UNIT-V ELEMENT OF BUILDINGS

FUNCTIONS AND PERFORMANCE OF BUILDINGS FUNCTIONS OF A BUILDING The building as a structure must fulfill the following conditions: Satisfy the need for which it was built (function).  Must resist the loads coming to it i.e. (must be stable).  Must continue to fulfill its function (durability).  Must be achieved with the minimum use of resources. (economy).

Buildings are constructed to serve a range of purposes viz: for shelter, to have a conducive place for work, for schools, industries, entertainment and all you can think of. Buildings are produced by the coordination of the inputs of a group of people, under the provisions of a guiding law called the building regulations.

PERFORMANCE OF A BUILDING Weather Resistance Fire Resistance Thermal Insulation Sound Insulation Strength Stability

Weather Resistance: Provide adequate resistance to rain and wind penetration. Provide adequate damp proofing means at critical position. Fire Resistance: Walls can act as Fire Barriers to compartmentalise a building so that a fire is confined to a given area. Thermal Insulation: To prevent heat loss to the environment (in "cool" areas). To prevent heat gain (in "hot" areas).

Sound Insulation: Requirements to prevent airborne sound and impact sound. Strength: Resistance to: stresses set up by its own weight superimposed loads lateral pressure (e.g. wind) Stability: overturning by lateral force buckling caused by excessive slenderness

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS IN BUILDINGS Building Site and Orientation Building Height Building Setbacks Vehicular Access Pedestrian Access Landscaping Type & Availability of Materials Labor Requirements Safety and Security

Building Site and Orientation: The correct orientation of the building takes advantage of the natural vistas afforded by that location. It also takes advantage of micro-climates, natural drainage, topography and takes into consideration how the use of the building will affect neighboring properties. Building Height: Maximum height of the structure must be determined. There may also be statutory limitations that must also be considered. Building Setbacks This is the distance which a building must be set back from property boundaries at ground and/or upper floor levels.

Vehicular Access: Consideration to how vehicles will enter and exit the proposed site, access to minor and major roads. Right of way, road signs and traffic light considerations. Pedestrian Access: Entrances and exits of a building should be designed so as to provide convenient access to parking areas, walk-ways and adjacent streets, with particular attention being given to the needs of the physically handicapped. Landscaping The ease of future maintenance is an important consideration in the planning of the site and will influence the choice of trees and materials to be used.

Type & Availability of Materials: In examining the possibility of using sustainable building technology the use of alternative building materials should also be considered. Slag and fly ashes as a substitute for cement, recycled aggregates, metal scraps, timber, etc are desirable but must be considered on the basis of their cost and availability. Labor Requirements: Building Constructionis themost labor intensive discipline, thus human resources is one of the most important of the planning considerations. Specialist skills that are critical to various project teams must be considered in terms of their availability on the market and their remuneration packages.

Safety and Security: The Health and Safety of workers on the site is a standard that needs to be strictly adhered to. To ensure compliance to the Occupational Safety and Health Act a safety team must be established to formulate, implement and monitor a safety policy. The hazards and risks onsite will be continually assessed and recommendations made on how to mitigate these risks.

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