Max Bracher - Frame

‘Frame’

Structures

Constructing Environments Maxwell Bracher 636699

Piece of bulsa wood of dimensions 462mm x 100mm x 4mm provided. I was given the task of cutting into 40 separate strips of 231mm x 5mm x 4mm.

Task is to build the tallest structure possible using frame construction.

Frame structures: “the structures having a combination of beam, cloumn and slab to resist the lateral and gravity loads.� (EngPedia 2013) REQUIREMENTS: A freestanding structure.

Constructing Environments Maxwell Bracher 636699

Diagonal members added to triangulate frame Triangulated frame resists lateral and vertical pressure Consistency in lightweight material - bulsa wood.

Bulsa wood strips strengthened by almost square dimensions: 4mm x 5mm Design inspired by the likes of the Eiffel Tower, Tokyo Tower, telecommunications towers worldwide.

The above examples and our structure make the most efficient use of little material As such, a three-sided frame saves on bulsa strips

Constructing Environments Maxwell Bracher 636699

Like modern steel-framed construction, we prefabricated much of our frame to save on time and effort.

Alternating the direction of the diagonal cross-beams ensures that the frame resists forces from all directions.

Once the tower reached the half-way point, construction continued with the tower on its side. This assisted in straightening the frame and stabilising it for some time.

This process was necessary due to the delicacy of bulsa wood ‘skeleton construction.’

Constructing Environments Maxwell Bracher 636699

Right: The tower’s erection in progress.

The method of prefabrication can clearly be seen At bottom far right, the black plastic binders can be seen supporting and stabilising the growing tower.

The inherent lean of the tower is also apparent. By placing a ‘binder’ spire on top, the stability of the tower was greatly diminished.

Constructing Environments Maxwell Bracher 636699

The somewhat warped design was able to remain standing thanks to the lightweight structure and structural support from the foundations.

Ultimately, the tower was to fall when disturbed by slight movement to the frame.

Manipulating the binders forming the foundations altered the tower’s ability to remain freestanding.

Constructing Environments Maxwell Bracher 636699

REFERENCES EnggPedia 2013, EnggPedia, United States, Viewed on 12th August, 2013 < http://www.enggpedia.com/civil-engineering-encyclopedia/ dictionary/structural-engineering/333-frame-structures> Integrated Publishing 2013, Integrated Publishing, Florida, Viewed 12th August 2013 < http://engineeringtraining.tpub.com/14070/ css/14070_31.htm> Author Unknown 2013, Galileo Educational Resources, Location Unknown, Viewed 12th August 2013 < http://www.galileo.org/tips/ structures/frames.html>

Constructing Environments Maxwell Bracher 636699