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Chapter 1

Principles of Planning
and Designing
Introduction
A Building is the safest place of shelter. Collapse of a building is a serious
matter. Acquiring the state of the knowledge of Engineering is the primary step,
translating that knowledge into practice is quite difficult.
A person wishing to construct a building for his own very soon is in search
of a person who will understand his ideas, requirements, pecuniary position etc
and ultimately guide him in a most optimum way for the fulfillment of his ideas.
The right choice obviously is a specialist in Building Planning Design who is
likely to a Civil Engineer.
The main job of Civil Engineer is to plan and execute the work. He has
deep insight, knows the latest technology for making the structure economically,
moreover he is practical oriented and understands the job of building construction
co-relates at different levels for the completion of the works. Ultimately he
does justice to his profession and simultaneously fulfills the owners ideas.

Orientation of Building
Proper orientation means the placing of the maximum number of dwelling units
and of their principal rooms in such a fashion so that the maximum benefits can
be derived from facing direction of the building or to avoid the inconvenience
from other direction. The main physicals elements which will govern the good
orientation are:
(a) SunlightEarly in the morning sunlight should enter the room for the
mind to keep fresh. Accordingly bedroom should face in east direction
although the proper facing depends upon the prevailing climates.
(b) ViewsThe prospect of the housing means the view as seen of the
outside from the external openings. This may be incorporated in site plan
layout.
2 Building Planning and Design of R.C.C. Structures

(c) Street planOrientation to be done on the basis of the existing street


pattern for obtaining circulation of air, adequate open space and obviously
light.
(d) NoiseThe building orientation may be coupled for less disturbances
from sound source particularly facing towards the interior of property.
(e) The shape and size of plotThe good orientation depends upon plot
shape and size adequate care is necessary before planning.

Planning Factors
In designing housing the following common factors should be given adequate
attention:
(i) RoominessThe maximum benefits to be obtained from the minimum
dimension required for the purpose and expected to derive from such
space. A rectangular room is more convenient than square room of same
area from utility point of view.
(ii) AspectThe sunlight to enter all the rooms at some part during day time.
The orientation should be from north to south to capitalized the advantage.
(iii) Day lightingThe adequate lighting means sufficient light without glare.
Proper site planning to ensure sunshine in the wintertime.
(iv) No. of dwellings in a blockThe number of block in a housing complex
should be well oriented and having good ventilation amongst the blocks
and also to ensure the aesthetic value of the entire complex.
(v) GroupingGrouping mean arrangement of different units according to
their functions.
(vi) AccessAccess means road connection to the dwellings. Ground floor
dwelling should have direct access from roads.
(vii) VentilationSupplying or removing air from an enclosed space for
maintaining convenient situation is ventilation. It may be natural or artificial
ventilation.
(viii) Height of blocksThe height should be adjusted to secure interesting
visual pattern in the complex.
(ix) Colours and materialsColour should be pleasant matching with its
surrounding and at the same time the cost should be minimum.
(x) NecessityNecessary planning for proper amenities and facilities for
the people for whom the project should be built to be achieved.
Principles of Planning and Designing 3

Definition of Structure
A structure means an assembly of a number of members and are proportioned
to resist the loads and forces along with the changes of climatic conditions.
Design of structure incorporates the assessing the load coming on it and
accordingly to proportion the members to resists the predetermined loads with a
margin of safety.
An efficient structure transfers the assessed load through a desired path
to a appropriately designed foundations.
Material Used for Structure
In the primitive age the structure were built mainly by bamboos, wood and other
locally available materials. With the rapid advancement of technology concrete
composed of inorganic materials has ushered a renaissance in the construction
field.
As plain concrete is very weak in tension in comparison to compression,
concrete known as Reinforced cement concrete has gained enormous
importance in day to day structural construction. More recently prestressed
concrete using high strength concrete is playing vital role in the most advanced
construction.
Method Used for Design of Structure
The structural members should be designed to have structural effects under
loads and forces depending on the methods of design during constructional or
serviceable stage.
The method of designs are:
(i) Working stress method
(ii) Ultimate load method
(iii) Limit state method
(i) Working stress methodThis method is based on elastic theory. It is
simple in application and gives sufficient safety and serviceability.
(ii) Ultimate load methodIn this method, the members are designed for
factored load structural design is economical having safety but affects
serviceability due to creep and shrinkage.
(iii) Limit state methodThis method is based on semi probabilistic
approach, more logical, simple and also economical. This method is
modification of ultimate load method. A factor known as partial factor of
safety is incorporated for design of structure by this method.
4 Building Planning and Design of R.C.C. Structures

Percent Reduction of Total Live Load


While designing columns, piers, foundations etc. live loads on the floors are
reduced as per IS-800-84 :
The number of floors carried percent reduction in total by members under
live load on all floors above consideration the members under consideration:
1 0
2 10
3 20
4 30
5 or more 40

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