Question

Difference between plinth beam and grade beam

Answer 1

Plinth beam is a beam in a framed structure provided at or above, sometimes below ground level that takes the weight of the wall built on top of it. Most other beams are subjected to loads not only from walls but also the load from the slab, such as dead loads and live load. Plinth beams also serve another indirect purpose - they reduce the length of the columns thereby reducing their effective length and thinness. It is also called ground floor level. It is the level where you actually start seeing columns rising, from the floor, though columns break through up to balance. The plinth beams are used, to avoid differential settlement, maintain the plinth plane proper, connect all the columns if depth of foundation is high, and avoid difficulties in construction of walls. Ground beam is a component of a building's foundation. It consists of an unbreakable concrete beam that transmits the load from a bearing wall into spaced foundations such as quantity caps or caissons. A ground beam refers to a grade beam, a beam that usually span poor soil conditions to fix two or more other foundation elements to support a slab or walls that would otherwise not be acceptable by the soil. Both are different to each other.

Answer 2

Differences:

• Plinth beam acts as a framed structure provided above or below ground level.
• It bears all the weight of construction on top of it.  Plinths reduce the length of the columns thereby reducing their effective length. It is also called ground floor level.
• The plinth beams are used, to avoid differential settlement.

• Grade beams are stronger than the plinth beams. Grade beam utilizes less amount of concrete as compared to the standard beams.

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