Civil works

 

Buildings 

Component	Description	Function	Sub-Parts	Types
Foundation	The lowest part of the building structure, set in the ground.	Provides stability, distributes the load to the soil, and prevents settling.	Footings, Piles, Grade Beams	Shallow (e.g., spread footing), Deep (e.g., pile)
Plinth	The part of the structure between the ground level and the floor level of the building.	Raises the floor above ground level to prevent moisture and insect entry.	Plinth Beam, Plinth Protection Layer	-
Columns	Vertical structural elements that support beams and floors.	Transfer the weight of the structure from above floors to the foundation.	Reinforcement Bars, Column Casing	T-shaped, L-shaped, Circular, Rectangular
Walls	Vertical enclosures made of materials like bricks, concrete, or wood.	Provide structural support, enclose spaces, and offer security, privacy, and insulation.	Inner Wall, Outer Wall, Partition Wall	Load-bearing, Non-load-bearing, Shear Wall
Beams	Horizontal structural members spanning between columns.	Distribute loads from floors, ceilings, and roofs to columns.	Reinforcement, Stirrup, Concrete Cover	T-beam, L-beam, I-beam, Continuous Beam
Floors	Horizontal surfaces in a building used as walkable surfaces.	Support the weight of occupants and objects; separate building levels.	Floor Slab, Subfloor, Floor Finish	Concrete, Wooden, Tile, Raised Floors
Roof	The top covering of a building.	Protects the building from weather, provides insulation, and completes the structural framework.	Roof Deck, Insulation, Flashing	Flat, Pitched, Gable, Hip, Dome
Doors and Windows	Openings within walls with frames and panels of wood, metal, or glass.	Provide access, ventilation, natural light, and safety in emergency exits.	Frame, Shutter, Glass Pane, Hinges	Sliding, Casement, French, Awning (Windows); Hinged, Sliding, Revolving (Doors)
Stairs and Ramps	Inclined structures that connect different floors or levels of a building.	Facilitate vertical movement between floors for occupants and in emergencies.	Tread, Riser, Stringer, Landing	Straight, Spiral, L-shaped, U-shaped
Ceilings	The overhead interior surface covering of floors above.	Conceal structural elements, provide insulation, and offer aesthetics by improving interior ambiance.	Ceiling Joist, Drywall, Ceiling Tiles	Suspended, Drop, Beam Ceiling, Coffered
Electrical System	Network of wiring, outlets, lighting, and circuit protection in the building.	Provides power for lighting, equipment, HVAC, and appliances; includes safety systems like circuit breakers.	Wires, Switches, Outlets, Circuit Breaker	Single-phase, Three-phase, Low Voltage, High Voltage
Plumbing System	Pipes, fixtures, and valves that distribute water supply and drainage.	Provides water supply and waste disposal; includes bathrooms, kitchens, and other water-utilizing areas.	Pipes, Valves, Fixtures, Water Heater	Potable, Wastewater, Stormwater
HVAC System	Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system for climate control.	Regulates indoor temperature, humidity, and air quality for comfort.	Furnace, Ductwork, Thermostat, Filters	Centralized, Split, Packaged, Geothermal
Finishes	Surface treatments like plastering, painting, tiling, and flooring.	Enhance the aesthetics and protect surfaces from damage, moisture, and wear.	Paint, Plaster, Wallpaper, Tiles, Flooring	Interior, Exterior, Waterproof
Insulation	Materials in walls, roofs, and floors to control temperature transfer.	Increases energy efficiency, reduces noise, and maintains a comfortable indoor climate.	Foam Boards, Batts, Spray Foam, Blankets	Thermal, Acoustic, Fire-resistant
Facade	The external face or outer covering of the building, often a combination of walls, windows, and cladding.	Creates the building's visual identity and provides weather resistance and insulation.	Cladding, Curtain Wall, Window Wall	Glass, Stone, Metal, Composite Panels
Fire Safety Systems	Equipment and systems like alarms, sprinklers, and extinguishers.	Ensures the safety of occupants by detecting and controlling fires, allowing safe evacuation.	Smoke Detector, Sprinklers, Fire Extinguishers, Alarm Panel	Active, Passive
Elevator/Lift	Mechanical systems for vertical movement in multi-story buildings.	Provides convenient access to upper floors, especially in taller buildings or for people with mobility limitations.	Shaft, Cab, Control Panel, Machine Room	Traction, Hydraulic, Pneumatic
Structural Frame	The core structure of beams, columns, slabs, and reinforcements.	Supports the entire weight of the building, including occupants and furniture, ensuring stability and safety.	Beams, Columns, Slabs, Reinforcements	Steel Frame, Concrete Frame, Timber Frame

2. Foundations types 

Foundation Type	Meaning	Purpose
Shallow Foundations	Foundations that transfer building loads to the earth close to the surface, typically 1-3m deep.	Used for structures where strong soil exists close to the surface, ideal for light structures.
1. Strip Foundation	Continuous strip of concrete placed under load-bearing walls.	Distributes the load of a wall evenly; suitable for buildings with continuous walls like residential homes.
2. Pad Foundation	Isolated square or rectangular pads of concrete under columns.	Supports individual columns or piers, used where columns are spaced widely apart.
3. Raft (Mat) Foundation	A large slab covering the entire building area, reinforced with steel.	Spreads load across a large area; ideal for weak soils or high water tables, reducing differential settlement.
4. Combined Foundation	A foundation that supports more than one column, generally rectangular.	Used when columns are close together or when one column is near a property line, where loads need combining.
Deep Foundations	Foundations that transfer building loads to deeper, more stable soil layers.	Used for heavy loads or when the topsoil is weak or expansive, often extending 10m or more below ground.
1. Pile Foundation	Long, slender columns driven deep into the ground, typically concrete, steel, or timber.	Transfers load to deeper soil layers or rock, used for high-rise buildings, bridges, or weak surface soils.
2. Pier Foundation	Vertical columns inserted into the ground, similar to piles but typically shorter and wider.	Suitable for light structures on uneven ground or near water; offers stability in variable soils.
3. Caisson Foundation	Large, watertight chamber sunk into the ground and filled with concrete.	Used in underwater or deep soil conditions, like bridge piers, offering stability in waterlogged areas.
4. Well Foundation	A type of caisson used in waterlogged soils, often constructed in stages and sunk into place.	Common in bridge foundations over rivers, offering stability in flowing water conditions.

Types of Beam 

Beam Type	Description	Purpose
Simply Supported Beam	A beam supported at both ends, free to rotate and without any fixed connections.	Common in residential construction; used to span distances between supports, carrying loads from above.
Fixed Beam	A beam with both ends fixed, preventing rotation and providing more rigidity.	Offers greater stability and load-carrying capacity; used in structures needing high resistance to bending moments.
Cantilever Beam	A beam anchored at only one end, with the other end extending freely.	Used for overhanging structures like balconies, canopies, or walkways; supports loads at the free end.
Continuous Beam	A beam extending over multiple supports without breaks.	Used in bridges, long-span structures, and frames; distributes load across multiple supports, reducing bending.
Overhanging Beam	A beam with one or both ends extending beyond its supports.	Used to support structures like roof overhangs or small platforms, providing extended support with minimal material.
T-beam	A beam shaped like the letter "T," often integrated with a floor slab.	Common in bridges and buildings for strength and efficient load transfer; the slab acts as the top flange.
L-beam	An L-shaped beam typically used at the corners of structures.	Provides support at corners, often found in load-bearing walls or where two beams meet at an angle.
I-beam (or H-beam)	A beam shaped like the letter "I" or "H," with a central web and horizontal flanges.	Widely used in construction for high-strength applications, ideal for supporting large loads over long spans.
Box Beam	A hollow, rectangular beam with two or more walls.	Used in heavy construction for added strength and stability; common in bridges and skyscrapers.
Girder	A large, primary beam that supports other beams or loads.	Main load-bearing member in a structure, typically used in bridges and large buildings to support secondary beams.
Composite Beam	A beam made of two or more different materials, such as steel and concrete.	Combines properties of materials for increased strength and flexibility; used in modern structures and bridges.
Reinforced Concrete Beam	A concrete beam with steel reinforcement bars embedded for added strength.	Standard in most construction projects; handles tension and compression forces effectively.
Steel Beam	A beam entirely made of steel, often rolled or welded into shape.	Used in structures requiring high strength and durability, like commercial buildings and bridges.
Timber Beam	A beam made of wood, typically used in residential or small-scale construction.	Provides structural support in smaller buildings; lightweight and easy to work with for framing.
Prestressed Beam	A concrete beam with internal stress applied to counteract tensile forces.	Reduces cracking and deflection; used in bridges, parking structures, and large-span build