Constructing Environments Karen Dionisio-See Week 7
Activity: Off Campus This week, we had the chance to visit one of our tutor’s projects in Frankston. It was mainly a renovation of the internal structure of the house, which mostly consists of timber framing and glass walls. In here, we looked at the existing structures in the building and the changes that were being made. Internal timber framing
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
The interior and exterior structure of the house is made of timber framing. It consists of posts and beam construction framework that have vertical and horizontal members, which hold up floor and roof loads in the house (Ching 2008: 5.48). The horizontal beams transfer their loads to the posts or columns, which then bring the loads to the foundation or floor systems of the house. Furthermore, in between the timber framework on the ends of the house contains insulation systems that would later be covered up by another material for finishing work. The horizontal, vertical and diagonal beams are attached to each other using steel bolts and metal plates that tranfers resist shear forces between structural members (Ching 2008:5.49).
Existing noggings in the house were replaced in a more organized construction to allow a more stable support for the framework of the wall. It helps resist the timber members to bend especially from lateral forces.
Roof Structure
The roofing systems are existing and will be exposed.
Constructing Environments Karen Dionisio-See Week 7
MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
PVC Piping
The red pipes attached on the ceiling and the posts are for the fire sprinklers systems in the house (Ching 2008: 11.25). These pipes have valves or sprinkler heads connected to them that are linked to a water supply. Moreover, the sprinklers are activated once the house reaches a certain temperature. Since the climate in Frankston does go below zero degrees, I presume that this type of PVC piping falls under the wet-pipe systems category. This means that they contain water at a certain amount of pressure, which allows the sprinklers to disperse water during a fire.
Sprinkler head
For lighting
For appliances
Here are some of the electrical systems for the lighting and operation of electrical equipment and appliances of the house (Ching 2008: 11.30). The wiring to be connected on the outlets are Romex cable, which are made of nonmetallic sheathed cables with many insulated conductors in them. They are moisture-resistant and prevent flame from spreading, which is probablt why these are used in the house, especially that the house is beside a coastline - wet and windy climate.
Constructing Environments Karen Dionisio-See Week 7
TIMBER MEMBERS
New ceiling
An existing window has been replaced and covered using timber structures. The framework is made stronger and more stable with diagonal bracing to resist lateral forces (Ching 2008: 5.35). They provide diagonal load paths to the horizontal then vertical members of the structure (Interactive Structures Lateral Forces 2013). In here, K bracing is used in supporting the structure. New beams
The lower floor structure are replaced by new timber ceiling linings and timber beams due to the rottening of the old Oregon wood. The decomposition of the timber materials may be due to fungi, temrites, weathering and moisture contamination (E-learning Timber 2013).
K Bracing
A sliding door will be attached in the house that is surface-hung on an exposed overhead track as well as a guide on the floor (Ching 2008: 8.04). It does not need an operating space, however, sealing the door from weather conditions and noise may be a problem.
Constructing Environments Karen Dionisio-See Week 7
GLASS, STEEL AND OTHER MEMBERS
An enclosed part of the upper floor will be cut and replaced by a curved glass window, which are supported by lintels and a bottom steel rail. The framing of the windows are made of double C-joists with steel gusset plates connecting the structural members (Ching 2008: 5.40).
This part of the wall will be placed with full glass windows in between the posts. The windows are covered by wood frames, which provide thermal insulators for the house (Ching 2008:8.26). Beneath the windows are sills that provide protection from rainwater (Ching 2008: 8.22).
Steel beams are laid horizontally on the lower floor to support the timber structures from lateral forces such as wind and earthquakes (Ching 2008: 5.35). This then works as a reinforcement for the formwork of the house (Interactive Structures Concerete 2013) Stream lines or cords outside the lower floor are tied at a low ceiling to the beams, braces and columns. These support the curved roof system and a 3D framework made of compressed fibre sheet (Interactive Structures Surface Structures 2013). They are lightweight and strong in flexible and long span structures (Interactive Structure Structural Systems 2013).