Unit 6 P5 – Principles of Superstructures
The superstructure is the part of the building that is above ground or, supported by the
substructure of foundations.
The main principles of a superstructure are to be:
 Weather Proof
 Secure
 Attractive
 Fire resistant
 Sound proof
This is achieved by various means, but one of the main principles is
that the external envelope of the building n eeds to be sealed from
on all sides whilst still allowing the building to breath.
The main strength of the building generally comes from the
external walls, but as the building get bigger it will need more
structural walls as internal walls. In this picture we can see the
main supporting parts of a concrete superstructure. This will be
made weatherproof by adding cladding, windows and doors.
Roofs need to both protect from rain and snow, as well as keep
heat in the building, a pitched roof lets the rain run off, while
using overlapping tiles allows for movement in the roof with
heat expansion an d vapor to escape.
Sound proofing can be achieved by using a dense
insulation such as celotex, cavity walls, stud walls
and floors can have this built into th e gaps to help
increase the efficiency of the dividing wall or floor.
Looks are also important to a building, by failing to make the
structure attractive the designer may not be able to sell the
building and an un-attractive building may have a negative
impact on the residents, workers or people who use the
immediate vicinity. Poor design has also been linked to crime
rates by some people and urban redevelopment can be used to
improve an area.
Fire resistance is achieved by choice of materials, such as treated timbers and plasterboards that
resist the spread of fire.