Structures for Architecture

Assignment # 2

-Types of Structures and their components-

There are 2 types of structures in Architecture

1) Wall Load Bearing Structure2) RCC Frame Structure

Components of Wall Load Bearing Structure

1) Foundation2) Walls3) Columns4) Beams5) Slabs

Components of RCC Frame Structure

1) Foundation2) Columns3) Beams4) Slabs

Wall load bearing Structure:

A Structure is wall load bearing when the walls are taking the load of the structure and directly passing it on to the soil. The roof and walls act as one unit.

RCC Frame Structure:

RCC stands for Reinforced Cement Concrete. An RCC Framed Structure is an assembly of slabs, beams, columns and foundation connected to one another so that it behaves as one unit. In an RCC framed structure, the load is transferred from a slab to the beams then to the columns and further to lower columns and finally to the foundation which in turn transfers it to the soil. The walls do not carry any load on them. Majority of urban structures and multistoried buildings are built as RCC framed structures. The walls in such structures are constructed after the frame is ready and are not meant to carry any load.

-FOUNDATIONS-

Function of a Foundation:

Foundations are designed so that the loads of a structure/building are safely transferred to the soil in such a way that the soil is able to withstand them. If put in two points, the role of a foundation are as follows:

1) A foundation should be resistant against settlement.2) It should transfer the load of the structure/building safely onto the soil without

crossing the load bearing capacity of the soil.

Types of Foundations for a Structure:

1) Footings2) Raft Foundation3) Pile Foundation

Footing is the kind of foundation when sufficient amount of good soil at is kept around a column at shallow depth.

Raft Foundations are made when a basement is required and when the quality of soil is not strong. A Base slab is made to transfer the load to the soil.

Pile Foundations are made when the load to be supported is large and the necessary kind

of firm soil is not available in that region.

Footing

Raft Foundation

Pile Foundation

Footings spread out the weight of the

house so the soil can carry the load.

Because the load spreads out, the

pressure on the soil is greatest right

beneath the footing.

Raft foundation is used (usually on soft

ground) consisting of an extended layer

of reinforced concrete.

A special type of foundation that enables a structure to be supported by a layer of soil found at any depth below the ground surface. A pile foundation comprises two basic structural elements, the pile and the pile cap. A pile cap is a structural base, similar to a spread footing that supports a structural column, wall, or slab, except that it bears on a single pile or group of piles.

-COLUMNS-

Function of a Column:

A column is a vertical member of a structure that transfers the load of a structure to the soil/ground without the walls having to bear any load. It holds up the structure giving support to the beams and slab.

Columns of Alhambra. Granada, Spain.

-BEAMS and LINTELS-

Slightly arched beams

Function of a Beam & Lintel: A beam is a horizontal member of a structure and it transfers the load of the slab on the columns. A Lintel is a Beam which is specially made for openings in the structure like windows and doors.

Barn Beams Key Stone Lintel

-SLABS-

Function of a Slab:

A Slab is used as a base as well as a roof/ceiling to transfer the load of the structure to the soil. The ceiling or roof of a structure is a slab.

A slab used as a Base A Slab used as a roof

-WALLS-

Walls bearing the load of the structure

Functions of a wall:

There are various functions of a wall but mostly a wall is used to enclose and shelter an area from conditions. Structurally, walls are members that hold the roof if the structure has no columns to support it

Concrete Walls with dead load A wall bearing the load of a room

Structure of Burj Dubai

RCC Frame Structures with all the elements working as one.

Submitted By: Basma Iqbal

Submitted to: Faisal Usman