2.5.5 Slabs
Definition: A flat plate used in construction or a piece of stone or concrete used to pave sidewalks or roads surface.
A concrete slab is a common structural element of modern building.
A slab is most used for differentiate the upper floor and also you can found the ground slab where, there is no enough stability of the soil.
2.5.6 Beams
Horizontal member across the structure and support the load just above opening
If an opening is very large then the wall may not give enough support to a floor or roof.
In these rose you would normally put in a steel or reinforced concrete floor slab.
You might also use a tie beam at the top of on external wall that encloses the four sides of a building thus improves the stability at the top of the wall where the roof is tied down to the bricks or blocks work.
2.5.6.1 Types of Beams
Cantilever beam
Uniforms simply supported beam
Fixed beam
Continuous beam
O
ver
hanging beam
a)
figure 1: Cantilever Beam
Cantilever beam: is a beam fixed at one end and free at another end
b
)
Figure 2: Simply supported beam
Simply supported beam: a beam support a resisting freely on the support at the both ends.
d
)
Figure 3: Continuous Beam
This beam house more than two supports
e
)
Figure 4: Over hanging Beam
Over hanging beam: the beam may be over hanging on one or both sides
f) A fixed beam
Figure 5: Fixed Beam
A beam whose both ends are fixed or built in wall
2.5.7 Stairs
Stairs are defined as construction structural that help the people to gain access to the upper floors.
2.5.7.1 Stair Case Materials
You can build stair case out of timber reinforced concrete, steel or stone.
Timber stair case traditional; and they are usually consists of two string, treads and vises a balustrade and handrail.
Reinforced concrete staircase: those we increasingly popular. They are usually cost in situ on formwork the treads and rises are cost in one piece so they do not have strings.
Steel stair case : are normally user for fire escapes our for external access
Stair case are rare because of their low strength.
N.B: Because of the very young or old may find it difficult to go up and down stairs safely you should put stand hand rails reach that handrails should be supported by balustrades on the open sides of staircases to prevent accident .
2.5.8 Roof
Definition: Roof is defined as the upper most part of the building which provides a structure covering to protect the building from weather.
2.5.8.1 Roof Types
Figure 6: Types of roof
The roof should be divided into two types such as
Flat roof and;
Slopped ( or pitched roof )
Flat roofs are basically known as those ones where the slops are less than 100 and mainly built in concrete as materials of construction.
Slopped roof (pitched) are those ones with pitch angle are hops greater than 100 and they are basically designed with appropriate covers for example for sheets, asbestos sheets and tiles