Structures for Architecture

Assignment # 2
-Types of Structures and their components-

There are 2 types of structures in Architecture

1) Wall Load Bearing Structure

2) RCC Frame Structure

Components of Wall Load Bearing Structure

1) Foundation
2) Walls
3) Columns
4) Beams
5) Slabs

Components of RCC Frame Structure

1) Foundation
2) Columns
3) Beams
4) Slabs

Wall load bearing Structure:

A Structure is wall load bearing when the walls are taking the load of the
structure and directly passing it on to the soil. The roof and walls act as one
unit.

RCC Frame Structure:

RCC stands for Reinforced Cement Concrete. An RCC Framed Structure is an
assembly of slabs, beams, columns and foundation connected to one another so
that it behaves as one unit. In an RCC framed structure, the load is transferred
from a slab to the beams then to the columns and further to lower columns
and finally to the foundation which in turn transfers it to the soil. The walls
do not carry any load on them. Majority of urban structures and multistoried
buildings are built as RCC framed structures. The walls in such structures
are constructed after the frame is ready and are not meant to carry any load.

-FOUNDATIONS-

Function of a Foundation:
Foundations are designed so that the loads of a structure/building are safely
transferred to the soil in such a way that the soil is able to withstand them. If
put in two points, the role of a foundation are as follows:

1) A foundation should be resistant against settlement.

2) It should transfer the load of the structure/building safely onto the soil
without crossing the load bearing capacity of the soil.

Types of Foundations for a Structure:

1) Footings
2) Raft Foundation
3) Pile Foundation

Footing is the kind of foundation when sufficient amount of good soil at is

kept around a column at shallow depth.

Raft Foundations are made when a basement is required and when the
quality of soil is not strong. A Base slab is made to transfer the load to the
soil.
Pile Foundations are made when the load to be supported is large and the
necessary kind of firm soil is not available in that region.

Footings spread out the weight

of the house so the soil can
carry the load. Because the
load spreads out, the pressure
on the soil is greatest right
beneath the footing.

Footing

Raft foundation is used (usually

on soft ground) consisting of an
extended layer of reinforced
concrete.
 Raft Foundation
A special type of foundation that
enables a structure to be
supported by a layer of soil
found at any depth below the
ground surface. A pile
foundation comprises two basic
structural elements, the pile and
the pile cap. A pile cap is a
structural base, similar to a
spread footing that supports a
structural column, wall, or slab,
except that it bears on a single

Pile Foundation
-COLUMNS-

Function of a Column:
A column is a vertical member of a structure that transfers the load of a
structure to the soil/ground without the walls having to bear any load. It
holds up the structure giving support to the beams and slab.
 Columns of
Alhambra. Granada, Spain.
 -BEAMS and LINTELS-

Slightly arched beams

Function of a Beam & Lintel: A beam is a horizontal member of a

structure and it transfers the load of the slab on the columns. A Lintel is a
Beam which is specially made for openings in the structure like windows and
doors.
 Barn Beams
Key Stone Lintel

-SLABS-
Function of a Slab:
A Slab is used as a base as well as a roof/ceiling to transfer the load of the
structure to the soil. The ceiling or roof of a structure is a slab.

A slab used as a Base A

Slab used as a roof
 -WALLS-

Walls bearing the load of the structure

Functions of a wall:
There are various functions of a wall but mostly a wall is used to enclose and
shelter an area from conditions. Structurally, walls are members that hold
the roof if the structure has no columns to support it
 Concrete Walls with dead load A wall
bearing the load of a room
Structure of Burj Dubai

RCC Frame Structures with all the elements working as one.

Submitted By: Basma Iqbal

Submitted to: Faisal Usman