11.1.

INTRODUCTIOON
the
provide a level surface capable of supporting
floor is to
nurpose of
a
a
internal partitions. To
f building, furniture, equipment and sometimes, situation
others which may vary according to the
a
occupants
occupais function, and in addition,
this functioz
must satisty
the nature of the building itself, a floor
the building and
pertorm
r in
in th
floor
the
t h e f o l l o w i n g r e q u i r e m e n t s

of
Adequate fire resistance.
the Adequate strength
and stability (ii)
)
(iii) Sound insulation (iv) Damp resistance
Thermal insulation.
a r e known as ground floors,
resting directly on the ground surface
and (v)
floors known a s
The
floors of each storey, situated
above the ground level a r e
the other
whilk
upper floors.
ground at and
stability are usually minor o n e s
of strength and
The problems available at all points. HoweveTI,
leve since full support from the ground is
insulation. Moisture
floors is damp exclusion and thermnal
b a s e m e n t

of ground
maior problem
major proble
in the ground, which may pass into the building
through the floor
rally present
is ge are taken to check it.
measures
unless since they
The upper major problems of strength and stability
floors have the
structural design of a floor
only at their ends, on wals, beams etc. The
supported in additionn
the loads set up by the use of the building,
are

has to be such as to support

floors do not have problems
and the weight of partitions etc. Upper
to the self weight factor in the
resistance, though sound insulation is generally a n important
of damp
fire resistance does not arise for the lowest floor of a building,
design. The problem of
but is often important for upper floors.
11.2. COMPONENTS OF A FLOOR
A floor is composed of two essential1 Components:
(i) Sub-floor, base course or floor base
i)
(ii) Floor covering, or simply, flooring.
The floor base is a component, which supports the floor covering. For
structural
the ground floors, the object of floor base is to give proper support to the covering
80 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
 Floor finish
Cement concrete
D.P.C
Lean concrete 2g `SS
Compacted 1 2.
earth fill
FIG. 11.1. SOLID GROUND FLOOR.
Floorboards
Ground floor joists
Wall plate
Damp proof
cOurse
Air brick T7
Honeycomb
sleeper wall
Damp proof course
Ground level
Surface concrete
- Concrete foundationn
FIG. 11.2. SUSPENDED TIMBER
GROUND FLOOR
little distance above the ground. The floors
as solid
supported directly on the ground are known
floors (Fig. 11.1) while the floors supported above the
suspended floors (Fig. 11.2). Suspended floors are generally made ground level are called
of timber.
11.3. MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTION
Materials used for construction of ground base floor are
) Cement concrete
(i) Lime concrete
(ii) Stones
(iv) Bricks
(u) Wooden blocks (for wooden flooring only).
The floor base for a solid
ground floor is shown in Fig. 11.1. The lowest layer,
just above ground surface is that of compacted earth fill. The second
of lean cement concrete or lime concrete layer may either
or sometimes broken brick bats or stones
rammed properly. The third course
may be either of cement concrete or of bricks or
stones arranged and packed properly. The third layer of cement concrete is more common
since it gives proper
rigidity to the floor base. Over the third layer of floor base,
floor finish or flooring is laid.
 materials used for floor finish or floor covering or flooring are
ma
The Mud and Muram
9 Granolithic finish
1. 10. Wood or timber
Bricks
2. Flag stones 11.
3.
Asphalt
Concrete 12. Rubber
Terrazzo 13. Linoleum flooring
5.
6
Mosaic 14 Cork
Tiles 15. Glass
7.
Marble 16. Plastic or P.V.C.
8.
OF FLOORING MATERIAL
.SELECTION
are the factors that affect the choice materials
of a flooring
ollowing
Initial Cost. The cost of the material should be in conformity with the type
4 . and
of building. and its likely use. Floor coverings of marble etc. are very costly and may
used only for residential buildings.
be it should produce
9. Appearance. Covering should give pleasing appearance, i.e., tiles and
a desired colour effect and architectural beauty. Floorings of terrazzo, mosaic,

appearance.
good
marble gve and it
9 Cleanliness. The flooring should be capable of being cleaned easily,
It should have effective resistance against absorption of ol,
shou
ld he non-absorbent.
grease etc.

Durability. should have sufficient resistance to wear, temperature

The flooring
4.
with time and decay, so that long life is obtained. From this
changes, disintegration
of marble, terrazzo, tiles, concrete, mosaic etc. are considered
oint of view, flooring
point
to be of
best type.
5, Damp Flooring should offer sufficient resistance against dampness,
resistance.
environment is obtained in the building. Flooring of concrete, terrazzo,
so that healthy
for this purpose, while flooring of cork, wood, rubber, linoleum,,
mosaic etc. are preferred
suitable for damp conditions.
brick etc. are not
6. Sound Insulation. Flooring should insulate
the noise. Also, it should not
when users walk on it. Cork flooring, rubber flooring
be such that noise is produced
of view.
and timber flooring are good from this point
7. Thermal Insulation. The flooring should offer reasonably good thermal insulation
S0 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.
8. 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.
9. Smoothness. The flooring material should be smooth, and should have even
surface. However, it should not be slippery.
10. 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 ete.
11. Maintenance. The flooring material should require least maintenance. However,
 whenever repairs are required, it should be such that repairs can be done
eas
least possible expenditure. Hard coverings like tiles, marble, terrazz0,
concrete etewith
less maintenance in comparison to materials like cork, wood etec.
11.5. MUD
quire
FLOORING AND MURAM FLOORING
Mud and Muram floorings are used only in lows cost housing,
Mud flooring.
specially in villages,
Such flooring is cheap, hard, fairly impervious, easy to construct and
nd easy to
maintain.
t has good thermal insulation property due to which it remains
Summer and fairly warm in winter. The method of construction is very
ains eto
cool in
easy. Over
a
well-prepared ground, a 25 em thick selected moist earth (mostly impervious) is
and 1s then rammed well to get a compacted thickness of 15 cm. In order too spre
Cracks due to drying, small quantity of chopped straw is mixed in the mois reven
oist eart
before ramming. Sometimes, cow-dung is mixed with earth and a thin layer of
mix 1s spread over the compacted layer. Sometimes, a thin paint of cement-cow d
(1:2 to 1:3) is
applied. dung
Muram flooringg.
Muram is a form of disintegrated rock with binding material. This floorine
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 thi
layer of powder muram (fine muram) is spread and water is sprinkled over it. The
surtace is then rammed well. After ramming, the surface 1s 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 davs
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,.
11.6. 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. Wel1-burnt bricks
of good colour and uniform shapes are used. Bricks are laid either flat or on edge,
arranged in herring bone fashion or set at right angles to the walls, or set any other
good looking pattern. Brick
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. Lean
In the second method, 10 to 15 cm thick layer Concrete
of lean cement concrete (1: 8: 16) or lime con-
crete is laid over the prepared subgrade. This FIG. 11.3. BRICK FLOORING
 the base
course, over which bricks are laid on edge (or flat) on 12 mm thick
such a wa ay that all the joints are full with mortar. In both the cases,
forms

bed in fu
mortar
are
-endered
rendered flush and finished. The work is then
properly cured.
joints
the

CONCRETE FLOORING
11.8 CEMENT
and even industrial building,
used for residential, commercial consists
This is commonly construct. The floor
durable and easy to
since it is moderately cheap, quite or wearing
surface. The two
base concrete, and (i) topping
of two components: (i) be constructed either monolithically (i.e. topping laid immediately
components of the floor can When the floor is laid
monolithically,
non-monolithically.
after the base course is laid) or smaller over all thickness.
is obtained resulting in
bond between the two components () the topping is damaged
g0Od has three disadvantages :
construction settlement
iowever, such a
are developed
because of the
(ii) hair cracks because
uring subsequent operations, and (iü) work progress is slow
which has not set, Hence in
ireshly laid base course initial setting of the base course.
atleast till the
Workman has to wait construction is preferred.
OT the non-monolithic
D cases,
 The base course may be 7.5 to 10 cm thick, either
either
cement
in lean
lean cemer
(1 3: 6 to 1 5 10) or lime concrete containing 40% mortar of 1.
concret
(or 1 lime: 1 surkhi: 1 sand) and 60% coarse aggregate of 40 mm nominal si
lime-sand
base course is laid over well-compacted soi, Compacted properly and levellede.
surface. It is properly cured.
evelled size.
to roughhe
When the base concrete has hardened, its surface is brushed with
with stiff broom
and cleaned thoroughly. It is wetted the previous night and excess water is
is årained,
The topping is then laid in square o r rectangular panels, by either ained
of either
use of
use
plain asbestos strips or by use of wooden battens set on mortar bed. The glass
The panelsass oror
be 1 x 1 m, 2 x 2 m or 1x 2 m in size. The topping consists of 1: 2:4 cement mmay con
laid to the desired thickness (usually 4 cm) 1in one single operation in the panel A14 ete,
panels are laid first. Prior to laying the concrete in the panel, a coat of neat ohate
ate
slurry is applied. This cement slurry laid on rough-finished base course ensures e n t
es
bond of topping with the base course. Glass strips or battens should
ould have depth roper
have depthper
to thickness of topping. Topping concrete is spread evenly with the help of a st a
edge, and its surface is thoroughly tamped and floated with wooden floates tillaight
cream of concrete comes at the top. Steei trowel is used for something
thing and finishthe
and finiche
the top surface. Further troweling is done when the mix has stiffened. Dustine
the surface with neat cement and then troweling results in smooth finish at the Dusting of
Other alternate layers are then laid after 72 hours, so that initial shrinkage of alron
laid panels take place, thus eliminating the cracks. The prepared surface is
protected
from sunlight, rain, other damages for 12 to 20 hours. The surface is then properl
cured for a period of 7 to 14 days.
When monolithic construction is laid, the topping is laid 1 hour to 4 hours after
placing the base concrete.
Granolithic finish.
In industrial building. hard wearing surface is sometimes required. This can be
achieved by applying granolithic finish over the concrete topping described above. Granolithic
finish consists of rich concrete made with very hard and tough quality coarse aggregate
(such as granite, basalt, quartzite etc.) graded from 13 mm to 240 No. I.S. sieve. The
concrete mix proportion varies from 1:1:2 to 1:1:3 for heavy duty floors to 1:2
3 for public buildings. The thickness of finish may be minimum 25 mm when laid
monolithically with the top concrete, and 35 mm when laid over hardened surface.
However, for public buildings such as schools, hospitals etc. the thickness of the finish
surface
may be 13 mm to 20 mm. using small size aggregate. If exceptionally hard
is required, sand may be replaced by fine aggregate of crushed granite, and/or abrasive
grit may be sprinkled uniformly over the surface ( 1.5 to 2.5 kg/m), during floating
operation.
11.10 MOSAIC FLOORING
of
Mosaic flooring is made of small pieces of broken tiles of china glazed or
marble, arranged in different pattern. These pieces are cut to desired
cement, or of and
sizes. A concrete base is prepared as in the case of concrete flooring,
shapes and which
ver it 5 to 8
cm is spread and leveled, over an area
thick lime-surkhi mortar
OvE
not get
within working period so that the mortar may
can be completed conveniently
in the
before the floor is finished. On this, a 3 mm thick cementing material,
dried one part
of slaked lime, one part of pawdered marble and
form of paste of two parts small
and is left to dry for about 4 hours. Thereafter,
of puzzolana material, is spread
are arranged in definite
of broken tiles or marble pieces of different colours
pieces surface is gently rolled by a
hammered into the cementing layer. The
patterns and water the surface,
stone roller of 30 cm dia. and 40 to 60 cm long, sprinkling over

surface is obtained.
so that cementing material comes up through the joints, and an even
 for 1 day,
and 1s, thereafter,
rubbed with
with a pumice
to dry and polish surfaco ace. The logr
is allowed to get
smooth
The surface wooden handle,
fitted with a long before use.
stone
two weeks
is allowed to dry for
A1.11. TTLED FLOORING.
or other shanes
constructecd from square, hexagonal
Tiled flooring
is These are available
in different
ent sizes and
terrazzo.
or
cement concrete
clay ( pottery), used in
r e s i d e n t i a l houses, offices, ols, hospitals
schools
thicknesses. These
are commonly
alternative to terrazzo flooring,
specially w
buildings, as an tiled flooring is similar to the
and other public The method of laying tor
floor is to be laid quickly.
care is required.
Over the ete has
concrete
base, a 25
except that greater
flooring sand or surkhi) is
flag stone
(1 lime and 3
mortar 1:3 spre
thick layer of lime 24ead
to 30 mm mortar is allowed to harden for 12 to
This bedding
to serve as bedding over the bedding mortans
neat cement slurry is spread
Before laying the tiles, them into the bedding mortar with the
the tiles are laid
flat over it, gently pressing
surface is obtained. Before laying
the tiles .
of wooden mallet, till levelled
help the tiles have a thin coat of cemo
of cement is applied on their sides, so that
paste between adjacent til
surface. Next day, the jOints
mortar over the entire perimeter wire brush, and tho
are cleaned of
loose mortar etc. to a depth of 5 mm, using then
shade as that of the tiles. The slur
same colour
grouted with cement slurry of the
coat. The flooring is then cured for 7 dav
is also applied over the flooring in thin
the same manner as that for terrazz
and then grinding and polishing is done in
flooring.
11.12. MARBLE FLOORING
It is a superior type of flooring, used in bath-rooms and kitchens of residential
where extra cleanliness is an essential
buildings, and in hospitals, sanitoriums, temples ete.
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 lited 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.

11.13. TIMBER FLOORING

Timber flooring is used for carpentry halls, dancing halls, auditoriums, etc. They
are not commonly used in residential
also quite costlier. However, in
buildings in India, because timber flooring
hilly areas, where timber is cheaply and readily availabie
and where temperature
drops very low, timber flooring is quite common. One the majo
problems in timber flooring is the damp
D.P.C. layer below the prevention. This can be done by introducins
flooring.
 floo can either be of suspended typo' (i.e.. supported above the grouna
Timber

s o l i d t y p e ' ( f u
supported on the ground). The suspended type timber flooring 15
11.2. alternative sketch of
An
vn in Fig. 'suspended' or 'supported' timber flooring
i, 11.5. The hollow space between the flooring and over site
hownand well-ventilated by providing air bricks in the outer walls, andconcrele
in
h o

voids
kept
dr
sleeper wall. all. The flooring consists of boarding supported on bridging or loor
the
hich
of timber, which are nailed to the wall plates at their ends. Sleeper walls are
joists o f
ced more than 1.8 to 2 m.
n o t s p a c e d

Boarding
wwwwWw WINunNwwNU m/Iw
Air
bricks
Wall plate Sleeper
D.P.C D.P.C plate
Joists
Void
G.L Sleeper
wall

Concrete bed

Voids Sleeper wall

(a) (b)
FIG. 11.5. SUPPORTED TYPE TIMBER FLOOR.

Where the problems of dampness is not acute, timber floors may be supported
on the ground all along. For this type of construction, base concrete is first laid in
15 to 20 em thickness. Over it, a layer of mastic asphalt is applied. Wooden block
foring is then laid over it, as shown in Fig. 11.6. Wooden blocks are short but thick

Wooden
blocks asphaltlayer

Mastic

Compacted
soil sub-base
TE Mostic
asphalt layer

Concrete base

FIG. 11.6. WoODEN BLOCK-FLOORING

 2 to 4 cm) and are lajid iin
and thickness
(with sizes 20 x 8 cm to 30
to fix the wooden floor
x 8
on
cm
concrete slabs, longitudinal suitable
nailintabl,
linal nailin g strips,
designs. In order
concrete at suitable interval. ometimes, strip
Sometimes
with bevelled section,
a r e embedded in
an
a l t e rnative to the
n a t i v e to nailin specal
the nailing pecia
be used a s
concrete may strips
concrete, called nailing down flooring.
the flooring.
nails used for nailing
Special flooring are