2014
[CONSTRUCTING LOGBOOK]
Week1
We tried to use an A4 paper to build a strong structure which can withstand a brick. Finally, we found that making a cylinder is a strong and easy way to hold a brick.
In order to build a high and solid building, a stable foundation is necessary. We tried to lying blocks to accumulate a stable oblong as foundation. Our tutor asked us to build a tower without a door, and when we finished then make a door. However, we built like two part, and one part is just for the door because we worried about if it would collapse when we created a door by pushing blocks out of the building. Finally, I found that our worries are unnecessary.
By my opinion, star, cross and triangles are also solid structure but they collapse by withstanding a brick. Then there may be the materiel problems.
Separate
2014
[CONSTRUCTING LOGBOOK]
FORCE This is other group’s building; they designed a door within the building, and from the picture we can find that it doesn't collapse, and their building is higher than ours. Actually, any building in this structure by blocks should not be collapsed because force is dispersed and every blocks support each other. Therefore it will not fall down easily by get out one block, just like the pumping blocks game.
As what I drew, we can see the load path of the gravity. Because every block has reaction force and friction with each other, they look like vulnerable but actually stable.
[CONSTRUCTING LOGBOOK]
2014
Frictio n
Compression
Gravity
Force
Force
Tensio n
Reaction
Force
design
Material
Force
stable foundation to avoid collapse
suitable material for design and constrution
To be sustainable
2014
[CONSTRUCTING LOGBOOK]
In addition to considering the material and force, we also should consider the contact area. Contact area is an important factor to the construction. Let blocks lie on the ground and stand on the ground will cause a different situation for the construction. (1) If let blocks lie on the ground, the contact will be the hugest and it is more stable for foundation but the building will not be very high with little blocks. (2) If let blocks stand on the group, the contact will not be as large as which lying on the ground but it can build very high with less blocks. ďźˆWarning: Easy to collapse like ours.
2014
[CONSTRUCTING LOGBOOK]
Week2
In this week lecture, we were trying to use four straws to support a small water tank. In the common view, students nailed four straws on the water tank by hobnails, however, this fail to support the tank. Because hobnails allowed straws to revolve, there is no support point. In order to support the water tank, we just need to make it fixed joints. But why we design this? Because we were designing a tower by wood strips.
2014
[CONSTRUCTING LOGBOOK]
In order to build a very high tower, we decide to use the same structure and idea as Eiffel Tower but not completely. We prefer to use triangle as fixed structure rather than square because we think triangle is more stable than square.
If each side of the triangle is fixed, then there will be difficult to deform without the
reason
of
material. And on each level of the tower, we use a triangle to make it more fixed.
2014
[CONSTRUCTING LOGBOOK]
We use triangle structure to fix foundation and also support a sufficient height. We also use tape with glue to make it fixed joint. Therefore, this will be a strong structure, if we have time, we may build it touching the ceiling.
I found that if there is only three points touch the ground, center of gravity may be unstable, easily tilted to one side. Making a foundation which can increase the contact area between tower and ground will be better.
2014
[CONSTRUCTING LOGBOOK] Actually, this is the large version of our tower
but
the
difference is that they make a triangle as a foundation. And they stick two wood strips together to make it firmer.
This group has a strong understand on foundation, they stick four squares together to make sure it can support the height and gravity of the tower. Simple and primitive But stable as well.
[CONSTRUCTING LOGBOOK]
2014
Butt Joints
Interlocking/ overlapping Joints
Molded/shaped Joints
Point connector:Bolt
Linear connector:Weld
Surface connector: Glue
Bolted Connections
Precast concrete connections
Welded steel connections
Reinforced concrete
Pinned Joints
Rigid/Fixed Joints
Roller Joints
Reference: Francis D.K.Ching, 2008, building construction illustrated, 4th edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.