Constructing Environments Logbook Week 3 Summary
Construction Systems This week’s logbook entry is centred on identifying and analysing the construction and structural systems employed on various built forms throughout the University of Melbourne campus.
Lot 6 CafĂŠ This structure appears quite complex in its construction. The reinforced concrete beams also act as the floor slab for the second level. From my observation it appears as though the concrete was poured on site into moulds. The flooring system is then placed directly on top of the concrete slab. The Beam supported at the front of the building by the brick pillar is purely aesthetic, it serves no structural purpose as no loads are being transferred through it to the ground below. Underground
Car Park & South Lawn
Melbourne first, and for a long time only, heritage listed car park. Was constructed to remove the cars from the area outside the Old Quad buildings and provide an open space for people to congregate. It is composed of evenly spaced concrete parabolic support column. Originally each column was designed to house a tree and its root system above. This design required complex engineering requirements to take into consideration the moisture damage issues, weight of the trees; soil and water above as well as its distribution. Also of consideration is how the columns would distribute the weight in the event of damage to one of its columns. This is overcome by separating each column into its own structure, so if one element fails it fails in isolation without compromising the whole structure. The concrete was poured on site into a series of moulds, this can be identified by the lines that can be seen on each column. The footings for each column have also been kept separate to assist with its ability to deal with the live loads of the passing vehicles. Each element is able to shift independent from the others around it. Samuel Hill
Constructing Environments: Week 3 Logbook
Student Number: 722052
Oval Pavilion In order for the pavilion to transfer its loads to the ground a system of struts and ties are used. The canopy has quite a significant cantilever which is held in place by ties extending back to the main structure. A steel beam and supporting steel columns transfer the bulk of weight to the concrete foundations. Being a cantilevered structure it will be susceptible to wind forces. Due to its use of strut construction there is no need for its enclosing elements to be load bearing, this allows the glass used on the south side to be floor to ceiling. Therefore the view of the sports oval is not obstructed. In contrast the north side is clad in brick which is sparsely punctuated with glazing. The building does not need to derive any solar gain on this side in large part due to a sky light on the roof. Privacy considerations have also been taken into account as a building is very near its northern boundary.
New MSD Building Existing faรงade has been married with new construction in the new MSD building. The North and West elevations comprise a large amount of glass which is screen by perforated metal sheets. This allows sunlight into the enclosure while minimising heat gain. The south elevation is punctured by smaller glazing elements when compared to the other elevations. This side does not receive much sunlight therefore has been enclosed with prefabricated concrete panels. A complex glazing construction at the base of this elevation allows light into the underground library. Samuel Hill
Constructing Environments: Week 3 Logbook
Student Number: 722052
Arts Centre West A large prefabricated steel truss has been constructed at the front of the building providing a canopy. Is supported at each end by several struts, one in the form of a large stone plinth. It seems as though it has been over engineered, the size of the truss does not seem to reflect the amount of weight it is bearing and transferring, possibly there as an aesthetic element. A laminated timber beam has been suspended from underneath the truss. This also does not seem to be carrying any load, merely in place to provide a rebate for the lighting system.
Bricks There are main types of bricks:   
Extruded and wire cut Machine moulded (pressed) Handmade
Made by shaping clay and water and then hardened by firing in a kiln. Laid in a variety of ways. Joints are 10mm, vertical joints are called perpends and horizontal joints are called bed joints. Can absorb water if left for wet for a prolonged time. Versatile cladding material.
Samuel Hill
Constructing Environments: Week 3 Logbook
Student Number: 722052
North Court A membrane system is used for this structure. Its loads are carried primarily through tensile stresses. The structure is supported at several points around the site using pin joints. The load are carried to the ground via support columns that are in both tension and compression. These structures are susceptible to the wind and water stresses, acting as a sail in strong winds, significantly increasing the stresses on its structural elements. There are pin joints employed in tie the structure to the supports as can be seen on the left. These joints allow rotational movement to compensate for the shifting loads during weather events.
Stairs at west end of Student Centre A complex combination of struts and ties is employed in the structure. There are cantilevered steel I-beams with cable ties assisting to support the stairs below. The entire structure is also resting on steel beams which is transferring its load to the ground via a steel support column. Galvanised steel is used for the main components of the stairs. All surfaces that will come into contact with the user (hand rails etc.) have been finished in stainless steel.
Lecture theatre entry at the Old Geology building A cantilevered steel structure is employed here. Steel I-beam supports are in the wall system which has then been clad with brick. The brick elements are not load bearing, they are purely there for aesthetic purposes and to cover the supporting structure. Rain water is drained from the roof by connecting into the existing rain water pipe of the original building. As can be seen in the top right of the photo to the left. Samuel Hill
Constructing Environments: Week 3 Logbook
Student Number: 722052
Support system identified and where.
New MSD building
Cantilevered entry @ Old Geology North Court
Stairs @ Student Centre Oval Pavilion
Lot 6 CafĂŠ
Underground Cark Park
Arts Centre West
Samuel Hill
Strut
Tie
Beam
Designed to transfer axial compressive loads applied to the end of the members. (Ching, 2014)
Must be used purely in tension as they offer no resistance to compression or bending stresses. (Ching, 2014)
Main method of load transfer. Multiple prefabricated reinforced concrete columns. Cannot be seen as it is housed within a brick skin. Supports the cantilever.
Suspended tutorial rooms are supported from the roof.
Rigid structural members designed to carry and transfer transverse loads across space to supporting elements. (Ching, 2014) Can be seen supporting the old façade on the western elevation. Steel I-beam cantilevered of support columns.
A membrane structure transfers loads via tensile stresses. Combination of struts and ties assist to support this structure. Suspended from a beam above by support wires as well as transferring load via a steel support beam and column Complex combination of all 3 elements assists to support the cantilevered canopy. Main struts transfer loads from the roof beam, which in turn are connected to struts transferring stresses to additional struts within the main structure. Reinforced concrete Combination reinforced columns. concrete is acting as both beam and flooring plate. Individual reinforced concrete parabolic columns poured on site comprise the overall structure. Large plinth transfers load Prefabricated steel truss from steel truss above to located at the front of the ground below. the building.
Constructing Environments: Week 3 Logbook
Student Number: 722052
Glossary of terms Moment: An effect on a structural element that causes rotation. Retaining Wall:
Retaining walls are constructed in order to hold back earth from entering a site, they must be constructed to ‘resist the lateral pressure of the soil being retained’. Incorporates a variety of methods including, gravity wall, reinforced concrete walls; t-type cantilevered wall; horizontal timber wall; brick veneer wall and dry stone wall. (Ching, Page 1.31).
Pad Footing:
‘Individual spread footings supporting freestanding columns and piers’ (Ching, Page 3.09).
Strip Footing: ’The continuous spread footings of foundation walls.’ (Ching, Page 3.09).
Slab on Ground: Structural element of the substructure that is poured straight onto the ground. Considered a beam like member as its transfers load to the sides and down through strip footings.
Substructure:
Considered the foundations of a building. The elements of the building that are below the ground. Transmits the load from the structure above safely into the earth.
Reference List Ching, F, D, K. (2014). Building Construction Illustrated. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
Samuel Hill
Constructing Environments: Week 3 Logbook
Student Number: 722052