FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF BUILDINGS

Kaustubh J. SaneHJD Institute of Technical Education & Research, Kera

PART 3

Principles and building planning

• The term planning of a building refers to mean the arrangement of all the units of a building on all the floors and at all the levels.

• There are certain general principles which as a engineer should bear in mind while planning a building.

Orientation of a building

• Cross Ventilation

• Damp proof course

• Placing of walls

• Projections

• Roof

• Treatment of ground

• Wind direction

• The setting of plan of the building on its site withreference to the directions is known as orientation.

• It has a great role in increasing its utility from the viewof climate considerations.

• Cross ventilation:– Sufficient number of windows and ventilators at suitable

level from the floor should be provided to cause movementof air for developing comfortable conditions inside thebuilding.

• Damp proof course:– It is desirable to provide damp proof course at suitable level

to keep away walls from damp. The overhanging of roofs onsouth and west sides will help in protecting the walls fromthe rain.

• Placing of walls:

– The long walls of building should be placedtowards north and south.

– Short walls on other hand should be placedtowards east and west.

– Result will be less exposure of area of wall to thesun rays and it will assist in maintainingcomfortable temperature inside building.

• Wind direction:

– The orientation of the building should be suchthat advantage is available for enjoying the naturalbreeze.

• Projection:

– If projections in the form of balconies, verandahs,weather sheds, etc. are provided on east and westsides adjoining rooms remain comparatively cool.

• Roof:

– Roof of building is exposed to the maximum amountfor sun and rain. Hence it is necessary to exercisegreat care in deciding the type of roof and its methodof construction.

• Treatment of ground:

– It the ground surrounding the building is providedwith grass or trees or vegetation, it will considerablyassist in reducing the temperature inside the building.

Functional requirement of a building• The structure of the building should be strong and

sound enough to resist load comes on it.• The building should be well planned to give maximum

comfort and convenience to the occupants of the building.

– Comfort and convenience– Dimensional stability– Durability– Economy– Fire protection– Thermal insulation– Light and ventilation– Damp proofing– Strength– Termite Proofing

• Comfort and convenience-– Building should be provided with enough light during day or night

without any effect of glare.

– Should be oriented in such a manner to get maximum benefit ofnatural air and light.

– Due weight-age should be given to living, working and healthconditions of occupants of buildings.

– Grouping should be planned as to ensure better circulationoptimum utilization of space and max. efficiency in building.

• Dimensional stability:– The change in dimensions of materials structures are caused

due to following;• Elastic and plastic deformation or creep due to applied loads.

• Expansion and contraction due to temperature variation or moisturecontent in atmosphere.

• Chemical reactions between building materials and moist air.

• Durability:– Period of time up to which the building remains

habitable is called durability.

– Factors for durability;• Degree of maintenance

• Method of construction

• Type of materials used

• Exposure conditions to weathering

• Effect of frost action

• Crystallization of salts by ground water movements

• Surface erosion by rain water

• Effect of sunlight on paints, plastics, glass asphaltrubber etc.

• Economy:

– At every stage of functional planning, designing, construction, maintenance and operation of a building economics aspects should be considered simultaneously. The building should be functionally and structurally sound.

• Fire protection:

– To protect building against fire, composite and non-combustible material should be used in construction of walls, columns, beams.

– Standard fire safety or fire extinguishers should be provided with quick fire exit.

• Thermal Insulation:– Properly insulated building cuts down the cost of electric

burring in summer as well as in winter.

– Exterior walls should be thicker which imparts strength tothe building and also provide insulation against heat andcold.

– Constructing cavity walls as external walls to protectbuilding from out side heat and cold.

– To fill air spaces in walls, roofs, and floor with use of rockwool, mats foamed slag aggregates like insulatingmaterials.

– Should be provided with chhajjas, weather shed, treesgardens.

– Terrace should be insulated against heat by differentflooring methods.

• Light and ventilation:

– In building size shape and numbers of doors and windows are sufficient so as to provide enough glare free sun light in every rooms of buildings.

– Ventilation in building means free passage of clean air in a building.

• Improper ventilation results in increase of CO2

• Required to control dust and other impurity in air.

• Required to suppress odors, smoke, concentration of bacteria.

• For removal of body heat liberated or generated by occupants ventilation is necessary.

• Damp preservation:

– Structure should remain dry as far as possible. The presence of moisture in any building decreases the strength of materials and results in reduction in durability.

– The moisture in building is mostly due to faulty construction, poor materials and workmanship.

– Water leakages are the main problems along terrace roofs and toilets.

• Strength:– The structure should be stable and resist all loads. – Loads and working stresses should be calculated in

accordance with latest design codes of India. – To achieve max. strength proper load factor should be

applied.

• Termite control:– Termites are known as white ants.– The termites are not only nuisance but they affect

structural safety and durability of the building. – It is advisable to adopt pre-constructional treatment

for termite proofing.– Post-construction treatment is costly which involves

injecting of chemicals under pressure.