Flooring & its Types | Civil Engineering Optional Notes for UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

Selection of Flooring Material

• Initial Cost: Budget constraints and initial expenditure.
• Appearance: Visual appeal and aesthetic compatibility with the building.
• Cleanliness: Ease of cleaning and maintenance.
• Durability: Longevity and wear resistance.
• Damp Resistance: Resistance to moisture and water damage.
• Sound Insulation: Ability to reduce noise transmission.
• Thermal Insulation: Insulation properties to maintain temperature.
• Smoothness: Level of smoothness and comfort underfoot.
• Fire Resistance: Resistance to fire and heat.
• Hardness: Resistance to scratches and impacts.
• Maintenance: Effort and cost involved in maintaining the floor.

Types of Flooring

1. Mud Flooring

   • Characteristics: Cheap, hard, fairly impervious, easy to construct and maintain.
   • Suitability: Ideal for extreme temperatures, remains warm in winter and cool in summer.
   • Construction: 25 cm thick layer of moist earth is spread and rammed to a consolidated thickness of about 15 cm.
     

2. Muram Flooring

   • Characteristics: Made from disintegrated rock, similar to mud flooring.
   • Construction: 15 cm thick layer of muram is compacted until the cream rises to the top.
     

3. Brick Flooring

   • Characteristics: Durable and cost-effective, suitable for warehouses and storage areas.
   • Construction: Bricks laid flat on a 12 mm thick mortar bed.
     

4. Flag Stone Flooring

   • Characteristics: Provides a durable and aesthetic finish.
   • Construction: Flagstones are laid over a 20-25 mm thick layer of bed mortar.
     

5. Cement Concrete Flooring

   • Characteristics: Commonly used, moderately cheap, durable, and easy to construct.
   • Construction: Surface of base concrete is brushed and cleaned before laying the concrete floor.
     

6. Terrazzo Flooring

   • Characteristics: Contains cement and marble chips, used in residential and public buildings.
   • Construction: Specially prepared concrete surface with a 1:2 proportion of cement and marble chips.
     

7. Mosaic Flooring

   • Characteristics: Made from small pieces of broken tiles arranged in patterns.
   • Construction: Broken tiles are hammered into a cementing layer.

8. Tiled Flooring

   • Characteristics: Commonly used in residential and public buildings.
   • Construction: Tiles laid on a 25-30 mm thick layer of lime mortar (1:3 ratio).

9. Marble Flooring

   • Characteristics: Provides a luxurious finish, suitable for high-end buildings.
   • Construction: Marble slabs are laid on a 20 mm thick bedding mortar of 1:4 cement-sand mix.

10. Wooden Flooring

    • Characteristics: Suitable for carpentry halls, dancing halls, auditoriums, etc.
    • Challenges: Damp prevention is a major concern.
      

11. Rubber Flooring

    • Characteristics: Resilient, soundproof, available in various patterns and colors, costly.
    • Usage: Mostly used in offices and public buildings.

12. Cork Flooring

    • Characteristics: Noise-free, suitable for libraries, theatres, art galleries, broadcasting stations.
    • Construction: Fixed to concrete base with a layer of saturated felt.

13. Glass Flooring

    • Characteristics: Very costly, rarely used.
    • Construction: Structural glass tiles of thickness varying from 12 to 30 mm.
      

14. Plastic or PVC Flooring

    • Characteristics: Made of poly-vinyl-chloride, available in various sizes and colors.
    • Usage: Widely used in residential and non-residential buildings, resilient, smooth, easy to clean.
      

Each type of flooring material offers unique benefits and is suitable for different applications based on the specific requirements of the building and the preferences of the occupants.