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BUILDING PLANNING & CONSTRUCTION (FESIII-02T)

Floors

Dr. Dhananjay Singh

Assistant Professor

National Fire Service College Nagpur

Academic Year: - 2020-2021

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Definition

A structure dividing a building into stories.
The floors resting directly on the ground surface are known as ground floors, while the other floors of each storey, situated above the ground level are known as upper floors.

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The purpose of a floor is to provide a level surface capable of supporting the occupants of a building, furniture, equipment and sometimes, internal partitions.

To perform this function, and in addition, others which may vary according to the situation of the floor in the building and the nature of the building itself, a floor must satisfy the following requirements :

Adequate strength and stability
Adequate fire resistance.
Sound insulation
Damp resistance
Thermal insulation.

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The problems of strength and stability are usually minor ones at ground and basement levels since full support from the ground is available at all points. However, major problem of ground floors is damp exclusion and thermal insulation. Moisture is generally present in the ground, which may pass into the building through the floor unless measures are taken to check it.

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The upper floors have the major problems of strength and stability since they are supported only at their ends, on walls, beams etc.
The structural design of a floor has to be such as to support the loads set up by the use of the building, in addition to the self weight and the weight of partitions etc.
Upper floors do not have problems of damp resistance, though sound insulation is generally an important factor in the design.
The problem of fire resistance does not arise for the lowest floor of a building, but is often important for upper floors.

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Components of a Floor

A floor is composed of two essential components

Sub-floor, base course or floor base
Floor covering, or simply, flooring.
The floor base is a structural component, which supports the floor covering. For the ground floors, the object of floor base is to give proper support to the covering so that it does not settle, and to provide damp resistance and thermal insulation.
Ground floors may either rest directly on the ground, or may be supported a little distance above the ground.
The floors supported directly on the ground are known as solid floors while the floors supported above the ground level are called suspended floors Suspended floors are generally made of timber.

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Materials for Construction

Materials used for construction of ground floor base are :

Cement concrete
Lime concrete
Stones
Bricks
Wooden blocks (for wooden flooring only).

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Floor Finish or Flooring�The materials used for floor finish or floor covering or flooring are

Mud and Muram
Bricks
Flag stones
Concrete
Terrazzo
Mosaic
Tiles
Marble
Granolithic finish
Wood or timber
Asphalt
Rubber
Linoleum flooring
Cork
Glass
Plastic or P.V.C.

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Selection of Flooring Material

Following are the factors that affect the choice of a flooring materials :

Initial Cost. The cost of the material should be in conformity with the type of building, and its likely use. Floor coverings of marble etc. are very costly and may be used only for residential buildings.
Appearance. Covering should give pleasing appearance, i.e ., it should produce a desired colour effect and architectural beauty. Floorings of terrazzo, mosaic, tiles and marble give good appearance.
Cleanliness. The flooring should be capable of being cleaned easily, and it should be non-absorbent. It should have effective resistance against absorption of oil, grease etc.
Durability. The flooring should have sufficient resistance to wear, temperature changes, disintegration with time and decay, so that long life is obtained. From this point of view, flooring of marble, terrazzo, tiles, concrete, mosaic etc. are considered to be of best type.
Damp resistance. Flooring should offer sufficient resistance against dampness, so that healthy environment is obtained in the building. Flooring of concrete, terrazzo, mosaic etc. are preferred for this purpose, while flooring of cork, wood, rubber, linoleum, brick etc. are not suitable for damp conditions.

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Sound Insulation. Flooring should insulate the noise. Also, it should not be such that noise is produced when users walk on it. Cork flooring, rubber flooring and timber flooring are good from this point of view.
Thermal Insulation. The flooring should offer reasonably good thermal insulation so that comfort is imparted to the residents of the building. Floor covering of wood, rubber, cork, P.V.C. tiles are better for this purpose.
Fire resistance. This is more important for upper floors. Flooring material should offer sufficient fire resistance so that fire barriers are obtained between different levels of a building. Concrete, tiles, terrazzo, mosaic, marble have good fire resistance. Cork, asphalt, rubber and P.V.C. coverings, if used, should be laid on fire resistance base only.
Smoothness. The flooring material should be smooth, and should have even surface. However, it should not be slippery.

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Hardness. It should be sufficiently hard so as to have resistance to indentation marks, imprints etc. likely to be caused by shifting of furniture, equipment etc.
Maintenance. The flooring material should require least maintenance. However, whenever. repairs are required, it should be such that repairs can be done easily, with least possible expenditure. Hard coverings like tiles, marble, terrazzo, concrete etc: require less maintenance in comparison to materials like cork, wood etc.

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Mud Flooring and Muram Flooring

Mud flooring

Such flooring is cheap, hard, fairly impervious, easy to construct and easy to maintain.
It has good thermal insulation property due to which it remains cool in summer and fairly warm in winter.
The method of construction is very easy.
Over a well-prepared ground, a 25 cm thick selected moist earth (mostly impervious) is spread and is then rammed well to get a compacted thickness of 15 cm.
In order to prevent cracks due to drying, small quantity of chopped straw is mixed in the moist earth before ramming.
Sometimes, cow-dung is mixed with earth and a thin layer of this mix is spread over the compacted layer. Sometimes, a thin paint of cement-cow-dung (1 : 2 to 1 : 3) is applied

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Muram flooring.

Muram is a form of disintegrated rock with binding material.
This flooring has practically the same properties as that of mud flooring.
To construct such a floor a 15 cm thick layer of muram is laid over prepared subgrade.
Over it, a 2.5 cm thick layer of powder muram (fine muram) is spread and water is sprinkled over it.
The surface is then rammed well.
After ramming, the surface is saturated with a 6 mm thin film of water.
The surface is well-trampled under the feet of workmen till the cream of muram rises to the top.
The surface is levelled and then kept in that state for a day, and then rammed again with wooden rammers called thapies for 3 days, so that dry hard surface is formed.
This surface is then smeared or rubbed with thin paste of cow-dung and rammed again for two days, during morning hours.
Finally, a coating of mud-cow-dung mix or cement-cow-dung mix is applied over the surface.

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Brick Flooring

Such flooring is used in cheap construction, specially where good bricks are available. This flooring is specially suited to ware- houses, stores, godowns etc.
Well-burnt bricks of good color and uniform shapes are used. Bricks are laid either flat or on edge, arranged m herring bone fashion or set at right angles to the walls, or set any other good looking pattern.
The method of preparing the base course for brick flooring varies from place to place. In one method; the subgrade is compacted properly, to the desired level, and a 7.5 cm thick layer of sand is spread.
Over this, a course of bricks laid flat in mortar is built. This forms the base course, over which the brick flooring is laid in 12 mm thick bed of cement or lime mortar, in the desired pattern. In the second method, 10 to 15 cm thick layer of lean cement concrete (1 : 8 : 16) or lime concrete is laid over the prepared subgrade.
This forms the base course, over which bricks are laid on edge (or flat) on 12 mm thick mortar bed in such a way that all the joints are full with mortar. In both the cases, the joints are rendered flush and finished.
The work is then properly cured

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Flag Stone Flooring

Flag stone is any laminated sand stone available in 2 cm to 4 cm thickness, in the form of stone slabs of square (30 cm x 30, cm, 45 cm x 45 cm or 60 cm x 60 cm) or rectangular size ( 45 x 60 cm).
This type of work is also called paving.
The stone slabs are laid on concrete base. The sub-soil is properly compacted, over which 10 to 15 cm thick lime concrete or lean cement concrete is laid. This forms the base course of the floor.
The flag stones (stone slabs) are then laid over 20 to 25 mm thick layer of bed mortar.
In laying the slabs, work is started from two diagonally opposite corners and brought up from both sides.
A string is stretched between two corner slabs laid first to correct level. Other slabs are then so laid that their tops touch the string.
If any particular slab falls lower than the string level, it is re-laid by putting fresh layer of stiff mortar.
When the stone slabs are properly set, mortar in the joints is raked out to a depth of about 15 to 20 mm and then flush pointed with 1: 3 cement mortar.
Proper slope is given to the surface for drainage.
The work is properly cured.

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Cement Concrete Flooring

This is commonly used for residential, commercial and even industrial building, since it is moderately cheap, quite durable and easy to construct.
The floor consists of two components:
base concrete, and
topping or wearing surface.
The two components of the floor can be constructed either monolithically (i.e. topping laid immediately after the base course is laid) or non-monolithically. When the floor is -laid monolithically, good bond between the two components is obtained resulting in smaller over all thickness.
However, such a construction has three disadvantages :
the topping is damaged during subsequent operations,
hair cracks are developed because of the settlement of freshly laid base course which has not set, and
work progress is slow because the workman has to wait atleast till the initial setting of the base course.
Hence in most of the cases, non-monolithic construction is preferred.

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Terrazzo Flooring

Terrazzo flooring is another type of floor finish that is laid in thin layer over concrete topping.
It is very decorative and has good wearing properties.
Due to this, it is widely used in residential buildings, hospitals, offices, schools and other public buildings.
Terrazzo is a specially prepared concrete surface containing cement (white or grey) and marble chips (of different colours), in proportion to 1 : 1 to 1 : 2.
When the surface has set, the chips are exposed by grinding operation.
Marble chips may vary from 3 mm to 6 mm size. C o 1 our can . b e rrn· xe d to white cement to set desired tint.
The flooring is; however, more expensive.

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Mosaic Flooring

Mosaic flooring is made of small pieces of broken tiles of china glazed or of cement, or of marble, arranged in different pattern.
These pieces are cut to Desired shapes and sizes.
A concrete base is prepared as in the case of concrete flooring, and over it 5 to 8 cm thick lime-surkhi mortar is spread and leveled, over an area which can be completed conveniently within working period so that the mortar may not get dried before the floor is finished.
On this, a 3 mm thick cementing material, in the form of paste of two parts of slaked lime, one part of powdered marble and one part of puzzolana material, is spread and is left to dry for about 4 hours.
Thereafter, small pieces of broken tiles or marble pieces of different colours are arranged in definite patterns and hammered into the cementing layer.
The surface is gently rolled by a stone roller of 30 cm dia. and 40 to 60 cm long, sprinkling water over the surface, so that cementing material comes up through the joints, and an even surface is obtained.

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Tiled Flooring

Tiled flooring is constructed from square, hexagonal or other shapes, made of clay ( pottery), cement concrete or terrazzo.
These are available in different sizes and thicknesses.
These are commonly used in residential houses, offices, schools, hospitals and other public buildings, as an alternative to terrazzo flooring, specially where the floor is to be laid quickly.
The method of laying tiled flooring is similar to that for flag stone flooring except that greater care is required.
Over the concrete base, a 25 to 30 mm thick layer of lime mortar 1: 3 (1 lime and 3 sand or surkhi) is spread to serve as bedding.
This bedding mortar is allowed to harden for 12 to 24 hours. Before laying the tiles, neat cement slurry is spread over the bedding mortar and the tiles are laid flat over it, gently pressing them into the bedding mortar with the help of wooden mallet, till levelled surface is obtained.
Before laying the tiles, thin paste of cement is applied on their sides, so that the tiles have a thin coat of cement mortar over the entire perimeter surface.
Next day, the joints between adjacent tiles are cleaned of loose mortar etc. to a depth of 5 mm, using wire brush, and then grouted with cement slurry of the same colour shade as that of the tiles.
The slurry is also applied over the flooring in thin coat. The flooring is then cured for 7 days, and then grinding and polishing is done in the same manner as that for terrazzo flooring

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Marble Flooring

It is a superior type of flooring, used in bath-rooms and kitchens of residential buildings, and in hospitals, sanitoriums, temples etc. where extra cleanliness is an essential requirement.
Marble slabs may be laid in different sizes, usually in rectangular or square shapes. The base concrete is prepared in the same manner as that for concrete flooring.
Over the base concrete, 20 mm thick bedding mortar of either 1 : 4 cement : sand mix or 1 (lime putty) : 1 ( surkhi) : 1 coarse sand mix is spread under the area of each individual slab.
The marble slab is then laid over it, gently pressed with wooden mallet and levelled. The marble slab is then again lifted up, and fresh mortar is added to the hollows of the bedding mortar.
The mortar is allowed to harden slightly, cement slurry is spread over it, the edges of already laid slabs are smeared with cement slurry paste; and then the marble slab in question is placed in position.
It is gently pushed with wooden mallet so' that cement pastes oozes out from the joint which should be as thin as possible (paper thick). The oozed out cement is cleaned with cloth. The paved area is properly cured for about a week.

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Timber Flooring

Timber flooring is used for carpentry halls, dancing halls, auditoriums, etc.
They are not commonly used in residential buildings in India, because timber flooring is also quite costlier.
However, in hilly areas, where timber is cheaply and readily available, and where temperature drops very low, timber flooring is quite common.
One the major problems in timber flooring is the damp prevention.
This can be done by introducing D.P.C. layer below the flooring.

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Asphalt Flooring

Asphalt flooring are of many types :

Asphalt mastic flooring
Asphalt tiles flooring,
Asphaltic terrazzo,
Acid proof mastic flooring

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Asphalt Mastic Flooring

Asphalt mastic is a mixture of sand (or grit) and asphalt in the ratio of 2:1, mixed hot and then laid in continuous sheets.
It can also be applied cold, by mixing with mineral oil and asbestos. The thickness of the asphalt mastic may be 2.5 cm for ordinary construction.
It is laid on cement concrete base course.
The mix is poured on the concrete base, and is spread by means of trowel to get levelled surface.
On the top of the surface, a thin layer of sand is spread, which is then rubbed with a trowel.
The joints of mastic asphalt laid on successive days are properly lapped

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Asphalt Tiles Flooring

These are prepared from asphalt, asbestos fibers, inert materials and mineral pigments, by pressing the mix in different sizes (20 cm square to 45 cm square), with thickness varying from 3 to 6 mm.
These tiles are either directly cemented to concrete base or are fixed to wooden floors by using an intervening layer of mastic asphalt or asphalt saturated felt.
Asphaltic tiles are cheap, resilient, sound proof, non-absorbent and moisture proof.

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Asphaltic Terrazzo

This is prepared similar to mastic asphalt, except that marble chips are used in the place of sand/grit.
Asphalt may be either in black or other suitable colour, and is laid in hot condition.

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Acid Proof Mastic Flooring

Acid proof blocks of asphalt are available, which are manufactured from moulding acid proof asphalt and inert crushed rock aggregate under high pressure.
The asphalt blocks are first laid on concrete base then acid proof asphalt is uniformly spread over the surface of the blocks. Find sand is spread over the liquid asphalt before it hardens.

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Rubber Flooring

It consists of sheets or tiles of rubber, in variety of patterns and colours with thickness varying from 3 to 10 mm.
The sheet or tile is manufactured by mixing pure rubber with fillers such as cotton fibre, granulated cork or asbestos fibre. The sheets or tiles are fixed to concrete base or wood by means of appropriate adhesives.
Rubber floorings are resilient and noise proof. However, they are costly.
They are used only in office or public buildings

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Linoleum Flooring (Covering)

Strictly speaking, it is covering which is available in rolls, and which is spread directly on concrete or wooden flooring.
Linoleum sheet is manufactured by mixing oxidized linseed oil in gum, resins, pigments, wood flour, corkdust and other filler materials.
The sheets are either plain or printed, and are available in 2 to 6 mm thickness, and 2 to 4 m wide rolls. Linoleum tiles are also available , which can be fixed (or glued) to concrete base or wood floor, in different patterns.
Linoleum sheet is either spread as such, or also may be glued to the base by inserting a layer of saturated felt.
Linoleum covering are attractive, resilient, durable and cheap, and can be cleaned very easily. However, it is subjected to rotting when kept wet or moist for some time. It cannot, therefore, be used for bath-rooms, kitchens etc.

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Cork Flooring

Such type of flooring is perfectly noiseless, and is used in libraries, theatres, art galleries, broadcasting stations etc.
Cork, which is the outer bark of cork oak tree, is available in the form of cork carpet and cork tiles. It is fixed to concrete base by inserting a layer of saturated felt.
Cork carpet is manufactured by heating granules of cork with linseed oil and compressing it by rolling on canvass.
Cork tiles are manufactured from high grade cork bar or shearings compressed in moulds to a thickness of 12 mm and baked subsequently.
They are available in various sizes (10 cm x 10 cm to 30 cm x 90 cm), various thicknesses (5 to 15 mm) and various shades.

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Glass Flooring

This is a special purpose flooring, used in circumstances where it is desired to transmit light from upper floor to lower floor, and specially to admit light at the basement from the upper floor.
Structural glass is available in the form of tiles or slabs, in thicknesses varying from 12 to 30 mm.
These are fixed in closely spaced frames so that glass and the frame can sustain anticipated loads.
Glass flooring is very costly, and is not commonly used.

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Plastic or P.V.C. Flooring

It is made of plastic material, called Poly-Vinyl-Chloride( P.V.C.), fabricated in the form of tiles of different sizes and different colour shades.
These tiles are now widely used in all residential as well as non-residential buildings.
The tiles are laid on concrete base. Adhesive of specified make is applied on the base as well as on the back of P.V.C. tile with the help of a notched trowel.
The tile is laid when the adhesive has set sufficiently (say within 30 minutes of its application) ;
It is gently pressed with the help of a 5 kg weight wooden roller and the oozing out adhesive is wiped off.
The floor is washed with warm soap water before use. P.V.C. tile flooring is resilient, smooth, good looking and can be easily cleaned.
However, it is costly and slippery, and can be damaged very easily when in contact with burning objects

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Upper Floors

An upper floor is basically a principal structural element, and the general structural design of a building will greatly influence the choice of the type of floor.
Upper floors are supported either on the walls or on columns ; they have, therefore, the major problems of strength and stability.