PLINTH BEAM

Plinth beam: What is it?

It is a foundation or platform that holds another structure, column, or plinth in place. In
construction, the plinth disperses weight and pressure uniformly down a column over a larger
area. You can raise buildings above the ground to shield structures from the elements or
water.
The primary purpose of the plinth height is to shield the superstructure from moisture that can
leak in due to direct ground contact. The damp proof course, which offers additional moisture
protection, is installed on the top level of the plinth.
According to the bylaws, the plinth cannot be any shorter than 45 cm.
The prerequisites for a plinth area are as follows. 
 To prevent dampness, moulds and moisture from entering the building
 To transfer a load of a superstructure to the foundation of the building. 
 To serve as a retaining wall to prevent the filling part from rising over the higher floor
or building
 To improve the architectural appearance of a building 
 To provide stability to the building from all sides. 
What is plinth level?
Plinth level refers to the lowest level of a structure or the ground floor of a building. It is the
wall between the ground level and the ground floor level, which forms the foundation of the
house.
Plinth beam: Where is it placed?
A portion of the superstructure is in between the top of a tie beam at the top level of the earth
surrounding the structure present before the construction. This building area is directly above
the ground, between the floor’s surface and the surrounding ground’s surface.
The design of the structure determines the application of reinforcement. Constructors use a
minimum of two primary bars with a ten mm diameter at the top and bottom for their
construction. 
Plinth beam: Significance
Some of the most significant benefits of using a plinth while building a house are:
 It acts as a deterrent or supporting wall, which keeps the raised floor of the building
above the bottom floor filled with concrete.
 It uniformly disperses the load of the columns to the foundation.
  It builds the foundation of a building.
 The plinth prevents the building’s top structure from becoming damp from the base
floor.
 It enhances the aesthetic appeal of the building. 
 Plinth beams are a barrier between homes and buildings to prevent water seepage. A
waterproofing sheet is installed above ground level to guard against any harm caused
by additional moisture or moulds.
 It guards against constructing cracks as the foundation settles.
 It provides the residential unit with strength and longevity.
 Typically, homes are built 150–300 mm above the level of the nearby road. The plinth
is a retaining wall for the compacted dirt that fills the area between the foundation and
the plinth’s top.
 Stresses cannot be entirely absorbed by foundations when there are several
settlements. Stress causes the base made of rubble to crack, which would then
gradually cause the brick wall to crack. Therefore, a plinth beam below these walls
aids in bearing the extra tension, bending, and shear stresses. The brick wall’s
cracking decreases as a result.

LINTEL
What is a lintel?
A lintel is a beam placed across the openings like doors, windows etc. in buildings to support
the load from the structure above. The width of lintel beam is equal to the width of wall, and
the ends of it is built into the wall. Lintels are classified based on their material of
construction.
What are the types of lintel in construction?
Lintels are classified as:
1. Timber Lintels 3. Brick Lintels
2. Stone Lintels 4. Reinforced Brick Lintel
5. Steel Lintel 6. Reinforced Concrete Lintel

1. Timber Lintel
In olden days of construction, Timber lintels were mostly used. But now a days they are
replaced by several modern techniques, however in hilly areas these are using. The main
disadvantages with timber are more cost and less durable and vulnerable to fire.

2. Stone Lintel
These are the most common type, especially where stone is abundantly available. The
thickness of these are most important factor of its design. These are also provided over the
openings in brick walls. Stone lintel is provided in the form of either one single piece or more
than one piece.
The depth of this type is kept equal to 10 cm / meter of span, with a minimum value of 15
cm. They are used up to spans of 2 meters. In the structure is subjected to vibratory loads,
cracks are formed in the stone lintel because of its weak tensile nature. Hence caution is
needed.
3. Brick Lintel
These are used when the opening is less than 1m and lesser loads are acting. Its depth varies
from 10 cm to 20 cm, depending up on the span. Bricks with frogs are more suitable than
normal bricks because frogs when filled with mortar gives more shear resistance of end joints
which is known as joggled brick lintel.
4. Reinforced Brick Lintel
These are used when loads are heavy and span is greater than 1m. The depth of reinforced
brick lintel should be equal to 10 cm or 15 cm or multiple of 10 cm. the bricks are so
arranged that 2 to 3 cm wide space is left length wise between adjacent bricks for the
insertion of mild steel bars as reinforcement. 1:3 cement mortar is used to fill up the gaps.
Vertical stirrups of 6 mm diameter are provided in every 3rd vertical joint. Main
reinforcement is provided at the bottom consists 8 to 10 mm diameter bars, which are cranked
up at the ends.
5. Steel Lintel
These are used when the superimposed loads are heavy and openings are large.  These consist
of channel sections or rolled steel joists. We can use one single section or in combinations
depending up on the requirement.
When used singly, the steel joist is either embedded in concrete or cladded with stone facing
to keep the width same as width of wall. When more than one units are placed side by side,
they are kept in position by tube separators.

6. Reinforced Cement Concrete Lintel

At present, the lintel made of reinforced concrete are widely used to span the openings for
doors, windows, etc. in a structure because of their strength, rigidity, fire resistance, economy
and ease in construction. These are suitable for all the loads and for any span. The width is
equal to width of wall and depth depends on length of span and magnitude of loading. Main
reinforcement is provided at the bottom and half of these bars are cranked at the ends. 

What is a chajja in building?

A chajja is an overhanging eave or roof covering found in Indian architecture. It is
characterised with large support brackets with different artistic designs. Variation is also seen
in its size depending on the importance of the building on which it features or the choice of
the designer.

Importance of Chajja
 Usually protects from external sunlight.
 Also protects from rainwater entering into the building.
 It also serves as aesthetic decoration with little design on it from architectural point of
view.
 Windows-Chajja will not let water drip from above and soak the woods of windows.
Otherwise the wood will absorb water and expand.
 Can be used as a support for AC.
Chajjas necessary?
  The first and the most important reason for making a chajja are to restrict the direct
entry of rainwater. It decreases the amount of direct sunlight entering in the room.
Chajja protects building from sun and rain.
 In some cases chajja also has been proven good for security purpose.
 Many engineers and architects also suggest constructing an outward projected frame
around the window to stop the entry of rainwater from the sides of window.
 It provides a good aesthetic to the structure.
COLUMNS
Columns are basically rigid vertical structural members designed primarily to support axial
compressive loads coming from beams and slabs and then transfer it to ground through
footing. 
Columns can be classified based on different criteria as follows:
01. On basis of its cross section
Square Column Rectangular Column
Circular Column Tee Column
L Column
a) On basis of its length and behavior
Long Column Short Column
b) On basis of its loading
Axially Loaded Column Axially Loaded and uni-axial bending
Axially Loaded and bi-axial bending
c) On basis of its longitudinal reinforcement
Tied Column Spiral Column
Composite Column
BEAMS

What is the role of beam in structure?

Beams act as structural elements that transfer loads from the slab and to
columns. This means transfer beams are installed to carry the load from one load-
bearing wall to another. They are typically horizontal members. The purpose of a
beam is to carry walls and to avoid loading a concrete slab.

There are different types of beams which are classified based on the
following conditions

1. Simply Supported Beam

It is one of the simplest structural elements that both ends rest on supports but is free to
rotate. It contains pinned support at one end and a roller support at the other end. Based on
the assigned load, it sustains shearing and bending.
2. Fixed Beam
It is supported at both ends and fixed to resist rotation. It is also called a built-in beam. The
fixed ends produce moments other than the reactions.
3. Cantilever Beam
If a beam is fixed at one end and set to be free at the other end, it is termed as a cantilever
beam. The beam distributes the load back to the support where it is forced against a moment
and shear stress. Cantilever beams allow the creation of a bay window, balconies, and some
bridges.
4. Continuous Beam
A continuous beam has more than two supports distributed along its entire length.
5. Reinforced Concrete Beams 
It is constructed from concrete and reinforcement as shown in Fig. 5. Sometimes reinforced
concrete beam is concealed in reinforced concrete slabs and it is called hidden beam or
concealed beam
6. Steel Beams 
It is constructed from steels and used in several applications.
7. Timber beams
The timber beam is constructed from timber and used in the past. However, The application
of such a beam in the construction industry is significantly declined now.
8. Composite Beams 
Composite beams are constructed from two or more different types of materials, such as steel
and concrete.
9. Rectangular beam 
This type of beam is widely used in the construction of reinforced concrete buildings and
other structures.
10. T-section beam
This type of beam is mostly constructed monolithically with a reinforced concrete slab.
Sometimes, Isolated T-beam is built to increase the compression strength of concrete.
11. Precast Concrete Beam
This type of beam is manufactured in factories. So, the construction condition is more
controllable compare with on-site construction. Consequently, the quality of the concrete of
the beam would be greater.
12. Pre-stressed Concrete Beam
The pre-stressed concrete beam is constructed by stressing strands before applying loads on
the beam. Pre-tensioned concrete beam and post-tensioned concrete beams are variations of
pre-stressed concrete beam.
Slabs
Slab is an important structural element which is constructed to create flat and useful surfaces
such as floors, roofs, and ceilings. It is a horizontal structural component, with top and
bottom surfaces parallel or near so. Commonly, slabs are supported by beams, columns
(concrete or steel), walls, or the ground. The depth of a concrete slab floor is very small
compared to its span.
Types of Loads on a Slab
Types of loads acting on a slab include:
1. Dead load of the slab 4. Snow load in the case of roof slab
2. Live load 5. Earthquake loads
3. Floor finish load
Functions of Slab:
 To provide a flat surface
 To act as sound, heat and fire insulator
 It provides a covering shelter or working flat surface in buildings
 Its primary function is to transfer the load by bending in one or two directions
 The upper slab becomes the ceiling for the storey beneath it

There are a total of 15 different types of concrete slabs-

 Conventional Slab  Cable Suspended Slab
 Flat Slab  Composite Slab
 Hollow Core Ribbed Slab  Precast Slab
 Waffle Slab  Slab on Grade or Slab on Ground
 Sunken Slab  Bubble Deck Slab
 Inclined Slab  Hardy Slab
 Slab with Arches  Waist Slab
 Pre-stressed Concrete Slab