Week 9 Journal

Week 9 Journal In Detail (Part Two) For part two of “In Detail�, we were required to develop a perspective drawing of the detail we upscaled last week. This was done with the intention of further studying the construction of the detail section. With the section of the glass block window drawn in perspective form, the structure of the components became clearer.

In terms of waterproofing, the gaps between each glass block are sealed with mortar joints to prevent any leakage. The ledge of the exterior bottom concrete panel is also sloped to allow runoff of rainwater.

In terms of economic decisions, the choice to use precast concrete panels could be due to resource constraints, wanting to save time and labour work, as precast panels means that the concrete is pre-fabricated, and does not need to be poured and set on-site.

As for environmental impacts, the use of glass blocks can provide natural lighting for the interior of the building, saving the cost of electricity in the long run. The glass also allows some heat transfer, which may mean that electricity use is also slightly reduced during winter.

Over time, as thermal expansion and contraction occurs, the connections between the timber sill, steel studs and plasterboards could start to warp. This should not be a major issue, as the plasterboard would cover up most of the members, but it is still possible for the members to slightly warp over a long period of time.

Constructing Environments Brian Siu (635900)

Week 8 Journal This is the upscaled detail drawing of the glass block window section.

This section is composed of two glass blocks which sit between two precast concrete panels, one at the top and one at the bottom, respectively. The glass blocks are connected through mortar joints at the junctions, with two steel reinforcing rods running through the mortar joint joining the bottom glass block with the bottom concrete panel. A timber sill sits on top a steel stud, which in turn is covered up by plasterboard. The top of the glass block window is constructed in a similar fashion, with a steel stud and plasterboard screwed onto the stud.

This particular section could have some potential aspects go wrong.

Particularly, the joints of the glass blocks to each other and to the concrete panels. As they are joined via mortar joints, extended exposure to the elements such as intense heat and subsequent thermal expansion and contraction and cause the joints to weaken and crack.

In terms of economic decisions, the choice to use precast concrete panels could be due to resource constraints, wanting to save time and labour work, as precast panels means that the concrete is prefabricated, and does not need to be poured and set on-site.

As for environmental impacts, the use of glass blocks can provide natural lighting for the interior of the building, saving the cost of electricity in the long run. The glass also allows some heat transfer, which may mean that electricity use is also slightly reduced during winter.

Constructing Environments Brian Siu (635900)