BS (Arch) l Building Construction : Skeletal Structure Report

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 2

PROJECT ONE: UNDERSTANDING FORCES IN SKELETAL STRUCTURE

Bachelor Of Science (Hons) Architecture Degree Year 2 Semester 1

Edner Patrick Stephen Muhammad Naim bin Ahmad Mukif Amir Hakim bin Sazali Tunku Abdullah bin Tunku Mahmood Fawzy

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CONTENTS 1. OBJECTIVE 2. DESIGN CONCEPT 3. DESIGN STRATEGY 4. LOAD DISTRIBUTION ANALYSIS 5. DESIGN STAGE phase 1: exploring phase 2: build & test of finalised model phase 3: final product 6. LOAD TEST 7. EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS 8. DESIGN SOLUTIONS

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 2 PROJECT ONE: UNDERSTANDING FORCES IN SKELETAL STRUCTURE This project provides an opportunity for us to explore and understand the forces acting on a skeletal structure. For this assignment, it requires us to form group that consist of 6 members. Unfortunately due to certain issues, our group only consist of 4 members which reduces the work rate for this assignment. We are then required to produce a skeletal structure out of popsicle sticks with a maximum base of A5 size paper. The binding or connecting agents are limited to only toothpicks, threads and pins.

The following are the phases in order to reach our group end product. (Figure 1.1).

DESIGN CONCEPT The idea behind the popsicle tower design was based on a pyramid structure concept. Such as, a bigger base on the lowest floor, medium sized structure in the middle and the smaller structure at the top. With such design approach, it is expected that the load placed at the top of the structure will be transferred evenly throughout the structure to the ground below. The horizontal and vertical popsicle stick will represent the post and beam structure of a building. The structural design was conceived to give the skeletal structure a modular look as well as giving it a lot of strength and stability.

OBJECTIVE To create an understanding of skeletal structure and its relevant structural components.

To understand how a skeletal structure reacts under loading.

To demonstrate a convincing understanding of how Skeletal Construction works.

To be able to manipulate Skeletal Construction to solve an oblique Design problem.

Figure 1.1

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 2 PROJECT ONE: UNDERSTANDING FORCES IN SKELETAL STRUCTURE A

DESIGN STRATEGY

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Based on the initial concept of creating a ‘pyramidal’ structure, we experimented with a lot of different methods based on the given materials. As an example, we used the toothpick bolting technique by drilling holes into the sticks and then slotting in the toothpicks to fasten the popsticks together. Then, we designed the skeletal structure based on a rectangular framework, like scafolding ascending in a vertical direction.During the assemble, we also tested the strength & ability of popsicle sticks by bending, pushing & pulling, twisting as well as breaking them apart.

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After some experimental process with the structure, we decided to combined the method with the slotting technique. This is so that we could distribute the load throughout the skeletal structure. We aso directed the forces along the angled components to maximize the strength of the structure and to reduce the weaknesses that would occur from the material itself. In the other hand, we tied every joins of the structure to strengthen its ability to withstand the weight.

LOAD DISTRIBUTION ANALYSIS To analyse the load distribution analysis, we place a uniform load above the structure, using a dumbell. Each side are labelled as rigid beams wherby the corners becomes joints which become the element where the structure are joined together yet creating flexibilitiy for movement is such occurance of an earthquake. Live loads are beared by the beams and horizontal loads are carried by the columns.

The built-up of the frame that consists of columns and beams works in a way where columns transfers the load to either of its side which is then taken taken by the column to be taken down to the base. By bending, beam acts as a resistant to the lateral load. This vertical part of the structure are thickened at the joints to allow large reactive force.

In the middle of the frames, some bracings are fixed to support the extra loads on the structure as well as keeping in tact the skeletal framework. In the other hand, it also prevents any further movement during the addition of an extra load on the structure.

When the structure is loaded with some weight, the structure immediately reacted to the force by creating some cracking sound. This could possibly mean that the structure is beginning to get weaker as more load is being added on. Moments after more load are being added on, the structure crumple sidewards but the joints are still in tact.

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BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 2 PROJECT ONE: UNDERSTANDING FORCES IN SKELETAL STRUCTURE DESIGN STAGES : EXPLORATION PHASE The hexagon approach was our first approach on to build the tower. This design was basically a repetition of hexagon use on all the 4 levels. The size however became gradually smaller as it went up.

We find this design initially a good design but we have a several problem when we start to built one : > The base of this design is bigger than an A5. > Slot joining were difficult to applied on this design as it has plenty of angles and needed a high precision and accurate measurements.

DESIGN STAGES : BUILT & FINALIZE PHASE The solution to the hexagon design was to change to a new design which is the boxy design.

We decided to changed the design into boxy design instead of hexagon shape due to several reason why : > Boxy design is easier to built compared to hexagon. Therefore it saves time. > Hexagon design needs a lot of slot joining therefore it’ll weaken the popsicles. > Less popsicles are needed to built the boxy design compared to the hexagon.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 2 PROJECT ONE: UNDERSTANDING FORCES IN SKELETAL STRUCTURE

LOAD TEST > During our strength test, we started with stacking the weight slowly one by one. ( 5kg at a time) > We try to maintain the load as centre as possible to get the balanced of the whole structure. > The structure looked solid at 15kg. > After we past the 2 minutes, we put another 5kg of load onto the structure putting the structure in more intense. > In the end, the structure collapsed under 20kg of weight which was due to the technical error done by one of one group members. > We tried to centralise all the weight at a time that resulted a strong twisting force that destroyed the vital part of the structure thus the whole structure. (Frame 15 - 20) > We feel that the structure could have withstand a lot more that 20kg because the structure was still intact before the incident.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 2 PROJECT ONE: UNDERSTANDING FORCES IN SKELETAL STRUCTURE

EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 2 PROJECT ONE: UNDERSTANDING FORCES IN SKELETAL STRUCTURE

DESIGN SOLUTION The top tier part of the structure should have more sticks to support the load transfer to the bottom part of structure.

We should drill the bolting and pinning part more accurate and precise.