Answer

1. Abuilding is set out in order to clearly define the outline ofthe excavation
and the centre line of the walls, so that construction can be carried out
exactly according to the plan.

2. The centre line method of setting out is generally preferred and adopted.
Setting out plan is also known as ground tracing.

3. Detailed plans and drawings are prepared before actual execution of

any project is taken in hand.
4. For ground tracing, detailed plan of the building and site plan of the area
are required.
5 Site plan and detailed plan are studied thoroughly and out of various
walls, the longest outer wall is chosen as the base line.
5. Now with the help of site plan and detailed plan, lengths of centre lines
of all the walls are calculated and centre-line plan of the building prepared.

7 Distances of centre points of outer corners of the building walls from

property linesarenoted on the centre line plan.
8. For example (Fig. 3.4.1), we have to set out the plan on the ground. For
this, we haveto follow the given procedure
i From the plan the centre line of the walls are calculated. Then the
centre lines of the rooms are set out by setting perpendiculars in the
ratio 3:4:5. Suppose the corner points are a, b, c, d, e, fand g which are
marked by pegs with nails on top.
ii The setting of the corner point is checked according to diagonals ac, bd,
ef and eg.

Bo C C2

B C

F
E Fa
Fig. 3.4.1. .
 i. During excavation, the centre points a, b, c, d, e, fand g may be removed.
Therefore, the centre lines are extended and the centre points are
marked about 2 m away from the outer edge of excavation.
iv. Thus, the points A,, A, B,, B, and likewise, are marked outside the
trench. Centre line is shown clearly by stretching thread or rope. The
centre points fixed 2 m away from the excavation are marked with set
out pegs.
V. From the plan details, the width of excavation to be done is also marked
by thread with pegs at
appropriate positions.
Vi. The excavation width is then marked by lime or by with furrow with
spade.
Vi. If theplan is much complicated and follows a zig-zag pattern, then the
centre pegs are kept at suitable positions
according to site conditions.
9 After ground tracing has been
completed with respect to centre lines
of the walls, diagonals of rectangular or
square rooms should be
measured to check the correctness of the work.
10 Lengths of both diagonals of a rectangular or square room should be
equal. If they are not found equal, adjustments are done at the site
before pegs are driven
finally.
11. Right angles in ground tracing may be set using 3.4 and 5 m
the tape or mason's lengths of
square. In the case of important buildings, theodolite
may be used to set right
angles.
Que 3.5. Discuss the main points which should be considered for
he site selection of a building.

Answer
Following are the points which should be considered for the site selection:
Soil at the building site should as far as possible be not of made up type.
2. The site should not be very much undulating.
3. The site should have its general slope, slopping away from the site.
4. Civic services such as water supply mains, electric lines, telephone
lines, drainage sewers, etc., should be very near to the selected site.
5. The site should be such that the ground water table is not very
high.
6. The selected site should be large enough, both to ensure the
building
abundant light and air and to prevent any over dominance by the
neighbouring buildings.
7 Building site should not be chosen in depression. This will cause drainage
problemns.
8 The site should be connected with good communication lines, such as
good system of roads, railways etc.
9. Good foundation soil should be available at reasonable
save in the cost of the
depth. This will
building.
10. Selected site should be adequate to accommodate all the essential
accessories of the building.

PART-2
Damp Proofing, Anti-termite Treatment in Buildings.

CONCEPT OUTLINE : PART-2

Dampness: It is the presence ofhygroscopic or gravitational moisture.
Techniques of Damp Proofing : Following are the different
techniques of damp proofing:
i. Use of DPC, i. Damp proof treatment,
i. Cavity wall or hollow walls, iv. Guniting, and
v. Pressure grouting.
Termite Proofing: The term termite proofing is used to indicate
the treatment which is given to a building so as to prevent or control
the growth of termite in a building.

Questions-Answers
Long Answer Type and Medium Answer Type Questions

Que 3.6. What do you mean by dampness? What are the ill effects
of dampness ?

Answer
A Dampness : Dampness is the presence of hygroscopic or gravitational
moisture. Dampness gives rise to unhygienic conditions, apart from
reduction in strength of structural components of the building.
B. Effects: The various effects caused due to dampness in buildings
appearance and
mainly results in poor functional performance, ugly
structural weakness of the buildings.
1. A damp building creates unhealthy living and working conditions for
the occupants.
2. surfaces
Presence of damp condition causes efflorescence on building
bricks stones, tiles
which ultimately results in the disintegration of
result in softening and
etc., and hence reduction of strength. It may
crumbling of plaster.
I t may cause
which results in the
bleaching and flaking of the paint
formation of coloured patches on the walf surfaces and ceilings.
4. It of metals used in the construction of
may result in the corrosion
buildings
5. The materials used as floor coverings such as tiles are damaged because
they lose adhesion with the floor bases.
6 Timber when in contact with damp condition gets deteriorated due to
the effect of warping, buckling and rolling of timber.
7. All the fittings get causing leakage
electrical deteriorated,
current with the potential danger of a short circuit.
of electric
8. Dampness promotes the growth of termites and hence creates
unhygienic conditions in buildings.

Que 3.7.Write the sources of dampness in a building. What are

the techniques and methods of damp prevention ?

AKTU 2013-14, Marks 10

Answer
A.
A Sources of Dampness: Dampness in building is generally due to one
or more of the following causes:
1 Faulty design of structure.
2. Faulty construction or poor workmanship.
3. Use of poor materials in construction.
 B. Techniques of Damp Proofing: Following are the different technique
ues
and methods of damp proofing:
1. Use of Damp-Proof Courses (DPC):

Wall
E
25 mm patent stone
or file flooring
Floor level
75 mm lime or cement concrete
Atleast Plinth 90 mm brick flat
15 cm height Damp proof course(DPC)
75 mm rammed earth and
Fillet voids filled in with weak
Foundation cement concrete
wall

Fig. 3.7.1.
i. These are layers or membranes of water repellent materials such3
bituminous felts, mastic asphalt, plastic sheets, cement concrete morta
metal sheets, stones ete., which are interposed in the building structure
at all locations wherever water entry is anticipated or suspeotea.
out
i. The best location or position of DPC in the case of building witno
basement lies at plinth levei or structures without any plinth level,1
shonld be laid at least 15 cm above ground level.
 ii. The damp proof course provided horizontally and vertically in floors,
walls etc. In the case of basements, laying of DPC
as shown in Fig. 3.7.1.
is known as taking
2Water Proof Surface Treatments:
The surface treatment consists in filling
up the pores of the material
exposed to moisture by providing a thin film of water repellent
material
over the surface (internallexternal).
iii. External treatment is effective in preventing
treatments, like dampness. Many surface
pointing, plastering, painting, distempering etc., are
given to the exposed surfaces and also to the internal surface.

il. The most commonly used treatment to

protect the walls
against
dampness is cement lime plaster (1 : 6) (1-cement, 6-lime) mix
proportion.

iv. Generally employed as water proofing agent in surface treatments are

sodium or potassium silicate.
3. Integral Damp Proofing Treatments:
iThe
i. integral treatment consists of adding certain compounds to the
concrete or mortar during the process of mixing, which when used in
construction acts as barriers to moisture penetration under different
principles.
i. Compounds like chalk, talc, fuller's earth etc., have mechanical action
principle i.e., they fill the pores present in the concrete or mortar and
make them dense and water proof.
ii. Compounds like denser and water proof sulphates, calcium chlorides
etc., work on chemical action principle i.e., they react chemically and
fill the pores to act as water-resistant.
iv. The compounds like soaps, petroleum, oils fatty acids compounds such
as
ofcalcium, sodium, ammonium ete., work on the repulsion
stearates
principle i.e., they are used as admixture in concrete to react with it
and become water repellent.
4 Cavity Walls or Hollow Walls
1 A cavity wall consists
oftwo parallel walls or leaves or skins of masonry
Separated by a continuous air space or cavity.
The cavity prevents the moisture from travelling from outer skin to
the inner main wall.
1. Cavities funetion satisfact orily only if they are clear from droppings
and are also well ventilated.
5.
Guniting (Shot Concrete):
i
ne technique of guniting consists in forming an impervious layer of
T1chcement mortar (1: 3) or fine aggregate mix for water proofing
Over the exposed concrete surface or over the pipes, cisterns ete., for

resisting the water pressure.

i. By this technique, an impervious layer ofhigh compressive strength
(600 to 700 kg/cm2) is obtained and hence this is also very useful for
reconditioning or repairing old concrete works.

Que 3.8. What are the requirements of an ideal material for

damp proofing ?

Answer
An ideal damp proofing material should have the following
requirements:
1. The material should be perfectly impervious and it should not permit
any moisture penetration or travel through it.
2. The material should be durable, and should have the same life as that
of the building.
3 The material should be strong, capable of resisting superimposed loads/
pressure on it.

4 Material should be flexible, so that it can accommodate the structural

movements without any fracture.

5. The material should not be costly.

6 The material should be such that leak-proof jointing is possible.
7. The material should remain steady in its position when once applied. It
should not allow any movement in itself.