UNIT - 4

Building components & Services – Foundations and their types; Super-structure: Plinth,
Floor, Wall, Column, Beam, Slab, Ceiling, Cantilever, Stairs; Lifts, Sanitary and Plumbing
Services.

I. INTRODUCTION
Building components and services refer to the various elements that make up a building's
structure, functionality, and systems. These components and services ensure that a building is
safe, comfortable, and able to fulfil its intended purpose.
Here are some of the key building components and services:
➢ Building Components:
1. Foundation
2. Structure
3. Walls
4. Roof
5. Floors
6. Windows and Doors
7. Exterior Finishes
8. Interior Finishes

➢ Building Services:
1. Electrical System
2. Plumbing System
3. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)
4. Fire Protection System
5. Elevators and Escalators
6. Security Systems
7. Communication Systems
8. Life Safety Systems
9. Waste Management
10. Landscaping and Exterior Amenities

These components and services collectively contribute to the functionality, safety, comfort, and
aesthetics of a building, whether it's a residential, commercial, or industrial structure.
The specific components and services required will vary depending on the building's purpose,
size, location, and design.

1. Superstructure
• The portion of the building constructed above the ground level is known as the
superstructure.
• It serves the purpose of structure intended use.
• The building superstructure components include columns, beams, slabs, and finishes
such as door, window schedules, flooring, roofing, lintels, and parapets.

2. Substructure
• The substructure is the lower portion of the building which is constructed below the
ground.
• The footing or foundation below the plinth level of the building is the substructure
component.
• The main function of the substructure is to transfer loads of superstructure to the hard
soil or earth-surface.
 Figure 1: Cross-section of a building showing Substructure and Superstructure

II. FOUNDATION
• A foundation is the lowermost part of a building or structure that is in direct contact
with the ground and supports the weight of the entire structure above it.
• It serves as a stable base upon which the rest of the building is constructed.
• The primary purpose of a foundation is to distribute the building's load or weight
evenly to the ground, ensuring that the structure remains stable, safe, and free from
settling or shifting.

➢ Functions of a foundation
1. Load Distribution: The primary function of a foundation is to evenly distribute
the weight or load of the entire building or structure to the ground.
2. Support: Foundations provide a stable and solid base for the entire building.
3. Stability: Foundations anchor the building to the ground, preventing tilting,
leaning, or toppling.
4. Settlement Control: Properly designed foundations help control and manage
settlement, which is the gradual sinking of the building due to soil compression.
5. Resistance to External Forces: Foundations are designed to resist various
external forces such as wind, seismic activity, and soil movement.
 6. Protection from Moisture: Foundations play a role in preventing moisture from
infiltrating the building.
7. Termite and Pest Protection: Foundations can incorporate measures to prevent
termite infestations and other pest-related issues, which could compromise the
building's structural integrity.
8. Health and Safety: A solid foundation contributes to the safety of building
occupants. It minimizes the risk of collapses and other structural failures that
could pose a threat to people's well-being.
9. Longevity: By providing a stable and secure base, foundations contribute to the
longevity of the building.
10. Sustainability: Properly designed foundations take into consideration
environmental factors, such as energy efficiency and sustainable construction
practices, which contribute to the overall sustainability of the building.

Overall, the foundation acts as the critical interface between the building and the ground,
playing a fundamental role in ensuring the stability, safety, and durability of the structure.
Different types of foundations are designed to fulfil these functions based on factors like
building type, soil conditions, climate, and local regulations.

➢ Types of foundations
• Shallow foundations- When the depth of the foundation is equal to or less than its
width, it is called a shallow foundation. In this type of foundation, the foundation
part is situated instantly below the plinth level. The different types of shallow
foundation are:
1. Strip footing
A strip footing is provided for a load-bearing wall. A strip footing is also
provided for a row of columns which are so closely spaced that their spread
footings overlap or nearly touch each other. In such a case, it is more economical
to provide a strip footing than to provide several spread footings in one line. A
strip footing is also known as continuous footing.
2. Spread or Isolated footing
A spread footing also called as isolated footing, pad footing and individual
footing is provided to support an individual column. A spread footing is circular,
square or rectangular slab of uniform thickness. Sometimes, it is stepped or
slopped to spread the load over a large area.
3. Combined footing
A combined footing supports two columns. It is used when the two columns are
so close to each other that their individual footings would overlap. A combined
footing may be rectangular or trapezoidal in plan.
4. Strap or cantilever footing
A strap (or cantilever) footing consists of two isolated footings connected with
a structural strap or a lever. It is provided when two columns are located at
different elevations. The strap connects the two footings such that they behave
as one unit. The strap is designed as a rigid beam. A strap footing is more
economical than a combined footing when the allowable soil pressure is
relatively high and the distance between the columns is large.
5. Mat or raft footing
A mat or raft foundation is a large slab supporting several columns and walls
under the entire structure or a large part of the structure. A mat is required when
the allowable soil pressure is low or where the columns and walls are so close
that individual footings would overlap or nearly touch each other. Mat
foundations are useful in reducing the differential settlements on non-
homogeneous soils or where there is a large variation in the loads on individual
columns.
 Figure 2: Strip footing

Figure 3: Flat, Stepped and Sloped Footing

Figure 4: Combined Footing

 Figure 5: Strap Footing

Figure 6: Raft Foundation

• Deep foundations- A deep foundation is a type of foundation in which the

foundation is placed at a deeper depth below the ground level. The depth of the
foundation is much greater than its width. Different types of deep foundation
are:
1. Pile foundation
• Pile foundation transfers heavy loads from the structure to a hard rock
stratum which is located deep down the ground level where shallow
foundations cannot be used.
• It is mainly used to prevent uplift of the structure due to lateral loads such as
earthquake and wind forces.
• Pile foundation is used (i) when the areas where soil conditions near the
ground surface are not suitable for heavy loads (ii) when the depth of hard
rock strata is 5 m to 50 m deep from the ground surface.
The followings are the types of pile foundations.
 I. Based on Function or Use
• Sheet Piles
• Load Bearing Piles
• End Bearing Piles
• Friction Piles
• Soil Compactor Piles
II. Based on Materials and Construction Method
• Timber Piles
• Concrete Piles
• Steel Piles
• Composite Piles

Figure 7: Pile Foundation

III. SUPER-STRUCTURE
The structure includes the framing, columns, beams, and load-bearing walls etc. that
provide support and stability to the building. The cross-section showing various
components of building is illustrated in Figure 8.

Figure 8: Cross section showing various components of a building

1. Plinth level
• The plinth level is basically the level between the original ground level and the
finished floor level of the building.
• In other words, the plinth level is the level from which the superstructure starts,
and the substructure ends. It is the level from where we enter a building
• The height of plinth from the original ground level is called Plinth height.
Usually, the height of plinth varies between 350 mm or 450 mm.
2. Floors
• Floors provide the surfaces for occupants to walk on.
• They can be made of materials like concrete, wood, tile, or carpeted.
3. Wall
• Exterior and interior walls define the building's layout, separate spaces, and
provide protection from the changing environment.
• They can be load-bearing or non-load bearing.
4. Column
• Column is a vertical member which transfers loads of a structure from beam and
slab to the foundation.
• Generally, columns carry axial loads in compression.
• Based on its cross-section column can be Square, Rectangular, Circular, Tee, L
shape.
5. Beam
• Beam is a horizontal member which transfers loads imposed along its length to
the column.
• Based on end support conditions beam can be simply supported, fixed beam,
cantilever beam, continuous beam.
• Based on its cross-section beam can be Square, Rectangular, Tee, L shape.
6. Slab
• Slabs are flat, horizontal structural elements made of reinforced concrete that
receive the load and transfer the load as:
Slab → beams → columns → footings → soil.
• The slab may be supported by walls or by reinforced concrete beams.
• The thickness of the slab varies between 100 mm to 500 mm.
7. Ceiling/roof
• A roof is the highest component of a building that serves as a structural covering
to protect the structure from the external environment (for example- rain, sun,
wind, etc).
• A slab can be a floor slab or a roof slab.
8. Windows and doors
• These components provide natural light, ventilation, access, and security.
• They are for different styles and materials.
9. Lintel
• Lintel is a horizontal structural beam that spans across the top of a doorway,
window or fireplace to support the weight of the structure above it.
• It helps to distribute the load evenly, preventing the walls from collapsing.
10. Parapet wall
• The parapet is basically a wall that is constructed at the periphery of roof, terrace
or balconies.
• It acts as a protective barrier and plays a vital role in the safety of the occupants.
11. Stairs
• A stair is a set of steps provided in a building for climbing from one floor to
another.
• It provides means of vertical transport within the building.
• The enclosure of the building, in which the stair is located is known as staircase
(Figure 9).
 • Stairs can be straight, dog legged, quarter turn, open newel, three quarter turn,
bifurcated, geometrical, circular.

Figure 9: Staircase

IV. BUILDING SERVICES:

1. Electrical System
• The electrical system provides power for lighting, appliances, outlets, and other
electrical devices.
• It includes wiring, panels, switches, and circuit breakers.
• It also includes backup power (such as diesel generators) and emergency power
(such as battery-based uninterrupted power supply).
2. Plumbing System
• The plumbing system supplies water for various uses, including drinking,
sanitation, and heating.
• It also includes water recycling system, rainwater harvesting, storm water
drainage and wastewater removal systems.
• Plumbing starts with a roof-mounted water tank or an underground water tank,
followed by transfers through pipes to different floors and spaces.
• Then comes the discharge of unwanted wastewater from the building, which is
dealt with by the drainage system.
• The wastewater is either treated on-site by providing Sewage Treatment Plants
(STP) or transferred to the locally offered STPs.
3. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)
• HVAC refers to the different systems used for transferring air between indoor
and outdoor areas.
• HVAC systems control indoor climate by providing heating, cooling, and
ventilation.
• HVAC deals with the essential service in a building that determines and controls
human comfort by regulating temperature, humidity and air quality.
4. Fire Protection System
• This discipline deals with unpredictable situations like fire accidents within the
building.
• Fire protection systems include alarm systems, fire hydrants, fire tanks and
sprinkler systems.
• It also includes smoke detectors to detect and suppress fires, minimizing damage
and ensuring safety.
5. Elevators and Escalators
• These systems provide vertical transportation within the building, especially in
multistorey structures.
• The movement within the building is made easily by installing different
mechanical devices in horizontal and vertical planes.
• Mechanical devices can include escalators, elevators, etc.
 Figure 10: Lift Components
6. Security Systems
• In a building, it’s vital to protect the equipment, visitors, staff, information and
the building itself.
• Security systems include surveillance cameras, access control systems, and
alarms to protect the building and its occupants from unauthorized access and
security threats.
7. Communication Systems
• Communication systems encompass wiring and infrastructure for telephone
lines, data networks, intercoms, and other communication technologies.
8. Life Safety Systems
• These systems include emergency lighting, exit signs, and evacuation plans to
ensure the safe evacuation of occupants during emergencies.
9. Waste Management
• Waste management systems handle the collection and disposal of waste and
recyclable materials generated within the building.
10. Landscaping and Exterior Amenities
• Landscaping and exterior amenities enhance the outdoor spaces of the building,
providing recreational areas and aesthetic value.