Week 1
Block tower
Base and side arrangement Base arrangement
Possible thought before working
Final decision
The idea I was thinking the to make base with stable structure in y-axis but I finally found that in the xaxis the middle block is much easy to be collapsed because I built the blocks in the vertical way. Use a usual square arrangement as shown to make a stable base in x, y-axis by lying the blocks horizontally.
Side arrangement I developed an idea of “gap, nogap, one gap, no-gap” vertically wall arrangement. Because I thought that it was easier the rebuilt, pull or push the blocks on the wall to fix any arrangement mistakes and errors. But some blocks are unnecessary in loads movement. However, the final decision in the group is that all payers are arranged with gaps. In addition, the corners of the square were built by a 45° rotated block to fill in the missed gaps for every two layers. And the loads can move well without wasting the blocks if there is no gap.
As the tower was being built higher and higher, we decided to make the square of each layers smaller and smaller. But as it processed, one collapse happened. The blocks in the middle of tower were the fallen blocks. This made us to rethink. When one block was built on another block, the final gravity center will be little moved if the blocks are not perfectly overlapped with their respective gravity centers.
Compare with other groups The blocks in different layers were arranged differently to have more vertical stability by move the loads in a continuous way.
This was built in a circular arrangement and the layer arrangement was quite similar with our works. But the side is very vertical so the gravity centers would not be moved
Force
Glossary
“produces a change in the shape or movement of a body.”(Ching, 2008) Tension force “When an external load pulls on a structural member, the particles composing the material move apart and undergo tension.”(ENVS10003:CONSTRUCTING ENVIRONMENTS, 2014) Compression “When an external load pushes on a structural member, the particles of the material compact together.” Load applies force on a structure.(Ching, 2008) Load path the way load transfers downward to the ground. Reaction force “for every force acting on a body, the body exerts a force having equal magnitude and the opposite direction along the same line of action as the original force.” (Ching, 2008) Masonry “building with units of various natural or manufactured products, usually with the use of mortar as a bonding agent.” (Ching, 2008) Point load “acts on a very small area or particular point of a supporting structural elements, as when a beam bears on a post or a column bears on its footing.” (Ching, 2008) Beam “Rigid structural member designed to carry and transfer transverse loads across space to supporting elements.” (Ching, 2008) Ching, F. (2008). Building construction illustrated / Francis D.K. Ching: Hoboken, N.J. : John Wiley & Sons, c2008. 4th ed. ENVS10003: CONSTRUCTING ENVIRONMENTS BASIC STRUCTURAL FORCES (I) . (2014) Retrieved from https://app.lms.unimelb.edu.au/bbcswebdav/courses/ENVS10003_2014_SM1/WEEK%2001/Basic%20Structural%20Forces %201.pdf
Week 2
Timber tower
Base and vertical arrangement
Possible thought before working
Final decision
Base arrangement The first thought of mine of the shape of the base was square. And the legs of the to wer was thought to be connected by other timbers.
Instead of square, triangle has a more stable structure. Because a square is quite easier to be modified to parallelogram. And the bottom legs was also connected
Vertical arrangement Make several sticks into a long one and connect at the top. The middle of the angle is partly connected to stable the connection between long sticks.
Same as what I thought. But placed one more little stick to shape another triangle to stabilize the horizontal structure.
Joints The joint is important between the timber sticks to ensure the strength and fixedness. So, tape and drawing pins were used to connect the timber sticks as shown. Taped the timber sticks first and nail it with one pin or even two if it is necessary to stabilize the sticks avoiding rotation. So a fixed joint were made by that way.
Little triangle Initially, the little triangle was used to avoid the rotation and twist, because the long sticks were not perfectly vertical and not connected perfectly straight as the build work processed.
When a force was pressing the top of the tower, the tower was being distorted into a direction opposite to the initial rotation before the build of the little triangle. Because the tension was working by these short sticks to against the compression of the long sticks.
And the fixed joints were not as stable as we thought, some were broken the whole structure were more twisted.
Glossary Week 2 Structural system “is designed and constructed to support and transmit applied gravity and lateral loads safely to the ground without exceeding the allowable stresses in its members.” (Ching, 2008) Construction system interrelated parts forming a building including structural system, enclosure system and mechanical system. (Ching, 2008) Embodied energy total energy (oil, water, power) used during all stage of a material’s life. Life cycle Stages: raw material acquisition → primary processing and refining → manufacturing → delivery → construction use and maintenance → final disposal Recyclability potential for a product/material to be re-used or transferred into a new product. (Ching, 2008) Carbon footprint “a measure of the amount of greenhouse gases generated during the fabrication, transportation and use of a particular product.” (Ching, 2008) Structural joints allow force to be transferred from one structural element to the next. (Ching, 2008)
Roller joint “allow rotation but resist translation in a direction perpendicular into away from their faces.” (Ching, 2008) Pin joint “allows rotation but resist translation in any direction.” (Ching, 2008) Fix joint “restrains rotation and translation in any direction, and provide both force and moment resistance.” (Ching, 2008) Frame “the assembly when the joints connecting the columns and beam are capable of resisting both forces and moments.” (Ching, 2008) Column “rigid, relatively slender structural member designed primarily to support axial compressive loads applied to the ends of the members.” (Ching, 2008) Bracing The elements used to stabilize the structure. Stability Potential to resist the change of shape and angular relationship in a structure. Ching, F. (2008). Building construction illustrated / Francis D.K. Ching: Hoboken, N.J. : John Wiley & Sons, c2008. 4th ed.
Week 3
Underground car park & South Lawn
Pre-cast concrete were used to build the ceiling easier. The joints between upper and bottom elements allow to release moisture in the soil.
Concrete is used to build the ceiling of the car park, and these concrete columns are arranged in under the trees supported on the South Lawn. The ground is acting as a plate structure. Trees were not planted between the columns because the load due to tree can be carried effectively. It might be damaged if they were placed between the columns.
Arts West Student Centre Steel truss was used to shape and stabilize the entire structure with timber.
And the upper beam extended from the building carries the loads of truss upward and go horizontally to the ground. And fix joints are employed to prevent lateral force of winds.
Stairs on west end of Union House Roller joints are used to allow the beam to move horizontally if necessary by other forces.
Steel Cables are employed on the ends of the cantilevers extended from the wall to apply tension holding the staircase.
North Court Union House
Opened steel cable and loop are used under the cable structure. The opening is used to allow the air going out when wind comes into the structure producing high air pressure. And the flexible cable under the loop applies tension to avoid the high upward wind force.
Beaurepaire Centre pool The building is placed for swimming. So the waterproofing and moisture controlling are important. Cavities on the clay brick wall that does not carry loads are used to avoid absorption of moisture and prevent expansion. Enclosed glass wall allow the accessibility of light to enhance the experience of swimmer.
Oval Pavilion Gaps on the clay brick wall at the back are also used to avoid absorption of moisture and expansion over time.
Oval Pavilion is a heritage building mainly uses timber. Deep footings are used to support the building because of the quality of soil.
New Melbourne School of Design under construction
Soft story is used to resist the lateral forces and the main building made by pre-cast concrete, where is clear of joints between each concrete walls, is laid in grid.
The extended building is supported by the steel frame, the upper loads are transferred to the steel frame and to the main building horizontally, and then to the ground.
Old Geology South Lecture Theatre Entry Structure
The steel frame and brick inside do not carry any loads. Loads are carried by the upper concrete structure. Steel frame are used to put glass and door on for physical and light access.
Frank Tate Pavilion
Similar to the Arts West Student Centre, steel frame is used to shape the whole structure and attached with timber acting in aesthetic way and enclosure system.
Lot 6 Cafe Concrete beams and columns form grid to act as structural system to carry all the live and dead loads horizontally and vertically to the ground.
Glossary Structural element “based on the loads to be carried, the material used and the form and shape chosen for the elements.” (Ching, 2008) Strut “a slender element designed to carry load parallel to its long axis. The load produces compression.” (column) (Ching, 2008) Tie “a slender element designed to carry load parallel to its long axis. The load produces tension.” (tie) (Ching, 2008) Beam “Rigid structural member designed to carry and transfer transverse loads across space to supporting elements.” (Ching, 2008) Slab/plate “a wide horizontal element designed to carry vertical load in bending usually supported by beams.” (Ching, 2008) Panel “any of the spaces within the web of a truss between any tweo panel points on a chord and a corresponding point or pair of joints on an opposite chord.” (Ching, 2008) Foundation “the lowest division of a building constructed partly or wholly below the surface of the ground to support and anchor the superstructure above and transmit its loads safely into the earth.” (Ching, 2008) Settlement “the gradual subsiding of a structure as the soil beneath its foundation consolidates under loading.” (Ching, 2008) Shallow footing “is employed when stable soil of adequate bearing capacity occurs relatively near to the ground surface.” (Ching, 2008)
Deep foundation “is employed when the soil underlying a foundation is unstable or of inadequate bearing capacity. (Ching, 2008) Retaining walls and foundation walls “provide support for the superstructure above and enclose a basement or crawl space partly or wholly below grade.” (Ching, 2008) Masonry building with units of various natural or manufactured products, usually with the use of mortar as a bonding agent. (Ching, 2008) Centre of mass the point about which an object is balanced, can also be thought of as the point where the entire weight of the object is concentrated. Equilibrium “a state of balance or rest resulting from the equal action of opposing forces.” (Ching, 2008) Free body diagrams “a graphic representation of the complete system of applied and reactive forces acting on a body or an isolated part of a structure.” (Ching, 2008) Moment of forces: “the tendency of a force to produce rotation of a body about a point or line, equal in magnitude to the product of the force and the moment arm and acting in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.” (Ching, 2008) Substructure: “the underlying structure forming the foundation of a building.” (Ching, 2008) Ching, F. (2008). Building construction illustrated / Francis D.K. Ching: Hoboken, N.J. : John Wiley & Sons, c2008. 4th ed.
Week 4
Scale: 1. Reduce scale to visualize easier 2. Compare between different elements 3. easier to carry How: depend on ratio of units and change of real size.
1:100 whole structure 1:50 walls 1:20 elevation drawings 1:5 canopy 1:2 section through portal Annotation: 1. Material 2. Length and width 3. Function 4. Shape
Glossary Span
“the distance measured between two structural supports.” (Ching, 2008) Spacing “the repeating distance between a series of like or similar elements.” (Ching, 2008) Girder a main support in a structure. Steel decking “ corrugated to increase its stiffness and spanning capability.” (Ching, 008) Concrete plank “ flooring boards that are wider than 85. End- and side-matched boards are blindnailed. The boards may also be face-nailed or screwed and then plugged.” (Ching, 2008) Ching, F. (2008). Building construction illustrated / Francis D.K. Ching: Hoboken, N.J. : John Wiley & Sons, c2008. 4th ed.
Week 5
Measuring the base length of model on the board to locate the elements.
Gluing a wall on the wall by balsawood bracing to stable the performance.
Upon the initial wall and trace on the board to build more elements including two load bearing walls at bottom. And it was hard to lift some elements.
Elevation of model
Load transferred along the elements to the ground.
Actually, the model was not finished. It took a long time to determine the position, length and direction of elements. And glue was used to make fix joints to hold the structure avoiding failure.
Glossary Stud joins different elements together like nail. Axial load the loads transferred in perpendicular directions. Nogging brick wall. Buckling similar with deflection Lintel “supports the load above a door or window opening and allow the compressive stresses to flow around opening to adjacent sections of the wall.� (Ching, 2008) Seasoned timber timber experienced seasoning (drying) process moving moisture. Ching, F. (2008). Building construction illustrated / Francis D.K. Ching: Hoboken, N.J. : John Wiley & Sons, c2008. 4th ed.
Week 6
Foamed plastic was used to build the base and in basic arrangement with slabs and columns providing access for people. Upper closed structure was made by cardboard. Needles were employed to frame and stabilize the structure. Tape connected the cardboard.
Site visit: Royal Melbourne Yacht Clubs: - on-site archaeologist - Construction stages 1. Choice of framing 2. Visual inspection 3. Testing soil 4. Demolition duration of 2 weeks - Component 1. pre-cast panel 2. Flat roof structure 3. Laminated timber Balsawood strikes and cardboard were the main materials to build the front roof of Oval Pavilion. Due to the shape of the structure causing unstable center of mass, one side tended to fall.
Yardville: Just started to rebuild whole. Reinforced concrete used to make footing and concrete slab was placed.
PVC pipes
Glossary Rafter one of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof. Eave extended rafter. Purlin any longitudinal, horizontal, structural member in a roof. Cantilever “a projecting beam or other rigid structural member supported at only on fixed end.” (Ching, 2008) Soffit the underside of a part of a building Portal frame frame used to form door. Top chord “the upper members of a truss extending from end to end and connected by web members.” (Ching, 2008) Ching, F. (2008). Building construction illustrated / Francis D.K. Ching: Hoboken, N.J. : John Wiley & Sons, c2008. 4th ed.
Week 7
Glossary Down pipe connects the gutter by leader to allow the drainage flow downward. Flashing “thin continuous pieces of sheet metal or other impervious material installed to prevent the passage of water into a structure from and angle or joint.” (Ching, 2008) Gutter “along the eave to prevent ground erosion.” (Ching, 2008) Insulation “control the flow or transfer of heat through the exterior assemblies of a building and thereby prevent excessive heat loss in cold seasons and heat gain in hot weather.” (Ching, 2008) Sealant “provide an effective seal against the passage of water and air.” (Ching, 2008)
Ching, F. (2008). Building construction illustrated / Francis D.K. Ching: Hoboken, N.J. : John Wiley & Sons, c2008. 4th ed.
Week 8
I tried to find the elements I saw on the documentation, but there was nothing I could find except the light gap between blinders and the surrounding timber panels.
Folded A1 drawing
Glossary Window sash “the fixed or movable framework of a window in which panes of glass are set.” (Ching, 2008) Deflection “The perpendicular distance a spanning member deviated from a true course under transverse loading, increasing with load and span, and decreasing with an increase in the moment of inertia of the section or the modulus of elasticity of the material.” (Ching, 2008) Moment of inertia “sum of the products of each element of an area and the square of distance from a coplanar axis of rotation. It is a geometric property that indicates how the cross-sectional area of a structural member is distributed and does not reflect the intrinsic physical properties of a material.” (Ching, 2008) Shear force The interaction force by two opposite and equal forces closed to each other (but not 0) acting on an object. Ching, F. (2008). Building construction illustrated / Francis D.K. Ching: Hoboken, N.J. : John Wiley & Sons, c2008. 4th ed.
Week 9
Off-campus Most of the structural elements were pre-cast concrete transferred here to assembly. The loads were transferred along these concrete element including slabs, columns and walls.
Yellow steel beams were used to divide the space into different rooms by further construction of internal walls. As we can see here, reinforced concrete and potential wall engaged as a result, yellow steel was stopped.
Different colored wire represented the hot and cold water supply as a basic need of housing. And the drainage on the floor was placed for releasing water in this bathroom.
Various types of concrete were employed in the underground car park, such as concrete block, reinforced concrete as footings. And these concrete were arranged in different layer.
Glossary Sandwich panel a type of flat panel that consists of two thin aluminum sheets bonded to a nonaluminum core, frequently used for external cladding of buildings (building facades), for insulation and for signage. Composite beam the beam combined by two or more types of materials. Bending “the result of a combination of compressive and tension stresses developed at a cross section of a structural member to resist a transverse force, having a maximum value at the surface furthest from the neutral axis.” (Ching, 2008) Skirting attaches on the bottom of a wall to prevent damage and moisture. Cornice “a molded projection that crowns a wall divides it horizontally for compositional purpose.” (Ching, 2008) Ching, F. (2008). Building construction illustrated / Francis D.K. Ching: Hoboken, N.J. : John Wiley & Sons, c2008. 4th ed.
Week 10
It was hard to see the timber was original black or painted, but black would absorb light and gain heat. So the heat insulation was absolutely necessary. And for external timber lining (TIM-05), there should be a gap between lining and flashing(AL-06). And by the reasons of view limitation, it was not possible to see the hidden elements such as sealant and aluminum fascia. And by the image, I didn’t think the fascia long 8 cm as planned. But only some aluminum elements could be seen and could not be defined.
Glossary Shear wall “a wood, concrete, or masonry wall capable of resisting changes in angular relationships.” (Ching, 2008) Defect the weak point in a structure. Soft storey Soft bottom structure in a building to avoid seismic force. Fascia outdoor flashing. Braced frame “a timber or steel frame braced with diagonal members.” (Ching, 2008) Corrosion oxidation of metals and reduce the physical properties. IEQ Internal environmental quality Ching, F. (2008). Building construction illustrated / Francis D.K. Ching: Hoboken, N.J. : John Wiley & Sons, c2008. 4th ed.
Workshop My group was group 1, the main materials were 2 plywood and two pinewood. Considering the physical properties of these two type of timber, our decision was obvious that the pinewoods worked as the main structural elements to form the whole structure and the plywood would be placed between or aside the structure, to stabilize the structure.
The main structure has been drawn. The connection between columns and beams were formed by two nails to make fix joints to prevent rotation and sliding of columns. And plywood were cut into small board attached by nails on the each sides of two columns fixed by drill to stabilize the joints of main structure. And another two acted as a base stabilizer to avoid turning.
My group’s results: When deflection=10mm, load bearing=143kg When deflection=25mm, load bearing=303kg When deflection=40mm, load bearing=390kg Breaking occurred at the middle of upper beam as I expected because of it is a point load make a huge deflection at middle and bore about 395kg. The final results of this group were high deflection of 50mm but low force of 140kg. The reason was the frame were formed complicatedly with lots of joints which broke the grains of timber, which made the structural failure.
In this group, with same materials as us, they built a triangle that is stable theoretically. But due to the deflection, the loosened joints made the middle column only support. And finally, the lower beam was broken.
And for this group, the loads were transferred along the two edges of triangle make deflection at bottom. And the final result was that the joint at top was broken by differential force directions.
Appendix Materials
Clay Brick
Concrete In-situ Pre-cast
Concrete Block Glass Metal Paints
Provenance
Use
manufactured from clay or shale and then hardened by a firing process
1. oldest building material 2. walls, arches and paving
cement powder and water ar mixed→hydration (heat footing, retaining wall released)→form crystals→ and all bespoke interlock and bind the sand, crused retaining walls, walls rock and cement/ water paste and colums together. 1. load bearing nad cement, sand, gravel and water by non-load bearing walls mixing, moulding and curing 2. resist the lateral loads formers, fluxes, stabilizers minerials binder, diluent, pigment
finish
Considerations Advantage(s)
Disadvantage(s) 1. absorb moisture and expand overtime 2. salts and lime from 1. can be joined wither water the soil can be drawn up based mortar. 2. hard to through the brick when in deteriorate with adequate contact with the ground vantilation. causing pathdoies or aethetic problem e.g. efflorescence. -
-
-
-
-
shrink overtime by water losing
-
-
-
oxidation and corrosion need protection from sunlight
Properties Flexbili Ductilit ty Porosity y /Plasti /Permeability city very very medium-low low low
Hardness
Fragility
medium-high
medium
medium-high
medium
very low
very low
medium-low
medium-high
medium
very low
very low
medium
high
high
very low
low
waterproof
depend on type
low
mediu high m-high / high
-
depend on paint place
-
-
0
-
Conductivity
Deustabi Durabilit lity Sustainability & Density Electri y /Life /Recycla Carbon Footprint Heat Span city bility medium, very poor poor high locally produced 2~2.5 high high embodieed mediumvery energy, nonhigh, poor poor medium high renewable, long2~2.5 lasting medium, can be medium, very poor poor medium reused with other 2~2.5 high concrete product high embodieed mediumvery very energy and carbon high low high, 2.7 high high footprint but ease of recycling very high embodied energy, high, very good good high recyclable and 3~19 high renewable if correctly manged -
-
-
-
-
-
Cost effective but require labour
effective but require labour effective but require labour
expensive
effective
-
Plastics
combined by chemical reactions into monomer and conbined into polymers
-
-
need protection from sunlight
Rubber
rubber tree or laboratory generating
seals, gasket & control joints, flooring, insulation for electricity, hosing & piping
-
lose propertires by exposure
1. oldest building materials 2. structural and non-structural walls, paving, cladding, aggregates and feature design elements
-
-
Stone Igneous (e.g. granit, basalt, bluestone) Sedimentary (e.g. limestone, sandstone) Metamorphic (e.g. marble, slate)
molten rock(lava/megma) cools moderate pressure pressure, high temperature or chemical process
medium-low
low-medium
high
high
waterproof
vary
low
high
high
waterproof
large ranged (igneous> metamophic> sedimentary)
large geometry dependent very (thickness to low surface area ratio)
low, poor 0.65~1.5
1.5
poor
large ranged depend very (pumice is very on stone poor low porous, granite is type, not) 2.5~3
high for thermop lastics and vary between very elastom recycled and not poor effective high ers, very recycled, not low for renewable ternmos etting plastics low embodied energy for natural very rubber, medium poor high effective high for synthetic, renewable if correctly managed transportation(low largely carbon footprint extreml very dependent on poor on local stone), y high high labour and high environment scarcity cost on sourcing
Timber
LVL
GLULAM
CLT
Plywood
MDF
Chipboard & Stranboard
I Beam Box Beam Timber flanged steel web joist
seasoned wood
made from laminating thin sheets of timber made from gluing pieces of dressed sawn timber together to form a deep member made by gluing and pressing thin laminates together to form a sheet, grain laid in alternative directions made by gluing and pressing thin laminates together to form a sheet, grain in laminates in alternative directions made by breaking down hardwood or softwood waste into wood fibres, combining it with wax and a resin binder by applying high temperature and pressure made by layering hardwood or softwood residuals in specific orientations with wax and a resin binder by applying high temperature and pressure timber/LVL flages, plywood/OSB webs timber/LVL flages, two plywood/OSB webs webed by light tubes, solid rounds, corrugated sheets
1. water related damage 2. insect attack 3. need protection from water and sunlight by paint. 4. fire 5. chemical exposure 6. knots
-
mainly structural
-
-
mainly structural
-
-
structural panels
-
-
structural bracing, structural flooring, formworks, jounery, marine applications
-
-
non-structural applications
-
-
as a part of structural system (e.g. flooring) / cladding finish
-
-
floor joist, rafter
-
-
floor joist, rafter
-
-
floor joist, rafter
-
-
medium-low
mediumlow
low
high (depend on depend high / type, seasoning, on poor medium finishing and timber fixing) type
poor
very high
low embodied energy, full vey high renewable if sourced correctly
effective