Details of plinth beam in construction

A plinth alias tie beam stands for a beam that is built up at plinth level among foundation footings and superstructure. The objective of plinth beam is to resist the splitting of column because of load generating from above. It offers extra strength with respect to settlements of the building and earthquake damages. Plinth beam in a frame structure connects all the columns to minimize the length of the columns and thus decreases their effective length and slenderness. Brick or stone masonry is normally constructed underneath the plinth beam.

Plinth beams are generally set up in the situation where the foundations are little deeper and consequently they perform like a bracing or tying element. Plinth beam helps in evading differential settlement in a building because all the load of the wall is borne by the plinth beam below.

In a skeletal system alias a framed structure; plinth beam should constructed initially as soon as the foundation is set up. As the finish floor level of the ground floor is retained higher as compared to the ground level; the empty gap and void is stuffed with a compacted soil to produce a secure surface for the floor to be built up.

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The plinth beam is normally expected to be strong enough for bearing the superimposing brick walls efficiently tying the columns and the structure. As per the structural requirement of a building; plinth beam can either be reinforced or non-reinforced.

Plinth beam is very useful in earthquake prone areas. Besides, it is also built up over the natural ground.

Strength of plinth beam concrete shall not be smaller than 20MPa. If concrete is blended by hand, then additional 20% cement should be included to the mixture.

A least depth of plinth beam is 20cm while its width must be similar with the width of final course of the foundation.

It is suggested to arrange two bars having least diameter of 12mm at the bottom of the beam. In the same way, two bars having least diameter of 10mm must be arranged at the top of the plinth beam.

Reinforcement bars should have been safeguarded with 25mm concrete cover. For stirrups, stirrup diameter should be minimum 6mm and a spacing of 15cm is recommended.

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Published by Rajib Dey
Senior Content Editor
www.sketchup3dconstruction (an information hub for civil engineering & sketchup)
Email : globalrajib71@gmail.com