Introduction to Building Structures

Introduction to Building Structures

• Buildings are categorized based on National Building Codes, ensuring safety and functionality.
• Components of a building include structural elements (foundation, walls, roof), architectural elements (doors, windows), MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) systems, ensuring a building's stability, climate control, and functionality.
• Two common types of structures:
  • Load-bearing Structures: Walls carry the weight of the building, simpler construction, suited for smaller buildings.
  • Framed Structures: Steel or timber frames support the building, allowing for greater spans and flexibility, ideal for taller buildings.

Foundations

• The base of a structure, transferring loads to the supporting soil, ensuring stability and preventing collapse.
• Foundations must withstand various loads:
  • Dead Load: The weight of the building itself.
  • Live Load: Occupant weight, furniture, equipment, etc.
  • Wind Load: Forces from wind pressure.
  • Earthquake Load: Seismic forces.
• Bearing Capacity: The maximum pressure soil can withstand before failure.
• Improving Bearing Capacity: Foundation failure occurs when the soil can't support the load. Several field methods are used to improve bearing capacity:
  • Compaction: Increasing soil density through mechanical vibration.
  • Grouting: Injecting cement mixture into the soil to solidify weak areas.
  • Geotextile Reinforcement: Using fabric layers to stabilize the soil structure.

Types of Foundations

• Shallow Foundation: Located close to ground level, suitable for lighter structures and firm soils:
  • Isolated Footings: Individual supports for columns or piers.
  • Strip Footings: Continuous supports for walls or load-bearing beams.
  • Combined Footings: Supports two or more columns for uneven loads.
  • Mat Foundations: Large, continuous slabs supporting the entire structure, used for heavy buildings.
• Deep Foundations: Penetrate deeper into the ground, suitable for heavy structures or weak soils:
  • Pile Foundations: Long, slender elements driven into the ground.
  • Pier Foundations: Large, cylindrical columns extending into the soil.

Foundation Failure and Precautions

• Common causes of foundation failure:
  • Inadequate soil bearing capacity.
  • Improper design or construction.
  • Excessive loading, like adding an extra floor.
  • Soil erosion or changes in ground water conditions.
• Precautions to prevent foundation failure:
  • Proper geological investigation of soil conditions.
  • Consulting with experienced engineers for design.
  • Using appropriate materials and construction techniques.
  • Monitoring soil conditions and taking corrective measures if needed.