Constructing Environments Logbook W1

STUDIO REPORT

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COMPRESSION: Building a Tower Using the least amount of materials possible, a structure was to be built with the contraint of having an opening for an object (provided by tutor) to pass through. We were to experiment with different concepts and layouts to built the highest possible structure.

Rectangular base

The primary building material for the structure is buiding blocks. These blocks represent bricks and has similar properties to masonry in the sense that it has strong compression properties.

Triangular base

Circular base

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STUDIO REPORT

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COMPRESSION: Building a Tower (cont.)

We noted the leaning of tone side of our structure and concluded that the way the corners were built has impacted this. Therefore, the form of corners influences the stability of a structure.

This was the final stucture our group built.

We failed to make a tall structure as we underwent multiple design changes.

However, there were some points we have taken whilst completing this activity.

The back corner of this side was built with a sharp vertex in the style of a standard rectangle corner. This is shown to be less supportive of the above load, causing the tilt shown in our structure.

The rounded corners proved to be more stable and is able to support more load that is put upon it.

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STUDIO REPORT

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COMPRESSION: Building a Tower (cont.)

The two circled blocks are still intact because of the transferred load from the blocks on the top (Newton, 2014).

The strong compression properties of this material can be seen here when multiple blocks have been removed yet the com-­ pressive force of the blocks overlaying one another keeps the structure upright.

This is a rough sketch of another group‘s structure which attained a much greater height than ours. It represents a conal shape, reflecting the pyramidical concept of having a larger base and gradually decreasing in size as it approaches the top. The circular structure, just like the rounded corners, seem to provide further stability to the overall structure.

The structure further proved to be stable as multiple blocks could be removed and stacked at the top to increase it‘s overall height.

LEARNING LOOP Summary of week‘s learning

691939 Loads and forces were also introduced this week.

Newton (2014) presents different characteristics that make up construction materials such as the materials‘ strength properties, stiffness, shape, behaviours and its impact on the environment.

In the studio, highlight was given to the strength proper In the studio, highlight was given to the strength proper-­ ties of different materials, particularly when dealing with compressive forces. Examples of materials that work best under compression include: -­ concrete -­ masonry -­ ice block -­ stone -­ termite mound.

Building blocks used during studio activity is an example of material that works well under compression. It becomes stronger when one block is laid on top of another.

(Ching, 2008)

Basically, materials that work well under compression are materials which become stronger when they are compac-­ ted and overlaying one another.

A force is any influence that produces a change in the shape or movement of a body (Ching, 2008, 2.11).

Ching (2008) describes three different forms of forces:

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GLOSSARY APPENDIX

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REFERENCES

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