an understanding of:
 The type of fire and its effects on materials used in a building.
 Methods of containing a fire and limiting its spread.
 Methods of ensuring that the occupants of the building being
attacked by fire can escape to safety.
 Methods of controlling fire once it has started.
Fire resistance is used to describe the ability of an element of building
construction to fulfill its assigned function in the event of a fire without
permitting the transfer of the fire from one area to another.
8. Thermal control: A building must provide a satisfactory thermal
environment for its occupants as well as for the mechanical and other
systems it accommodates.
9. Lighting: These together with the provision of thermal comfort and
sound control, provide the initial environmental aspects of a building
which ensure the physiological and psychological well-being of its
occupants. Apart from purely functional requirements, they provide the
principal means of creating a conducive atmosphere.
Although the size, portion and amount of window openings are
necessarily controlled by thermal considerations, the need to ensure
safety from the spread of fire and the intrusion of unwanted sounds, a
sensible balance must be achieved between these aims and acceptable
lighting/ventilation standards.
Artificial lighting is used mainly as night-time illuminance and a daytime
supplement when day lighting alone is insufficient. It is also required for
certain activities to assist concentration without eyestrain. A building
with deep platform required a virtue of optimum function, e.g., large
office floor space, warrant continuous artificial light source.
10. ventilation: The simplest ventilation system in building requires
external air as its source, the wind as it Motive Force, and openings in
the external enclosure for fresh air intake on the windward side and stale
air extract on the seaward side. The idea, therefore, is to create a
naturally ventilated building using correctly fitting component of sizes
and configurations which provide the optimum amount of air changes for
the occupants, according to their activities, and also permits the
appropriate amount of heat loss.
Artificial ventilation systems are usually employed.
 For internally located rooms
 Converted rooms where natural ventilation is insufficient
 Special rooms needing closely controlled humidity and/or freedom
form any dust (e.g., computer rooms and operating theatres); and
 Where polluted air is required to be either removed or prevented
from entering internal spaces.
11. SANITATION: Some of the essential activities taking place within
and around a building are liable to encourage the growth of bacteria,
insect and vermin, which could contribute to pollution, disease and foul
smells. Therefore, the conditions most favourable to the development of
these unwanted infections must be controlled namely;
 The provisions of drinking water, food preparation and washing; and
 The generation of waste product, refuse and dirt.
For the architect, this involves a careful analysis of the suitable and
effective method of Waste and Refuse disposal.
Decision in this area must be closely related to:
 The selection of materials least subjected to contamination, and
 The provisions in design for efficient cleaning and freedom from
deterioration.
In addition to the mechanical and technical criteria, detailed
consideration must be given to the appearance of a water supply system
within a building. Pipe work, appliances must be carefully integrated as
an essential part of the design of a building.
12. SAFETY
The main area of concern relates to
 UN-authorized entry into a building-usually or physically - and
enhancement of privacy.
 Vandalism (Graffiti on surface finishes, defacement, breakage, or
complete destruction by demolition.)
 Protection against disaster or acts of terrorism; and
 The reduction Accident.
The primary and often most economical defense usually lies in the fabric
of a building and therefore involves the use of compatible construction
methods (materials and method of assembly)
13. COST: The design of a building must be judged not only by its
appearance and the way it performs, but also by how much it costs.
However, the true financial value of a building is not easy to compute,
given the complexities in building industry. There are both:
 Acquisition cost (investment, negotiations, cost of land, professional
fees, building design and construction- materials, equipment. etc.) and
 Running costs and operational costs (for general maintenance,
cleaning and servicing, renewing or repairing the fabric and fittings as
well as payments for heating, lighting, ventilating services).
WEEK 2
SITE PREPARATION AND THE MAJOR SUB-STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
(in foundation)
Steps involved in site preparation
Site preparation is a crucial step in the construction process that involves
clearing and grading the land to create a level foundation for building
construction. Site preparation is a crucial step in the process of building
construction. It involves a number of steps that must be completed in
order to ensure that the site is ready for construction. The following are
the steps involved in site preparation for building construction:
1. Site Investigation: The first step in site preparation involves
investigating the site to determine its suitability for construction. This
includes evaluating the soil type, topography, drainage, and other
environmental factors that may affect the construction process.
2. Site Clearing the: Once the site has been investigated, the next
step is to clear the site of any vegetation, trees, or debris. This is
typically done using heavy equipment or manual like bulldozers or
excavators.
3. Site Survey: Once the site has been cleared, a site survey is
conducted to determine the boundaries, topography, and soil conditions
of the site. This information is used to adjust, if necessary, the design
and construction of the building.
4. Soil Testing: The next step is to conduct soil tests to determine the
strength and stability of the soil. This is important because the
foundation of the building will be based on the soil conditions.
5. Building Access: Finally, the site needs to be prepared to provide
access to the building site for construction vehicles and workers. This
may involve building temporary roads or installing construction
entrances.
6. Site Hoarding and Signage: Site hoarding refers to the temporary
fencing or barriers erected around a construction site, event, or other
similar area to secure the perimeter and prevent unauthorized access.
The hoarding can be made of a variety of materials, such as plywood,
metal, or plastic, and can be designed to display advertising or
promotional materials and signage must be erected to secure the site
and provide safety information to the public.
7. Demolition: If there are any existing structures on the site, they will
need to be demolished and removed. This is typically followed by
excavation to remove any rocks, boulders, or other obstacles that may
interfere with the construction process.
8. Grading and Leveling: Once the site has been cleared and
excavated, grading and levelling of the land follows. This involves using
heavy equipment to create a level foundation for the building, which is
critical for ensuring the stability and safety of the structure.
9. Soil Stabilization: If the soil on the site is unstable, it may be
necessary to stabilize it to prevent settling and ensure the long-term
stability of the building. This can be done through a variety of methods,
including adding soil amendments or installing geotechnical fabric.
10. Setting out: Setting out refers to the process of marking out the
position of a building or structure on the ground, according to the plans
and specifications. In this case, it involves using tools such as measuring
tapes, levels, and pegs to ensure accuracy.
In general, "setting out" can be seen as the initial start of a building,
where the necessary preparations are made to ensure a successful
outcome.
11. Excavation: If the building requires a basement or foundation,
excavation is done to create the necessary space. This involves digging
into the ground and removing soil to create a space where the
foundation will be built for stability.
12. Drainage: Before construction can begin, it is necessary to install
utilities such as water, sewer, and electrical lines, as well as ensure
proper drainage to prevent flooding or water damage and ensuring that
water is directed away from the building site.
13. Utilities: Utilities such as water, electricity, and sewage systems are
installed to provide services to the building.
14. Temporary structures: If necessary, temporary structures such as
trailers or storage buildings are installed on the site to provide space for
construction workers and equipment.
By completing these steps, the site will be fully prepared for the
construction of the building. It is important to ensure that each step is
done correctly to ensure the safety and longevity of the building.
SITE SAFETY
Site safety refers to the measures and procedures that are put in place to
ensure the safety and well-being of workers, visitors, and anyone else
who may be present on a construction site, industrial facility, or any
other type of work site. This includes taking steps to prevent accidents
and injuries, as well as ensuring that workers are trained on proper
safety procedures and have access to appropriate safety equipment and
protective gear.
SAFETY PROCEDURES
Safety procedures are specific steps or actions that are taken to prevent
accidents, injuries, or other hazardous incidents from occurring in a
particular environment or situation. Safety procedures are typically
developed and implemented by organizations, to ensure the safety of
their employees, and the public. Here are some general safety
procedures that can be applied in a variety of contexts:
1. Identify potential hazards: Before starting any task or activity,
identify potential hazards that could cause harm or injury. This includes
physical hazards such as machinery or chemicals, as well as
environmental hazards such as extreme temperatures or weather
conditions.
2. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE):
Depending on the task or environment, employees may be required to
wear PPE such as hard hats, safety goggles, gloves, or respirators to
protect themselves from potential hazards.
3. Follow established safety protocols: Many workplaces have
established safety protocols and procedures that employees must follow.
Make sure you are familiar with these procedures and adhere to them at
all times.
4. Report any safety concerns or incidents: If you notice a potential
safety hazard or witness an accident or incident, report it immediately to
your supervisor or the appropriate authority.
5. Stay alert and focused: Whether you're operating machinery,
driving a vehicle, or performing any other task, it's important to stay
alert and focused to avoid accidents and injuries.
6. Maintain a clean and organized work environment: A clean and
organized work environment can help reduce the risk of accidents and
injuries. Make sure to keep work areas free of clutter and debris, and
clean up spills or hazards as soon as possible.