Building Construction – Syllabus

Unit 1: Introduction to Building Construction

Meaning, scope and importance of building construction

Types and classification of buildings

Basic principles of building planning

Building components and their functions

Site selection and site investigation

Basic construction terminology

Unit 2: Building Materials

Bricks and blocks

Cement and concrete

Sand and aggregates

Mortar

Timber and steel

Glass and other modern construction materials

Properties and uses of common building materials

Unit 3: Foundations

Purpose and requirements of foundations

Types of foundations

Shallow and deep foundations

Strip, isolated and combined foundations

Pile foundations

Foundation excavation and precautions

Damp-proof course and prevention of dampness

Unit 4: Walls and Masonry

Types of walls

Brick masonry and block masonry

Bonds in brickwork

Stone masonry

Mortar and jointing

Load-bearing and partition walls

Lintels and arches

Unit 5: Floors and Roofs

Types of floors

Ground and upper-floor construction

Concrete and tiled flooring

Types of roofs

Flat, pitched and trussed roofs

Roof coverings

Drainage and waterproofing

Unit 6: Doors, Windows and Staircases

Types and construction of doors

Types of windows and ventilators

Materials used for doors and windows

Components of staircases

Types of staircases

Basic principles of staircase design

Unit 7: Finishing Works

Plastering and pointing

Painting and whitewashing

Flooring and tiling

False ceilings

Waterproofing

Surface finishing and maintenance

Unit 8: Building Services and Safety

Basic water supply and sanitation

Drainage systems

Electrical services in buildings

Ventilation and lighting

Fire safety

Construction-site safety practices

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Unit 9: Modern and Sustainable Construction

Prefabricated construction

Green building concepts

Energy-efficient buildings

Rainwater harvesting

Waste management and recycling

Eco-friendly construction materials

Basic earthquake-resistant construction principles

Practical Work

Identification of building materials

Preparation of cement mortar and concrete

Brick masonry and different bonds

Demonstration of foundation construction

Preparation of plaster and pointing

Study of doors, windows and staircases

Basic measurement and estimation of construction work

Site visit and preparation of a simple construction report