Plinth Beam: Meaning and Purpose of Plinth Beam

Plinth Beam: Meaning and Purpose of Plinth Beam

What is a Plinth Beam?

Plinth beam  is a reinforced concrete beam constructed between the wall and its foundation. It is a  framed structure provided at or above/below ground level that takes the load of the wall built on top of it.

Plinth beam is provided to prevent the extension or propagation of cracks from the foundation into the wall above when the foundation suffers from settlement. Plinth beams distributes the load of the wall over the foundation evenly.

Purpose of Plinth Beam

1. Plinth Beam helps  prevents differential settlement in structures because all the load coming on the plinth beam is uniformly transferred to the foundation.
2. It prevents the dampness from foundation to enter the building.
3. Plinth Beams distribute the load uniformly.
4.  It prevents cracks from foundation to reach the wall.
5.  It ties all the column.
6.  It prevents the building to collapse during an earthquake.