Essential Building Components and Construction Definitions

Building System Components

1. Foundations

This is a structure made, mainly, of cement, steel, and gravel that transfers loads to the earth. The primary design concerns are settlement and bearing capacity.

2. Structure

This is comprised of pillars, beams, and tie-beams made of reinforced concrete or steel.

3. Floors and Ceiling

Hollow tiles are placed between two tie-beams; later, it is covered by a layer of concrete. Floors are finished with floor tiles or floorboards.

4. Exterior Walls

These are usually made by two brick walls and an insulator layer (to avoid the heat loss).

5. Windows

These provide a visual link between internal space and the outside world. They are very important to the mental health of the people in the house. A small tie-beam is placed above the window to bear the load of all bricks situated over the window frame.

6. Roof

Its functions are to protect a building from the weather and to retain the heat generated inside. It is comprised of a wood or iron structure, a thermal material such as fiberglass, and the last layer, the tiles or slates.

7. Internal Walls

The primary function of internal walls is to divide the overall space within the house into smaller spaces. They are made of brick, wood, or plaster.

Foundation Functions

• To transmit all building load to the ground.
• To limit settlement and prevent subsidence.
• To provide a level bed on which to build.
• To anchor the structure to the ground.

Key Construction Definitions

Consolidation

When stress is applied to a soil that causes the soil particles to pack together more tightly, therefore reducing its volume. Process by which soils decrease in volume.

Gravel

Small stones and pebbles (very small, rounded stone), or a mixture of these with sand.

Bearing Capacity

Is the capacity of soil to support the loads applied to the ground.

Hollow Tile

A hollow building block of concrete or Terra cotta used for making exterior walls, floors, or roofs. Also known as hollow block.

Concrete

Is a construction material composed of cement, sand, water, as well as other cement-like materials.

Tiles

A thin slab or bent piece of baked clay, sometimes painted or glazed, used for various purposes, such as to form one of the units of a roof covering or floor (other shape).

Slates

1. A piece of this rock cut for use as roofing.
2. A writing tablet made of a similar material.

Plaster

A composition, such as one made of lime or gypsum and sand and water, applied in a pasty form to walls, ceilings, etc.

Settlement

Is defined as downward movement of the soil, or any structure on it, as a result of soil consolidation, usually caused by the load applied by the structure.

Clay

A natural earthy material that is plastic when wet, consisting essentially of hydrated silicates of aluminum; used for making bricks, pottery, etc.