Components of building -Superstructure and substructure

The superstructure in building construction represents the above-ground portion of

a structure that rests on its substructure or foundation. This crucial element
encompasses the building's framework, floors, walls, and roof, playing a pivotal
role in providing both structural integrity and functionality to the building. The design
and construction of the superstructure are informed by architectural, engineering, and
functional considerations, as they must not only support the load imposed upon it but
also fulfil the intended purpose of the building.

What is Superstructure in Building Construction?

The superstructure of a building comprises the structural elements constructed above

ground level. Key components of a building's superstructure include columns, beams,
slabs, and walls. These elements serve the crucial function of securely transferring
dead loads, live loads, and other imposed loads to the substructure, which
consists of the foundation and plinth. The substructure then effectively distributes
these loads to the underlying earth, ensuring the stability and integrity of the entire
building.

Components of Superstructure in Building Construction

Mentioned below are the basic components of a building's superstructure :

o Roof

o Parapet

o Lintels

o Slab

o Beams

o Columns

o Walls

o Floor

o Stair

Roof:
Fig 1: Roof

The roof constitutes the uppermost exterior part of any building, protecting against
elements such as rain, snow, wind, and sunlight. Comprising a roof deck and a roof
cover, the roof deck provides structural support, which can be constructed in various
forms, including flat or sloped configurations such as truss, shell, dome, or flat slab.
The roof cover, made of materials like tiles, slates, shingles, corrugated sheets,
asbestos cement, or thatch, is laid over the roof deck.

Parapet:

Fig 2: Parapet

A parapet is a short wall barrier erected at the edge of a terrace roof, balcony, or
walkway for protective purposes. Constructed using materials like steel, aluminium,
reinforced concrete, or glass, a parapet provides a safety barrier.

Lintels:
Fig 3: Lintels

Lintels, horizontal beam structures, are constructed above wall openings to bear and
safely transfer loads to the adjacent walls. The width of the lintel corresponds to the
wall width and integrates seamlessly into the masonry wall.

Slabs:

Fig 4: Slabs

Slabs, horizontal structural elements, serve as floors, roofs, or ceilings. Supported by

columns, beams, walls, or the ground, slabs have minimal depth compared to their
span.

Beams:

Fig 5: Beams
Beams, horizontal structural elements with specific depth and width, withstand vertical
loads, shear force and bending moment. They transfer loads to the beam endpoints
and then to supporting structural elements like columns.

Columns:

Fig 6: Columns

Columns carry compressive loads and play a pivotal role in preventing progressive
collapse. Columns transfer loads from slabs or beams to the foundation below.

Walls:

Fig 7: Walls

Walls, vertical surfaces constructed in continuity, divide enclosed spaces. Constructed

with masonry or concrete, walls bear loads from beams, slabs, or the roof above.

Floor:
Fig 8: Floor

The floor, a finished horizontal surface, consists of a sub-floor and floor cover. The
subfloor supports imposed loads, providing strength and stability, while the floor cover
offers a finish with materials like tiles, granite, marble, or concrete.

Stair:

Fig 9: Stair

Stairs, a series of steps or flights, facilitate movement between floors in a building. The
enclosed space where stairs are constructed is known as a staircase, and the entire
space occupied by the stairs is termed a stairway. Different types of stairs include
continuous stairs, straight stairs, turning stairs, etc.

Importance of Superstructure in Building Construction

Superstructure is important due to the following reasons:

o Support and Stability - The superstructure provides essential support and

stability to the building, ensuring it can withstand various loads and forces.

o Space Utilisation - It defines the usable space within the building,

accommodating rooms, floors, and other functional areas.
 o Aesthetic Appeal - The design and finish of the superstructure contribute to
the building's visual appeal, influencing its architectural style.

o Load Distribution - It plays a crucial role in distributing loads, including live

loads (occupants, furniture) and dead loads (structure itself), evenly to ensure
structural integrity.

o Functionality - The superstructure determines the functionality of the building,

including the arrangement of rooms and the overall layout to meet specific
needs.

o Weather Protection - Exterior elements of the superstructure, like walls and

roofs, provide protection against weather conditions, ensuring a comfortable
interior environment.

o Integration of Services - It accommodates essential building services such as

electrical wiring, plumbing, and HVAC systems, integrating them seamlessly
into the structure.

o Durability and Longevity - A well-designed and constructed superstructure

contributes to the building's durability and longevity, ensuring it can withstand
the test of time.

Difference Between Substructure and Superstructure

The table below draws a comparison between substructure and superstructure

Aspect Substructure Superstructure

Definition The substructure is the portion of The superstructure is the portion of the
the building below ground level, building above ground level,
including the foundation and encompassing the framework, floors,
plinth. walls, and roof.

Location Located below ground level. Located above ground level.

Function Primarily responsible for Mainly responsible for providing shelter,

transmitting loads from the defining spaces, and accommodating
various functions within the building.
 structure to the foundation and
distributing them to the soil.

Components Includes the foundation, which can Comprises columns, beams, slabs, walls,
be shallow (Isolated footings) or roofs, and other elements that define the
deep (piers, piles). building's form and function.

Material Often involves materials like Utilises a variety of materials, such as

Usage concrete, steel, and sometimes concrete, steel, wood, glass, and others,
masonry for foundation walls. depending on the specific element of the
superstructure.

Visibility Generally not visible once the The visible part of the building defines its
building is constructed. aesthetic and functional aspects.

Construction Constructed during the initial Built on top of the substructure, typically
Stage phases of building construction. in the later stages of construction.

Load Distributes and transfers loads Supports and transfers loads imposed on
Distribution from the structure to the the building to the substructure, ensuring
foundation and, ultimately, to the stability and integrity.
soil.

Examples Foundation types such as spread Columns, beams, walls, roofs, and other
footings, piles, or piers. architectural and structural elements.

What is Substructure in Building Construction?

The substructure, situated below ground level, constitutes the lower portion of a
building responsible for transferring loads from the superstructure to the supporting
soil. This essential component directly interacts with the underlying ground and
encompasses the footing and plinth of a building. Crafting plans and executing the
substructure of a building project falls under the purview of an experienced structural
engineer. In this role, structural engineers generate plans and calculate
the stresses and loads the building must support. Additionally, they must skilfully
integrate support beams, columns, and foundations into the overall substructure plans
to ensure the structural integrity of the construction.

Why Substructure is used in Building Construction?

The substructure in building construction refers to the portion of the structure that is
below ground level, providing support and stability for the entire building. It is an
essential part of any construction project and serves various crucial functions. Below
are the key reasons why substructures are used in building construction:

o Load Transfer to the Ground: The primary purpose of the substructure is to

transfer the load of the building to the ground. The substructure distributes the
weight of the entire structure—comprising live loads (people, furniture, etc.) and
dead loads (building materials)—to the foundation. It ensures that the structure
remains stable and well-supported.

o Structural Stability: The substructure anchors the building to the ground,

providing stability against lateral forces such as wind, seismic activity, and soil
movement. Without a solid substructure, buildings could face issues like tilting,
cracking, or even collapse over time.

o Prevention of Settlement: A well-designed substructure helps to prevent

uneven settlement of the building, which can occur due to varying soil
conditions. Differential settlement can lead to structural damage, such as
cracks in walls or floors. The substructure minimizes this risk by evenly
distributing the load.

o Moisture Protection: The substructure provides protection against moisture

from the soil, preventing water from seeping into the building’s interior. This is
particularly important in areas with a high water table or heavy rainfall, where
water infiltration can lead to damage like mold growth, material degradation,
and structural weakening.

o Thermal Insulation: Substructures like basements and crawl spaces can

provide natural insulation for the building, helping regulate indoor temperatures.
This reduces heating and cooling costs, improving energy efficiency, especially
in cold climates where the ground can help maintain warmer interior
temperatures.
 o Flood Protection: In flood-prone areas, a raised substructure can elevate the
building above ground level, reducing the risk of flood damage. By designing
the substructure to keep the building above potential flood levels, structures are
protected from water-related damage.

o Accessibility to Services: Substructures, particularly crawl spaces or

basements, offer convenient access to utilities such as plumbing, electrical
wiring, and HVAC systems. This access makes repairs and maintenance easier
and less disruptive to the rest of the building.

o Foundation for Superstructure: The substructure acts as the foundation for

the superstructure (the portion of the building above ground), ensuring that it is
built on a stable and durable base. The substructure is essential in creating a
strong connection between the ground and the above-ground construction.

Components of Substructure in Building Construction

The different components of Substructure are:

Foundation

The foundation, a fundamental element of a building's substructure, is located below

ground level and establishes direct contact with the superstructure. Its primary role is
to transfer dead loads, live loads, and other imposed loads from the building to the
underlying soil. The construction of the foundation is meticulously planned to ensure
that the soil it rests upon remains within its safe bearing capacity. Different building
structures necessitate varying foundation types, such as shallow foundations for
lighter loads or deep foundations for heavier structural demands.

Fig: Foundation
Geotechnical engineers assess the soil profile to determine the most suitable
foundation type, with common options including strip foundation for linear structures,
raft foundation for comprehensive support, and pile foundation for transferring heavy
loads to deeper, more robust strata.

Strip Foundation

Strip foundations, a type of shallow foundation, provide support for linear structures
like walls or closely spaced columns. Ideal for soils with sufficient bearing capacity and
designed to support lighter structural loads, strip foundations are tailored to the width
of the wall they support. This type of foundation ensures effective load distribution and
stability in areas with adequate soil strength.

Fig: Strip Foundation

Raft Foundation

Also known as a mat foundation, a raft foundation extends across the entire building
area, offering substantial support for heavy structural loads. By evenly distributing the
total load from the building to the entire floor area, a raft foundation minimises stress
on the soil, reducing the risk of shear failure. This type of foundation is particularly
beneficial for structures with expansive or variable loads.

Fig: Raft Foundation

Pile Foundation

Pile foundations, categorised as deep foundations, are designed to transfer heavy

loads from the superstructure to hard strata below the ground. In this context, a pile
refers to a deep, reinforced concrete column extending down to touch the hard rock
strata beneath the surface. Pile foundations are employed where shallow foundations
may not provide adequate support, ensuring stability and load-bearing capacity in
challenging soil conditions.

Fig: Pile Foundation

Plinth Beam

The plinth beam, situated between the wall and the foundation at the plinth level, is a
reinforced concrete beam crucial for preventing the propagation of cracks from the
foundation to the walls. As a vital element in earthquake-prone areas, the plinth beam
is pivotal in transferring and evenly distributing loads from the walls to the foundation.
Its construction is essential for enhancing structural integrity and mitigating the risk of
damage during seismic events.

Fig: Plinth Beam

Advantages of Substructure in Building Construction

The substructure of a building refers to the portion below ground level, primarily
consisting of foundations, basements, and other underground structures. It plays an
important role in providing stability and strength to the entire building. Here are the key
advantages:

o Structural Stability: The substructure evenly distributes loads from the

superstructure to the ground, preventing structural failure.

o Load Bearing and Distribution: It ensures that the weight of the building is
properly transferred to the soil, preventing settlement and differential sinking.

o Prevention of Settlement Issues: A well-designed substructure minimizes the

risk of uneven settlement, which can cause cracks and distortions in the
superstructure.

o Protection Against Environmental Factors: Acts as a barrier against

moisture, groundwater, and other environmental factors that could weaken the
structure.

o Increased Durability: Using strong foundation materials ensures longevity and

resistance against natural forces like earthquakes and soil erosion.

o Basement Utilization: Provides additional functional space for parking,

storage, utility rooms, or even living areas.

o Improved Thermal Insulation: Helps in maintaining stable indoor

temperatures by reducing heat loss through the ground.

o Mitigation of Groundwater Effects: Incorporates drainage solutions to

prevent water accumulation and hydrostatic pressure, reducing risks of
flooding.

o Support for Heavy Structures: Essential for high-rise buildings and bridges,
as it ensures that large loads are properly transferred to the ground.

o Resistance to Seismic Activity: Certain foundation types (e.g., deep

foundations, raft foundations) enhance earthquake resistance by reducing
vibrations and structural damage.
The substructure is a fundamental part of any construction, ensuring the safety,
longevity, and efficiency of a building.