Buildings are more than just physical structures; they are essential spaces that serve a wide array of human needs. At their core, all buildings fulfill a primary function: they provide shelter, creating a barrier between occupants and the external environment. However, the role of a building often...
The Primary Function of Buildings: Shelter and Beyond
A Comprehensive Overview of Building Assemblies and Environmental Protection
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. BUILDING ELEMENTS........................................................................................................ 3
2. BUILDING LOADS ............................................................................................................17
2.1. Examples of live loads...............................................................................................17
2.2. THE BEHAVIOUR OF BUILDING ELEMENTS UNDER LOAD .............................................. 18
CTCCOY2 – STUENT COURSE NOTES 2
, A building consists of an assembly of materials and components, joined together in such a way as to allow
the building to fulfil its primary purpose, that of providing shelter to its occupants
This primary function may be augmented by other supplementary functions; for instance, the building may
be used for certain activities, a factory will be used for the manufacture of products, a warehouse will be
used for the storage of goods, a leisure centre will be used for the pursuit of leisure activities, whilst a
concert hall will be used to house entertainment activities.
Nevertheless, they will all need to satisfy the primary objective of providing shelter to the occupants.
The provision of shelter rests on two necessities:
1. that the building will act as an enclosure for the activities housed within;
2. that the building will protect the occupants, equipment or goods housed within from the vagaries of
the external climate (rain, wind, sun, snow and frost).
1. BUILDING ELEMENTS
BREAKDOWN OF COMMON BUILDING ELEMENTS
Substructure
01 SB Substructure
The structurally sound and watertight base upon which to build.
It INCLUDES basement and foundation excavations; piers, piles, pedestals, beams and strip footings;
foundation walls; drop aprons; hardcore filling; work slabs and damp-proofing or other membranes; floor
structures; subsoil drainage; ducts, pits, bases and service tunnels; entrance steps, ramps and their
finishes; steps and ramps in the one floor level; structural screeds and toppings; covered swimming pools;
all other work up to but excluding the lowest floor finish.
It EXCLUDES 'Site Preparation' (32 XP); basement walls (06 EW); columns above tops of bases (02 CL,
06 EW, 09 NW); 'Floor Finishes’ (13 FF); all non-structural work associated with the internal services.
Superstructure
02 CL Columns (Framed Buildings)
The upright supports to upper floors and roof forming part of a framed structure.
It INCLUDES internal and external columns from tops of columns to bases; column casings; all protective
non-decorative coatings.
It EXCLUDES portal frames (05 RF); columns to non-framed (load bearing) structures (06 EW, 09 NW);
columns supporting awnings and attached covered ways (05 RF); columns supporting exposed attached
external stairs (04 SC); all finishes (06 EW, 12 WF).
Note:
Columns below lowest floor finish (e.g. in filled areas) are included in this element because of the
impracticability of splitting a column into two elements.
03 UF Upper Floors
CTCCOY2 – STUENT COURSE NOTES 3
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