Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 2
SUBSTRUCTURE AND SUPERSTRUCTURE
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SUBSTRUCTURE AND SUPERSTRUCTURE
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Subject: Applied Technology
Class: SHS 2
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 1
Grade code: 2.3.2.LI.5
Strand code: 3
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 2.3.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 2.3.2.LI.5
Theme: BUILDING CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
Subtheme: SUBSTRUCTURE AND SUPERSTRUCTURE
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Welcome, students. Every day, we see buildings all around us – our homes, our schools, the new shops being built in town. Have you ever wondered what holds these massive structures up? A building is like a giant tree; what you see above the ground (the trunk, branches, and leaves) is only possible because of the strong roots hidden below. In construction, these "roots" are called the substructure, and the most important part of the substructure is the foundation footing. Understanding the footing is the first step to understanding how to build a safe, strong, and lasting structure that can withstand the Ghanaian weather and soil conditions for generations.
A. Substructure vs. Superstructure
Before we dive into the footing, let's understand where it fits. A building is divided into two main parts: Substructure: This is the part of the building that is below the ground level. Its main job is to transfer the load (weight) of the entire building safely to the soil. It includes the foundation, foundation walls, and ground floor slab. Think of it as the roots of a tree. Superstructure: This is the part of the building that is above the ground level. It is the part we live and work in. It includes the walls, columns, beams, floors, and roof. Think of it as the visible part of the tree (trunk, branches).
The foundation footing is the lowest component of the substructure. It is the very first part of the structure to be built, and it directly rests on the soil. B. What is a Foundation Footing?
A foundation footing is the widened base of a foundation wall or column, constructed to spread the total load of a building over a larger area of soil.