Architecture of Civil Buildings (Lecture 5)

1. Lecture 5 Architecture of Civil Buildings

Prepared by: S. Niyetbay

2. Architectural and Structural Elements of Walls

Primary divisions of a wall surface:
Horizontal elements:
Plinth (socle)
Cornices
Belt courses
Vertical elements:
Pilasters
Projections / offsets
Openings:
Window openings
Door openings
Wall piers:
Sections of wall between openings

3. Plinth (Socle): Purpose and Role

The plinth (socle) is the lower part of a wall located directly above the
foundation.
Functions of the plinth:
visually perceived as the base of the building
protects walls from moisture and precipitation
subjected to increased mechanical impact
constructed from durable and strong materials
Upper boundary of the plinth:
referred to as the string course
must be strictly horizontal

4. Materials and Requirements for Plinths

The plinth must exhibit:
moisture resistance
frost resistance
high strength
durability under
atmospheric exposure
Permissible materials:
sand-lime brick
hollow brick
lightweight brick
lightweight concrete
blocks
Condition: application
is allowed only above
the horizontal
waterproofing layer.

5. Structural Solutions for Plinths

Common construction methods include:
concrete foundation blocks
brick masonry
natural stone cladding
facing slabs / panels
plastered surfaces
Objectives:
improved durability
protection against environmental effects
architectural expression

6. Cornices: Definition and Functions

A cornice is a horizontal profiled projection of the wall.
Purpose:
drainage of rainwater
facade protection
formation of architectural completion
Crowning cornice:
located at the top of the wall
provides visual termination of the building

7. Cornice Construction

For small
projections (up to
300 mm):
formed by
successive brick
courses
each course
typically projects
by 50–60 mm
Construction
options:
precast reinforced
concrete elements
cantilever slabs
anchorage using
bolts or anchors

8. Intermediate Cornices and Belt Courses

Typical locations:
at floor slab levels
beneath window openings
beneath door openings
Belt courses — cornices with minimal projection.
Functions:
decorative
compositional
architectural articulation

9. Parapet

A parapet is the
portion of a wall
extending above the
crowning cornice.
may serve as roof
enclosure
Characteristics:
typical height: 0.5–
1.0 m
Functions:
concealment of roof
structures and
utilities
protection of roofing
systems
enhancement of
building appearance

10. Vertical Wall Elements

When the wall
thickness changes
along the height:
the transition is
formed by a step
the internal step is
referred to as a
setback
changes in wall
length in plan form
projections /
offsets
Vertical wall
projections:
Pilasters —
rectangular crosssection
Engaged columns
(semi-columns) —
semicircular crosssection
Purpose:
increase wall
stability
strengthen the
structural system
create architectural
rhythm

11. Buttresses and Recesses

Buttress — a vertical thickening of the wall:
resists horizontal forces
increases structural stiffness
used under significant loads
Wall recesses:
small openings or cavities
used for pipe routing
allow installation and inspection of services

12. Lintels: Definition

A lintel is a structural element spanning an opening in a wall
(window or door).
Functions:
carries loads from masonry above
transfers forces to wall piers
ensures structural integrity of the wall
Lintels resist:
self-weight
masonry loads
loads from floors and structural elements

13. Classification of Lintels

By material and structural behavior:
reinforced concrete lintels (precast)
reinforced brick lintels
reinforced stone lintels
wedge-shaped lintels
arched lintels
flat wedge lintels
Load-bearing lintels:
carry loads from floor structures
Non-load-bearing lintels:
carry masonry loads only

14. Precast Reinforced Concrete Lintels

Marking system includes:
letter designation of type
numerical designation of length
Main types:
B — bar lintels
BP — slab lintels
BU — beam lintels
Characteristics:
standardized dimensions
factory production
high reliability
rapid installation

15. Structural Requirements

Minimum bearing length:
bar lintels → ≥ 120 mm
load-bearing lintels → ≥ 250 mm
Non-load-bearing lintels:
used for openings up to 2 m
reinforced with steel bars
constructed using temporary formwork
Mortar layer thickness:
typically 20–30 mm

16. Arched Lintels

Arched lintels:
mainly used in individual designs
require temporary centering (formwork)
constructed with inclined masonry courses
joints have wedge-shaped geometry
Key element:
Keystone
provides arch stability

17. Wedge-Shaped Lintels

Flat wedge lintels:
behave according to arch action principles
formed from brick or stone units
require precise masonry geometry
Advantages:
architectural expressiveness
no steel elements required
Limitations:
high labor intensity
sensitive to workmanship quality

18. Expansion Joints

Expansion joints are provided to prevent:
cracking of walls
effects of differential settlement
temperature-induced deformations
internal stresses in structures
Primary purpose:
division of the building into independent sections
ensuring safe structural performance

19. Types of Expansion Joints

1. Settlement
joints
Used in cases of:
different numbers
of storeys within
the building
non-uniform
foundation soils
varying soil
compressibility
Characteristic
feature:
the joint
separates the
structure along its
full height
divides both walls
and foundations

20. Temperature Joints

Purpose:
compensation of thermal deformations
reduction of stress concentrations in walls
Structural behavior:
extend from the top of the wall to the foundation level
create separate temperature blocks
Typical spacing:
from 50 to 200 m
depends on wall materials and climatic conditions

21. Expansion Joint Construction

Wall sections are commonly connected by:
tongue-and-groove configuration
inclusion of waterproofing layers
Joint filling materials:
sealing compounds
elastic fillers
compressible cords (e.g., hermetic cords)
thermal insulation

22. Balconies, Loggias, and Bay Windows

• Important architectural and
structural components:
• enhance building functionality
• improve occupant comfort
• contribute to facade composition
• Role:
• connect interior spaces with the
external environment
• improve daylighting and visibility

23. Balcony

A balcony consists of:
load-bearing slab
floor structure
protective railing
Modern solutions:
reinforced concrete slabs
anchorage into structural walls
welded connections with embedded elements
Functions:
functional
structural
architectural

24. Loggia

A loggia is a recessed part of a building:
located within the facade plane
open on one side
enclosed by permanent walls on the other sides
Advantages:
wind protection
reduction of solar overheating
particularly suitable for southern regions

25. Bay Window

A bay window is a projecting portion of a room:
extends beyond the facade plane
increases natural lighting
improves solar exposure
Structural features:
often supported by its own structural system or foundation
widely used in multi-storey buildings
Architectural significance:
enriches facade articulation
improves spatial perception of the building