The superstructure of a building is where people will spend most of their time.  This area includes the first and second floors inside a home and any number of floors in larger buildings.  The superstructure includes beams, columns, finishes, windows, doors, the roof, floors, and anything else.

The parts of the superstructure are much lengthier than the parts of the substructure.  This shouldn’t be surprising since the superstructure is much larger than the substructure.

 

Parts of the Superstructure

 

The Floor

The floors of the superstructure are what separates the different levels of a building.  Of course, it is also the area where you walk around, place furniture on, and store numerous items.

The Roof

A roof is necessary on every building, because it keeps the floors, and the rest of the superstructure, out of the elements.  There is not a one roof fits all solution when it comes to roofing options, so depending on where you are constructing a building, you can choose from different types of roofs.  Flat roofs are often used within the plains, while sloped roofs are best near the mountains or where there is a lot of snow.

The Lintel

The lintel is the area over any doors and windows, and it is there to support the wall over the larger openings.  A lintel beam is normally made from reinforced cement concrete, but it can also be made from concrete and bricks.  The width of the lintel is usually the same as the width of the wall.  When it comes to the thickness though, the lintel should never be thinner than four and a half inches.  However, it should also never be thicker that its width.

The Parapet

The external walls that extend past the roof slab are called parapets.  The purpose of this part of the superstructure is to keep water from pouring over to the entrance of the building, while also offering a safe spot for those who are up on the roof.

The Sun Shade

The sun shade is put in place with the lintel and it protects both doors and windows from the sun and the rain.

The Beams

Beams are horizontal elements that withstands all vertical loads.  All the weight from those vertical loads are supported at the endpoints of the beams and that weight is then transferred to the columns or the beam supports.

The Columns

Columns are vertical structures that can hold a lot of weight.  Any columns that are not put in place properly will collapse once additional weight is put on top of them.  Of course, all that weight goes from the columns down to the foundation.

The Walls

Without walls inside a building or a home, we would all have large wide-open spaces.  However, since none of us want our bedroom right next to the kitchen, walls are always installed to enclose specific areas of buildings.  Most walls are made from concrete or masonry and they hold the weight from the roof, slabs, and even the beams.

The Doors, Windows, and Other Openings

All the doors, windows, and other openings in a house or building are also considered part of the superstructure.  The number of doors, windows, and other openings will be dependent on how large the building or house is.

Stairs, Ramps, Lifts, and Other Vertical Transportation Structures

All those vertical transportation structures that you see in buildings and homes are part of the superstructure.  While stairs and ramps are often the only things seen in homes, buildings will also usually have escalators and elevators.

All the Finishing Touches

Most people forget that all the finishing touches inside a building or a home are part of the superstructure.  This includes trim, flooring materials, curtains, blinds, and even the heating and cooling units.