Week 1

The 4 photos below are the other groups’ work. All, including ours, dis-

played a strong base. We tried to put a hole at the base and it was still

strong enough to hold the whole thing. The material used is MDF Block

The sketch above is from our group and the sketch below is the oth-

er group’s. There is a difference between the gap and the way they

placed their blocks.

The thinner the tower, the faster it got taller.

MATERIALS AND STRUCTURAL FORCES

-> Strength: Is is strong or weak? (ex. steel is stronger than timber. It is also stronger in terms of compression and tension, while brick is just strong in compression)

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-> Shape: Mono-dimensional (linear), bi-di-mensional (planar; ex. sheet metals), tridi-mensional (volumetric; ex. brick)

-> Behaviours: Some are strong with com-pression (pushing together) or tension (pull-ing apart). Other materials will behave dif-ferently depending on where the force is applied

-> Economy and Sustainability: Is materi-al expensive? readily available? What im-pact does the manufacturer of the material have to the environment?

STEEL

TIMBER

BRICK

Source: http://www.meganracing.com/uploadimage/

dpage/1052010_171416.jpg

Source: http://businessrecycling.com.au/images/masters/

image-974-timber-scraps.jpg

Source: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3AP40miqm6I/TxDBNPpaEOI/

AAAAAAAADCU/7ImozLVR8yg/s400/Brick.jpg

WHAT IS FORCE?

�!�$�IRUFH�LV�GHÀQHG�E\�GLUHFWLRQ��VHQVH�DQG�magnitude and is represented as a vector.

-> 2 types of forces: -> Tension Forces -> Compression Forces

COMPRESSION FORCE

TENSION FORCE

When an external load pushed a structural

member, the particles of the material com-

pact together. It shortens the material.

When an external load pulls on a structural

member, the particles composing the ma-

terial move apart and undergo tension. It

stretches and elongate the material

LOAD PATHS AND KEY TERMSLoad Paths

-> The direction in which each consecutive load will pass through connected members (the beams) in which any load on the structural system is transferred into the foundations and distributed to the ground-> Point load can be a dead load or live load

-> Dead Load: permanent -> Live load: can me moved

Beam

-> Rigid structural members designed

to carry and transfer transverse loads

across space to supporting elements

(Ching 2008, 2.14)

Masonry

-> Form of construction in which structures from individual units

are laid in and bound together by mortar such as stonework or

brickwork

Point Load

-> A load that is applied on one point. It is where structural weight

is intense and transferred to the foundation. Applied loads are

given as distributed loads are forced.

Reaction Force

-> at the ground, the applied load has a reaction meaning the

whole structure is stable; and that reaction is that it’s equal and

opposite to the applied load.

Week 2

Material: Balsa -  Not so strong, almost l ike

cardboard The base was made strong, which helped it hold on a bit during the deconstruction. Also, it can be seen in the sketches how the triangles are still together when the vertical pieces are already broken. The sketch on the left shows that instead of using longer balsa strip, we tried to save material and used a smaller piece to hold the angle instead.

Compared to our tower, this group on the left put 2 triangles on top of each other, while they kept their base just 1 triangle. The top part of their tower was stronger than the bottom when deconstruction was being done.

This group’s tower was too wide, which wasted their material and at the same time kept it short. However, it also did not make it any more stable and it broke easily as force was applied. This was probably because there was no brace and the base was not strong enough to hold the whole thing with force.

This group’s tower was particularly interesting. If only their base was stuck properly and stronger, the whole thing could have been more difficult to deconstruct. Because of the bracing, it made the tower bend instead of break.

Structural Joints

Roller Joints Load transfers only in one direction. It allows rotation but resist translation in a direction perpendicular into or away from their faces (Ching 2008, 2.30)

Pin Joint Allows rotation, but resists translation in any direction (Ching 2008, 2.30)

Fixed Joint Most complex joint because bending can occur. It maintains the angular relationship between the relationship between the joined elements, restrain rotation and translation in any direction, and provide both force ad moment resistance (Ching 2008, 2.30)

Construction Systems

Source: http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/reho/images/ce28i-1a.jpg

Source: https://www.energystar.gov/ia/new_homes/next_generation/images/2011House_4ThermEnv_lg.jpg

Source: http://www.bentley.com/NR/rdonlyres/EB26643C-5C2F-4CB7-AA1F-7E05CF5ED6A3/28928/3d1.jpg

Enclosure/Envelope Systems T h e s h e l l o f t h e building (roof, exterior walls, windows and doors)

Structural Systems Supports and transmits applied gravity and loads safely to the ground (Ex. Columns, beams and loadbearing walls that support the floor and rood structures)

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Service/Mechanical System Provides essential services to a building (ex. Water, sewage, heating, ventilating, electrical, waste disposal)

Keep in mind when building…

Performance Requirements – for comfort, protection Aesthetic Qualities – physical qualities Economic Efficiencies – needs to be affordable (initial cost whether it fits the budget; life cycle cost looks at the longevity of the material) Environmental Impacts- if it is good of the environment or not

Load Paths, Key Terms & ESD

Lateral Stability The ability of a material to remain upright and not tip over sideways. A load that is our of balance or on an uneven traveling surface can affect lateral stability.

Bracing To stabilize the main girders during construction. Cross bracing is reinforcing building structures where diagonal members intersect

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Source: http://www.gharexpert.com/User_Images/611200835306.jpg

Column Columns are rigid, relatively slender structural members designed primarily to support axial compressive loads applied to the ends of the members (Ching 2008, 2.13)

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Frame The fitting together of pieces to give a structure support and shape

Environmentally Sustainable Design Embodied Energy- total energy (oil, water, power) used during a material’s life Life Cycle starts with extraction of raw materials from the Earth and ends with waste product disposal back to earth or is recycled into other products Recyclability is potential for a product/material to be re-used or transformed into a new product Carbon footprint is the measure of the amount of GHGs generated during the fabrication, transportation and use of a particular product. Common ESD Strategies:

Local Materials Material Efficiency Thermal Mass Night Air Purging Solar Energy Wind Energy Cross Ventilation Smart Sun Design Insulation Water Harvesting