Building Construction Notes
1. BUILDING COMPONENTS
A. Substructure (Below Ground Level)
- Foundation: Transfers load to the ground. Types:
- Shallow Foundations: Spread footing (isolated, combined, strip), Raft foundation.
- Deep Foundations: Pile foundation (end-bearing, friction piles), Well and caisson foundation.
- Plinth: The portion between the foundation and the ground floor level. Prevents moisture from rising.
B. Superstructure (Above Ground Level)
- Walls: Load-bearing walls (in masonry buildings) or framed structure walls (in RCC buildings).
- Floors: Transfers live and dead loads to beams and columns.
- Columns & Beams: Load-carrying members in framed structures.
- Roof: Provides protection against weather. Types include flat, sloped, and trussed roofs.
2. TYPES OF STRUCTURES
- Load-Bearing Structures: Walls carry loads directly from the roof and slabs to the foundation.
- Framed Structures: Load is carried by beams and columns, and walls serve as partitions.
- Composite Structures: Combination of both load-bearing and framed structure elements.
3. BUILDING MATERIALS
A. Masonry Materials
- Stones: Used in load-bearing structures, paving, and cladding.
- Bricks: Clay-based units classified as burnt clay bricks, concrete bricks, and fly ash bricks.
- Mortars: Cement mortar (cement + sand + water), Lime mortar (lime + sand + water).
B. Timber and Miscellaneous Materials
- Timber: Used in doors, windows, flooring, and roofing.
- Glass: Used for windows, doors, and facades.
- Plastics & Fibers: Used for decorative and insulation purposes.
- Metals (Steel, Aluminium, GI): Used in reinforcement, doors, and frames.
- Bitumen: Used for waterproofing and road construction.
4. CONSTRUCTION OF SUBSTRUCTURE
A. Job Layout - Planning the positioning of structures and utilities before starting work.
B. Earthwork - Includes excavation, filling, and leveling for foundation preparation.
C. Foundation Construction
- Types: Shallow Foundations (footings, raft, combined), Deep Foundations (piles, wells, caissons).
- Dewatering: Removing excess water using sump pumps, wellpoints, or vacuum methods.
- Coffer Dams: Temporary enclosures built in water bodies for foundation construction.
- Bearing Capacity of Soil: The ability of soil to support loads.
5. CONSTRUCTION OF SUPERSTRUCTURE
A. Masonry Works
- Stone Masonry: Random rubble, coursed rubble, and ashlar masonry.
- Brick Masonry: English bond, Flemish bond, stretcher bond.
- Hollow Concrete Block Masonry: Lightweight and thermally insulating.
B. Doors & Windows
- Types of Doors: Flush, panel, sliding, revolving, collapsible.
- Types of Windows: Fixed, sliding, casement, louvered, bay.
C. Vertical Communication
- Stairs: RCC, wooden, or metal staircases.
- Lifts & Elevators: Used in high-rise buildings.
- Escalators: Moving staircases for public buildings.
D. Scaffolding & Shoring
- Scaffolding: Temporary structure for workers (Single, double, cantilever, suspended, trestle scaffolding).
- Shoring: Temporary supports (Raking, flying, dead shoring).
6. BUILDING FINISHES
A. Flooring
- Types of Floors: Cement concrete, marble, terrazzo, wooden, tiled floors.
- Laying Process: Base preparation -> Concrete laying -> Curing -> Finishing.
B. Walls Finishing
- Plastering: Applying a cement-lime mix for smooth walls.
- Pointing: Exposing and finishing mortar joints in masonry.
- Painting: Applying colors for protection and aesthetics.
C. Roofing
- Roof Types: Flat roofs (RCC, mud, tiled), Sloped roofs (trusses, asbestos, GI sheets).
- Roofing Materials: RCC, tiles, asphalt shingles, metal sheets.