Building components

Following are the main building components

(a) Foundation

(b) Basement

(c) Super structure

(d) Roofs and roof trusses.

(a) Foundation

The portion of the building, which comes below the ground level, is termed as foundation. The foundation is very important for the stability of the building as it distributes the load of the building uniformly to soil. The foundation should be at least, half a metre below the ground level.

(b) Basement

The portion of the building between the ground level and plinth level is termed on basement. A portion of the foundation (footings) projects in the basement.

The flooring is a part of the basement. The top level of the floorings and the plinth level will be same. The bottom part if the flooring is made of the concrete and its top surface is plastered. The floorings may be finished with marble, wood etc. depending upon the requirements.

Super structure

The portion of the building between the plinth level and roof is called structure. Hence the super structure consists of the wall above the plinth level to the of, lintel, sunshade, door, windows consists of the wall above the plinth level to the various rooms of the building. In practice, super structure include the basement also.

Roofs and roof trusses

The portion of the building above the super structure comes under this category. This includes the roof (RCC, whether coursing, parapet wall etc. The parapet wall is provided around the roof to prevent human beings and articles from falling off the roof.