BASIC CIVIL

ENGINEERING
MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION TO CIVIL ENGINEERING :-
• Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals
with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and
naturally built environment, including public works such as roads,
bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewage systems, pipelines, structural
components of buildings, and railways.
• It is a broad profession, including several specialized sub-disciplines,
its history is linked to knowledge of structures, materials science,
geography, geology, soils, hydrology, environmental science,
mechanics, project management, and other fields.
DISCIPLINES OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
2. BUILDING MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY
1. ARCHITECTURE AND TOWN PLANNING All the building structures are composed of
An art of shaping and guiding the physical growth of various types of materials. These materials are
the town creating buildings and environments to meet either referred to as building materials or
the various needs such as social, cultural, economic materials of construction. A builder, perhaps an
and recreational etc. and to provide healthy conditions
for both rich and poor to live, to work, and to play or architect or engineer, or a contractor needs to
relax, thus bringing about the social and economic become familiar totally with these building
well-being for the majority of mankind is known as materials.
town planning. These are some of the most commonly used
OBJECTIVES OF TOWN PLANNING- building materials –
To create and promote healthy conditions and 1. Stones
environments for all the people. 2. Bricks
To make right use of the land for the right purpose 3. Cement
by zoning. 4. Sand
To ensure orderly development. 5. Mortar
To avoid encroachment of one zone over the other
3. CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY AND 5. GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
MANAGEMENT  This field is concerned with the study of the soil
 It focuses on the knowledge and skills required for the properties of the construction site and its bearing
planning, coordination and successful implementation of capacity.
large Projects such as design and construction of  Geotechnical engineering is concerned also with the
structures and buildings, ship structures, aircraft, dams, suitable solutions for any problem in the soil as well as
roads, and bridges etc. It is a fusion of engineering and the choice of the best and secured methods of design and
management. construction of the foundation of engineering structures.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 6. HYDRAULICS AND WATER RESOURCES

 This field is concerned with the study of the necessary ENGINEERING
methods and techniques of environment protection as well  This field covers the basic concepts of water science and
as the availability of the basic life elements such as water its related theorems and applications. This includes the
and air with a specific level of quality to protect the methods of transporting water from sources to
mankind health and environment. distribution sites through channels and pipelines, water
 This includes design and construction of water distribution sources and storage system, types of dams and their
networks, wastewater and storm water collection systems, design methods.
water treatment plants and wastewater treatment for reuse  It involves also the study of seawater movements and
in industrial and agricultural fields. shore protection.
 Environmental engineering involves also the study of the  Hydraulic engineering consists of the application of fluid
different techniques of controlling air, water and soil mechanics to water flowing in an isolated environment
pollution as well as the proper disposal or recycle of solid (pipe, pump) or in an open channel (river, lake, ocean).
and hazardous wastes.
7. REMOTE SENSING ENGINEERING 8. STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
 Remote sensing is the process of detecting and monitoring  This discipline deals with the analysis and design of
the physical characteristics of an area by measuring its concrete and steel structures, such as multi-story buildings,
reflected and emitted radiation at a distance (typically bridges, towers....etc. It deals also with the study of the
from satellite or aircraft). durability and resistibility of such structures for live loads,
 Some specific uses of remotely sensed images of the Earth wind and earthquake.
include;  The study involves also the study of the properties of
1. Large forest fires can be mapped from space, allowing building materials according to the international
rangers to see a much larger area than from the ground. specifications.
2. Tracking clouds to help predict the weather or watching
erupting volcanoes, and help watching for dust storms. 10. TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING
3. Tracking the growth of a city and changes in farmland Transportation engineering is a branch of civil engineering
or forests over several years or decades. that involves the planning, design, operation, and
4. Discovery and mapping of the rugged topography of the maintenance of transportation systems to help build smart,
ocean floor (e.g., huge mountain ranges, deep canyons, safe, and liveable communities. Any system that moves
and the “magnetic striping” on the ocean floor). people and goods from one place to another falls under the
scope of transportation engineering, which includes
9. SURVEYING  Highways and roadways
Surveying typically involves measurements of horizontal and  Railways
vertical distances between points. It also includes descriptions of  Oil pipelines
the exact characteristics of the land structure and surface. A  Public transport systems
surveying engineer also works to;  Traffic control systems
 provide the proper design and development of infrastructure  Automated transport systems
 protect the surrounding natural environment,  Space transport systems
 maximize the efficiency of the proposed structures
Importance of Civil Engineering in Infrastructure Development of the Country:
 Civil Engineers play a major role in the infrastructure development of a country. All structures constructed in
the past exhibit the path of civilization and current infrastructures development express the practices
followed by civil engineers. Infrastructure can be defined as activities that provide society with services
necessary to conduct daily life and to engage in productive activity and development in a country’s
economy.
 Factors that are most significant in accelerating the pace of economic development are energy, transport,
irrigation, finance, communications, education, and health.
 The knowledge of basic areas of civil engineering can be of great use in providing the infrastructural
facilities where constructional aspects are involved for development of regions.
• Good surface communication links such as tar or concrete rods.
• Provision of water supply distribution system i.e., construction of water storage reservation or sumps,
laying of underground pipes etc.
• Provision of a drainage system which may include construction of surface drains as subsurface drains for
the disposal of wastewater.
• Supply of electrical power for which construction of transmission line towers, construction of electrical
substations.
• Providing inland communications lines, i.e., telephone lines etc.
• Construction of recreational places e.g., gardens, parks etc.
TYPES OF BUILDING AS PER NBC
(NATIONAL BUILDING CODE)
Any structure made for whatsoever
purpose with any material, used for human
habitation or not which included
foundation, plinth, walls, floor, roofs,
chimney, plumbing, and building services,
Verandah, Balcony, and cornice, etc. is
called a building. Buildings are classified
based on occupancies and type of
construction,
A. RESIDENTIAL
B. EDUCATIONAL
C. INSTITUTIONAL
D. ASSEMBLY
E. BUSINESS
F. MERCANTILE (included retail and
wholesale store)
G. INDUSTRIAL (low, moderate and
high fire hazards)
H. STORAGE
I. HAZARDOUS
1. Residential Buildings
Any building in which sleeping accommodation is provided for normal residential purposes with or without
cooking/dining.
These are further classified as: Group A-Residential
A1: Lodging or rooming houses.
A2: One or two-family private dwellings
A3: Dormitories A4: Apartment houses
A4: Apartment houses
A5: Hotels (up to 4 star category)
A6: Hotels (Starred- five star and above)
(i) Lodging and rooming houses- These are buildings in which separate sleeping accommodation with or without
a dining facility but without a cooking facility is provided. For instance, Inns, Clubs, Motels, and Guesthouses.
(ii) One or two-family private dwelling- A private dwelling which is occupied by members of one or two-family.
Maximum sleeping accommodation is provided for 20 persons.
(iii) Dormitories- Any building in which group sleeping accommodation is provided with or without dining
facilities. e.g., School and College Dormitories, Hostels, and Military Barracks.
(iv) Apartment Houses- Buildings in which living quarters are provided for three or more families having
independent cooking facilities and living independently of each other. e.g., apartments, Mansions, and Chowls.
(v) Hotels -Buildings in which sleeping accommodation is provided with or without dining facilities for up to
four-star categories (hotels).
(vi) Hotels (Starred) Normally five star and above by local authority.
2. Educational Buildings 3. Institutional Buildings
Any building used for school, college, and other Buildings that are used for medical or other treatment,
training institutions having a minimum of 20 students. care of persons suffering from physical and mental illness,
(i) Schools up to Senior Secondary level Minimum care of infants, for inmates etc. are called institutional
students should be 20. buildings;
(ii) All others/training institute Minimum students (i) Hospital and Sanatoria -Any building which is used
should be 100. for the treatment of patients e.g., hospitals, sanatoria,
infirmaries, and nursing homes.
4. Assembly Buildings
(ii) Custodial Institutions Any building used for custody
Any building in which a minimum of 50 persons
and care of a person for instance children, old age
gathers for recreational, amusement, social, religious,
homes, orphanages, etc
patriotic purposes e.g., theatres, assembly halls,
(iii) Penal and mental institutions Any building which is
exhibition halls, museums, estaurants, places of
used for housing persons whose liberty is restricted
worship, etc. These are classified into 7 types:
e.g., jails, prisons, mental hospitals, etc
(i) The building having theatrical or motion pictures or any other stage having fixed seats for over 1000 persons.
(ii) The building having theatrical or motion pictures or any other stage having fixed seats for up to 1000 persons.
(iii)Buildings without a permanent stage having an accommodation for 300 or more persons but no permanent
seating arrangements.
(iv) All other structures including temporary structures designed for assembly of peoples.
(v) Buildings having mixed occupancies of assembly and mercantile.
(vi) Underground and elevated mass rapid transit system.
5. Business Buildings
Any buildings used for the transaction of business, 7. Industrial Buildings
professional establishments, service facilities, etc. are Any building in which products or materials are
termed as business buildings. fabricated, assembled, manufactured, or
These are further divided into 5 types – processed. For instance, assembly plants,
(i) Offices, banks, professional establishments etc. industrial laboratories, power plants, pumping
(ii) Laboratories, clinics, research establishments and stations, etc.
libraries etc. • Buildings for low hazard industry
(iii) IT parks, call centers etc. Buildings in which those things are
(iv) Telephone exchange manufactured that have low combustibility.
(v) Broadcasting stations, TV stations and air traffic • Buildings for moderate hazard industry.
control towers. Buildings in which those things are
6. Mercantile Buildings manufactured which will burn with moderate
Any building which is used as a shop, store, market, etc. is rapidity.
known as mercantile buildings. These are further classified as: • Buildings for high hazard industry
• Shops, stores, departmental stores, markets (covered area Buildings in which those things are
up to 500 sq. m ). manufactured which will burn with extreme
• Shops, stores, departmental stores, markets (covered area rapidity and results in hazardous situations.
more than 500 sq. m).
• Underground shopping centers, storage and service
facilities
 8. Storage Buildings
Any building which is used for storage of goods, ware or merchandise, vehicles or animals. e.g., warehouse,
cold storage, garages, stables, etc.
9. Hazardous Buildings
Buildings which are used for storage, handling, manufacture, or processing of highly combustible or explosive
material. For instance, manufacture of explosives and fireworks, storage of highly flammable liquids, storage of
LPG, rocket propellants, etc.
SELECTION OF SITE FOR BUILDINGS
1. The soil of site should have good bearing capacity. Hard strata should be available at reasonable depth, around 1.2m to1.5m
depth from ground level.
2. The site should be on elevated ground. It should have slope towards front street to afford good facility of drainage.
3. Sites nearer to ponds ,pools of water, water logged areas must be avoided as they remain in damp condition.
4. Sites near to high voltage power transmission lines are avoided.
5. Sites very nearer to big shopping complexes , markets, railway station ,airport are avoided.
6. The surrounding of site should be pleasing and calm.
7. The orientation of site should be such that it receives natural light and air in plenty.
8. The location of site is such that the common facilities like school, transportation, medical facilities etc are within reasonable
range.
9. Sites in developed colonies should be preferred.
10. The layout of the colony should be approved by local authorities. This will help in getting essential facilities like water ,
drainage ,electricity, telephone connection etc easily.
COMPONENTS OF
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING
The basic function of a building
is to provide structurally sound
and environmentally controlled
spaces to house and protect
occupants and contents. A
building is combination of
various components stated
below:

1. Foundation
2. Plinth
3. Walls and columns
4. Sills, lintels and chejjas
5. Doors and windows
6. Floors
7. Roofs
8. Steps, stairs and lifts
9. Finishing work
10. Building services.
11. Parapet
1. Foundation:
• Building activity starts with digging the ground for foundation and then building it.
• It is the lower most part of the building.
• It transfers the load of the building to the ground.
• Its main functions and requirements are:
(a) Distribute the load from the structure to soil evenly and safely.
(b) To anchor the building to the ground so that under lateral loads building will not move.
(c) It prevents the building from overturning due to lateral forces.
(d) It gives level surface for the construction of super structure.

2. Plinth:
• The portion of the wall between the ground level and the ground floor level is called plinth.
• It is usually of stone masonry.
• If the foundation is on piles, a plinth beam is cast to support wall above floor level.
• At the top of plinth, a damp proof course is provided.
• It is usually 75 mm thick plain concrete course.
• The function of the plinth is to keep the ground floor above ground level, free of dampness.
• Its height is not less than 450 mm.
• It is required that plinth level is at least 150 mm above the road level, so that connections to underground
drainage system can be made.
3.Walls and Columns:- 4. Sills, Lintels and Chejjas:-
The function of walls and columns is to transfer the load A window frame should not be directly placed over
of the structure vertically downwards to transfer it to masonry. It is placed over 50 mm to 75 mm thick
foundation. Apart from this wall performs: plain concrete course provided over the masonry.
(a) It encloses building area into different compartments This course is called as sill.
and provides privacy. Lintels are the R.C.C. or stone beams provided over
(b) It provides safety from burglary and insects. the door and window openings to transfer the load
(c) It keeps the building warm in winter and cool in transversely so as to see that door or window frame
summer. is not stressed unduly. The width of lintels is equal
5. Doors and Windows:- to the width of wall while thickness to be provided
The function of a door is to give access to different rooms depends upon the opening size.
in the building. Number of doors should be minimum Chejja is the projection given outside the wall to
possible. protect doors and windows from the rain. They are
Windows are provided to get light and ventilation in the usually made with R.C.C. In low cost houses stone
building. slabs are provided as chejjas. The projection of
They are located at a height of 0.75 m to 0.9 m from the chejja varies from 600 mm to 800 mm. Sometimes
floor level. drops are also provided to chejjas to improve
In hot and humid regions, the window area should be 15 aesthetic look and also to get additional protection
to 20 per cent of the floor area. from sun and rain.
6. Floors:-
7. Roof:-
Floors give working/useful area for the occupants.
Roof is the top most portion of the building which
The ground floor is prepared by filling brick bats, waste
provide top cover to the building. It should be leaking
stones, gravel and well compacted with not less than 100
proof.
mm sand layer on its top.
Sloping roof like tiled and A.C. sheet give leak proof
A lean concrete of 1 : 4 : 8, 100 mm thick is laid. On this
cover easily. But they do not give provision for the
a damp proof course may be provided.
construction of additional floor.
Cheapest floor finish for a moderate house is with 20 to
Tiled roof gives good thermal protection.
25 mm rich mortar course finished with red oxide.
Flat roofs give provision for additional floors.
The costliest floor finish is mosaic or marble finishing.
Terrace adds to the comfort of occupants.
Other floors are usually of R.C.C. finished as per the
Water tanks can be easily placed over the flat roofs.
requirements of the owner.

8. Step, Stairs and Lifts:-

Steps give convenient access from ground level to ground floor level. They are required at doors in the outer
wall. 250 to 300 mm wide and 150 mm rise is ideal size for steps. In no case the size of two consecutive steps be
different. Number of steps required depends upon the difference in the levels of the ground and the floor.
Stairs give access from floor to floor. They should consist of steps of uniform sizes. In all public buildings lifts
are to be provided for the conveniences of old and disabled persons.
In hostels G + 3 floors can be without lifts. Lift is to be located near the entrance. Size of the lift is decided by
the number of users in peak hours. Lifts are available with capacity 4 to 20 persons.
10. Finishing:- 9. Building Services:-
Bottom portion of slab (ceiling), walls Water supply, sanitation and drainage works, electric supply work
and top of floor need smooth finishing and construction of cupboards and show cases constitute major
with plaster. Then they are provided building services.
with white wash, distemper or paints For storing water from municipal supply or from tanker a sump is
or tiles. The function of finishing work built in the house property near street. From the sump water is
is: o Give protective cover o Improve pumped to overhead tanks placed on or above roof level so as to get
aesthetic view o Rectify defective water all the 24 hours. Plumbing work is made so as to get water in
workmanship o Finishing work for kitchen, bathrooms, water closets, sinks and garden taps. For draining
plinth consists in pointing while for rain water from roofs, down take pipes of at least 100 mm diameters
floor it consists in polishing. should be used. Proper slopes should be given to roof towards down
take pipe. These pipes should be fixed at 10 to 15 mm below the roof
surface so that rain water is directed to the down take pipe easily.
11.Parapet:- The sanitary fittings are to be connected to stone ware pipes with
The parapet is a minor wall around the suitable traps and chambers. Stone ware pipes are then connected to
edge of a roof, balcony, terrace, or underground drainage of municipal lines or to the septic tank.
stairway, usually covering the roof’s Many carpentry works are required for building service. They are in
perimeter. It protects the top and pre- the form of showcases, cupboards, racks etc.
built structures from corrosion and Electric supply is essential part of building services. The building
degradation. should be provided with sufficient points for supply of lights, fans
and other electric gadgets.
 INTRODUCTION TO INDUSTRIAL BUILDING AND TYPES

 Any building structure used by the industry to store raw materials or for manufacturing products of the
industry is known as an industrial building.
 Industrial buildings are generally used for steel plants, automobile industries, utility and process industries,
thermal power stations, warehouse, assembly plants, storage, garages, etc.

Factors Considered while Selecting Site For Industrial Types of Industrial Building:-
Building:- 1. Warehouses
1. Site should be located on an arterial road. 2. Cold Storage Buildings
2. Local availability of raw material. 3. Telecom Centres or Data Hosting
3. Facilities like water supply, electricity Centres
4. Topography of an area 4. Flex Buildings
5. Soil conditions with respect to foundation design 5. Light Manufacturing Buildings
6. Waste disposal facilities 6. Research And Development Set up
7. Transportation facilities
8. Sufficient space for storage of raw materials
1. Warehouse:
 There are buildings that are used for storing
goods on behalf of other companies. These
are called warehouses. Although warehouses
can be of different sizes, they are usually large
and are located outside city limits. They can
have more than one storey and can have
loading docks, huge parking lots of big trucks.
They can also have a small office set up inside
the premises.
 These typical single-story warehouses range
in size from 5,000 to hundreds of thousands
of square feet and are used for the storage and
transport of goods. Ceilings are generally at
least 60 feet high because of the necessary
racking and storage systems concealed
beneath its roof. Loading docks, big truck
doors, and parking areas for semi-trailers used
for distribution are among the other important
elements of an industrial building.
2. Cold Storage Buildings-
 Refrigeration and cold storage facilities are distribution centres dedicated to food items like meat,
produce, and dairy. These buildings provide rooms for cooling and freezing in order to maintain goods at
the right temperatures before they are sent out. Other key features include docks with special seals to keep
products cool, as well as insulated overhead doors that keep them frozen.
 These are especially built to store large amounts of food products and keep them under refrigerated
conditions for long periods. These buildings are located mostly along state and national highways and in
places where there is good supply of electricity.
 3. Telecom/Data Hosting Centers (Switching Centers, Cyber Centers, Web Hosting Facilities, Telecom Centers):-
These highly specialized industrial buildings are located close to major communications trunk lines to allow for
access to an extremely large and redundant power supply capable of powering extensive computer servers and
telecom switching equipment.
4. FLEX BUILDING:-
These flex building have more than one usage and can
accommodate a R&D facility, an office set up, light
manufacturing and even showroom spaces. They are
flexible in nature and some of the uses can be changed by
making simple modifications.
FLEX Building Systems is committed to providing
flexible, superior building systems for a variety of
applications.
Flex buildings often incorporate different areas or spaces in a design, optimised for different purposes and
needs. This can be either an uninsulated or insulated warehouse, workshop, garage or even a showroom, often
in combination with one or more offices. The buildings often have to balance complex solutions for production,
cold storage and heating. Flex space buildings are mainly of three types - Research and Development buildings,
Data centre buildings, and Show rooms.
5. LIGHT MANUFACTURING BUILDING:
These buildings can be used in processing food items
or assembly of light machinery like fans, water pumps,
gadgets, etc. These are generally small in size as
compared to heavy industrial buildings and do not
have blast furnace, high capacity exhaust systems etc.
These buildings can sometimes find alternative uses
like a unit making water pumps can be converted in to
assembly unit for gadget by making changes in the
some of the installed machinery.
6. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BUILDING:-
Research and Development (R&D) forms an integral part
of many businesses and they like to set up their own
R&D centres which cater to their specific requirements. A
lot of life sciences companies have their R&D centres
which are usually owned by them. These centres are
generally not in the centre of the city. Companies can
house their scientists and other staff in these centres and
hence there are residential elements in this kind of a set
up. There can also be elements of office buildings in a
R&D centre. Sometimes these centres run on rented
buildings also but the lease period is usually long.
7. SHOWROOM BUILDINGS:-
A showroom, also referred to as a gallery, is a large space used to display products or show entertainment. A
showroom is a large space used to display products for sale, such as automobiles, furniture, appliances, carpet
or apparel. It is a retail store of a company in which products are on sale in a space created by their brand or
company. There are many types of showroom buildings like jewellery shops, malls, large vehicle showroom,
furniture showrooms etc.
BUILDING PLANNING AND BASIC REQUIREMENTS:-
Every family needs a building to reside in. Apart from residential purposes, buildings are required for
educational, institutional, business, assembly, and industrial purposes. Buildings are necessary for the storage
of materials also.
This article will discuss the basic requirements of a building concerning orientation, the utility of space,
energy efficiency, and other requirements, etc. “The concept of positioning all the elements and units of a
building in a systematic and practical manner to have the maximum and best utilization of the available
space, area and facilities is termed as Principles of Building Planning.”

PRINCIPLES OF BUILDING PLANNING:-

“The concept of positioning all the elements and units of a building in a systematic and practical manner to
have the maximum and best utilization of the available space, area and facilities is termed as Principles of
Building Planning.” There are several principles that affect the planning of a building. This article will give
you a brief knowledge of all those principles. Factors Affecting Building Planning

FACTORS AFFECTING THE PLANNING OF THE BUILDING:

1. The function of the building e.g. residential, industrial, public, commercial, etc.
2. Shape and size of the plot
3. Topography
4. Climatic condition
5. Building by-Laws etc.
REQUIREMENTS OF BUILDING PLANNING AND THE CONSTRUCTION:
1. What is an ASPECT in building planning?
 ASPECT is defined as a significant arrangement of doors and windows in abuilding, which are enough and
efficient to provide sunlight, hygiene, wind, and eco-friendly environment.
 There must be sufficient light and ventilation in each room and across the house.
 The aspect of building can be achieved by arranging the rooms, kitchen, veranda, and many other
components in proper directions.

The ways to cover the direction with advisable

aspect is given below:

The above diagram indicates the appropriate

directions which should be preferred for the
positioning of various rooms in a house.
02. What are the PROSPECT principles in building planning?
 The aesthetic appearance of the building form inside to outside is called prospect.
 The standards are raised to accomplish the building’s pleasant look by locating doors and windows at an
accurate location to view nature’s beauty and avoid unwanted attributes from getting entry into the house.
 One of the other factors of the prospect is to have a pleasant view outside a house from doors, windows,
balconies as clearly etc.

03. What does the GROUPING mean in building planning?

 GROUPING: It is to organize the different rooms in such a way that they are adequately interconnected
with each other to form a functional and practical layout of the house.
 The accessibility of all the rooms is interlinked with each other.

 To understand the theory of grouping, let us consider an example. In a simple sense, the dining room should
be near to the kitchen so that both the units can be easily used for the service. Similarly, water closets
should be close to the bedrooms and living room but not close to the kitchen. An idea of the grouping is
applicable not only in a residential building but also applies to commercial and industrial buildings.
 In industries, the storage rooms must be near the road to ease the loading and unloading of the goods.
04. How ROOMINESS can be a principles of
building planning?
ROOMINESS is to maximize the advantage of the
available space from the minimum dimension of a
room. Both the size and shape of the room play a
vital role in providing roominess.
Example:
 A square room seems small in size when
compared to a rectangular room. It is always
advisable to plan a rectangular room with a
proportion of 1.2 to 1.5 times the ratio of the
length to the breadth. The increase in ratio due to
length gives the tunnel experience as it looks
longer.
 The height should neither be too high nor too less
that the ceiling becomes a hindrance.
 Floors, ceilings, walls, ceiling, lifts, furniture, and
all such elements should be appropriately placed
to offer more space in the rooms.
05. How CIRCULATION act as a
principle of building planning?
 The internal access in a room in both
ways i.e. in horizontal and vertical
directions of a building is defined as
CIRCULATION.
 The movement from one room to
another on the same floor can be
described as horizontal circulation.
 Likely, the movement from one floor to
the other floor is termed as vertical
circulation.
 To have the efficient circulation in a
building, passages, corridors and foyer
etc. should be provided in such a way
that these elements are neither too
narrow nor too large.
 They must have good lighting and
ventilation.
06. What is FLEXIBILITY in building planning?
Flexibility means “to allow use of the particular element in another way possible to fulfil a specific purpose. An
element is initially designed for one particular reason, but later the same element is used differently.” Let us
take an example to understand the concept of the flexibility. One storey residential house has a dining and
drawing hall on the ground floor, separated with a fibre partition wall in it. For various events and gatherings,
both dining and drawing hall can be combined and converted into a banquet hall by removing partition wall.
Also, future expansions of converting one unit to another must be kept in mind as it is one of the basic
principles of construction.
07. What does PRIVACY means in
building planning?
 Internal Privacy: This deals with the
privacy inside a house, amongst the
rooms. It covers the privacy
between rooms and water closets,
corridors, passage lobbies etc.
 External Privacy: Privacy of a
building with respect to other
buildings and the things outside the
building- such as streets, roads, etc.,
is external privacy.
08. How FURNITURE influence principles of building planning?
 According to rooms’ functions, the type of furniture varies.
 The architects and planner must consider the furniture’s relative positions to avoid the congestion of space.
 The furniture should match the purpose of the room and justify the effective use of a room

09. What is SANITATION in building planning?

 Light, ventilation, and sanitary conveniences, are essential factors that provide good sanitation in a
building.
 Adequate sanitation can be achieved by placing doors, windows, and ventilators appropriately.
 Installing exhaust fans, lighting lamps, suitable absorbent flooring, and improvised plumbing equipment
can lead to better sanitation.
 For proper lighting, the least area of window should not be less than 1/10th of floor area in residential
building. This ratio can be raised to 1/5th for buildings other than residential ones.
11. What is the importance of ECONOMY in building planning?
 The building should not be too expensive.
 However, having said that, the cost cutting should not happen by compromising on the safety and the building
principles.
 Often, the cost of the construction at the initial stage is higher as standard designs and materials are used, but it
reduces the cost of maintenance and repair in the future.
11. What is ELEGANCE in building planning?
The elegance has a direct connection with the appearance and layout of a plan.
it depends on the materials used for construction in the exterior portion and relies on the positions of the door,
windows, chhajja, balconies, and many such factors.
All these components aim to enhance the look and thus it is necessary to give more footage to it while building
planning.

12. What are the PRACTICAL

CONSIDERATIONS in building
planning?
While designing and planning a
building, there are several practical
points to be considered for better
results. These practical
considerations are briefly
mentioned as follows:
 BUILDING AREA TERMS
Plot area: The area which is surrounded by a boundary line (fencing) is called as Plot Area.
Built-up area: The total building area in plot area is referred as Built up area. In simple, Area excluding
empty space around the building is called Built up area.
Built up Area = Carpet area+ Thickness of All walls + balcony
Plinth area: It is the area that lies within the outer-to-outer dimensions of the walls of the building and is
obtained by multiplying the out-to-out dimensions of the building at any floor level.
 The space covered by pillars, pilasters, and other intermediate support are not calculated in the floor area.
 The built-up area and plinth area may or may not same.
Carpet Area: It is the area that can actually be covered by a carpet, or the area of the apartment excluding the
thickness of inner walls.
 Carpet area does not include the space covered by common areas such as lobby, lift, stairs, play area, etc.
 Carpet area is usually around 70% of the built-up area.
Setback area: The empty space around the building is called Setback area.
 The setback area is decided by Municipal Authority.
 In India, we leave 4 ft from all the sides of the building. The reason behind leaving setback area is to make
ease for moving vehicles, ventilation and during emergency purposes.
 However set back area increases for High rise building and may go up to several meters.
Setback area = Plot area – Built-up Area
Built-Up Area: Built-up area is the area that comes after adding carpet area (70%) and wall area (30%).

Super Built-Up Area:- It is the area calculated by adding the built-up area and common area that includes the
corridor, lift lobby, lift, etc. In some cases, builders even include amenities such as a pool, garden and clubhouse
in the common area.
A developer/builder charges you on the basis of the super built-up area which is why it is also known as ‘saleable’
area.
COMPUTATION OF PLINTH AREA/BUILT
UP AREA –
Plinth area = building carpet area + wall
area (both internal and exterior walls) +
parasitic area + elevator openings, etc.
 The plinth area is the space between the
building’s exterior and outer bounds or its
walls.
 The plinth area is 10 to 20% greater than the
carpet area.

COMPUTATION OF CARPET AREA/LIVABLE AREA-

Calculated by subtracting the area of the outer and inner walls of the building from the total floor area of the
building.
Carpet Area = Built-up area – Area of walls.
For example, if the built area of a property is 2000 sq ft, then its carpet area would be 1400 sq ft.
 The carpet area is the sum of the actual areas of the rooms that you can carpet.
 The carpet area is smaller than the plinth area by 10 to 20%.