Chapter 6: Structures and Components

Residential Structures - Detached - a detached home is a residential structure on a specific plot of land. Attached range from semi-detached to townhomes and multi-unit.

Bungalows - lack of stairways with the living area contained on 1 floor:

• Ranch Style - extensive space typically with an attached double garage. Extremely large basement and storage areas.
• Bi-Level/Split Entrance - has the front door located as a 'split level' between the upper main areas and the lower area. As such, the basement area is higher allowing for larger windows.

One and One-Half Storey - 60% of the living area contained on the 1 floor. This style is more cost effective than the bungalow, by providing more sq. footage on the same building coverage on the land.

Two-Storey - large living area combined with separate level for sleeping area.

Split Level

 

Residential Structures - Attached

Semi-Detached - gained popularity in Eng many yrs ago. Offer price advantages, particularly for young ppl.

Town Houses - 3 or more units are joined together by common party walls. Each unit contains a full basement, main living area and upper bedrooms area. Townhouses are either offered as freehold or condominium.

Multi-Family - range from low density units to mid (4 to 12 stories) and high rise (>12 stories).

 

Commercial/Industrial

Office - can range from free-standing small offices to low and high rise complexes. Many commercial buildings are classified as mixed use.

Industrial - can be grouped under 3 categories. General purpose (features for wide range operations), Special Purpose (offer selected features, but could be used for alt. purposes), Single purpose (Only 1 use).

Retail and Agricultural

 

Structural Components

Footing - widened section at the base or bottom of a foundation wall, pier or column. It transmits the weight of the structure to the soil, without allowing the structure to sink.

Foundation - the base upon which the structure is built, has 3 basic functions:

• transmit the weight of the structure down to footings.
• resist lateral pressure of the soil on the outside of the basement and act as a retaining wall.
• carry the weight of the structure below the frost line to prevent frost heaving.

Columns/Posts - structural component to carry the load of a beam vertically down to the footings. Should have a footing.

 

Basement Leakage - drainage (internal/external).

Floor and Framing Systems - the floor system starts with sills providing a continuous pad between the foundation top and the bottom of the framing system. The joists, resting on the sills, provide the structure on which sub-flooring is attached.

 Framing Components:

1. Beam - is a long structural component designed to carry floor and wall loads horizontally to the foundation.
2. Joist - one of a series of horizontal wood members used to support a floor, ceiling, or roof. 
3. Bridging/Blocking - retain the joists from twisting and helps transmit loads from 1 joist to adjacent joists.
4. Sill
5. Subfloor - transmits live loads of ppl and furnishings to the floor joists.

Roof - roof coverings are not intended to keep out the cold. 

Flashings - designed to keep water out.

Pitch - slope of the roof. Rise over Run.

Sheathing - 2 functions: supporting the roof covering the load of this material as well as the snow, ice, wind etc. 

Trusses - hold up the roof sheathing and shingles, transferring the roof loads to the outside or bearing walls.

Rafter - roof joist. Supports the roof sheathing and transmits the roof loads to bearing walls and beams below.