Constructing Environments Week 5 Journal - Structural Concepts Part 1
Daniel Kellett 635876
Figure 2 - Foundation System The Eastern Resource centre link is the joining structure between two pre-existing buildings. The primary structure of the site includes a steel framework as seen in figure 1. This framework connects to concrete footings which can be seen in figure 2. The secondary structure of the site incorporates a timber and glass cladding system with encases the space but maintains that outdoor feel as well as insulation and support structures within the walls and floor systems that assist in the overall structure and function of the site itself.
Figure 3 - Foundation System
Figure 1 - Main Structural of Building
Figure 4 - Interior Structure
0.1 - Description/Classification of Structural Systems
Figure 5 - Steel Beam
Concrete beams and the use of concrete footings within the structure and foundation systems of the structure act as a strong material both for the primary structure of the site as well as the anchoring material for the site into the ground. This is due to the strong compressive nature of the concrete and its ability to withstand heavy loads.
Steel is used in the structure both for the interior super structure but also as reinforcement for the concrete in order to make it stronger and therefore increase the load capacity of the site. It is an ideal material for the overall structure of the site due to its strength and its ability to span across large spaces without vertical support assistance.
**Beams are usually also reinforced with steel in order to withstand tension forces and increase strength.
Figure 7 - Concrete Beam
Figure 6 - Insulation
Timber battens are used in the design for both structural and aesthetic purposes. The battens assist the structure in providing attachment points within the wall structure as seen in Figure 8 as well as adding cladding systems to the exterior which increases the aesthetic appeal of the overall design.
Rubber flooring is used in sections of the site and acts as a material that is durable and requires low maintenance. The possibility for a range of styles and colours also allows for multiple uses of the rubber within the space. Figure 8 - Timber Batten The insulation within the site allows for conditions within the site to be maintained at a reasonable level. They help to keep the heat in and the cool out. It is used also due to its ability to fit into spaces with abnormal shapes and configurations. Figure 9 - Rubber Flooring
0.2 - Identification, Description, Location of Structural Materials
Screw - A screw is similar to a nail, however the main shaft of the screw has a spiral thread that runs the length of the shaft. Through rotating the screw into a surface, the screw provides a strong join between the materials being joined as simple push and pull force does not act to remove the screw from position. Figure 10 - Welding
Figure 14 - Screw
Weld - Welding is used within the site, primarily on metal materials, to bind two components together by heating and melting the surface of the metal pieces which then combine and, when cooled, form a single piece, hence connecting the side halves together. This method is a strong way of joining, especially metals, together. Concrete - Concrete is a strong, long-lasting material that is commonly used in construction projects due to its strong, compressive nature. The concrete is able to be made on site and can form a variety of conventional and abstract forms. It is however primarily used for foundations and the transition from the building into the ground. Figure 16 - Grout/Concrete
Figure 11 - Pin Joint With welding Bolt - Bolts are used for various purposes and can be employed to join a variety of materials. They do this by connecting ends with nuts which attach to the other end of the bolt and so secure the components together. Figure 12 - Concrete Anchor
Figure 15 - Bolt
Figure 13 Bolt Joint between structural members
0.3 - Structural Joints & Fixings
Carbon Footprint
The Carbon footprint of this building structure would be moderate as there is a large amount of energy and resources required to produce the materials that are used in this space. That said, the emissions and footprint the building puts out after construction is far less than other buildings as this space is primarily used as a meeting and transition link for human traffic between the two surrounding sites.
Embodied Energy With projects of this size, the embodied energy for many of the materials contributes to a large sum of energy required to produce the finished product. The energy required in order to: • Remove the raw materials from the earth or extract them from other materials • Produce the final product alongside other materials • production of facilities in order to produce these materials And Finally: • Transport - This plays a massive role in the overall embodied energy for the project. Transport occurs right throughout the process, from initial raw material transport, to the transport of the finished product from the production location to the site in preparation for construction. As previously mentioned, the environmental impact is substantial, but not in the sense of output once construction has been completed as this structure is simply a link between two building spaces. The main environmental impact for this space has come in the form of the emissions produced during the production and transport of the materials required to complete this structure.
Recyclability
The recyclability of concrete is not very easy, environmentally helpful or beneficial for other uses, however the timber and steel can be recycled o melted down in order to produce other materials such as metal allots for various other purposes and paper or wood shavings for gardens and homes.
Economic Implications of Decisions Decisions regarding materials used and the budget for the overall product sway the main outcomes achieved from the build. Depending on the economic standings at the time, decisions of whether more expensive materials or cheaper materials should be used may effect the end result greatly. The choice for cheaper materials, may mean longer ongoing costs for the company for maintenance , however start-up costs are less and so more difficult times are the initial stages of the project might see this approach. The same goes for the opposite position taken.
0.4 - Sustainability, Environment and Economical Implications