What Is Plinth?
A plinth is a base or platform that supports a plinth, column, or structure. Structurally, the plinth distributes weight and pressure down evenly across a column across a wider space. You can also elevate structures above the ground to protect them from water or other elements.
What Is Height of Plinth?
The height of the plinth is between 300 – 450 mm from the ground level. It is recommended that a minimum baseboard height of 150 mm be adopted from a natural level.
Plinth Beam and Its Purpose in a Building?
The plinth beam is a reinforced concrete beam built between the wall and its foundation. The plinth beam is provided to prevent the extension or cracking of the foundation cracks in the wall above when the foundation suffers from laying.
Plinth beams evenly distribute the load from the wall over the foundation. In a skeletal system, which is the other name for a framed structure, the plinth beam is the first beam to be built after the foundation.
How the ground floor finish level is maintained above ground level; the empty space and the void are filled with compacted soil, in order to obtain a stable surface for the floor to be built.
Plinth Beam Applications
It is mandatory to provide a Purpose radius in areas prone to earthquakes. The construction of the plinth board beam above the natural soil is another application of this type of beam.
Concrete Strength Suitable for Construction of Plinth Beam
The concrete strength of the plinth board beam must not be less than 20MPa.
If the concrete is mixed manually, it will be necessary to add an additional 20% of cement to the mixture.
Minimum Dimension of Plinth Beam
The minimum depth of the plinth beam is 20 cm, while its width must match the width of the final stroke of the foundation.
Formwork for Plinth Beam
The formwork used for the construction of plinth beams must be installed and fastened properly before laying the concrete, as shown in below pic. The concrete needs to be compacted enough to avoid steel bars against aggressive elements.
Steel Bars Used for Plinth Beam
It is recommended to provide two bars with a minimum diameter of 12 mm at the bottom of the beam. Likewise, two bars with a minimum diameter of 10 mm must be provided at the top of the plinth beam.
The reinforcement bars must be protected by a 25 mm concrete cover. With regard to the stirrups, the diameter of the stirrup must be at least 6 mm, and the spacing of 15 cm must be sufficient.
What Is Plinth Protection?
Plinth protection reduces direct water from entering into the soil close to the plinth wall. In other words, the area surrounding the building is usually known as plinth protection.
Plinth protection usually is done by pouring an approximate 75 – 100 mm layer of plain cement concrete along the edge of the building.
The protection of the plinth is necessary to prevent/reduce the infiltration of water in the soil that reaches the plinth wall and reaches the floor level by capillary action.
The plinth beam protection reduces the direct entry of water into the ground near the plinth board wall.
In technical terms, the area around the building is generally known as plinth protection. The plinth protection is usually done by pouring a layer of approximately 100 mm of common cement concrete along the edge of the building.
The main idea behind this is to prevent water retention along the edge of the building, thus ensuring a long service life. In most basic buildings, the protection of the plinth is usually left exposed for viewing.
However, in the case of well-finished buildings, the plinth beam protection can be covered with a layer of sidewalk blocks, gravel, or even the surrounding lawn.
The protection of the plinth is necessary to prevent/reduce the infiltration of water in the soil that reaches the plinth wall and reaches the floor level by capillary action.
The plinth board protection reduces the direct entry of water into the ground near the plinth board wall. In other words, the area around the building is generally known as plinth protection.
However, in the case of well-finished buildings, the plinth board protection can be covered with a layer of sidewalk blocks, gravel, or even the surrounding lawn.
Note: The plinth board protection is provided to prevent the extension or spread of cracks in the foundation on the wall above when the foundation is laid. If water is seeping into the ground.
Purpose of Plinth Protection
The protection of the plinth is necessary to prevent/reduce the infiltration of water in the soil that reaches the plinth wall and reaches the floor level by capillary action.
The plinth board protection reduces the direct entry of water into the ground near the plinth beam wall. The plinth beam in a frame structure is intended to join all columns, thereby reducing the effective length and thus reducing the slenderness of the columns.
Skirting beams are generally used in case the foundations are a little deeper and thus act as a reinforcement or mooring element.
One more reason to provide a plinth beam is to avoid differential settlement in a building, due to the reason that the entire load of the wall is carried by the skirting beam underneath.
How Do You Make Plinth Protection?
The protection of the plinth is usually done by pouring a layer of approximately 100 mm of common cement concrete along the edge of the building.
The main idea behind this is to prevent water retention along the edge of the building, thus ensuring a longer life.
FAQs about Plinths in Construction
What is the purpose of a plinth in construction?
A plinth serves as a base or platform that supports columns or structures, distributing weight evenly and protecting them from water and other elements.
What is the recommended height for a plinth?
The height of a plinth typically ranges between 300 to 450 mm above ground level, with a minimum baseboard height of 150 mm from the natural level.
Why are plinth beams used in buildings?
Plinth beams, typically made of reinforced concrete, are constructed between walls and their foundations to prevent foundation cracks from extending or causing damage to the walls above. They evenly distribute load from the wall over the foundation.
What is the suitable concrete strength for constructing plinth beams?
The concrete strength for plinth beams should not be less than 20MPa. If mixed manually, an additional 20% cement should be added to the mixture.
What are the minimum dimensions for plinth beams?
The minimum depth of a plinth beam is 20 cm, with a width matching the final stroke of the foundation.
How is plinth protection achieved?
Plinth protection involves pouring a layer of approximately 100 mm of common cement concrete along the edge of the building to prevent water retention and infiltration into the soil close to the plinth wall.
Why is plinth protection necessary?
Plinth protection helps reduce water infiltration into the soil, which can lead to damage and cracking of the foundation and walls due to capillary action. It ensures the longevity of the building structure.
What materials can be used for covering plinth protection in well-finished buildings?
In well-finished buildings, plinth protection can be covered with sidewalk blocks, gravel, or surrounding lawn, providing both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
What is the purpose of plinth beams in frame structures?
Plinth beams in frame structures join all columns, reducing their effective length and preventing differential settlement in the building by evenly distributing the load.
How is plinth protection made?
Plinth protection is typically made by pouring a layer of approximately 100 mm of common cement concrete along the building’s edge, effectively preventing water retention and ensuring the building’s longevity.
