Exercise 1. Complete the paragraph with a word or phrase from the box.

subsystems ground walls structural deck HVAC floor load

The simplest building system consists of only two components. One component is a (1) … – a flat, horizontal surface on which human activities can take place. The other component is an enclosure that extends over the floor and also around it to provide shelter from the weather. The (2) … may serve as the floor in primitive buildings. In better buildings, however, the floor may be a (3) … laid on the ground or supported above ground on structural members, such as the joist and walls in Fig. 19. The (4) … are seated on foundations in the ground. Additionally, footings are required at the base of the foundations to spread the (5) … over a large area of the ground, to prevent the building from sinking (Fig. 21). More advanced buildings consist of different (6) … which include structural framing, plumbing, lighting, acoustics, safety systems, electric power systems, and (7) … (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning).

Exercise 2. Look at the components of a building in Figure 19 and match them with their descriptions.

Fig. 19. Location of Some Major Components

I. 1.The substructure.

2. The superstructure.

A. The part of a building below ground level. It includes footings, the basement and the foundation walls.

B. The part of a building above ground level. It includes the walls, floors, roofs, beams and columns.

II.

1. Foundations.

2. Footings

3. Basement

4. Walls.

5. Floor.

6. Ceiling

7. Roof.

8. Stairs.

9. Window.

10. Doors.

11. Joist

12. Rafters

A. It is a succession of steps connecting two spaces located at different levels. They may be of wood, stone, reinforced concrete or metal.

B. The surface at the top of a room.

C. It is the lowest part of the structure. It is usually made of monolithic concrete, concrete blocks, piles or bricks. It keeps the floors from contact with the soil.

D. They are constructed in walls to allow access.

E. Long pieces of wood that support a roof.

F. They enclose internal spaces and support the weight of the floors and roof. They also protect the interior from exposure to the weather. They are made of wood, bricks, stone, concrete.

G. A flat, horizontal surface on which human activities can take place. It divides a building into storeys. At present it can be finished in wood or linoleum.

H. A story of a building partly or entirely underground.

I. It is the topmost part of a building. It covers the building and protects it

from exposure to the weather. It must be well framed, sustain snow loads and serve as insulation to prevent heat transmission.

J. It is an opening in the wall of a structure which lets the light and air.

K. They are required at the base of the foundations to spread the load over a large area of the ground, to prevent the building from sinking.

L. A strong, heavy board that supports a floor or ceiling.

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