CONSTRUCTING ENVIRONMENTS: LOG BOOK Isaiah Finn 699045
WEEK 1
Materials: Strength - Strong or Weak Materials like concrete are strong and so are favored in some situations because it is hard to break Forces: A force is an influence that produces change in the shape or movement of a body
Stiffness - Stiff, flexible, stretchy Materials like rubber are used for there flexible properties, whereas metals are used when there is no movement wanted within the structure
Tension: Tension force pulls outwards on a member
Shape - mono, bi and tri dimensional The shape of a material can determine how it performs as well as its aesthetic qualities
Compression: Compression force pushes inward on a member
Material Behavior - Tension/Compression Different material behave differently under tension and compression. for example rope be- comes very floppy when not under tension
Economy and Sustainability A materials cost and impact on the environment are also heavily considered as a material needs to be cost effective to be used.
Load Paths Dead load: static load eg. Structural elements of a building Live load: A load that can move eg. Person or bookcase A load takes most direct route to ground Forces opposing the load are equal and opposite
Task: Build the tallest structure out of MDF blocks to house a toy Our structure consisted of columns in a X pattern to achieve maximum height interlaced with beams to support the structure. We also created a large beam using rubber bands to support a roof structure. Our design was ultimately unsuccessful, this was because the vertical columns were not stable enough when the dead load from the structure increased with the buildings height.
Other groups used only beams, which used more blocks to achieve height, however, created a more stable structure. They also utilized a cone shape to achieve a roof. Another group used a JENGA style brick pattern which created a very stable structure because of the lack of gaps between bricks.
We made another smaller, structure. This smaller structure used only horizontal beams spaced closely together. This smaller structure was able to hold quite a heavy load because downward forces being applied by the live load could take an even route through the structure. However when a point load was applied the structure failed because the load could not move evenly through the structure.
WEEK 2
Structural Systems Solid - Very old style, Using stones and bricks, Uses arches and takes advantage of compression Skeletal - Most modern way of transferring loads to ground Membrane - Utilized in sports stadiums, very cheap but not as strong and durable as other systems Hybrid - Combines two or more structures to give buildings structural integrity
Enclosure – Shell or envelop of building: walls, roof, windows, doors
Structural – the construction that supports loads to the ground: columns, beams, load bearing walls
Service – water, heating, sewage, ventilation, air-conditioning
Task: to make the tallest possible structure from one sheet of balsa wood The structure we made using the thin balsa wood consisted of a tri angular base, because triangles offer the best compromise between stability and quantity of material required. our structure was not very stable as we found that not having any compression or tension caused the building to fall. This compression and tension was achieved by another group doing a similar construction however they had put “X’s� in between there sections, these extra supports meant that their construction was more stable and was able to reach greater heights than ours was.
Fixed joints do not allow any movement. therefor if any expansion or compression happens it can cause weakness and breakage in the joint or the members Roller and Pin joints are used to allow movement so that the forces acting on the building do not break the structure
WEEK 3
Structural Elements Strut – A slender element designed to carry a load parallel to its long axis, this load produces compression Tie – A slender element designed to carry a load parallel to its long axis, this produces tension Beam - A horizontal element designed to carry vertical loads using its bending resistance Slab/Plate – A wide horizontal element design to carry vertical load Panel – A deep vertical element designed to carry vertical or horizontal load
Shallow Footings
Footings and Foundations
Pad footing – Spread a point load over a wide area
A substructure constructed partially or completely underground which support the sub structure
Strip Footing – Used when loads from a wall or a series of columns is spread in a linear manner
Raft Foundation – Provides extra strength by joining individual strip footings together into a single mat Deep Foundations End Bearing Piles – Extends the foundations down to rock or soil so that it will provide support for the building loads Friction Piles – Rely on the resistance of the surrounding earth to support the structure
Footings and foundations distribute the weight of a buildings
Shallow or Deep footings depending on soil quality and weight of the building Retaining and foundation walls are created to construct underground constructions such as basements
Masonry Can be made from: stone, earth, clay and concrete Stack Bond: Brick Veneer
Units act together to create a monolithic whole Absorb water – therefore expansion joints required
Masonry: a building made of units of product usually connected by mortar Bond: Pattern of the units Course: A horizontal row of masonry units
Joint: The way units are connected Mortar: Mixture of cement and lime, sand and water, used as a bonding agent
Stretcher Bond: Load Bearing Stretcher Bond
Perpend: Vertical Joint Bed Joints: Horizontal Joint
Brick Veneer: a non structural brick wall
WALK AROUND CAMPUS Trees grow on top of column to give it support
Use of many different Economics and Commerce materials, also using a structural aesthetic style Building
Truss used as an aesthetic element as well as structural
Melbourne University Underground Car Park
Two different concrete finishes Joins show concrete was pre cast
Cantilevered steel beams holding cables
Debate whether cables are structural or aesthetic
Skeletal structural element
Union House Staircase
Use of structural aesthetic style
Union House Outdoor Area
Membrane shelters users and directs water to drain
WEEK 4
Cantilever: A structural element that is only supported at one end
Span: distance between two structural supports
Spacing: the repeated distance between a series of similar elements
Timber: Joists and bearers
Floor Systems
Slabs: concrete slabs span between structural supports
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Steel: Girders and joists used to hold up flooring or open web joist which can have services run through them
Concrete
In Situ
A mix of cement, fine aggregate, course aggregate and water. A chemical reaction occurs and the concrete sets Formwork: temporary support or molds used to hold the liquid concrete until it sets, can be done in situ (on building site) or pre cast (done off site in a factory). Some formwork is sacrificial which means it is left there after concrete has set. Reinforced Concrete: Mesh or steel bars set inside concrete to improve its structural performance. Because concrete is very strong in compression, but weak in tension
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Used for: footings, retaining walls and non standard structural elements (bespoke elements) Shotcrete: concrete that is sprayed into place
Pre-cast Made in a factory: • More cost effective • Higher quality product • Faster production • Limited in size due to transport • Can achieve high quality finishes Used for: retaining walls, walls and columns
MATERIAL PROFILE: CONCRETE Hardness: High. Can be scratched by a metallic object Fragility: Low. Can be chipped by hammer Ductility: Very Low Flexibility/Plasticity: Low Porosity/Permeability: Medium – Low. Depends on how it is treated Density: Medium – High Conductivity: Low Durability: Very High Recyclability: Medium – Low. Can be crushed to use as aggregate Sustainability: High Embodied Energy. Non Renewable. Long Lasting Cost: Generally Cost Effective
Oval Pavilion Model Task Task: to build a model of a section of the oval pavilion using the construction drawings. Our model was of a section with part of the canopy structure and underground foyer. We made the canopy out of paddle pop sticks and masking tape. The concrete structure that created the foyer was made out of cardboard
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Other Groups Projects
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WEEK 5
Short Column: shorter and thicker Length : shortest cross section less than 12:1 Fail by Crushing
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Long Column: taller and slimmer Length : shortest cross section greater than 12:1 Fail by buckling
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Walls Structural Frames • Uses grid of columns and beams • Concrete frames • Steel Frames • Timber Frames
Load Bearing Walls • Concrete and Masonry • Rely on their mass to carry loads Stud Walls • Timber Framing or Light Gauge Steel Framing • Carry vertical loads, require diagonal bracing • Very popular in Australian construction
Timber Strong Parallel to grain Weak Perpendicular to grain
Knots in the timber are a point of weakness, knots should located where the timber will experience compression to increase structural integrity Timber is seasoned to remove moisture, any timber below 15% of its original moisture content is considered seasoned Timber is sealed to prevent fire damage, absorbing of moisture and termites
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MATERIAL PROFILE: TIMBER Hardness: Medium – Low. Can be easily marked Fragility: Medium – Low. Generally will not shatter or break Ductility: Low Flexibility/Plasticity: Highly flexible, medium plasticity Porosity/Permeability: High. But depends on seasoning and finishing Density: Medium: Extremely varied depending on variety of timber Conductivity: Low Durability: Can be high depending on seasoning and finishing Recyclability: Very high Sustainability: Very low embodied energy, fully renewable Cost: Generally Cost Effective
WORKSHOP Task: create a beam to withstand as much force as possible using 2 pieces of treated pine and 2 pieces of plywood
Our beam design had the two pieces of pine on top of each other, we used the plywood vertically as a kind of bracing for the pine, the plywood has considerably more strength when the force is applied parallel to the face of the timber, that is why it has been placed like this
Our beam failed at about 400kg. As you can see in the photo the plywood warped, as soon as the force was not being applied parallel to the face the timber started splitting and ultimately failed. The beam breaks like this because there are compression forces on the top of the beam where the load is applied and tension forces on the bottom side of the beam.
WEEK 6
Truss: a structure that consists of five or more triangular units Purlin: a horizontal structural member in a roof Roof Systems: Flat roofs: 1° - 3° Pitched and sloping roofs: greater than 3° Concrete Roofs • Concrete plates on a concrete or load bearing wall • Require a waterproofing membrane • More expensive than timber or steel • Used when roof needs to be walked on Structural Steel • Roof Beams and Purlins clad with lighter sheet metal Trussed Roofs • Span long distances using little material • Steel or Timber
Metals Ferrous (iron) metals
Non Ferrous (iron) metals
Steel • Strong • Transfers heat and electricity • Formed into many different shapes
Aluminum • Easily formed • Light • Cheap
Hot rolled steel: Elements shaped while metal is hot, used for primary structural elements, joints are welded and bolted
Copper • Extremely good conduction • Used in wires
Cold formed steel: Elements are folded from sheets, used as secondary structure, galvanized, joints are bolted or screwed
Zinc • Commonly used as a thin layer on steel to create galvanized steel
Reinforcing Bars: bars of steel used to reinforce concrete due to its tensile strength
Brass • Used for handles, taps, nuts, bolts and plumbing
MATERIAL PROFILE: METAL Hardness: Varied. (Lead is soft, Steel is hard) Fragility: Low Ductility: High Flexibility/Plasticity: High when heated, low when at room temperature Porosity/Permeability: Very Low Density: High Conductivity: Very High Durability: Can be high depending on type, finishing and maintenance. Can also be low due to oxidation and rusting Recyclability: High Sustainability: Very high embodied energy, but recyclable Cost: Generally Cost Effective
WEEK 7
Tanking: Placement of a waterproof membrane around a construction
Moisture For water to enter a building it needs: • An opening – Planned: windows and doors. Unplanned: poor workmanship, deterioration • Water present at the opening • A force to move the water through the opening To prevent water penetration: • Remove openings – Sealants and Gaskets • Keep water away from openings – Gutters, tiles, downpipes, sills, flashings • Neutralize forces that move water through openings – gravity, surface tension, momentum, air pressure
Weep holes allow moisture to move outside of the building
Heat Conduction of heat is controlled by: • Thermal Insulation – to reduce heat conduction • Thermal Breaks – Made from low conductive material such as rubber, put in between high conductive materials like metal to create a break from outside to inside • Double Glazing – to create a static pocket of air between glazing to act as insulation Radiation Controlled by: • Reflective surfaces – Reflective materials, low e glass that do not get hot in the sun • Shading Systems – Verandahs, eaves, solar shelves, screens and vegetation to prevent direct solar radiation Thermal Mass – Store heat over a long period of time, delays transfer of heat. Hot sun heats mass during day, this stored heat slowly releases at night
Paints Liquid until meets a surface and then becomes solid Protects elements – resist chipping, cracking and peeling Clear paints are called varnishes or lacquers
Components: • Binder – the film forming component • Diluent – adjusts viscosity • Pigment – Gives Colour Oil based or water based paint
MATERIAL PROFILE: RUBBER Hardness: Hard. Resist Abrasions Fragility: Low. Does not shatter or break Ductility: High. In heated state Flexibility/Plasticity: Highly flexible, high plasticity Porosity/Permeability: Very low. Considered waterproof Density: Medium Conductivity: Low Durability: High Recyclability: High Sustainability: Varied embodied energy depending on natural or man made rubber Cost: Generally Cost Effective
MATERIAL PROFILE: PLASTIC Hardness: Medium – Low. Depending on type Fragility: Medium – Low. Fragile in degraded state Ductility: High. In heated state Flexibility/Plasticity: Highly flexible, high plasticity when heated, goes hard and stiff when set Porosity/Permeability: Low. Many plastics are waterproof Density: Low Conductivity: Low Durability: High Recyclability: High for thermoplastics, low for thermosetting plastics Sustainability: Varied embodied energy Cost: Generally Cost Effective Thermosetting: plastics that has an irreversible curing process Thermoplastics: a plastic that becomes pliable above a certain temperature
WEEK 8
Doors Allows: light, ventilation, view, access Can be made from timber, aluminium or steel
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Windows Allow light, ventilation and views Commonly made from timber, aluminium or steel
Curtain Wall: a non-structural walling system that uses lightweight metals and glass
The main structural consideration regarding windows is how to carry the load around the window
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Glass FORMED from silica FLUXES reduce melting temperature STABILIZERS stop the glass from dissolving or crumbling Flat Glass - Sheets Shaped Glass – Curved, blocks, channels, tubes, fibres Float Glass – Most common glass process Laminated Glass – Layer of plastic in-between two sheets of glass, when shattered the glass adheres to plastic Tempered Glass - Increases strength of the glass Tinted – Lowers exposure to solar radiation Wired – Similar to laminated, but wire instead of plastic Patterned – For privacy or light Curved – Specific design requirements, expensive Photovoltaic – Integrated solar cells Channels – Used in facades Slumped and Formed – Design features Fibres – Hair like strand used in telecommunication
MATERIAL PROFILE: GLASS Hardness: High. Can be scratched by metal Fragility: High. Shatters Easily Ductility: Very low Flexibility/Plasticity: Highly flexible, high plasticity in molten state, very low when set Porosity/Permeability: Very low. Considered waterproof Density: Medium - High Conductivity: Transmits heat and light, but not electricity Durability: Very High Recyclability: Very High Sustainability: High embodied energy Cost: Generally Expensive to produce and transport
WEEK 9
Construction Detailing How materials are put together • Movement joints – buildings move small amounts, contracting and expanding, soils, these movements can cause cracking • Health and safety - balustrades, tread width and height on staircases, fireproofing qualities, materials used in wet areas, disability access • Material ageing and durability • Repairable surfaces and materials - how easily damaged materials are replaced • Cleanable surfaces – how easy is it to clean, really important in hospitals and restaurants • Constructability – ease of construction
Expansion joint in masonry
Composite Materials Monolithic: a single material or a material combined so components are indistinguishable Composite: Two or more materials are combined in such a way that the individual materials are easily distinguishable
1:1 SECTION DRAWING Task: to do a 1:1 scale section drawing of a section of the oval pavilion based on the construction drawings given. My drawing is a double glazed window section at the front of the building. Actual drawing is included at the back of the physical version of this document Image 5
WEEK 10
Lateral Forces Wind – depend on size of exposed area, low effect on base, high on top Earthquake – depends on mass of the building at its peak, act at base of buildings structure Resisting lateral forces: • Bracing • Diaphragms/shear walls • Moment joints
Materials: Heroes and Villains Health Villain: Oil Paints – oil vapors that are emitted are bad for your health Hero: Water Based Paints Cost and Waste Hero: Bamboo – doesn’t require a finish, grows quickly and easily Recycled materials Villain: Hardwoods – takes around 100 years to grow Energy (embodied energy) Hero: Timber, Things that are Australian made, LED lights Villain: Aluminium, light globes Pollution Hero: Linoleum, Wool Villain: PVC
BIBLIOGRAPHY Texts Ching, F. (2008). Building Construction Illustrated (4th ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. Cameron, R. (2014). Week 1. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/week_01_guide/1?e=8943534/6989973 Cameron, R. (2014). Week 2. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/week_02_guide/2?e=8943534/7032196 Cameron, R. (2014). Week 3. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/week_03/2?e=8943534/7199693 Cameron, R. (2014). Week 4. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/week_04_guide/2?e=8943534/7229313 Cameron, R. (2014). Week 5. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/week_05/2?e=8943534/7327804 Cameron, R. (2014). Week 6. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/week_06_guide/2?e=8943534/7434612 Cameron, R. (2014). Week 7. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/week_07/2?e=8943534/7502268 Cameron, R. (2014). Week 8. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/week_08_guide/2?e=8943534/7691735 Cameron, R. (2014). Week 9. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/week_09_guide/2?e=8943534/7772143 Cameron, R. (2014). Week 10. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/week_10_guide/2?e=8943534/7834146 Images 1. Ching, F. (2008). Building Construction Illustrated (4th ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. (pp. 4.03) 2. Ching, F. (2008). Building Construction Illustrated (4th ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. (pp. 4.26) 3. Kelly, E. (2011). Contemporary Buildings: A spotters guide. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2011/sep/11/contemporarybuildings-spotters-guide 4. Cox Architecture (2012) Constructing Environments: Oval Pavilion Construction Drawings. Melbourne, Australia (pp. A46-02) 5. Cox Architecture (2012) Constructing Environments: Oval Pavilion Construction Drawings. Melbourne, Australia (pp. S04.01) 6. Typical Damage and Collapse of RC Buildings. (2013). Retrieved from http://theconstructor.org/earthquake/typical-damage-and-collapse-of-rcbuildings/407/ 7. Buckling. (2014). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckling 8. Cameron, R. (2014). W05_m1 From Wood to Timber. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJL0vCwM0zg&feature=youtu.be 9. Ching, F. (2008). Building Construction Illustrated (4th ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. (pp. 8.02) 10. DIYadvice. (2014). Door Types and Styles. Retrieved from http://www.diyadvice.com/diy/doors-windows/planning/door-styles-types/ 11. Cameron, R. (2014). W08_c1 OPENINGS: DOORS & WINDOWS. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7QQIue58xY&feature=youtu.be 12. Cameron, R. (2014). W08_c1 OPENINGS: DOORS & WINDOWS. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7QQIue58xY&feature=youtu.be