2014-1_Logbook Submission Part 1 ENVS1003

CONSTRUCTING ENVIRONMENTS LOGBOOK SUBMISSION

ACHINI ATTANAYAKE 698278

CONTENTS WEEK 1................................................................................................................................................. 3 WEEK 2................................................................................................................................................. 7 WEEK 3................................................................................................................................................. 12 WEEK 4................................................................................................................................................. 24 WEEK 5................................................................................................................................................. 33 WEEK 6................................................................................................................................................. 39 WEEK 7................................................................................................................................................. 46 WEEK 8................................................................................................................................................. 51 WEEK 9................................................................................................................................................. 56 WEEK10................................................................................................................................................. 61 CONSTRUCTION WORKSHOP REPORT.................................................................................................67 REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................69

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WEEK 1: COMPRESSION

Figure 1: Models constructed to support a brick

During our first week, we were introduced to the concept of compression. We made paper structures which would be able to support a brick.

Most of the successful models were short and stout in nature.

Applied force

View from above

Figure 2: Original Plan

Opening for horse

In the tute, the aim was to build the tallest structure using MDF blocks. We also had to accommodate sufficient room for a toy horse.

Our original plan was to have a large square foundation, with tall walls built on the sides. At one end, there was to be a small rectangular opening for the toy horse. The ceiling of the structure was to be resolved later during the process.

Figure 3: Brick arrangement No. 1.

Note: Compression is in action

View from above

Reaction force

Figure 4: Brick arrangement No. 2

We used two methods of brick arrangement for the foundation.

Original foundation Figure 5: Brick arrangement No. 1 (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

The MDF blocks whilst sturdy and suitable for compressive loads, lacked a frictional surface.

Hence, despite the blocks’ neat appearance, we struggle to keep the arrangement in a tidy manner.

Figure 7: The placement of the walls Figure 6: Altered foundation (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

Note: Arrows show load paths

The original size of the foundation was approximately 19×19 blocks. However, we reconsidered its size as there was a limited timeframe as well as a restricted supply of resources. The altered sized was approximately 10×10 blocks.

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Figure 10: Deconstruction of the model

Figure 8: Finished model due to lack of time (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

Note: Arrows show the load paths

Figure 9: Deconstruction of the model (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

During the deconstruction process, each side collapsed after around 3-4 blocks were removed.

Figure 11: Alternative brick arrangement Note: Arrows show the load paths

The others also opted to place their blocks in the same arrangement (See Figure 3). However, some groups placed blocks on its side in order to increase height at a faster rate.

Figure 12: Another group’s model (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

This group closed off the ceiling by gradually decreasing the size of the surrounding circles.

Unlike us, all of them preferred circular bases.

Figure 13: The winning model (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

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WEEK 1 KNOWLEDGE MAP

References: see Reference list on pg. 69-72

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WEEK 1 GLOSSARY BEAM: a rigid structural piece which carries and transfers transverse loads to supporting members (Ching, 2008)

COMPRESSION: when an external load pushes on a member, the particles within the material are condensed together (Newton, 2014)

LOAD PATH: the most direct path taken by applied loads (Newton, 2014)

MASONRY: stonework

POINT LOAD: a load located at one point

REACTION FORCE: an equal and opposite force to an applied action

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WEEK 2: FRAME The aim was to build a high structure using thin long pieces of balsa wood.

We incorrectly cut the wood into shorter pieces.

Fixed joint

Figure 14: Models Figure 15: The base (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

During the lecture, we were taught the importance of certain framing techniques. As seen in Figure 14, diagonal structures are more stable and stronger than vertical members.

We tried applying this technique when constructing our tower.

Figure 17: Lateral bracing

This was to be a structural skeletal system.

Therefore, we tried to employ certain aspects like lateral bracing.

Figure 16: Fixed joint (Newton, 2014)

However, the wood pieces proved to be too short to provide bracing between the sides.

Figure 18: Construction of the sides (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

Adding another triangular formation proved to be sufficient support.

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We increased its height by sticking wood pieces together. We also added triangular formations to keep the sides in place.

The balsa was too soft and hence, it kept snapping on occasions. The sticky tape was an unreliable source of binding material as its stickiness wore off. Glue took too long to work effectively.

Figure 19: Construction of the sides (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

We added a supporting leg on the side to prevent structure from toppling over.

Figure 20: Finished model (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

Point load

Figure 21: Load paths in finished model

Stress point

Figure 22: Stressing process (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

When put under stress, our structure took a while to break. This was due to the short pieces of wood which provided more sturdiness than longer pieces.

Figure 23: Load paths in model while under stress

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Figure 24 (on left) and Figure 25 (on right): Other models (Pictures: Achini Attanayake)

Others also utilised triangular formations in their structures.

Figure 24: This group used lateral bracing and hence, their structure was very stable.

Figure 25: The winning structure used the same approach as us but it collapsed easily due to the longer pieces.

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WEEK 2 KNOWLEDGE MAP

References: see Reference list on pg. 69-72

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WEEK 2 GLOSSARY BRACING: a structure, usually diagonal, which supports adjacent framework

COLUMN: a vertical and cylindrical structure which usually upholds a horizontal member above

FRAME: also known as skeletal systems; efficiently transfers loads down to the ground (Newton, 2014)

STABILITY: the ability to sustain any possible load conditions (Ching, 2008)

STRUCTURAL JOINT: a method of connection between structural members

TENSION: when an external load pulls on a member, the particles within the material are pulled apart (Newton, 2014)

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WEEK 3: FOOTINGS AND FOUNDATIONS Lot 6 Cafe

Windows

Slab

Brick

Column

A solid and skeletal system is seen at Lot 6 Cafe.

Load-bearing concrete columns and slab are used as part of the skeletal system.

They were constructed in situ.

The glazed windows are a primary feature of this building. Thus, this building is rather expressive due to the large window presence.

Fixed joints are only used in Lot 6 Cafe as it is a rigid structure.

The structures surrounding this building are predominantly made from brick.

Figure 27: Load paths

Figure 26: Lot 6 Cafe (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

Underground Car park and South Lawn A surface structure is the major system here.

Steel rods hold up the above structure, which is South Lawn.

Rebar is used for reinforcement.

Each column provides space for the roots of a tree above.

Fixed joint

The flooring consists of a concrete pad.

Figure 28: Underground car park (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

The car park is a concealed structure as it is situated underground.

Figure 29: Columns (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

Figure 30: Fixed joint (Newton, 2014)

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Trusses

Arts West Student Centre

The skeletal structure is the predominant system in this buliding.

Beams

Truss

Concrete, wooden and stainless steel beams runs along the roofing.

Glass and brick are used for the solid system.

Trusses are the major feature of the building.

As this is a rigid structure, only fixed joints are used.

Figure 31: Beams and Trusses (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

Figure 32: Truss and concrete (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

Figure 33: Load paths

Stairs on west Union House The skeletal structure is the dominant systeem.

Cantilever

Cable ties

Column

The staircase is constructed from galvinised steel.

There are alumunium cable ties which are held in place by cantilevers. However, the structure is not in suspension or in tension.

The weight of the structure is actually supported by columns (Figure 34). Note that there are fixed joints between these columns and beams.

Figure 34: Stairs on west Union House (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

Pin joint

Figure 35: Pin joint (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

The structure is expressive and its skeletal system is fully exposed.

Figure 36: Pin joint (Newton, 2014)

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North Court Union House

In this structure, the membrane system is clearly seen here.

Steel rods

Steel rings and rods are used within the membrane. Therefore, it is a hybrid sturcture.

The rids are always in tension and thus, columns are required for compressive strength (Figure 39).

Figure 37: North Court membrane (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

Steel ring

Pin joints

Pin joints can also be seen around the steel ring. This allows movement of the membrane.

The overall sturcture can be deemed to be expressive.

Figure 39: Column (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

Figure 38: Pin joints (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

Beaurepaire Centre Pool

This buliding consists both the solid and the skeletal system.

Window frame

Figure 40: Load paths

Weep hole

Concrete and aggregates are the primary materials used. Painted steel window frames are set on concrete beams.

The windows are glazed ans secured properly to its frame. This regulates the indoor temperature.

Beam

Only fixed joints are used as it is a rigid structure.

Due to its large windows, this bulidng is rather expressive.

Figure 42: Weep hole; this allows water to exit from the building (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

Figure 41: Windows and Concrete beams (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

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Oval Pavilion This buliding utilises a skeletal sturctural system.

SPACING

The substructure consists of concrete stumps and padding below.

Timber stud framing is used with spans and spacings.

Figure 43: Oval Pavilion (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

SPAN

There is also a steel beam on the ridge of the roof which acts as a bearer.

Only fixed joints are used as it is a rigid structure.

The building is rather concealed.

Figure 44: Span and spacing (Newton, 2014)

Melbourne School of Design

A skeletal sturctural system can be seen here.

Cantilever

In situ concrete beams and columns are the dominant structures. Expansion joints are used within these members. Many concrete cantilevers are also used in the structure.

Since it is still in construction, scaffolding can still be seen on site.

Glazed windows are also a major feature.

Only fixed joints are used as it is a rigid structure.

The building can be said to be concealed.

Figure 45: MSD building (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

Figure 46: MSD building (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

Figure 47: Expansion joint (Ching, 2008)

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Old Geology South Lecture Theatre Entry This entrance consists of a skeletal sturctural system.

Fixed joints

The cantilever-like structure is load bearing.

The walls surrounding the entry is constructed from brick veneer, which encompasses the encolsure system.

Figure 48: Theatre entrance (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

The windows are glazed however, they are not carrying any loads despite its large presence within the structure.

As a rigid structure, only fixed joints can be seen here.

Cantilever

Due to the dominant cantilever, the building can be deemed expressive.

Figure 50: Load paths

Figure 49: Cantilever (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

Frank Tate Pavilion

Concrete

Timber

The pavilion clearly shows its skeletal system.

Timber and concrete are the two main materials of this structure.

Steel beams and columns, and concrete columns support the loads.

The timber structure is mainly for aesthetic reasons.

Steel

As a rigid structure, only fixed joints can be seen here.

Figure 51: Frank Tate pavilion (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

The pavilion is designed to be open for ventilation and therefore, its is an expressive structure.

Figure 52: Timber structure (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

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WEEK 3 KNOWLEDGE MAPS

References: see Reference list on pg. 69-72

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References: see Reference list on pg.69-72

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References: see Reference list on pg. 69-72

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References: see Reference list on pg. 69-72

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References: see Reference list on pg. 69-72

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WEEK 3 GLOSSARY

MOMENT: the tendency to make an object or a point rotate (Newton, 2014)

PAD FOOTING: also known as isolated footings; helps spread a point load over a wider area of ground(Newton, 2014)

RETAINING WALL: used when sites are excavated or where changes in site need to be stabilised (Newton, 2014)

(Ching, 2008)

SLAB ON GROUND: a wide horizontal element designed to carry vertical load in bending usually supported by beams (Newton, 2014)

(Newton, 2014)

STRIP FOOTING: used when loads from a wall or series of columns is spread in a linear manner (Newton, 2014)

(Ching, 2008)

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SUBSTRUCTURE: the lowest division of a building; foundation (Ching, 2008)

(Ching, 2008)

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WEEK 4: FLOORS SYSTEMS AND HORIZONTAL ELEMENTS Scale, Annotation and Working Drawing Convention Why is scale used? 

 

How is scale used?

To visualise different aspects and structures of a building in relation to each other on a smaller scale, i.e. for comparison For practicality purposes To examine certain components in detail

 

A ratio of units is used The ratio varies, depending on the scale used

Preferred working units/scale for structures 1:100→whole structure 1:20→floors, elevation, plans 1:50→walls 1:15→canopy

   

Construction Documentation Questionnaire TITLE BLOCK List the types of information found in the title block on the floor plan page.     



It gives context to the project.

Project name Scale Architecture Orientation Client

DRAWING CONTENT-PLANS What type of information is shown in this floor plan?  

Why might this information be important?

Floor space Dimensions

Provide an example of the dimensions as they appear on this floor plan? What units are used for dimensions?  

Social room→86.8 m² Square metres

Is there a grid? What system is used for identifying the grid lines?  

Yes, there is a grid Alphabet-number system

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What is the purpose of the legend? 

To represent certain elements using symbols

Why are some parts of the drawing annotated? Illustrate how the annotations are associated with the relevant part of the drawing. 

Illustrate how references to other drawings are shown on the plan. What do these symbols mean?

It shows information that cannot be illustrated or represented by symbols

(Cox Architecture, 2012)

Arrows show the direction of the cut taken.

The numbers within the circle indicate page number references.

(Cox Architecture, 2012)

How are windows and doors identified?

Provide an example of each. Is there a rationale to their numbering? What do these numbers mean? Can you find the answer somewhere in the drawings?

Door Tag with Room Tag (Cox Architecture, 2012)

Illustrate how floor levels are noted on the plan.

Are some areas of the drawing clouded? Why?  

Yes, some sections are clouded They are particular instructions and notes for a certain structure, i.e. revisions

Floor level (metres) above datum (Cox Architecture, 2012)

Window Tag with Room Tag (Cox Architecture, 2012)

Each number represents the same type of door/window and size.

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DRAWING CONTENT-ELEVATIONS What type of information is shown in this elevation? How does it differ from the information shown on the plan?

It shows the side views of the building The texture of the materials used can be seen

 

Are dimensions shown? If so, how do they differ from the dimensions on the plan? Provide an example of the dimensions as they relate to the elevation. 

 

Is there a grid? If so, how/where is it shown?  

Yes partially, only numbers are shown They are located along the vertical axis

The length and height of some structures are shown in millimetres.

For example, the height of the function parapet is 1115mm.

In the prior plans, these dimensions were in metres.

What types of information on the elevations are expressed using words?

Illustrate how this is done.  

Design elements Instructions

Finished floor level (Cox Architecture, 2012)

Spot level (Cox Architecture, 2012)

Illustrate how the doors and windows are identified on the elevations.

Door Tag with Room Tag (Cox Architecture, 2012)

Window Tag with Room Tag (Cox Architecture, 2012)

Find where this elevation is located on the plans. 

What types of levels are shown on the elevations? Illustrate how levels are shown in relation to the elevation.

Refer to the drawing number

(Cox Architecture, 2012)

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DRAWING CONTENT-SECTIONS What type of information is shown in this section? How does it differ from the information shown on the plan and elevation?  

Illustrate how the section drawing differentiates between building elements that are cut through and those that are shown in elevation (beyond).

A cross-section through the building It shows the indoor and other hidden elements from a side view

Elevation (Cox Architecture, 2012)

Find where this section is located on the plans. 

(Cox Architecture, 2012)

Refer to the drawing number

Section (Cox Architecture, 2012)

DRAWING CONTENT-DETAILS What sorts of things are detailed?      

Provide example of how different materials are shown on the sections.

Walls Canopy Roof and facade Function room Pop up window Fireplace

Are the details compressed using break lines? Why? 

Provide examples of how different materials are shown on drawings at this scale.

Yes, because this allows the details to be analysed at a closer scale and thus, this shows the finer elements (Cox Architecture, 2012)

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Find the locations of these details on the plans, elevations and sections. 

Part 3

Refer to the drawing number

Bay window

Social room

The drawing set seems to be consistent with the observations from last week. In Figure 53, the social room can be seen with the bay window structure. These in accordance with the drawings as the plans, elevations and sections have both the social room and the bay window featured together.

Figure 53: Oval Pavilion (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

The scale of the building is obviously larger than the scale used in the drawings. Hence, this is why a ratio was used to represent large elements of the structure in a smaller and more practical size.

Like the drawings, these two structures are constructed from vertical and horizontal timber elements.

Furthermore, the number of windows from last week’s observation is consistent with the plans.

The architectural drawings show all the materials, texture, detailing and the size of major elements of the overall building.

Also, the existing turret roof is being maintained as instructed in the drawings.

The structural drawings examine the smaller elements of the building such as trusses, the grandstand, wall braces and connection joints.

Therefore, when compared with the structural diagrams, the architectural drawings seem more superficial as it excludes the finer details of the building.

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WEEK 4 KNOWLEDGE MAPS

References: see Reference list on pg. 69-72

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References: see Reference list on pg. 69-72

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WEEK 4 GLOSSARY

CONCRETE PLANK: a flat beam used for floor or roof decking

GIRDER: a beam which is used to support the ends of joists

JOIST: a horizontal member used to support a floor or ceiling which have limited overhang potential (Ching, 2008)

SPACING: the repeating distance between a series of lie or similar elements (Newton, 2014)

(Newton, 2014)

(Newton, 2014)

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SPAN: the distance measured between two structural supports (Newton, 2014)

(Ching, 2008)

STEEL DECKING: boards or planks of corrugated metal used usually for relatively short spans (Ching, 2008)

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WEEK 5: COLUMNS, GRIDS AND WALL SYSTEMS Our allocated section consisted of the right half of the entrance to the function room.

The structural elements include footings (Foundations & Foundations), brick walls (Secondary structure), timber panels (Primary structure, timber beams (Primary structure, concrete slabs (Foundations & Foundations) and glass block flooring (Secondary structure).

The predominant materials used are concrete, timber, brick and glass.

Figure 55: Fixed joint (Newton, 2014)

Since this particular section of the building is rigid, there are only fixed joints used.

Figure 54: Our allocated section (Cox Architecture, 2012)

Mitre and butt joints are also used throughout this part of the building.

Figure 56: Butt joints (Ching, 2008)

Figure 57: Mitre joints

Steel angles are predominantly used in this section to connect beams to concrete.

Figure 58: Steel angles

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We began constructing the walls, panels, columns and beams.

Slab

Beam

We used balsa wood as we were familiar with the product and could cut different shapes from it.

However, due to the thinness of the sheet, we had to stick several layers to make it stable as seen in the columns (Figure 59).

Figure 59: Column (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

Wall Figure 61: Finished product (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

Unfortunately, due to time restraints and lack of group cooperation, we didn’t finish our model.

Column

Figure 60: Wall (Picture: Achini Attanayake)

In Figure 63, their section was the same as ours. However, they choose to focus on the roof structure and its timber framing.

Figure 64 had a similar structure to our own as it consisted of concrete walls and columns.

Figure 62: Load paths Figure 63, 64: Other groups models (Pictures: Achini Attanayake)

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WEEK 5 KNOWLEDGE MAPS

References: see Reference list on pg. 69-72

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References: see Reference list on pg. 69-72

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WEEK 5 GLOSSARY

AXIAL LOAD: the load that creates a force which runs parallel to the axis of a member

BUCKLING: when a structure becomes unstable and begins to bend

LINTEL: a horizontal structural member which spans an opening, usually doors or windows (Ching, 2008)

NOGGING: a supporting member placed between joists and studs; also known as dwang

(Prointeriordesigner.com, 2014)

SEASONED TIMBER: when moisture is removed from timber to provide increased dimensional stability (Newton, 2014)

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STUD: a vertical member used in the framework of a wall (refer to diagram above)

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