ENVS10003
Constructing Environments Logbook
Paige Collett 698753 pcollett@student.unimelb.edu.au Bachelor of Environments
Lecturer: Clare Newton Senior Tutor: Rebecca Cameron Tutor: Jullian Tuckett Semester 1, 2014
Contents
WEEK1
01 - 05
WEEK2
06 - 10
WEEK3
11 - 17
WEEK4
18 - 22
ENVS10003
Construction Workshop
23 - 25
WEEK5
26 - 32
WEEK6 WEEK7
33 - 38 39 - 43
WEEK8
44 - 49
WEEK9
50 - 57
W E E K 10
58 - 61
Glossary
62 - 64
References
65 - 65
ENVS10003 WEEK1
Key Terms Compression Tension Building Envelope Facade Context Building ‘Systems’ -
01.
Mind Map
02.
Materials: an Introduction
The modern construction industry has vast option when it comes to materials, different execution methods with those materials, and the different components and features that can effect the properties of a certain material. Some of the key basic principles of construction materials are stated, defined and examples are given:
Strength
Different materials have different strength properties - and those different properties also vary based on the ‘type’ of strength being measured a material can have different variations of strength in the context of structural forces such as compression and tension.
Stiffness
Impartial to ‘strength’ - simply an appraisal of flexibility and stiffness
MDF - Medium Density Fibreboard. Made of very fine wood dust particles, glued and compressed together with resin under heat and pressure. - economic - even density - vast availability - good workability
Shape
Can effect all other material properties. Certain materials are Monodimensional, Bidimensional and Tridimensional (Newton, 2014)
Material Behaviours The behabviour of a material in responce to forces. A material is typically Isotropic or Anisotropic (Ref. Glossary for definition)
Economy
Is it economically viable to ascertian that particular material?
Sustainability
The environmental impact of a material is very important in the 21st century. This encompasses not only how the material will last and perform over time, but also the impact of sourcing that particular material The embodied energy (ref. Glossary for definition). The materials long term performance is the longituidy of itslife, the recyclability of it, and how it minimises other services that cause environmentalimpact; such as the required heating/cooling/lighting of a structure. Images: MDF Block Tower displaying compressionpowers, approx. 1700mm tall, balancing a weight of approx 4kg at peak; Paige Collett (2014)
03.
Basic Structural Forces Tension and Compression
The Power of Compression
The two most common and basic structural forces one must familarise themselves with are Tension and Compression. Tension describes a pulling force, in which the material or structure experiences elongation to a certain degree. A common structural example of where tension is evident is in the construction of bridges, where steel wiring under a great deal of tension is often used as a key part of the structure.
Image: Ching ‘Building Construction Illustrated p2.11 (2008)
Compression is the opposite force, in which the material or structure is compressed often due to weight and gravity. Brick structures are a
COMPRESSION
Forces and Scale
TENSION
Images: Stages of MDF block tower construction and destruction; Paige Collett (2014)
Forces and scale can be expressed in the mathematical term of ‘Vectors’. They can represent compression, tension or any other form of ‘movement’ - as is the definition of ‘force’. They also depict the measurable scale of that force. (UOM Department of Mathematics and Statistics, 2014)
04.
Loads: Depiction, Measurements & Types Dead Load is the load of a structure itself; its materials and permenant structure in order for a Structure to stand there must be a balance of equal and opposite forces the earth must be able to support and push up, the weight of the structure being pushed down. The Dead load must also be balanced or able to counterbalance through strength or some other property - this is shown in the sketch of a floating bench:
Dead Load
Image: MDF Block Tower midway through distruction; Paige Collett (2014)
Load Path Above is an image of the MDF block tower built in W1 of Constructing Environments. The image shows a section that was partially destroyed to test the power of compression. The arrows show how the load is distributed throughout the tower and how that distribution changes around the void in the tower. Tarrows show where the load is not spread evenly, however it can be seen that very quickly, the load levels out again throughout the MDF blocks. The more evenly spaced the building materials, (MDF blocks) the more evenly spread the load will be.
Live/Static Load Live load is the applied and often changing load that a structure endures, it is often unbalanced in the structure so the structure must be designed to withstand this change, a bridge is an excellent example with cars as the ‘live’ load.
Image: Bloukrans Bridge, South Africa; ‘Fiona in Monbulk (2012)
05.
ENVS10003 WEEK2 Key Terms Structural Joint Stability Tension Frame Bracing Column Load Distribution -
06.
Mind Map
07.
The Sytem Breakdown:
Structural Systems
Structural Solid Systems
Compression is the key structural force present in this building method, a very early method of construction. E.g. stone, bricks
The Great Pyrimid of Giza, Egypt; Nina (2005)
Enclosure
Shell/Surface Systems
A planar structure relying on compression tension and tensile forces. Typically construced of steel reinforced concrete, coming to popularity post WWII (Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc. 2014)
Sydney Opera House, Australia; Unknown (2011)
This is not simply the aesthetic of a structure but also the protective outer layer. The facade, exterior walls, entrance points and roof all make up the external envelope system. It must form a divide creating an internal and external space where the two environments can opperate independent of one another. Weather control, light flooding, temperature control, security and privacy are just some of the systems a building enclosure can effect and regulate.
Mechanical/Services
Frame/Skeletal Systems
The most common form of construction in the 21st century. An efficient way of transfering loads (Newton, 2014) and the structure can be made out of a vast range of materials E.g. wood, steel
The purely practical side to a structure: the mathematics, the physics, the backbone to everything else. Superstructure is the above ground structure of a building, the beams, the columns, loadbearing walls etc. Substructure encompasses is the underground aspect of the structure, the foundations whether it be reinforced concrete slabs, piles, etc.
Vodafone Headquarters, Portugal; Unknown (2014)
The mechanical systems of a structure are the ones that are regarded as necessary for a ‘comfortable’ dwelling - however the sustainability and environmental aspects of a structure can realistically impact the services required, or altar the ‘way’ in which those systems are required. Some of the systems are: water, electricity, heating/cooling, ventilation, sewage (Ching 2014)
Membrane Systems
Efficient and economic. Able to cover large surfaces of area, with the primary force being tension. The membrane is typically thin and flexible such as fabric (Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc. 2014)
National Aquatics Centre, Beijing; Unknown (2008)
Hybrid Systems
Newest system to the Construction Industry, a combination of structural systems are used E.g. Skeletal and Membrane Sports Park Stozice, Slovenia; Unknown
08.
Key Considerations in Construction NEED
WANT
It all starts with... and An individual or company requires a building
Aesthetic
Performance
Wanted performances can be things that must fit a use, such as an area to accomodate a certain quantity of people. Need performances tend to be based on location and also building use - fire escape, natural disaster considerations, soil types, sound resistence, ongoing maintenance
Tend to be solely ‘want’. But also effect the way a building can be used. Environmental and neighbourhood context should be taken into consideration
Environmental
Will the Structure be sustainable not only now, but over time? Will the building materials assist in minimal electricity usage? What is the embodied energy of the materials?
Economic
Does it fit the Budget?
It should be noted that this process does not stop when the construction begins, this is a circular processes that will continue to change and evolve throughout the entire construction
Construction Limitations
What are the building codes and regulations? What is the material availability? Are their labourers available with the appropriate qualifications?
09.
Structural Joints
Roller Joint
Allows horisontal movement Ideal for structures with a moving load E.g. bridges Week 2 brought the experimentation of structural joints. A structure is only as strong as its weakest joint. Regardless of the materials used, the joint type, and strength has a paramount effect on the stability and strength of a structure this was first shown in the demonstration of a ‘water tank’ built with straws for columns and pins for joints - although the columns were weak, it must be noted that the failing point in the experiment occurred at the ‘pin’ joints. Following this, students were asked to construct towers with a skeletal frame using balsa wood - A major flaw observed was the lack of stability and support in the footings - at a certain point of height the structure would fail due to becoming unbalanced
Pin Joint
Allows rotational movement Often found within a truss system
Fixed Joint
A complex joint that allows no movement, because of this a lot of pressure can be put on the joint and columns/structure when a load is applied and result in bending (Newton, 2014)
10.
ENVS10003 WEEK3 Key Terms Moment Retaining Wall Pad Footing Strip Footing Slab on Ground Substructure -
11.
Mind Map
12.
Terminology
Masonry units act as a monolithic whole (Newton, 2014)
Beam - experiences both tension and compression - upper side of beam undergoes compression - lower side of beam undergoes tension - idel to be built from materials that can withstand both forces (e.g. timber, steel) Tie - a tension element - hold loads in place
Monolithic Defined in both new and old construction methods and typically used in mass construction due to the strong compression traits and also the size of materials. Monolithic construction materials are typically larger in scale allowing mass construction to occur in a timely manner. Typically weak in tension but made up of durable and hard components.
Strut - a compression element (e.g. a column or truss element)
Monolithic Materials: Modular - components that fit together - Clay Bricks - Mud Bricks - Concrete Blocks - Ashlar Stone
Slab/Plate - distributes loads in more than a single direction - thickening of slab can encourage loads to go in a certain direction - used often when discussing foundations
Non Modular - Concrete - Rammed Earth - Monolith Stone
Panels - wall panels carry load via compression - shear wall panels are there purely for protection from forces that may blow the structure over (wind) Equilibrium - a state of balance - the addition of forces are equal to zero A ‘Moment’ - a measurement of rotation force is equal to Force x Distance M=FxD
When Horizontal Forces = 0 there is no side to side movement When Vertical Forces = 0 there is no up or down movement
Masonry A subset of Mass construction, similar materials are used but at a smaller scale. The smaller components are used due to the smaller scale of the structures (e.g. houses). Masonry Elements: Vertical - walls, columns, piers Horizontal/Curved - Beams, lintels, arches Spanning/Enclosing - Vaults, domes
Image1: Monolithic Concstruction, Pallavi Pengonda, (2012), http://www.livemint.com/Money/3gJH3g3g9gGNjNpRAwEXsI/Good-September-quarter-for-Sintex.html Image 2: Masonry Construction, Dewen Property Builders, (2014), http://dewanpb.com/services-3/
13.