Sketch a G+1 residential plan according to Vaastu Shastra and Calculation of Loads as per IS code

AIM: To sketch a plan of the G+1 floor residential building according to Vaastu Shastra and listening down the names of the structural drawings required to be provided to the construction site.

VAASTU SHASTRA:

• Vaastu Shastra is the ancient Indian science of architecture and acts as a guideline to design your home in a way that enhances positive energy.
• Our nature is abundant with powerhouses of energy sources like the sun, wind, moon, water, earth, and fire.
• Effect of sunrays, the flow of winds, the pull of earth’s magnetic field and other such cosmic energies.
• A good home needs to radiate the right kind of energy.
• A person dwelling in a house comes under the influence of a specific energy field which comes under the influence of specific energy field.
• Architectural changes are not possible for a ready-to-move-in house.

Significance of eight directions:

• Four cardinal directions North, South, East and West.
• Four intercardinal directions are North-east, North-West, South-East and South-West.
• Each direction signifies an aspect of life and is governed by various gods.
• North-Wealth
• South-Dharma
• West and East – Overall prosperity

Basic principles of Vaastu Shastra:

Shape:

• Rooms should preferably be square or rectangular.

Room Basics:

• Rooms should be airy, well-lit, bright and clean.

Home centre:

• The Centre of the house should be an empty space.

Stairs and furniture:

• Heavy furniture should be kept in the South- West direction

Water:

• Avoid keeping plants and water features in the bedroom.

Dining table:

• The dining space should be near the kitchen and not near the main door.

Mirror Placement:

• Mirror facing the bed is strictly not allowed. Mirrors in the bedroom need to be placed in such a way that the bed cannot be seen.

Auspicious directions as per Vaastu Shastra:

Kitchen:

• South-East is the best
• North-East to be avoided

Staircase:

• South-West is the best
• North-East to be avoided

Toilet:

• North-West is the best
• North-East to be avoided

Master Bedroom:

• South-West is the best

Guest Room:

• North-West is the best

Living Room:

• North-West is the best

Over Head Tanks:

• West is the best

Underground Tanks:

• South-West to be avoided.

Gateway (Entrance ) of the house:

• The main entrance is not only the entry point for the family but also for energy.
• The main door should be stronger and bigger than others in the house and made of superior quality wood preferably teak wood.
• The main door should not be dark because good energy is associated with bright and cheery places.
• Garbage bags, unwanted things and shoes should be kept away from the main door.
• Min door should open inward and avoid creaky sounds.
• The main door should be constructed in a way to ensure that when you step out, you face the North, East or North-East direction.
• Avoid painting the main door black and placing animal statues near the door.

Living room:

• The living room should be clutter-free and is the place where the family spends the most time together.
• The living room should face East, North-East, and North-West facing living room is also favourable.
• Heavy furniture should be kept in the West or South-West direction of the living room.
• Electronic appliances should be installed in the South-East section of the living room.
• If planning for a mirror in this room, ensure you place it on the North wall.
• An aquarium on the North or East wall for prosperity.
• A bright picture of sunrise in the Southern Wall.
• Shades of yellow, green, beige or blue on walls infuse liveliness and vibrancy.

Bedroom:

• A bedroom in the South-West direction brings good health and prosperity.
• Avoid bedrooms in the North-East as it may cause health issues.
• Avoid in South-East zone as it may cause quarrels among couples.
• The bed should be placed in the South-West corner of the bedroom with the head facing West.
• Avoid placing a mirror or television in front of the bed, because reflection causes fights and other domestic disruptions.
• Avoid having paintings depicting water or a fountain as it could cause emotional outbursts
• Using aromatic oils creates an oasis of calm.
• Never sleep with your head in the North.
• Avoid overhanging beams in the room to enjoy good health.
• Se solid wooden beds instead of hollow wrought-iron beds.
• Paint the bedroom walls in neutral or earthy shades that radiate positive energy.
• Bedrooms are the place for rest and response and it's good to have soothing wall colours for a peaceful aura.

Pooja Room:

• Room in a house for meditation and prayers will ensure spiritual growth.
• The East or North-East part of your home is perfect for meditation, yoga and spiritual pursuits.
• Facing east when you meditate will increase positivity.
• White, beige or light yellow or green are great colour options for a meditation room.
• Create a sacred altar and decorate it with candles or incense sticks.

Kitchen:

• The following vaastu for the kitchen ensures a healthy life for your family's growth.
• Keep the water sink away from the gas stove.
• The fridge needs to be placed in the South-West corner.
• Never let your kitchen face a washroom wall nor share a common wall with it.

Study room:

• Select a square or rectangle shape for the study table.
• Don’t place the table facing a blank wall or window.
• Placing a table in the northeast, east or west direction is ideal.
• Hanging bookshelves are best avoided.

Courtyard:

• Brahmasthan is a unique feature of ancient Architecture based on Vastu Shastra.
• It is the centre of your residence and the holiest and most powerful zone.
• In a traditional home in Kerala, the courtyard is always at the centre of the house.
• This part should be perfect and clutter-free.
• The placement of the kitchen, bathroom or pillar/beam attracts negative energy.

PROCEDURE

Dimensions of Ground Floor Plan and 1^st Floor:

ROOM	DIMENSIONS (ft.)	DIMENSIONS (m)
Drawing / Living Room	16’9” X 16’9”	4.87 X 4.87
Dining room	16’9” x 12’	4.87 x 3.66
Master Bedroom	11’ x 17’	3.35 x 5.18
Kids Bedroom	11’ x 11’	3.35 x 3.35
Toilet x 2	11’ x 5’	3.35 x 1.52
Kitchen	11’ x 10’	3.35 x 3.05
Store	5’ x 10’	1.52 x 3.05
Car Parking	21’ x 11’	6.40 x 3.35
Balcony	18’ x 6’6”	5.49 x 1.83

DIMENSIONS OF STRUCTURAL MEMBERS:

The thickness of the internal/external wall	.23m (230mm)
Thickness of slab	.25m (250mm)
Dimensions of column	0.3m x 0.3m
Dimensions of beams	0.3m x 0.45m
Height of the wall of the Ground Floor	4m
Height of the wall of the First Floor	4m

DIRECTIONS

GROUND FLOOR PLAN VIEW

1^ST FLOOR PLAN VIEW

LOAD CALCULATIONS:

1. DEAD LOAD CALCULATIONS:

a) Dead Load of Columns:

• Dimensions of column = 0.3 x 0.3
• Height of column = (slab thickness x 2) + Height of wall for ground floor + Height of wall for first floor = (0.25 x 2) + 4 + 4 = 8.5m
• Total volume of one column = 0.3 x 0.3 x 8.5 = 0.765m³
• Unit weight of concrete = 25 KN/m³
• Dead load of one column = 0.765 x 25 = 19.125 KN

b) Dead Load of Beams:

• Dimension of beam = 0.3 x 0.45
• Total volume of beam per meter length = 0.3 x 0.45 x 1 = 0.135m³
• Unit weight of RCC = 25 KN/m³
• Dead load of beam per meter length = 25 x 0.135 = 3.375 KN/m

c) Dead Load of Slab:

• The slab is always designed for a span of 1m². Hence, assume the size of the slab as 1m x 1m.
• Thickness of slab = 0.25m
• Unit weight of RCC = 25 KN/m³
• Volume of slab per sq. m. of span area = 1 x 1 x 0.25 = 0.25m³/m²
• Dead Load of slab per sq. m of span area = 25 x 25 = 6.25 KN

d) Dead Load of Walls:

• The thickness of the external/internal wall = 0.23m
• Unit weight of brick masonry = 20 KN/m³
• Height of wall = 4m
• Dead load of per m length of wall = 4 x 0.23 x 1 x 20 = 18.4KN/m

2. LIVE LOAD CALCULATIONS:

As per IS 875 Part-2, for residential buildings, Live Loads are taken as:

• Living/Dining – 2 KN/m²
• Kitchen – 2 KN/m²
• Bed Room – 2 KN/m²
• Washroom – 2 KN/m²
• Toilet – 2 KN/m²
• Storeroom – 2 KN/m²
• Terrace – 3 KN/m²
• Staircase – 3 KN/m²

3. WIND LOAD CALCULATIONS:

• If the height of the building is more than 10m then the building needs to be designed for wind load.
• In our case since the height of the building is less than 10m i.e., 8.5m, hence wind load need not be considered.

The names of the structural drawings required to be provided to the site for construction are:

• Centre line drawing
• Footing and column layout with reinforcement details
• Column schedule with reinforcement details.
• Plinth beam layout with reinforcement details.
• Each floor beam layout with reinforcement details.
• Lift pit and headroom with reinforcement details.
• Each floor plan.
• Foundation plan
• Block plan
• Roof slab layout
• Column layout
• Column sections
• Septic tank details.
• Overhead water tank detail
• Furniture plan
• Road drainage plan
• Setting drawings of buildings
• Plumbing details
• Electrification details.

Results –

• The plan of the G+1 floor residential building is prepared with consideration of Vaastu Shastra.
• The load calculations are done as per IS Code considerations.

Reference and IS codes used for the design:

• IS 875: 1987 (Part1) for Dead Load
• IS 875: 1987 (Part 2) for Live Load
• IS 875: 1987 (Part 3) for Wind Load
• IS 456: 2000 for Reinforced Cement Concrete