con log book final
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1 Logbook (Construction Environment)
Week 1
Reference: Envs10003 Youtube, 2014
Basic Structural Forces A force is any influence that produces a change in the shape or movement of a body.
Collinear forces occur along a straight line, the vector sum of whichis the algebraic sum of the magnitudes of the
forces,acting along the same line of action.
Direction: line of action of force
Sense: the arrow direction
Strength- strong or weak?
Stiffness
Shape-
Economy and Sustainability-
Material behaviours-
2 Logbook (Construction Environment)
Tension forces: When the external load pulls on a structural member, the particles composing the material
move apart adn undergo tension. Amount of elongation depends on (1)stiffness of the material (2)cross
sectional area and the (3)magnitude of the load.
Compression force has the opposite effect of tension force and result in shortening of the material.
Mass construction- construction based on actual matter, volume Eg. Brick as opposed to frame construction
with cables.
MDF= medium density partical fibre
Load path: The path that a load (weight) is transferred down to the ground. Is represented by an arrow. The load will always take the most direct route down to the ground, hence a need for weight distribution.
Masonry: A way of building using small individual units laid and connected together with mortar. An example of masonry is a brick wall. Masonry materials can include bricks, granite, stone, glass and concrete.
Compression: Is where a weight or external factor applies pressure to a structural member (for example a brick), making that bond between that member and the next even stronger.
Reaction force: The force of one object in response to a force applied.
Point load: A specialised spot on a structure where a load or mass is directly applied. Eg a walker on a bridge
Beam: A structural element that is capable and is used to hold loads and not bend. Beams are generally made from strong materials, such as steel or hardwood.
Dead load= force that are permanent eg. Wall, floors and permanent furnitures
Live load= moving forces such as people, tables
Bluestone Story Bluestone- basalt- igneous rock form from volcanoe lava
Gives dark coloring to the city unlike sydney- sandstone
Perth- bricks and limestones
Disadvantages - prone to wheel ruts of carriages in 19th century
- Water damage and impact damage from trucks
- Stiletto heel damage
Bubbles indicate lava flow, most of important buildings in melbourne are made of bluestone foundations (the main local
building material), rough stones underneath....
by looking at the past where basalt hasnt formed, it shows the natural landscape has shaped the cultural landscape
thats occuring these days. ( Envs10003 Youtube, 2014)
3 Logbook (Construction Environment)
Load path diagram
Building of Tower with MDF
This tower making doesnt require much
about planning and can be achieved
even by stacking the blocks in order and
in some sort of geometrical shape in
this case the cylindrical one. However, in
the middle, in trying to achieve the
dome shape, it would be wise if we used
the strategy adopted in other groups like
stacking them all in horizontal
orientation towards the centre. This
allows the towel to become more enclosed within a short time frame.
Figure 1 how the load is transferrred down to the ground (Load path diagram)
No supporting for those elements
4 Logbook (Construction Environment)
Even though our towel managd to stand the tallest among the four in our studio, the main
reason is because of this idea. Here its important to stack the blocks into changing orientation
so that it becomes firmer due to its stronger line of axis. And this would add the towel height
very quick and save materials but on the other hand, it wont be that stable.
Another thing to note here is that
rather than making the towel in
solid materials, it would be wise
to take out some blocks from the
base since the forces would still
act on both sides of arches and
furthermore, it would save
materials and maximise the use of the structure since there
can be pathway through the towel. This also proves how buildings real life can stand
with arches underneath.
Week 2
Building tower with cut thin fibre strips Even though this is what we planned to do in the first place due to many
bracing, we thought it would give more stability and strength than any
other designs but however, even to finish the first layer, it would reqiuire
at least 15 strips for all three sides and moreover, it wouldnt stand tall if
5 Logbook (Construction Environment) we cut the strips. So with the total amount of strips we had, we had to change our designs while making the triangles. So
in the end, our design turns out like this.
Without proper bracing, our structure turns out very weak instead and when being
pressed by a force from top, the structure fails at joints and since they the joints are
only glued at the tips, they werent strong enough to hold the structures.
Here we note that having joints in side the pointy ends actually is is much stronger
than having on tips.
Things to note from other group works
Rather than making the bracing in same direction for all sides, it
would be better to put in opposide directions so that it can withstand the
force more and will lessen the chance of failing. This is due to the structure having
both tension and compression forces and need to consider them.
Another thing is that if we use the pins at the joints, the
structure becomes firmer.
6 Logbook (Construction Environment)
Reference: Envs10003 Youtube, 2014
Structural System- To support and transmit applied gravity and lateral loads safely to
the ground without exceeding the allowable stresses in its members. (Ching, D.K. 2008)
Superstructure-vertical extension of the building above foundation
Supporting elements- columns, beams and load bearing walls for floor and roof
structures
Substructure- underlying structure forming the foundation of a builiding
Enclosure system-Shell or envelope of building, consisting of the roof, exterior walls,
windows, and doors (Ching, D.K. 2008).
The roof and exterior walls to protect from weather and control moisture, heat,
and air flow through the layering of construction assemblies.
Exterior walls and roofs also dampen noise and provide security and privacy for
the occupants of a building.
doors provide physical access.
Windows provide access to light, air, and views.
Structural systems
- early buildings working with stones, bricks and
compression is the main structural action
- sydney opera house example
- frame system –efficient way of
transferring loads to the ground
- to cover large areas efficiently and cheaply and can
withstand tension
- membrane and steel frame
7 Logbook (Construction Environment)
Interior walls and partitions subdivide the interior fo a buiilding into spatial units.
Mechanical systems-for essential services such as water supply system(Ching, D.K. 2008)
sewage disposal stsyem for removing fluid waste and organic matter
Heating, ventilating and air conditioning systms for envioronmental comfort
Electrical system- distributes power supply for lighting, power and communication systems
Vertical transportation system- to carry people from one level to another
Fire fighting system- to detect and extinguish fires
R
Reference: (Ching, D.K. 2008)
performace requirements
•structural compatibility- for safety reasons
• fire resistance
•heat and air flow control
•accomodation for expansion and contraction
•noise reduction
•resistance to wear, corrosion and weathering
•cleanliness and maintenance
construction practices
•safety requirements
•division of labor and coordination of building rades
•budget constraints
•construction equipment required
•erection time required
Aesthetic qualities
•relationship of building to the site, properties or to neighbourhood
•Prefer qualities in form, massing, color, pattern, texture and detail.
Economic constraints
•cost including material, transportation, equipment, and labour costs
• life cycle costs including initial costs plus maintenance and operating costs, demolition and replacement cost
8 Logbook (Construction Environment)
Common ESD Strategies
1. Local materials
2. Material efficiency
3. Thermal mass- to conduct heat across the walls through bricks
4. Night air purging- convention system buildings deal with hot air escaping and cold air moving in
5. Solar energy
6. Wind energy
7. Cross ventilation- having two openings create air flow
8. Smart sun design
9. Insulation
10. Water harvesting
Key terms
Bracing- strengthening the structure by placing additional structural member in building framework
Reference List Ching, F. D.K,2008, Building Construction illustrated, John Wiley & Sons, inc. U.S.A
ENVS10003 Construction environment Youtube channel e-learning module
Key terms LOAD BEARING WALL- A wall specifically designed and built to support an
imposed load in addition to its own weight.
MASONRY– construction composed of shaped or molded units, usually small
enough to be handled by one man and composed of stone, ceramic brick, or tile,
concrete.
COMPRESSION– structurally, it is the force that pushes together or crushes, as
opposed to tension which is the force that pulls apart.
REACTION FORCE– resistive forces acting on a surface to hold it stable.
POINT LOAD– a concentrated load on a structural member.
BEAM– A horizontal structural member that supports a load and transfers the
load to vertical members such as columns and walls.
MASS CONSTRUCTION– building construction approach using masonry or actual
matter opposed to frame construction with cables or timber structural frames.
PARAPET ROOF– the part of the wall that extends above the roof level. Half
length wall or less than half.
MDF-medium density particle Fibre
CLADDING-covering or sheathing applied to provide desirable surface properties,
such as durability, weathering particular for outside...also for decoration.
SKIRTING-a wooden board running along the base of an interior wall
DEAD LOADS– static loads acting vertically downward on a structure and the
weight of builidng elements, fixtures and equipment permanently attached to it.
Key terms STRUCTURAL JOINT- The point, area, position, or condition of a structure at which
two or more things are jointed. (fixed, pin and roller joints)
STABILITY– A measure of ability of a structure to withstand overturning, sliding,
buckling or collapsing.
TENSION– The state or condition imposed on a material or structural member by
pulling or stretching.
FRAME– An assembly of vertical and structural members only.
BRACING– A diagonal tie that connects two scaffold members to stabilize the
structure against lateral forces from either directions.
COLUMN– A long, relatively slender, supporting pillar. A column is usually loaded
axially in compression.
THERMAL MASS– A method suited to climates with wide temperature swings. It
involves running cool nighttime air across a large indoor building mass, such as a slab.
The cool thermal mass then absorbs heat during the day.
SOLAR ENERGY– radiant energy from the sun.
FRONTAL VENTILATION-A natural or mechanical process by which air is introduced
to or removed from a space, with or without heating, cooling, or purification
treatment. But by use of proper placing of doors, windows or outlets according to
wind direction.
WATER HARVESTING-On-site rainwater collection and storage systems used to meet
water needs for a building or landscape. Usually consists of roof or other impervious
surface and a storage system.
NIGHT AIR PURGING-In Buildings in environments where daytime air is too hot,
passive ventilation is kept closed during the day, but then opened at night to
flush out warm air and cool the thermal mass with the often cooler night time air.
SUBSTRUCTURE– underlying structures forming foundation
SUPERSTRUCTURE– vertical extensions of builidings above foundations (beams,
columns and load-bearing walls, floors and roof structures.
ENCLOSURE SYSTEM– shell or envelope of the building
Key terms MOMENT- An applied load or force that creates bending in a structural member
around a pivot point.
RETAINING WALL– A structure used to sustain the pressure of the earth behind it.
PAD FOOTING–
STRIP FOOTING–
SLAB ON GROUND– A flat, horizontal molded layer of plain or reinforced concrete,
usually of uniform but sometimes of variable thickness, positioned either on the ground
or supported by beams,columns, walls, or other framework.
PERPEND– vertical joint on the face of the wall directly over vertical joints in the
alternate course.
STRETCHER FACE– A masonry unit laid with its length parallel
with the face of the wall.
HEADER FACE– A rectangular masonry unit laid across the
thickness of a wall.
BED-the facing surface on which mortar is placed.
EXPANSION JOINT-In a building structure or concrete work, a joint or gap between
adjacent parts, which allows for safe movement of the parts, caused by thermal
variations or other conditions.
IRONED MORTAR JOINT-the curved form of
the mortar inside each horizontal rows of
masonry brick units.
COURSE– A horizontal layer of bricks or blocks
in a masonry wall.
STRUT– a structural component designed to resist longitudinal compression along
its long axis .
FOUNDATION– The entire masonry substructure below the first floor or frame of a
building, including the footing upon which the building rests to support the entire
structural load while stablizing.
WATER PROOF MEMBRANE– The application of a layer of impervious material on
cement especially in a foundation wall to prevent water seeping towards the building
structures.
STUDIO ACTIVITIES (Campus Site visit) LOT 6 Cafe
This is a frame structure building with
concrete columns with a mix of
aluminium frame openings. We could see
concrete is the In SITU concrete since we
could notive joints and as well as uneven
surfaces. Here, the structural elements
would be these concrete supports.
The steel girder that we see here outside looks like it’s not
part of structural element since it is not holding up against
anything and act as only a simple beam resting on another
element simply. But however, the one inside is a structural
element since it ‘s holding the load bearing wall and as well
as the flooring panel. So the outside one is the continuation
work so the whole structure works likea huge girder
starting from inside but having a wall to
rest outside with this LOT 6 Wall to transfer
the loads from the upper floor towards the
Here, the loads from
top transfers to the
ground through
horizonal slab and
vetical columns
around windows.
Underground car park
The underground car park is made up of vertical
columns and curved slab on top. All these
concrete are made on site by sections since we
can notice all these joints in the middle of large
slabs on top as well as across the vertical columns.
This whole structure works with all
the vegetation on top because Water
is prevented from seeping inside all
these concrete works through
membranes underneath. Water from
all over the membrane collects onto
top of downpipes due to its sloping
nature and go through them and
finally drains into the large dainage
pipes at the base.
Concrete columns as well as the slab
are reinforced because the structure
needs to be strong and firm in order
to hold the poplulation above as well
as trees’ weight. Thus, we could work
out there are reinforced iron bars and
columns inside those large columns.
Concrete Foundation walls: In addition to carring
vertical loads from superstructure, also resist
active earth pressure and anchor the
superstructure against wind and earthquake
forces.
Must have water-proof membrane all along the
wall in the ground with subsoil drainage system at
the bottom to prevent water penetration.
This structure resists large gravity loads from
above as well as lateral force from ground
pressure. SO here, cast-in-place concrete has been
used, and we could imagine some kind of footing is
underneath as well for transfering loads.
Arts West Student Centre
The building system is a frame system with solid masonry for outside facade. The huge truss hangs the small
cantilever on the side so the cantilevers are actually structural elements for small sloping roofs on top but not
for the truss.
Truss is made of galvanised steel for its
resistance to corrosion property and as
well as strength property since it’s
responsible to hold the strutures
underneath.Catilevers are made of timber
and and bolted with iron bolts across each
crossing timber frames.
For drainage, downpipes could be seen under the roof and through the
drainge system on the group.
The huge structure that the truss is resting on
is made of concrete and probably in situ one
since it has volume and would be difficult to
construct with precast concrete.And in the
middle is the sealant made of rubber for
water proofing which count as caulking and
probably there could be a backing rod behind
for saving space.
Sealant allows acomodation for some
movement if there’s expansion or
contraction.
Here, overlapping of bricks is noticed with expansion
gaps in between. Since this is exterior wall, it’s easily
exposed to sun as well as rain,so if bricks expand and
contract under these conditions, the expansion gaps
would prevent bricks pounding against each other and
prevent from collapse.
Weep holes are seen that means flashings have been
installed behind the bricks for prevention of water
penetration through capillary action. They allows air in
to equalise air pressure within the cavity behind while
draining the water out.
Here, the brickwork is arranged in a way that top load is
evenly distributed through multiple columns of bricks
and successfully got to base foundations without. If
bricks are arranged without overlapping, serious
problems could arise.
Type of brickwork we noticed here is the alternative
courses of headers and stretchers. Purpose is to achieve
greater bond as well as to minimise straight joints.
The main structural
elements for upper deck of
staircase are the steel
girders underneath. These
are actually hanging there
by the cables in tension by
the top cantilever. Even
though the steel beams
underneath the stairs are
not structural, they are
there so that they provide
neutral forces for the
cantilever to work.
Fascia
Soffit
In order for both cantilevers to work, the weight of lower steel
structure must be held by the tensile force through string by the
upper steel structure. Here, the galvanised steel is used for
corrosion resistant and its strength.
The structural system used here is the planar for the
roofing since it has to cover large area cheaply and
effectively. SO the material is not soft membrane sheet
but rather plastic sheet hanging from the base and tied
to each respective joints near the buildings across the
space. The membrane is quite translucent material so
that it doesnt fully blocked the feeling of feeling
openess.
And the membrane finally comes to a hole in the middle
with sloping shape so that water or dust could come
easily into the drainage system on the ground. Not only
the hole allows for the water and dirt, it also allows light
and ventilation as well.
The base anchorage cables have to be in tension so that it
keeps the membrane to stay in place while the other tensile
forces are pulling the membrane from all directions. Thus,
the cables need much strength and has to be resistant to
water since they are being exposed to rain and sun,
therefore, steel cable has been used. And all the steel cables
are strongly secured at the base again with the galvanised
steel circular ring for more firmness.
Sport Centre
The gym building structure is mainly the rigid frame
strucuture with steel girders for additional support
at each side of the wall.This kind of rigid frame
provdies more space in between due to its lacking of
columns in the space but all the loads have to be
properly transferred from horizonal top elements to
foundation. Thus, the whole structure is made
entirely of steel with masonry bricks in between
columns. For roofing, bracings need to be used.
The exterior steel columns have been painted as another way of
preventing corrosion, rather than using galvanised steel columns.
The foundation type we see here is the pad footing. Usually, strip
foundation is found underneath continous masonry walls but in this case,
because of isolated columns, pad footings are used since there is a
sufficient depth of resonably strong subsoil exists near the surface of the
ground.
The system outside the theatre is the brick veneer system where the brick is not the
structural system but rather the finishing facade. The brickwork is connected to
inside timber studs with wall tiles. Upper roofing is actually supported by steel girder
and the alumium composite has been used as cladding due to its lightweight and
shiny surface properties.
MSD building construction shows us that the building is made from in situ
concrete slabs and reinforced concrete columns. There are plenty of cantilevers
hanging outside.
Steel columns are spotted in some places to provide additonal support for the
flooring, to transfer loads from horizontal joist beams to base foundations.
Even though it’s not apparent in the photo, there is steel bracing between some
columns, the purpose is to resist the lateral forces.
At the pavilion, we have spotted some precast concrete planks
that could be piled up and finally formed a panel, which is very
useful since it can be transported easily to the site and easy to
handle as well.
The Black pipes are called Agipipes which are going to be
installed underneath the ground so that water collected from
water proof membrane underneath the builiding could seep
into the holes on top side of pipe then finally could be drained
out away from the site. Other white pipes are for servicing
pipes such as for electrical wiring, or air conditioning duct or
heating pipes.
Key terms Joist- Parallel beams of lumber, concrete, or steel used to support floor and ceiling
systems.
STEEL DECKING– Light-gauge, corrugated metal
sheets used in constructing roofs or floors to
increase its stiffness and spanning capability and to
act as formwork for slabs.
SPAN– distance between two supports of a single beam excluding the supports.
GIRDER– A large beam of steel, reinforced concrete,
wood, or a combination of these, used to support
other structural members at isolated points along its
length.
CONCRETE PLANK– A hollow-core or solid, flat beam used for floor or roof decking.
Concrete planks are usually precast and prestressed.
SPACING– distance between two beams in joists (for eg) from center to center.
BEARER–
FOUNDATION WALL– That part of the foundation of a building forming a retaining
wall for the portion of the building that is below grade.
Studio activity Information in the drawing set is more
complete than we have observed at site
last week because it’s so detailed with
architectural plans, structural plans and
as well as referencing codes.
Architectural drawings not only show
the design layout of the building from
one perspective, it has plenty such as
north elevation, section, plan and even
the details of room plan, without even
going inside, we could imagine the
whole building.
Structural drawings are also very
detailed and not only the scaled
measurements are very useful, the
diagrams also illustrates the different
systems so it’s much easier to study
each systems. Moreover, the details of
each material has also been complied in
each legend which are very useful since
we could know the actual dimensions of
materials.
The scale of the drawing to scale of
building are different in each set. For
example, sometimes, it’s 1:100 on plans
but for details, it’s 1:20 but however, by
calculating back, we could work out for
the actual dimensions.
Key terms STUD– vertical framing member.
NOGGING– horizontal frame members between stud frames.
LINTEL- A horizontal supporting member, installed above an opening such as a
window or a door, that serves to carry the weight of the wall above it.
AXIAL LOAD– The longitudinal force acting on a structural member.
BUCKLING– failing of structural member such as beam or columns under load by
bending.
CRUSHING– failing of structural member such as beam or columns under load by
snapping.
SEASONED TIMBER– controlled process of reducing the moisture content of timber
so that it is suitable for the environment and intended use.
PLYWOOD– an engineered sheet product made from timber chips, wax and resin.
BRICK VENEER -A facing of brick laid against a structural wall but not bonded to the
wall, and which bears no load other than its own weight.
CONTRAFLEXURE-in a bending beam, a point is known as a point of contraflexure
if it is a location at which no bending occurs.
STRANDBOARD- Panels made of narrow strands of wood fiber
oriented lengthwise and crosswise in layers, with a resin binder.
Studio activity
System for this canopy section is
truss system with long columns.
Materials used are the steel
columns
Key terms RAFTER– One of a series of sloping parallel beams used to support a roof covering.
PURLIN– One of several horizontal structural members that support roof loads and
transfer them to roof beams.
CANTILEVER- A structural member supported at one end
only.
PORTAL FRAME– a simple structure, usually with two
columns and joining rafter that has joints that resist bending
moments.
EAVE– Those portions of a roof that project beyond the
outside walls of a building.
ALLOY– A homogeneous mixture of two or more metals developed and used because
of its lower cost and/or the certain desirable properties it exhibits.
SOFIT– The underside of a part or member of a structure, such as a beam, stairway,
or arch. Outside ceiling.
TOP CHORD– upper section of a truss.
TILE -A thin rectangular unit used as a fi nish for walls, floors or roofs, such as ceramic
tile, structural clay tile, asphalt tile, cork tile, resilient tile, and roofing tile.
PITCH-The angle or inclination of a plane such as a roof, which varies according to
climate, design, and materials used, and is expressed as a ratio of rise per run.
RIDGE BOARD- The longitudinal board set on edge used to support the upper ends of
the rafters.
HOGGING-The sagging of the end extremities of a beam or timber supported only in
the middle.
TOP PLATE- A member on top of
a stud wall on which joists rest to
support an additional floor or to
form a ceiling.
Studio Activity How to indicate long columns or short
columns:
Find h:w
And if it is > 12:1 , its long column
<12:1, its short column
w
h
Truss systems are used here for the
canopy section and truss maximise
the strength while minimising the
materials. The truss system we see
here is the roof truss and purlins
have also been used. In order to
support the roofing sheet, rather
than spanning the width of the roof,
purlins are used.
Roof truss consists of a pair of rafters triangulated to
provide support for the purline at the node points. The
rafters of the truss are called the principal rafters and
the normal rafters are the common rafters.
But for this canopy, the truss are just for structural
addition and not for the purlins because the canopy
sheet is going to be a flat one.
For the foundation, strip foundation under each side of wall has
used because there is a sufficient depth of reasonably strong
subsoil exists near the level of the proposed basement floor.
Other sites presentation:
Key terms DRIP– A groove in the underside of a projection, such as a
windowsill, that prevents water from running back into the building
wall.
VAPOUR BARRIER– is any material used for damp
proofing, typically a plastic or foil sheet, that
resists diffusion of moisture through wall, ceiling
and floor assemblies of buildings and of
packaging.
GUTTER- A shallow channel of wood, metal, or PVC
positioned just below and following along the eaves of a building for the purpose of
collecting and diverting water from a roof.
DOWN PIPE– continuous pipe bringing water collected from gutter towards the
gound by passing through swan neck.
FLASHING– A thin, impervious sheet of material to prevent
water penetration or direct the flow of water. Flashing is
used especially at roof hips and valleys, joints between a roof
and a masonry wall.
INSULATION– Material used to reduce the effects of heat,
cold, or sound.
SEALANT–
Key terms WINDOW SASH– framework of window that holds the glass.
DEFLECTION– vertical bending in a beam due to a load which is
different to buckling since buckling move sideways but deflection is along vertical
axis.
MOMENT OF INERTIA- In a structural member, the
product of each element of mass times the square of the distance from an axis.
DOOR FURNITURE– handles, lock and other fixtures on the door.
STRESS– internal force intensity (force per unit area) that resists the lengthening
under a tensile force/inward pull or to resist shortening under a compressive force/
outward push.
SHEAR FORCE– horizontal shear forces produced to resist
the vertical shear stress formed by downward pressure of
load on beam and upward pressure of end reactions.
DOUBLE GLAZING– Window with two panes of glass with an
air space between for increased thermal and sound insulation.
OVERLAPPING– putting together two elements of same kind for certain purposes
like bricks for water prevention, steel for continuing the shear along vertical.
CAULKING– To fill a joint, crack, or opening with a sealer material like
caulking gun that works like glue gun.
CAPILLARY ACTION– water penetrates into small gaps like joints between slabs or
between glass panels. Designing of joints in downwards direction so that water can be
drained out by gravity is used.
WEEP HOLE– A small hole in a wall or window member to allow accumulated water
to drain.
STUDIO Activity
Key terms SANDWICH PANEL– The center of a plywood, consisting of
plastic foam between wood veneers.
SKIRTING– installation of a wooden board running along the base of an interior
wall.
COMPOSITE BEAM- A beam combining different materials to
work as a single unit, such as structural steel and concrete or
castin- place and precast concrete.
SHADOW LINE JOINT-
CORNICE– An ornamental molding of wood or plaster that encircles
a room just below the ceiling.
BOX GUTTER– A rectangular-shaped wooden roof gutter recessed
in the eaves to conceal them and to protect them from falling foliage, usually behing
parapets.
COVED– cornered
LAMINATED GLASS-A shatter-resistant safety glass made up of two or more layers of
sheet glass, plate glass, or float glass bonded to a transparent plastic sheet producing
spider web effect.
Site Visit (Off campus) The carpark has been done
with the framing system where
there are timber studs with
plasterboards for structural
system and later going to have
brick masonry. The white wall is actually an
aluminium composite cladding as a finishing
facade. But for the wall system underneath, pre
cast concrete panels have been used.
In this building, most of structure is steel
framing and in some areas, larger steel
columns are being used for additional
support.
The two basement floors had basically
steel columns for every column so that
they could act as part of foundation system
since the building is situated on water
table so the foundation couldn’t be very
deep enough so two more floors had to
integrate with stronger vertical columns.
The main core of structural element for
this building is the middle concrete tower
which holds the total structural load of the
whole building. This had to be casted on
site with the use of Jump Form (is a
special type of formwork for vertical
concrete structures that rises with the
building process and allows to reuse the
formwork over and over for identical
sections). Not only it allows concrete to be
poured seamlessly, it also comes with a
space for crews to set up necessary
scaffolding.
These holes are the result of steel rods
being used while in the process of using
Jack form to hold the formwork to the
structure temporarily. After the casting of
concrete and removing of rod, the
structure is left with holes as sacrifices.
Here, slabs are the in situ cast concrete floors
with reinforment acting in one direction only
between two supports. The reinforcement is
with steel as main rods and thinner distribution
bars wired together at right angles, or
electrically welded at the crossings.
Also, for the columns, tieing and connecting
shorter columns not only transfer loads down to
the foundation effectivly, make vertical columns
and horizonal slab reinforcements to act as one
entity and so the building would act as a whole
when in case of earthquakes.
As we went inside, the interior walls have
been finished with cladding. It’s actually
sprayed MDF with steel edges.
The servicing pipes could be seen in the
basement. The big pipe is responsible for
carrying stormwater from the residential
units to stormwater storage in Spencer
Street.The red pipes are the water
carrying pipes for sprinkling in the case of
fire.
These are called parameter strands and
used for health and safety purposes for
every new concrete slab that has been
put up. Without any parapets or
railings, it would be dangerous for crew
to work above, so they provide
boundaries and something to hold on.
These laminated timber are there for
temporary formworks while the
concrete flooring has been casted
above. Using aluminium poles is easier
to put up fast and timber above provide
strength.
Steel cables are used to provide high tensile strength
to a slab as the concrete provides the compressive
strength. The two complementing materials is
achieved by first laying out a network of cables then
pouring the concrete over them. When the concrete
hardens and meets certain strength requirements,
the cables are pulled by a hydraulic jack to thousands
of pounds of pressure then held in place by anchors.
This reinforcing system is commonly used on parking
garages, sky rises, tanks, bridges, and residential
foundations.
These poles are called Peri boxes(Panel slab formwork),
they are effectively quicker than scaffoldig for set up
and penetrate into the concrete while casting,
however, after they are removed, the holes are left but
these holes are easily taped up afterwards and the
ceiling is then sealed with cladding. So this kind of
formwork is used widely in underfloors.
And moreover, these holes are not useless at all. These
holes are in fact fixed with PVC pipes so that in case of
fire, PVC expands and block the hole thus act as fire
separation between floors.
Key terms SHEER WALL– A wall portion of a structural frame intended to resist lateral forces,
such as earthquake, wind, and blast, acting in the plane or parallel to the plane of the
wall.
SOFT STOREY– multi-storey building in which one or more
floors have windows, wide doors, large unobstructed
commercial spaces, or other openings in places where a
shear wall would normally be required for stability as a
matter of earthquake engineering design.
BRACED FRAME– A structural system which is designed primarily to resist wind
and earthquake forces. Members in a braced frame are designed to work in
tension and compression, similar to a truss. Always composed of steel members.
LIFECYCLE– A term often used to describe the period of time that a building can be
expected to actively and adequately serve its intended function.
DEFECT– Any condition or characteristic that detracts from the appearance, strength,
or durability of an object.
FASCIA– A board used on the outside vertical face of a cornice. Could also refer to
roof part that shows thickness facing beside soffit.
CORROSION– The oxidation or eating away of a metal or other material by exposure
to chemical or electrochemical action such as rust.
IEQ(INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY)-An important criterion for green, or
sustainable, building design, this refers to general overall building occupant comfort.
Includes humidity, ventilation, and air circulation, acoustics, and lighting.
PURLIN– Horizontal elements that span between rafters in roofing system.
SARKING- A thin board employed in sheathing applications, as under the tiles or
slates of a roof.( similar to insulation with membrane)
Studio Activity
KDHW– king dried hard wood (good quality wood)
Radiata pine joist– low quality wood
While thinking of corrosion, need to think about transfer of ions.
Anode– at which chemical oxidation of an-ions take place, usually, resulting
in the erosion of metal from the electrode.
The further apart they are in the corrosion list, more likely to corrode
because of great difference in ions.
In stiffening the building for prevention against earthquake purposes, must
be careful because too much stiffness can cause cracks, Thus stifen the whole
building as one but let loose at the base perhaps with roller is important.
Thermal movement only concerns with expansion, contraction, air ventilation
and does not have anything to do with cladding
Diferent type of steel– hot dip galvanising– putting a coat of zinc on steel,
iron or aluminuium (cold steel is just usual steel)
1:1 Detailing
1. Hatching means its a cut through and having a cross means there is a gap.
2. Drip edge usually have sealant which is denoted by Curvy thing.
3. If it’s a big concrete mass, its in situ cast concrete and if it’s with mortar
joint concrete, they are core-filled concrete blocks. Usually found
underneath the slab to support for the slab.
4. Thin Sheets of boards that have same pattern with concrete actually are
plasterboards.
Construction workshop After trying out with many
designs, we decided to make
this structure design as the
final one. The reason is
because both materials we
used– beam and the plank
are in their stronger axis by
referring to our knowledge
of moment of inertia.
First design would not work, even though
the side planks are in strong axis and truss
system would give extra strenth, we feel
that the parts the truss is not connected to
the plank seems weak. These could be the
starting points of the failure.
Second deisgn would not work as well since
the top and bottom planks are in weak axis
so they could undergo buckling very fast
with even little force.
So our structure is basically abit more than 1000 mm in length and in the gap
between two beams, small cut square section from beam are placed and
nailed to other two beams, so that loads from horizontal element could be
transferred to the small vertical column. So we placed totally three small
squares in following sections
As our structure went through the load, it worked
well at first but buckling started when the load
reached 241 kg and the two side planks started to
come off as in the picture. Other parts were still
working well. Even though it starts to buckle, other
elements of the structure seems to keep holding the
load because unlike other group, the load hasnt
gone down at 241 kg, it could keep going up until it
reaches 546 kg and finally snapped.
The area it failed is exactly at the point where it the plank has buckled and finally because there is no more structural elements to transfer load, the top beam as well
snapped. The main reason for this failure is because we didn’t put enough vertical columns as well as proper nailing along the whole plank, we only nailed at three
points where we placed the columns. Thus, without proper joints as well as no support for the buckling, our structure has totally resisted 541 kg and has gone under
90 mm deflection from its starting point.
Concepts: In building structures, shape and span are most important because the geometry of structures produce moment of inertia which is mass times the square of
distance from the axis. It’s crucial to keep to the stronger axis no matter what because even if we could add supports for weaker axis, the difference is like 4 or 5 times.
And i feel that we could have used nail plates rather than single nails, that would have provide us with more gripping capacity, now with pin joints, they allow
moments to some extent so it’s important to consider them as well.
Notes from other group:
This group has used the design that we originally
planned to use. And as expected, failure occurs at
the point where there is no contact with truss
members. Their structure only reaches 59 kg which
is relatively low compared to our structure.
Also, the mistake they made is that their truss is
actually not a proper Prat Truss. There has to be
another vertical column right in the middle,
otherwise there is not enough members to go
under tension and compressions.
Bibiliography
Ching, D. K., (2008) building construction illustrated. Canada: John Wiley & Sons, Inc
Greeno, R., & Foster J. S., (2007) I mitchell’s Structure and Fabric Part1. England: Pearson Education limited