Journal 5 constructing

Week 5- Constructing Environments Journal entry

We also looked at the primary and secondary structurs of the bulding.

From this we learnt that the primary structure is the main structural unit of the structure, in this case concrete pilars. The secondary structures however were the frame infills, in this case steel rods that provide some extra support for the primary structure and in turn the building itself.

This week we continued on from the work we did in last weeks tutorials where we looked at a case study building and the structural concepts of that building. Again we were given a set of questions to answer about the building in relation to the architectural plans of the building. Our group was assigned with the Theology Building at the back of the uni.

We started by looking at the foundations and footings of the building and different representations of these that can be seen in the drawings. We identified three main systems in the plans, these included: Pad Footings Strip Footings Blinded Footing Each of these systems had a different thickness, could support different loads and used different reinforcements and bearings.

Images of these footings can be seen in the drawings to the left of screen.

The next part of the activity required us to look at and identify the location of stuctural materials in the floor plan as referenced in the legend. For our materials we looked at the ground floor and the 1st floor. a) CPT1- carpet type- FLOOR IN OFFICE , G.09 b) W-B2B- Plasta board 13mm/furring cannels- WALLS IN SERVICE ROOM G.33. c) CC2- Perferated copper cladding on steel frame- EXTERIOR OF RECEPTION d) W-D3- Capral flushline 419150 series single. glazed- DOOR OF RECEPTION e) W-C1- In situ concrete- OUTSIDE OF RECEPTION

Week 5- Constructing Environments Journal entry The next part asked us to identify and trace 3 structural joints in the drawings and trace them. The three joints we chose were from the detail sections of the plans.

After identifying these joints we had to identify and explain the use of the different structural fixings in the drawings. A weld, concrete, bolt, screw and nail were all fixings that had to be explored. We managed to find the weld, bottom left. Concrete, middle left.

Bolt, middle right and screw, bottom right. however we found it very difficult to find a nail in the plans despite what im sure would be and abundance.

Weld - (Section Detail 16 A8.12) Melted metal placed carefully so that it acts as a join between other elements. Strong in compression and reasonably strong in tension.

Concrete – (Section Detail 7 A8.12) Heavy building material, made up of aggregate, sand, cement and water, commonly used to add strength to structures and can be precast or insitu. Strong in compression, weak in tension.

Bolt – (Section Detail 5 A8.08) Metal fixing, acts as a fastener to hold two or more objects together. Strong in compression and tension.

Screw – (Plan Detail 1 A8.07) Metal Fixing, strong in compression, reasonably strong in tension.

Nail – Thin metal, acting as a fastener, reasonably strong in compression and weak in tension.

Week 5- Constructing Environments Journal entry Finally we were asked to look at the sustainability and environmental aspects of the building. Looking at carbon footprint, embodied energy and recyclability.

Carbon Footprint: Steel – High CO2 emissions from production.

Concrete – The production of concrete produces as much CO2 as steel.

Timber – Nearly no emissions, however losing trees to use the timber can be an issue.

Glass – High emissions in production.

Embodied Energy: Steel – Very high Concrete – Low Timber – Moderate Glass – Very Low Recyclability: Steel – Melted and reshaped with nearly no loss, saving iron ore, coal and limestone by being recycled.

Timber – Carefully stripped and de-nailed, then resized to fit the next job, saves on energy with only a minimal loss of timber where possible.

Concrete – Can be crushed and used as gravel for a road or aggregate for new concrete if it is clean.

Glass – Crushed and melted, then reshaped, very little loss.

The last section of the environmental part was about the economical implications of decissions made. We could assume the budget was relatively high due to the use of the glass bricks that line the side of the reception. The concrete base would have already been placed before construction for the reception centre started as part of the existing building. The structure of the actual building is very basic and the walls are mostly glass, which is relatively cheap, but provides bad insulation leading us to assume the building was designed as a transit room rather than a continually occupied room of the building.