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Lesson 3 of 535 min read
Building Technology & Materials
Construction Systems, Materials, and Building Components
In This Lesson
1. Structural Systems
Load-Bearing Systems
Types of Loads
- Dead Load: Permanent, static (structure, finishes)
- Live Load: Variable (occupants, furniture)
- Wind Load: Lateral force from wind
- Seismic Load: Earthquake forces
- Snow Load: Weight of accumulated snow
Load Transfer Path
- Floor/Roof → Beams → Girders
- Girders → Columns → Footings
- Footings → Soil/Foundation
Structural Frame Types
Post and Beam
- • Vertical posts + horizontal beams
- • Simple connections
- • Limited height due to lateral stability
Rigid Frame
- • Fixed connections (moment-resisting)
- • Resists lateral loads
- • Used in multi-story buildings
Braced Frame
- • Diagonal bracing members
- • Efficient for lateral loads
- • Types: X-bracing, K-bracing, V-bracing
Shear Wall
- • Vertical walls resist lateral forces
- • Usually concrete or masonry
- • Common in high-rise buildings
Foundation Types
Shallow Foundations
- Spread Footing: Individual column support
- Combined Footing: Two or more columns
- Strip/Wall Footing: Continuous under walls
- Mat/Raft: Entire building on one slab
Deep Foundations
- Piles: Driven or bored deep into soil
- Caissons: Large diameter drilled shafts
- Used for weak surface soil or heavy loads
2. Construction Materials
Steel
- Properties: High strength, ductile, uniform quality, recyclable
- Types: Carbon steel, stainless steel, weathering steel
- Sections: Wide flange (W), I-beam, C-channel, angle, tube, pipe
- Connections: Bolted, welded, riveted
- Protection: Paint, galvanizing, fireproofing required
Wood/Timber
Types
- Hardwood: Narra, Yakal, Tanguile, Mahogany
- Softwood: Pine, Falcata, Gmelina
- Engineered: Plywood, LVL, Glulam, CLT
Defects
- • Knots, splits, checks, shakes
- • Warp (bow, cup, twist, crook)
- • Decay, insect damage
Glass
- Float Glass: Standard clear glass
- Tempered Glass: Heat-treated, 4x stronger, breaks into small pieces
- Laminated Glass: PVB interlayer, holds together when broken (safety)
- Insulated Glass (IGU): Two panes with air/gas for thermal performance
- Low-E Glass: Coating reflects heat, improves energy efficiency
3. Concrete Technology
Concrete Components
- Cement: Portland cement (Type I most common), binding agent
- Fine Aggregate: Sand, passes #4 sieve
- Coarse Aggregate: Gravel, retained on #4 sieve
- Water: Hydration, workability (W/C ratio critical)
- Admixtures: Accelerators, retarders, plasticizers, air-entraining
Mix Proportions
Common mix ratios (Cement : Sand : Gravel):
- Class A (1:2:4): 3000 psi (21 MPa) - structural members
- Class B (1:2.5:5): 2500 psi (17 MPa) - general construction
- Class C (1:3:6): 2000 psi (14 MPa) - non-structural
Reinforced Concrete
- Steel reinforcement: Provides tensile strength (concrete weak in tension)
- Cover: Min concrete cover protects rebar from corrosion (40-75mm typical)
- Rebar sizes: 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, 20mm, 25mm, 32mm
- Curing: 7 days minimum for strength development (moist curing)
4. Masonry Construction
Masonry Units
CHB (Concrete Hollow Blocks)
- • Standard: 4" (100mm), 6" (150mm)
- • Non-load bearing unless reinforced
- • 12.5 pieces per sqm (standard)
Clay Bricks
- • Fired clay, more durable
- • Better compression strength
- • Used for exposed finishes
Bond Patterns
- Running/Stretcher Bond: Bricks laid lengthwise, offset by half
- Stack Bond: Aligned joints, decorative only
- English Bond: Alternating courses of headers and stretchers
- Flemish Bond: Alternating headers and stretchers in each course
5. Building Finishes
Floor Finishes
Hard Finishes
- • Ceramic/Porcelain tiles
- • Natural stone (granite, marble)
- • Terrazzo
- • Hardwood flooring
Resilient Finishes
- • Vinyl tiles/sheets
- • Rubber flooring
- • Linoleum
- • Carpet
Wall Finishes
- Plaster: Cement plaster (exterior), gypsum plaster (interior)
- Paint: Latex (water-based), enamel (oil-based), epoxy
- Wallcovering: Wallpaper, fabric, vinyl
- Tile: Ceramic, porcelain, natural stone
- Panel: Wood paneling, fiber cement board, metal
Ceiling Types
- Exposed: Visible structure/systems
- Suspended: T-bar grid with lay-in panels
- Gypsum board: Attached to furring or studs
- Plywood/Marine: Wood ceiling panels
6. Roofing Systems
Pitched Roof Types
- Gable: Two sloping sides meeting at ridge
- Hip: Four sloping sides
- Gambrel: Two slopes per side (barn roof)
- Mansard: Four sides with two slopes each
- Shed: Single sloping surface
- Butterfly: Two surfaces sloping inward
Roofing Materials
- GI Sheets: Corrugated, most common in Philippines
- Aluminum: Lightweight, corrosion-resistant
- Tile: Clay or concrete tiles (Spanish, flat)
- Standing Seam: Metal panels with concealed fasteners
- Built-up Roofing (BUR): Multiple layers of bitumen and felt (flat roofs)
- Single-ply Membrane: TPO, EPDM, PVC (flat roofs)
Roof Components
- Ridge: Horizontal line at roof peak
- Valley: Internal angle where two slopes meet
- Eave: Lower edge overhanging wall
- Fascia: Board at eave covering rafter ends
- Soffit: Underside of eave overhang
- Gutter: Channel for water drainage
- Flashing: Metal pieces preventing water entry at joints
7. Doors & Windows
Door Types
By Operation
- • Swinging (single, double)
- • Sliding (single, bypass, pocket)
- • Folding (bi-fold, accordion)
- • Revolving
- • Overhead/Roll-up
By Construction
- • Flush (flat surface)
- • Panel (rails and stiles)
- • Louvered (ventilation)
- • Glass/French
- • Fire-rated (UL labeled)
Window Types
- Casement: Hinged at side, swings out
- Awning: Hinged at top, swings out
- Hopper: Hinged at bottom, swings in
- Sliding: Horizontal sliding panels
- Double-hung: Two vertical sliding sashes
- Fixed: Non-operable
- Jalousie: Horizontal glass louvers
- Pivot: Rotates on central axis
Standard Sizes
- Standard door: 0.80m x 2.10m (single), 0.90m x 2.10m (accessible)
- Double door: 1.20m - 1.50m x 2.10m
- Garage door: 2.40m - 3.00m wide
- Window sill height: 0.90m - 1.00m typical
8. Building Systems (MEP)
Plumbing Systems
Water Supply
- • Cold water distribution
- • Hot water system
- • Storage tanks
- • Pressure boosting
Drainage
- • Sanitary drainage (waste)
- • Storm drainage (rainwater)
- • Venting system
- • Septic tank/sewer
Electrical Systems
- Service entrance: Meter, main breaker, panel board
- Branch circuits: Lighting, receptacles, equipment
- Grounding: Safety system to earth
- Emergency power: Generators, UPS
- Low voltage: Communications, data, security
HVAC Systems
- Split-type AC: Indoor unit + outdoor compressor
- Package AC: Self-contained unit (window, PTAC)
- Central AC: Chiller, AHU, ductwork distribution
- VRF/VRV: Variable refrigerant flow, multiple zones
- Ventilation: Fresh air supply, exhaust, air changes
Fire Protection
- Sprinkler systems: Automatic water suppression
- Standpipes: Fire hose connections in buildings
- Fire extinguishers: Portable suppression
- Fire alarms: Detection and notification
- Smoke control: Pressurization, exhaust
Key Takeaways
- ✓Load path: Floor → Beam → Column → Footing → Soil
- ✓Concrete Class A (1:2:4) = 3000 psi for structural members
- ✓Tempered glass is 4x stronger and breaks into small pieces (safety)
- ✓CHB: 4" or 6" thick, 12.5 pieces per square meter
- ✓Standard door: 0.80m x 2.10m, accessible door: 0.90m wide minimum