Week 1 Knowledge map Things we are learning in constructing environment is how to design ideas get translated into built form Basic structural force
Tension force: Compression force:
1 strength (strong or weak)
Introduction of construction material
2 stiffness (stiff, flexible, stretchy or floppy) 3 shape (mono-dimensional: linear, bidimensional: planar, tridimensional: volumetric) 4 material behaviors (isotropic or anisotropic) 5 economy (value , distance, how efficient) 6 sustainability
On the tutorial, we decide to build it as a rectangular because we think it is stronger with narrow gaps.
We build like this is because the blocks which stand vertically can hold the horizontal blocks. Therefore, the horizontal blocks can be balanced enough to make a “bridge”. We forgot that when we was building the roof and that’s why we failed.
We trying to build a roof as this construction, but it doesn’t work. Because like the picture I draw left hand side, the weight force is act downward to the ground, and there is nothing to hold the weight. Thus, the roof fell apart.
After that we come up with a new structure which is much more stable. Every block in this structure is hold each other and balance each other, 2 blocks stand vertically both side are supporting the top and also balance the weight of the structure. 2 arrows represent the weights of these 2 blocks.
Comparison This group decided to make a circle as the base of tower, and they did quite successful. Their building is higher. But I don’t think it is very stable because the gaps between blocks are broad.
Knowledge map Surface system Structural systems
Frame system
Hybrid system Systems Wall system Mechanical system Enclosure system Water supply system Roof system
Windows and doors
Sewage disposal system
Heating, ventilating and air-condition system
The electrical system Vertical transportation systems Fire-fighting system
Common ESD strategies 1 Local material 2 Material efficiency 3 thermal mass 4 night air purging 5 solar energy 6 wind energy 7 cross ventilation 8 smart sun designs 9 insulation 10 water harvesting This graph shows the load line of the structure and the reaction force of ground. As we can see there is one column which is not loaded. I will explain it in next graph. If the weight of the block is 1N, then the weight separate to 2 sides (column and second beam) and each side loads 0.5N because the block is in the middle. Similarly, the weight on the second beam separate to both sides and the second column loads 0.9*0.5=0.45N. Therefore, the third column loads 0.05N.
This graph shows why the left hand side (LHS) column does not load. If the LHS column doesn’t exist, the beam will start to rotate as picture showed left. So there is no load on the LHS column, its function is to stop the beam rotate.
Torsion force shows left. Apply on the rotated stuff such as doors.
Fixed joint. Cannot change the shape
Pin joint Shape can move (rotate)
That’s basically what we were going to build on the tutorial. but we didn’t finish it because the glue is not good enough. We have 31 pieces wood and we decide to use 24 pieces to finish the original structure. The base is a 30*30 cm square and the rectangle of each side is made by 3 30*60cm rectangles. And there is a thing at top to make it more like a tower, also make it higher.
That’s the rectangle we made. I think the weakness of this structure should be its can easily reshape due to the rectangle is not as strong as triangle. Moreover, we build it as a big “rectangle tank” , the wide and length are all equal from top to the bottom. Therefore it will fall down just by a little push force.
I think these steps can make the tower strong and stable. Firstly, we still remain some pieces of wood so we can make the square become 2 triangles by adding a wood like the graph shows left. The structure will be stronger to prevent the reshaping. Secondly, we make a base of the tower like the graph shows left. The base becomes bigger and there are 4 more columns to support the tower. They make the tower stand well and not easy to fall .
Week 3 E-learning Structural elements
Strut (column) Tie Beam Slab/plate
Pad footing
Panel s/ wall Shear diaphragm Strip footing Shallow footing
Footings and foundations
Raft foundation
End bearing piles Deep foundation
Week 3
Friction piles Stone
Clay Mass materials
Earth
Concrete
Stone Masonry materials
Clay
Concrete
Knowledge Structural elements: the design of a structural element is based on the loads to be carried, the material used and the form and shape chosen for the element. The simple drawing of the structural elements:
Footings and foundations: Foundations are found at the bottom of the building where the building meets the ground. Foundations are the substructure of the building. They transfer all the loads acting on the building structure to the ground safely.
The part of the foundation where located below the ground must resist the force of the soil pressing against the foundation wall.
Settlement: over time, buildings compress the earth beneath them and the building tend to sink a little into the earth. Footings and foundations should be designed to ensure that this settlement occurs evenly and that the bearing capacity of the soil is not exceeded.
Cracking in a building often occurs with differential settlements (settlement that is uneven)
.
Shallow footings are used where soil condition are stable and where the requiring soil bearing capacity is adequate close to the surface of the ground. Load is transferred vertically from foundation to the ground.
Deep foundations are used where soil condition are unstable or where the soil bearing capacity are inadequate. Load is transferred from the foundation, through the unsuitable soil and down to level where bed rock, stiff clay, dense sand/ gravel is located.
Different type of shallow footings: Pad footing also called isolated footing. These types of footings help to spread a point loads over a wider area of ground.
Strip footing used when load from a wall or a series of columns is spread in a linear manner.
Raft foundation sometimes also called a raft slab, this type of foundation provides increased stability by joining the individual strips together as a single mat.
Different type of deep foundations End Bearing Piles extend the foundation down to the rock or soil that will provide support for the building loads.
Friction piles rely on the resistance of the surrounding earth to support the structure.
Mass materials are strong in compression, but weak in tension. Tutorial
This drawing shows the names of different sides of a brick. Mortar
Header face Stretcher face
Joint: the way units are connected to each other. Mortar is the bounding agent for bricks. And this drawing shows different kind of mortar joints.
Structure in campus The beam here is a triangle design beam which is stronger and can support more load than a normal beam.
The load is transferred as the drawing
This is the stair out of uni house. There is a tensile frame which looks like the cable is hanging the stair. But actually the cable is not holding the stair totally, there also are 2 column-beam structures are holding it. If the stair is supported completely by cables, the whole thing will shake. So these column- beam structures keep the thing stable.
Reference
Ching, F. D. K. (2008). building construction illustrated. Hoboken, New Jersey, John Wiley &Sons,lnc. ENVS10003 (2014). "W03C1 Footings & Foundations." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAcuwrecIz8&feature=youtu.be. ENVS10003 (2014). "W03M1 Introduction to Mass Concrete." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Au2upE9JN8&feature=youtu.be. ENVS10003 (2014). "W03M2 Introduction to Masonry." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC8Hv8AKQ8A&feature=youtu.be. ENVS10003 (2014). "W03M3 Bricks." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lYlQhkMYmE&feature=youtu.be. ENVS10003 (2014). "W03M5 Concrete Blocks." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geJv5wZQtRQ&feature=youtu.be. ENVS10003 (2014). "W03S1 Structural Elements." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQIa1O6fp98&feature=youtu.be.
Week 4 E-learning Span Spacing Floor and framing systems
Concrete system Timber system
Steel system Beams
Cantilevers
Concrete
Precast concrete
In situ concrete
Span is the distance measured between two structural supports. Span can be measured between vertical supports (for a horizontal member) or between horizontal supports (for a vertical member), however span is not necessarily the same as the length of a member.
These two graphs show the different direction of span. Spacing is the repeating distance between a series of like or similar elements. Spacing is often associated with supporting elements (such as beams, columns etc.) and can be measured horizontally or vertically. Also, spacing is generally measured centre line to centre line.
The relationship between span and spacing: spacing of the supporting element depends on the spanning capabilities of the supported elements.
Floor and framing system Concrete system: slabs of various types are used to span between structural supports. This can be one-way or two-way.
Steel system: steel framing systems take various forms, with some utilizing heavy gauge structural steel members and other using light gauge steel framing.
Heavy gauge steel
Light gauge steel
Steel framing systems sometimes combine with concrete slab system to where the particular benefits of steel framing and shallow depth floor slab systems are desired.
Timber system: traditional timber floor framing systems use a combination of bearers (primary beams) and joists (secondary beams). Joist
Bearer
The span of the bearers determines the spacing of the piers or stumps and the spacing of the bearers equals the span of the joists. Beams A beam is a (mostly) horizontal structural element. Function: carry loads along the length of the beam and transfer these loads to the vertical supports.
Cantilevers A cantilever is created when a structural element is supported at only one end (or overhanging portions of a member are significant). Function: carry loads along length of the member and transfer these loads to the support.
These show the difference between beam and cantilever.
Concrete One of the greatest advantages of concrete is that it is fluid and shapeless before it hardens. It can be formed in to any shape we desire. Formwork is the term used for the temporary support or moulds used to hold the liquid concrete in place until it becomes hard. In situ concrete: is any concrete element that has been poured into formwork and cured on the building site.
Precast concrete: is any concrete element that has been fabricated in a controlled environment and then transported to site for installation.
Lecture
Architecture for designing the building
work together to solve the technical problem
Engineering for thinking about how to build the building
discuss what the client want building look like
harmonize the relationship between engineering and architecture
Program manager for communicating
Discuss about the budget and the building issues.
Client: providing the budget.
Tutorial What we learned on the tutrial is on the e-learning section. And this week’ tutrial we did something about the construction drawings.
Reference (Ching 2008, ENVS10003 2014, ENVS10003 2014, ENVS10003 2014, ENVS10003 2014)
Ching, F. D. K. (2008). building construction illustrated. Hoboken, New Jersey, John Wiley &Sons,lnc. ENVS10003 (2014). "W04C1 Floor Systems." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otKffehOWaw&feature=youtu.be. ENVS10003 (2014). "W04M1 Concrete." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1M19C25MLU&feature=youtu.be. ENVS10003 (2014). "W04M2 In Situ Concrete." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3zW_TBGjfE&feature=youtu.be. ENVS10003 (2014). "W04M3 Pre Cast Concrete." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scYYMMezI0&feature=youtu.be.
Week 5 E-learning Wall systems
Structural frames
Load bearing wall
Stud wall
Short column
Long column
Hardness Fragility Ductility
Timber properties Flexibility Density
Wall system Structural frames: Concrete frames typically use a gird of columns with concrete beams
connecting the column together.
Steel frames typically use a grid of steel columns connected to steel girders and beams.
Timber frames typically use a grid of timber post or poles connected to timber beams.
Load bearing wall Concrete load bearing wall can be achieved using either in situ or precast concrete. Reinforced masonry load bearing wall can be constructed from core filled hollow concrete blocks or grout filled cavity masonry.
Solid masonry load bearing wall can be created with single or multiple skins of concrete masonry units or clay bricks.
Cavity masonry load bearing wall are typically formed from two skins of masonry.
Stud framing Metal and timber stud framed walls use similar sections of framing timber or light gauge framing steel to meet the structural demands of the constructions.
Tutorial Compressive strength =load area (cross section area)
The column can be considered short if the ratio of effective column length to the smallest cross section dimension is less than 12:1. The drawing is a short column and it can support more loads than long column.
Columns are considered long if the ratio of effective column length to the smallest cross section dimension is greater than 12:1.
Short columns become shorter when a compressive load is applied and then fail by crushing (shear) when the compressive strength is exceeded.
Long columns become unstable and fail by buckling as the drawing shows.
Effective length influence how much load the column can carry.
Effective length
Effective length
As the picture shows that the effective length of the column is the whole length of the column, therefore the column can be buckled easily.
The effective length of the column become shorter , due to this, the column take more load than last one to be buckled.
For this picture, the effective length of the column become half length of the column, therefore the column can barely be buckled.
The picture and the drawing both tell us the columns can take more compressive load if the effective length of the column become shorter.
Model making These are the rough sketch when we were planning how to build the model. And all the measurements were written besides the sketching.
These pictures show the model which is nearly finish. The left one is the ground floor, right on is the 1st floor.
Reference (Ching 2008, ENVS10003 2014, ENVS10003 2014)
Ching, F. D. K. (2008). building construction illustrated. Hoboken, New Jersey, John Wiley &Sons,lnc. ENVS10003 (2014). "W05C1 Walls, Grids and Columns." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq41q6gUIjI&feature=youtu.be. ENVS10003 (2014). "W05M2 Timber Properties and Considerations." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul0r9OGkA9c&feature=youtu.be.
Week 6 E-learning
Roof systems
Flat roof
Pitched and sloping roof Concrete roof Structural steel framed roof Trussed roof Light framed roof
Ferrous
Metal
Non-ferrous
Alloys
Roof systems Flat roof: pitch 1째~3째
Pitched and sloping roof: >3째
Concrete roofs: are generally flat plates of reinforced concrete (or precast
slabs with a toping of concrete). Structural steel framed roof: flat structural steel roofs consist of a combination of primary and secondary roof beams for heavier roof finishes such as metal deck/concrete; or roof beams and purlins for lighter sheet
metal roofing.
Sloping structural steel roofs consist of roof beams and purlins and lighter
sheet metal roofing. Portal frames consist of a series of braced rigid frames (two columns and a beam) with purlins for the roof and girts for the walls. The walls and roofs
are usually finished with sheet metal. Trussed roofs are framed roofs constructed from a series of open web type steel or timber elements.
Trusses are manufactured from steel or timber components, fixed together to form efficient elements able to span long distance. The shape (slop) and material of the structural elements is often determined by the roofing material selected and functional requirement of the roof.
Space frames are 3D plate type structures that are long spaning in two directions. Light framed roof: gable roofs are characterised by a vertical, triangular section of wall at one or both ends of the roof. The roof consists of common rafters, ridge beams and ceiling joists.
Hip roof are characterised by a vertical, triangular section of wall at one or both ends of the roof. The roof consists of common rafters, hip rafters, valley rafters, jack rafters, ridge beams and ceiling joists.
Metal types Ferrous: iron is the 4th most common element in the earth. Non-ferrous: all other metals- generally more expensive (less common), less likely to react with oxygen (to oxide) and superior working qualities. Alloys: combination of two or more metals (ferrous alloy if it contains iron, non-ferrous if it does not). Tutorial
If there is two fixed joints, the tie is not necessary because the load can transfer to the ground as the right drawing shows.
These pictures show that they are both connected by fixed joints. But the structure of the right one is much stronger than the right one because the beam of right structure is setting on the column. Due to this condition, the column holds both the load of the beam and the load of the roof. However, the column of left structure only holds the load which is transferred by beam. Reference (Ching 2008, ENVS10003 2014, ENVS10003 2014, ENVS10003 2014)
Ching, F. D. K. (2008). building construction illustrated. Hoboken, New Jersey, John Wiley &Sons,lnc. ENVS10003 (2014). "W06C1 Roof Systems." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5ms8vmhs50&feature=youtu.be. ENVS10003 (2014). "W06M1 Introduction to Metals." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RttS_wgXGbI&feature=youtu.be. ENVS10003 (2014). "W06M2 Ferrous Metals." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQy3IyJy-is&feature=youtu.be.
Week 7 E-learning Masonry arches Arches Rigid arches Schwedler domes Domes
Lattice domes
Geodesic domes
Shell structure Natural rubber Rubber Synthetic
Plastic
Thermoplastic s Thermosetting plastics Elastomers (synthetic rubbers)
Arches Arches are curved structures for spanning an opening, designed to support a vertical load primarily by axial compression. They transform the vertical
force of a supported load into inclined components and transmit them to abutments on either side of the archway.
Masonry arches are constructed of individual wedge-shape stone or brick voussoirs. Rigid arches consist of curved, rigid structures of timber, steel, or reinforced concrete capable of carrying some bending stresses. Domes A dome is a spherical surface structure having a circular plan and constructed of staked blocks, a continuous rigid material like reinforced concrete, or of short linear elements, as in the case of a geodesic dome. Schwedler domes are steel dome structures having members that follow the lines of latitude and longitude, and a third set of diagonals completing the triangulation.
Lattice domes are steel dome structures having members that follow the circle of latitude, and two sets of diagonals forming a series of isosceles triangles.
Geodesic domes are steel dome structures having members that follow three principal sets of great circle intersecting at 60째, subdividing the dome surface into a series of equilateral spherical triangles. Shell Shells are thin curved plate structures typically constructed of reinforced concrete. They are shaped to transmit applied forces by membrane stresses (the compressive, tensile, and shear stresses acting in the plane of their surface.
Detailing for moisture For water to penetrate into a building, all of the three following condition must occur: 1 an opening 2 water present at the opening 3 a force to move the water through the opening To prevent water penetrating into a building, three different strategies are employed: 1 remove opening or 2 keep water away from opening or 3 neutralise the forces that move water through opening Neutralize the forces Gravity strategies: typically use slops and overlaps to carry water away from the building using the force of gravity.
Surface tension and capillary action strategies: typically use a drip or a break between surfaces to prevent water to the underside of surfaces (such as window sill or parapet capping)
Momentum: windblown rain, snow and moisture can move through simple gaps. To inhibit this movement the gaps often constructed in more complex labyrinth shapes like the graph shown left.
Rubber- type and use Natural rubber some of most common uses are: 1 seals 2 gaskets and control joints 3 flooring 4 insulation (eg. Around electronic wiring) 5 hosing and piping EPDM- mainly used in gasket and control joints
Synthetic
Neoprene – control joints
Silicone - seals
Plastic type and use Thermoplastic: mouldable when heated and become solid again when cooled. can be recycled. Use: 1 polyethelyne (polythene) 2 polymethyl (Perspex, acrylic) 3 polyvinyl (PVC, vinyl) 4 polycarbonate Thermosetting plastics: can only be shaped (moulded) once
Use : 1 melamide formaldehyde (laminex)- widely used for finishing surfaces 2 polystyrene (styrene)- mostly used in insulation panels Elastomers (synthetic rubbers)
Reference (Ching 2008, ENVS10003 2014, ENVS10003 2014, ENVS10003 2014)
Ching, F. D. K. (2008). building construction illustrated. Hoboken, New Jersey, John Wiley &Sons,lnc. ENVS10003 (2014). "W07C1 Detailing for Heat and Moisture." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lhwm8m5R_Co&feature=youtu.be. ENVS10003 (2014). "W07M1 Rubber." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPhjDijdf6I&feature=youtu.be. ENVS10003 (2014). "W07M2 Plastics." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pfnCtUOfy4&feature=youtu.be.
Week 8
Hollow metal door
E-learning
Wood door
Door
Wood rail and stile door Sliding glass doors Overhead and coiling doors Glass entrance doors Revolving doors Metal windows
Window Wood windows
Clear float glass Laminated glass Tempered glass Glass
Tinted glass Wired glass Patterned glass Photovoltaic glass
Doors Doors and doorways provide access from outside into the interior of a building as well as passage between interior spaces.
Wood rail and stile doors consist of a framework of vertical stiles and horizontal rails that hold solid wood or plywood panels, glass light, or louvers in place.
Sliding glass doors are available with wood, aluminum, or steel frames. Wood frames may be treated with preservative, primed for painting, or clad in aluminum or vinyl. Metal frames are available in a variety of finishes, with thermal breaks and integral windproof mounting fins.
Overhead doors are constructed of one or several leaves of wood, steel, aluminum, or fiberglass and open by swinging or rolling up to a position above the door opening.
Coiling or rolling doors consist of horizontal, interlocking metal slats guided by a track on either side and open by coiling about an overhead drum at the head of the door opening.
These graphs show what the revolving doors look like. Revolving doors consist of three or four leaves that rotate about a central, vertical pivot within a cylindrically shaped vestibule. Glass Clear float glass: the simplest and cheapest glass product and breaks in to very sharp and dangerous shards Laminated glass: a tough plastic interlayer (PVB) is bound together between two glass panes (as in a sandwich). When the glass is cracked, the sharp fragments tend to adhere to the plastic rather than falling apart. Tempered glass (toughened glass): produced by heating glass to approximately 650℃, at which point it begins to soften. The surfaces of this heated glass then cooled (quenched) rapidly creating a state of high compression in the outer surface of the glass.
Tinted glass: useful in sun exposed situation to reduce visible light transfer. Photovoltaic glass: with integrated solar cells.
Tutorial
This is the detail sketching from the oval pavilion. We have to draw a 1:1 sketching.
Reference (Ching 2008, ENVS10003 2014, ENVS10003 2014)
Ching, F. D. K. (2008). building construction illustrated. Hoboken, New Jersey, John Wiley &Sons,lnc. ENVS10003 (2014). "W08C1 Openings: Doors &Windows." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7QQIue58xY&feature=youtu.be. ENVS10003 (2014). "W08M1 Glass." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I0Jqcrfcyk&feature=youtu.be.
Week 9 E-learning Joints and connections
Different types of joints Expansion joints
Movement joints
Control joints
Isolation joints
Construction detailing
Composite material
Joints and connections Butt joints allow one of the elements to be continuous and usually require a third mediating element to make the connection.
Overlapping joints allow all of connected elements to bypass each other and be continuous across the joint.
Pinned joints theoretically allow rotation but resist translation in any direction.
Rigid or fixed joints maintain the angular relationships between the joined elements, restrain rotation and translation in any direction, and provide both force and moment resistance.
A cable anchorage allows rotation but resists translation only in the direction of the cable.
Movement joints Expansion joints are continuous, unobstructed slots constructed between two parts of a building or structure permitting thermal or moisture expansion to occur without damage to either part. Control joints are continuous grooves or separate formed in concrete ground slabs and concrete masonry walls to form a plane of weakness and thus regulate the location and amount of cracking resulting from dying shrinkages, thermal stresses, or structural movement. Isolation joints divide a large or geometrically complex structure into section so that differential movement or settlement can occur between the parts. Tutorial (Site visit)
The health and safety are very important for us, therefore we have to follow the rules in site. This graph shows that we were sign in. At the site, people must to sign in or out when they come or leave because that is the way to reduce the potential risks people experience. This site is building an apartment, and this is the engineering sketch for the apartment structure. It shows where the load bearing wall should be built.
The pipe is covered by the insulation papers. This is a water pipe, and the reason why it covered by insulation papers is the insulation paper can reduce the water noise when the water flows through the pipe.
The columns are reinforced concrete column which is support the load of the floor for the basement.
These holes are part of the draining system. They are placed a lower place for the water can flow out. This is a simple timber lift which can transport the tools to different level. This is an efficient structure because it can save a lot of time. Reference (Ching 2008)
Ching, F. D. K. (2008). building construction illustrated. Hoboken, New Jersey, John Wiley &Sons,lnc.
Week 10 E-learning Dynamic load
Building materials Collapse Corrosion
cause Failure
Dynamic load Dynamic load are applied suddenly to a structure, often with rapid change in magnitude and point of application. Under a dynamic load, a structure develops inertial force in relation to its mass and its maximum deformation does not necessarily correspond to the maximum magnitude of the applied force. The two major types of dynamic loads are wind loads and earthquake loads. Wind loads are the force exerted by the kinetic energy of a moving mass of air, assumed to come from any horizontal direction.
The structures, components, and cladding of a building must be designed to resist wind-induced sliding, uplift, or overturning.
The earthquake induces a ground motion which is three-dimensional in nature. Therefore the structures can be crashed or overturning. Corrosion The materials will be corroded with time. Therefore it will induce the collapse of the building.
Use the Statue of Liberty as an example.
Copper oxidization: when cooper is exposed to the atmosphere, it reacts with oxygen. The copper start dull. First becoming a darker brown color and then forming a green copper oxide patina.
The joints between the copper skin and iron held moisture and provided a good condition for the corrosion of iron. And the connection system started to fail because of the corrosion
This is how the corrosion causes the failure or collapse.
Building materials Each material has distinct properties of strength, elasticity, and stiffness. The most effective structural materials are those that combine elasticity with stiffness.
Reference (Ching 2008, ENVS10003 2014)
Ching, F. D. K. (2008). building construction illustrated. Hoboken, New Jersey, John Wiley &Sons,lnc. ENVS10003 (2014). "W10M2 A Tale of Corrosion." from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IqhvAeDjlg&feature=youtu.be.