Principles of building

chapter 4
OVERVIEW
Whatever type of building is being constructed there are certain
principles/elements that must be included, for example a block of
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Carpentry and Joinery NVQ and Technical Certificate Level 2, 2nd Edition

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The main parts of a building that are in place to carry a load are said to be in a
Definition constant state of stress
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stress - a body that
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or system of forces v &RPSUHVVLRQVTXHH]HVWKHPDWHULDODQGFDQKDYHDVKRUWHQLQJHIIHFW
exerted upon it
resulting in strain or
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deformation

Compression Tension
Shear

Figure 4.1 The three types of stress

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country will determine v 'HDGORDG±WKHZHLJKWRIWKHEXLOGLQJLWVHOIDQGWKHPDWHULDOVXVHGWRFRQVWUXFW
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 Chapter 4 Principles of building

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Figure 4.2 Horizontal structural members Figure 4.3 Vertical structural members Figure 4.4 Bracing structural members

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substructure – that is, all of the structure
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of the substructure is to receive the loads
from the main building (superstructure) Did you
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During the surveying of
The main part of the substructure is the the soil, the density and
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planning stage, the entire area – including tested and laboratory
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foundation could lead to the building
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Carpentry and Joinery NVQ and Technical Certificate Level 2, 2nd Edition

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v 1DUURZVWULSIRXQGDWLRQ±WKH Concrete ground

floor slab
Damp proof course
most common foundation Ground level
Insulation
used for most domestic
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Cavity fill
membrane
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Atmospheric
Trench filled with
depth not less
mass concrete to
than 1 m
specification

450 mm

Figure 4.5 Narrow strip foundation

v Wide strip foundation – used Damp proof

course
for heavier structures or
Minimum 150 mm
ZKHUHZHDNVRLOLVIRXQG Ground level

Excavation level to receive

concrete floor slab Cavity fill

Backfill
Longitudinal bars
Mild steel
reinforcement
transverse bars Concrete strip

50 mm concrete blinding Foundation

Figure 4.6 Wide strip foundation

v Raft foundation – used Insulation Steel reinforcement

Floor matting Insulation
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of concrete that is thicker
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75 mm
blinding

Figure 4.7 Raft foundation

v 3DGIRXQGDWLRQ±ZKHUH Any joins in concrete

ground beam to take
pads are placed at strategic place on top of pad
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placed across the pad to
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Reinforced pad
place, the building is then built Steel reinforced rods
foundations

RQWRSRILW in concrete beams

Figure 4.8 Pad foundation

78
 Chapter 4 Principles of building

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The primary elements are the main supporting, enclosing and protecting elements
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Outer leaf
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Walls
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External walls Insulation

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Figure 4.9 A cavity wall
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Inner skin
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Timber sheet
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material
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Timber kit houses are becoming more and more common as

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skin is a timber frame clad in timber sheet material, covered Breathable
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79
Carpentry and Joinery NVQ and Technical Certificate Level 2, 2nd Edition

Internal walls
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Load-bearing walls
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must not be altered
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sound insulation qualities but advances
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blocks such as thermalite blocks can give
EHWWHUVRXQGDQGKHDWLQVXODWLRQ Figure 4.11 Solid block wall

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Figure 4.13 Timber stud wall
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stud, except metal studs are used and the
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Figure 4.14 Metal stud wall

80
 Chapter 4 Principles of building

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Figure 4.15 Ground lats
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of the span to give extra support or to go underneath
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suitable material (usually chipboard or solid pine tongue
Figure 4.16 Suspended timber floor
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81