2013_3_student journal

Out & About P1.

Week 3: Studio Journal

: Assessment of buildings for data collection Activity: CASE STUDY SITE VISIT EASTERN PRECINCT STUDENT CENTRE

MSLE BUILDING

ORMOND THEOLOGY CENTRE RECEPTION

QUEENS COLLEGE EXTENSION

(Link between buildings) Construction type – long and elevated Structural systems – Metal framework; tapered beams Materials – Steel, glass, polished concrete slab, plywood, battens (timber members)

(Link between buildings) Construction type – narrow, two storey Structural systems – Framework, skylights Materials – Metal cladding – zinc, plaster board box – spanning between walls, stainless steel hand-rail, kickers, aluminium frame around doors, timber -mechanical ducts were also present on walls

Structural systems – steel framing Materials – In-situ concrete, perforated copper, steel, PVC downpipe, glass bricks, galvanised steel (acting against corrosion), ply board – door, bluestone flooring indoors, perforated acoustic plasterboard (assisting with sound absorption)

(yet to be visited close up) Materials – both pre-cast concrete and in-situ concrete (poured on site)

Ply board wall

Leaning structure (connected on both sides – not cantilevering)

Perforated copper

Potential construction constraints – transport of heavy/ delicate materials/ stairs/ doorways, budget/ monetary, suitability of materials to fill purpose/ longevity

Out & About P1.

Activity: ON SITE 1

Trussed roof system (pitched)

3

Week 3: Studio Journal Rusting on roof was evident (subjected to rain and air) Building had a timber frame weatherboard construction system

2 piles of gravel and sand - aggregates

Triangulated support

4

2 Process of in-situ concreting Reinforced bars

Stumps Reinforced concrete block work Reinforced bars

2

4

3

1

Out & About P1.

Week 3: Studio Journal

Activity: CONSTRUCTION WORKSHOP Materials: Bench hook Saw Battery drill Screws Hammer Square (ruler apparatus) Sliding bevel (for measuring angles) (Sliding marking gatch) Tape measure Pine wood (35mm by 35mm and 18mm by 45mm) Finishing brad (much like a large staple gun)

Out & About P1.

Week 3: Studio Journal

Activity: CONSTRUCTION WORKSHOP Testing of structural performance and failure mechanism of designs:

Design 1

Design 2

Notes taken during testing: Bottom of plywood was in tension (being pulled) Top began to buckle due to pressure pushing on it Ply didn't seem to be assisting a great deal as it was very thin ( we chose to place it upwards as we thought it would be the best way to resist the pressure) Ply began to bend outwards -buckling (mirroring each other on either side As it was a triangulated truss structure, it dealt with the stresses of compression and or tension thus getting rid of all the flexion which can be damaging on structures Vertical element in the centre where the load is applied was benefiting Wood have been stronger with thicker ply wood and more fixings Truss shape became inverted (structure stayed in tact) Ply wood bent outwards straight away- didn't support at all Failed all around the fixings Fell to one side and was crushed More fixings would have made it stronger

Design 3 A lot of buckling occurred Failed and cracked where a screw was (concentrated point) (wood also has a weakness) Deflection was very clear

Out & About P1.

Week 3: Studio Journal

Activity: CONSTRUCTION WORKSHOP Key Concepts: Span – measures the distance between two points Cross section – view of a structure as if it's been cut Strength – level of resistance to forces Compression -

pushing

Tension -

pulling

Flexion – bending of a material under load application Shear force – effect from action of opposing forces – simultaneous shifting of horizontal planes of a material, causing deformation Deflection – with stress = deformation Buckling – occur when long columns fail, an increased girth resists this

Studio Journal References: Ching, F.D.K 2008, Building Construction Illustrated, John Wiley &Sons Inc., New Jersey.