Building technology portfolio 2017-2019

Architectural

Te c h n o l o g y

Portfolio 2017-2019

Ya m u n a

Sakthivel

+971-545038438 yamunas akth i v e l @ gm ai l .co m Tower A, Damac Park Towers, Al Mustaqbal Street, Dubai 1

CONTENTS

M a s t e r

t h e s i s

4 - 1 1

Facade Renovation 1 2 - 1 9

MEGA

Str uct ure

2 0 - 2 7

2

Earth Architecture

Structural glass

S h e l l s t r u c t u r e

2 8 - 3 5

3 6 - 3 9

4 0 - 4 5

3

URBAN FACADES

Photocatalytic building envelope for passive remediation of air pollution Course: Sustainable Graduation Studio Academic project TU Delft Master Thesis - Cum Laude

TiO2 phototcatalyst’s capability of breaking down NOx (Nitric oxides) compounds has broadened its scope in pollution abatement. The graduation project targets on adoption of passive air remediation techniques like TiO2 coating on facade panels.

The performance of the phototcatalyst in urban scenarios is affected by contact wind speed and incident UV irradiation.

Also, increased surface area provides more active surface area for the catalyst. This can be manipulated by the geometry of the panel. Hence, the objective of this research is to design facade panel with enlarged surface area and surface roughness to to favor photocatalysis in response to the environment.

Site: Putney High Street, London 4

Work Flow Material Study Design Parameters

Conceptual Design

Design Development

Optimisation

Evaluation

Context | Tools |

| Rhino CFD | Ladybug | Honeybee |

| Octopus |

| COMSOL |

Research Structure

Material Study & Analysis

Material science of the photocatalyst and applications 5

Design Goal Surface Enlargement

Context

Maximise incident irradiation

Reducing contact wind speeds

Design Requirements

Goal

Visual Comfort

Maximise surface area Design

Facade Concepts (Retrofits / Primary envelope)

Evaluation

Maximise incident radiation UV > 10 W/m2

Minimise wind velocity

Design Strategies

Pyramidal surface enlargement

Omnidirectional light

Surface roughness Hexagonal pyramids have the highest range of irradiance during winter and least amount of shaded surface during summer.

Surface enlargement and irradiation levels are compared to shorlist the optimum shape

The shape of hexagon shows better light capturing abilities. To break the visual monotone, a tessellation pattern of hexagon was chosen where the hexagon in rotational motion of 120° forms a pattern.

The module indicated in red is optimised in octopus.

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Concept Optimisation

Radiation on winter solstice Radiation on summer solstice Surface enlargement

Graph from Octopus plugin plotted with the optimized panel results for south facade

Area for photocatalysis on south facade Surface Enlargement: 1.81

Panelling

1.25

1.11

0.78

20 mm gaps to allow for fitting dowels as fixing points

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Evaluation Scenario

Inlet Open Boundary Outlet Wall Flux Domain Measuring section for NO Exhaust Irradiation measuring point

Analysis model: Street section with exhaust source and photoctatalytic surface

Scenarios

Street section with flat panel

Street section with designed panels

Situation

Without active With active surface surface 2 m/s

Without active With active surface surface 2 m/s & 4 m/s

Wind speed UV irradiance (W/m2)

Summer: 16 Winter: 0.8

Summer: 16 Winter: 0.8

Visualization

Air purification in Summer

Reduction of pollutant speed due to photocatalytic surface

Air

quality difference with photocatalytic facade

the

The accumulation of pollutants is higher closer to the faรงade compared to a flat faรงade which shows the potential of the geometry to slow down the movement of wind over it.

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Result Inference Designed Panel

Conc. of NOx in mol/m3

Flat Panel

Width of the street

NOx in Reference street NOx levels after purification (winter) NOx levels after purification (summer)

Width of the street

Pollution abatement by the designed facade with and without the photocatalytic active surface for summer and winter for inlet velocity of 2 m/s (lowest wind speed when there is maximum accumlation of pollutants)

Air purification in Summer

Air purification in Winter

8%

18-38 %

3%

4-9 %

Minimum resultant air purification effect of the panels on the south facade during slow winds

The extent of reduction was measured at a pedestrian breathing height along the longitudinal section of the street. And at higher wind speeds, air purification is increased to 8.9% and 37.8% in winter and summer respectively.

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Materialisation CRITERIA 1 Pollution abatement performance

Metal

Terracota

Ceramic

Absorption Capacity Method of Immobilization

CRITERIA 2

Photocatlytic Activity

Design Performance

Polymers (ABS)

UHPC

Design Flexibility Weight of the panel

CRITERIA 3

Durability Substructure Requirement

UHPC

35.47 kg

40% less Embodied energy

Environmental impact Embodied Energy Carbon Footprint

Ultra-high Performing Concrete

UHPC Facade panel

M6 Threaded bolt Dowel embedded into the facade panel with2mm projection

Wind restraint anchor

Channel section with groove to slide the panel into the support T- bracket with a 4mm projection to lock the panel in position M10 Threaded bolt Anchor body (60 x 30 x 60 mm) Load bearing Anchor

Fixing detail of the facade panels using hidden anchors

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Applications

Variations in level of Irradiance on the designed panels applied in a street canyon of a south faรงade with aspect ratio 1

Photocatalytic panels installed on the bridge walls 11

FACADE RETROFIT Course: Technoledge Facade Design Academic project TU Delft Group Project: Team of 4

A cost-effective retrofit extension for residences is made possible by the usage of modular prefabricated boxes.

Goal: The facade retrofit has to be easily demountable and contain decentralized for heating, ventilation and cooling. In the floor plan, adding such boxes to the facade can not only directly increase the thermal insulation of the facade, but also create a thermal buffer that will heat up the interior more. The modules therefore can act both as a logical extension of a house and as a sunspace.

Site: Marconi towers, Rotterdam

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Work Flow

Refurbishment Concept

Design Development

Analysis

Detailing

Facade Assembly & Maintenance

Sustainability calculations

Building Physics

| Tools |

| Ladybug | Honeybee | | Auto CAD | Rhino 3D |

Concept

Decentralized

Standardization

Fast and easy Modular

Subdivision of systems

Demountable

Usage of virgin materials

Customisation

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Concept

Modular prefabricated boxes are added as a thermal skin to upgrade to passivehaus

Balcony units for residential typology

Sun space: Addition of such boxes to the facade can not only directly increase the thermal insulation of the facade, but also create a thermal buffer that will heat up the interior like a sun space.

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Innovation

100 % Glazing

75 % Glazing

50 % Glazing

Vacuum insulated panels

Photovoltaic panels

Green and digital panels

Mixed application

The customisation of the modular facade system through various components.

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Facade Exploded View

Drilling of concrete and epoxy glueing of steel rods or casting in of halfen channels Galvanised steel cantilever connector with halfen channels fixed to concrete.

Galvanised steel pegs for spacing adjustment

Galvanised steel angle, bolted to main steel channel, supporting adjustable bracket to mullion

Building Physics

Dew point temperature

Inside

The comfortable relative humidity level for indoor ranges from 40 to 50% at 22 째C. The dew point varies from 3.36 째C to 13.89째C with indoor RH being 30-60% respectively. This would require a vapor barrier in the modules to prevent the seepage of condensed water into the insulation.

Thermal Analysis 째C

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Floor carpentry with wooden beams on steel U clips with water resistant plywood sheathing.

cade brackets above to hich curtain wall is hung

Softwood and plywood flooring Galvanized steel beams Gypsum walls (Gyproc) Ventilation unit: Trox Technik FSL-B-PCM Galvanized steel connectors

Aluminium unitized curtain wall system (Reynaers CW65-EF) Plywood sheathing

Sectional view of the box module 17

Detail

18

Views

View of the retrofit box module from the interiors

Aerial view of the Europoint complex after refurbishment

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MEGA Course: MEGA Studio Academic project TU Delft Group Project: Team of 7 Role: Structural designer

Goal: To return the existing green landscape to the city and not overshadow the landmark Rotterdam central station that is adjacent to it. The concept is a reflection of the awardwinning Rotterdam central station. The built form is distinguished with two levels of volumes: one which is a high rise and the other a low rise that forms the plinth. The pivot of the architecture is the sloping green pedestrian accessible plinth that gradually leads into the building. The high rise emerges from the center of the plinth.

Site: Rotterdam Central, Netherlands 20

Work Flow

Concept

Form Generation

Core Design

Structural Concept

Integration

Diagrid vs Tubular

| Tools |

| Grasshopper | Octopus |

| Karamba | GSA |

Form Generation

The mass of the high rise is a reflection of the station.The optimization in Octopus gives a form that captures highest solar radiation, encompasses the required architectural volume and reduces the reflection from the building into the surroundings.

10560740 KWh/m2

10790695 KWh/m2

11670821 KWh/m2

1188259 KWh/m2

11987215 KWh/m2

11862185 KWh/m2

195930

242008

37239

31553

24675

59647

152280 m3

155604.4 m3

176331.6 m3

179864.6 m3

183014 m3

180077 m3

Finalised Concept

Parameters

Maximise Incident solar radiation

Minimise Reflected radiation

Volume of the mass 21

Structural Concept

Architectural mass

Structural System

Column spacing (m) Column and beam Mass

Tube 4.5 0.9 x 0.9 (m) 3.17 e7 Kg

Projection of a bounding grid

Structural envelope

Tube in Tube 4.5 0.5 x 0.5 (m) 1.5 e7 Kg

Tube in Tube 6.0 0.8 x 0.8 (m) 2.7 e7 Kg

Comparison of structural system

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Structural Analysis

Case A1: Serviceability Limit State Deformation scale: 100 Output: Y-axis Unit: mtetre

Case A2: Ultimate Limit State Resolved Moment (Myz) Unit: N.m

Thickness (columns and beams): 0.1m Maximum allowable deflection: 0.24m Load case: (1.0 x Self-weight + 1.0 x windload)

50mm Screed 17mm pipe for concrete core activation 230mm concrete Reinforcement bars Metal decking HE700M I-beam 800 x 400 mm ducts

Composite floor system with concrete core activation

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Structural System

176m

58m

21m

South and east elevation

The kinks present at level 0 and 12 results in high horizontal forces due to lateral loads from winds. The diaphragm action given by the floor would help in even distribution of lateral forces on to the tube and the core. Hence, addition of horizontal bracing was necessary to transfer the lateral forces more effectively at the two mentioned levels.

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Structural System

Horizontal bracing on floor slabs at level 0 & 12 for effective transfer of horizontal forces to the core

Plan depicting the arrangement of horizontal bracing at the floors with kinks

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Connections

There are 7 types of inclination of columns and connection typologies between them.

The framed structure is added with nodes that would connect the beams and columns such that planes of connections are pushed away from the critical bending moment zones.

90 x 90 x 10 cm RHS Column

Stiffeners for moment resistance

Factory welded cover plates at the end of beams and columns 2.7 x 2.7 x 0.9m H460 Steel connecting nodes High Strength steel bolts Clip on holders 80 x 80 x 80 cm RHS section 32mm x 12mm reinforcement bars C/20 Concrete Gypsum boards

To ensure fire safety, the square hollow composite sections are encapsulated in 50 mm reinforced Gypsum board as an insulating layer that can provide fire resistance up to 120 minutes.

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Summary : Model built-up

Structural Plan: Ground floor level (Framed structure for the low rise portion)

Structural elements

1

3

4

Internal Column

Primary Beams

Element

Material

Steel (S355)

Steel (S355)

Steel (S355)

Support type

Fixed @bottom & Hingled to floors

Hinged

Hinged

HD 400 744+

HE 800M (at largest))

Square Hollow Section (0.1 x 0.1m) Thickness: 0.02m

Element

Section Profile

2

Core

11.2 x 21.8 m

6

5

Element

Columns & Beams

Floor Slabs

Material

Steel (S460)

Connection type

Moment transfer

Shallowdeck HODY SB60 floor, t = 23 cm

Section Profile

SHS (0.8 X 0.8 m) Thickness (0.1 m) 27

EARTHY Course: EARTHY Academic project TU Delft Built-area: 1326 Sq.m Group Project: Team of 5 Role: Structural designer

The war has moved Syrians away from their home. They have lost their sense of identity, culture and livelihood. To regain their past and secure their future, a center that could provide them employment and enrich them with culture is quintessential.

The skill center is an expression space and knowledge hub that induces a sense of belongingness to the community in t he refugee camp.

The programs are organised around three courtyards with interactive working areas.

Mastabas on the inside and outside acts as a gathering space to express their culture.

Site: Zaatari Refugee Camp, Jordan 28

Work Flow Radiation Analysis

(Openings on Structure)

Architectural Concept

(Typology & Site selection)

| Honeybee | Ladybug |

Digital Form-finding

Optimisation Structural Analysis

(Finite Element Method)

| Tools | | Space Syntax | Python |

| Grasshopper | Kangaroo |

| Karamba |

Concept

Courtyards : Sense of connectivity to nature and native architecture of Syria

Gathering Spaces

Confined spaces : Sense of security

Clustering around courtyards

Two way axis : Takes advantage of wind flow pattern and provides access from two sides

Round the clock activities

Soft skills

Arts & Crafts Skills

Construction skills

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Form Finding

Geometry

Extrusion of the plan

Eliminating overlaps

Connecting the units

Subtraction of openings

Mesh Generation Orthogonal mesh

Dynamic Relaxation Applying point load at the vertices of the mesh corresponding to the weight of the material

Mesh generation with a grid of 0.25m

Finite Element Method Determining the thickness of the shell

Solar Radiation analysis on the built-up

Openings of 0.2 x 0.2 m are punctured at zones of minimum solar irradiation

Principal Stress (N/mm2) -0.06

0.03

Structural Analysis C.Section = 480 mm Maximum Span : 6 m Max allowable deflection : 20 mm

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Work Flow

Tension

Compression

Section of a regular catenary arch

Section of the form-found vault

The structure is designed based on a suspended chain which when inverted forms compressive arches.

* Uses less material * Frequent openings * Continuity in spaces

Construction Workshop C.Section = 480 mm Maximum Span : 6 m Max allowable deflection : 12 mm

Classrooms C.Section = 240 mm Maximum Span : 6 m Max allowable deflection : 12 mm

Section 3

Section 1

Section along Construction workshops and Classrooms indicating the variation in thickness of the shell structures

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Fabrication

Concept

Recycled plastic rod

Afghan & Persian Domes

Screw to fix the plastic tube PVC Pipe Knob to tighten @specific angle Compass reading Pivot Wood Base plate

Guiding rod system

Tool designed to set the angle for the guiding rods

Prototype model of the classroom using clay bricks

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Assembly Sequence

Input 1 - Marking the plan

Input 2 - Length of the arc

Input 3- Angle of arc to the origin

Positioning the tool

Laying bricks beneath the guide

Moving the guide for further layers

Recycled plastic rods as guiding frames to place the mud blocks

1

2

3

Sequence of assembly of classrooms

Nubian vaulting for workshops

33

Views

View of a classroom with openings for natural light 34

Assembly Sequence

Night view of the courtyard with cultural meeting

Entrance into the courtyard of the skill development centre with workshops on either sides 35

SHELL Course: Technoledge Structural Design Academic project TU Delft Project area: 2580 Sq.m Group Project: Team of 3

The goal of the project was to design a thin shell pedestrian bridge using reinforced concrete. The form is inspired from catenary shell structures.

The 3 points across the bridge with shortest distance was connected based on the perceived traffic flow. The concept of the shell was form-found in grasshopper using Weaverbird & kangaroo.

The finalised design with sufficient slope for walking was chosen and finite element analysis was performed to ensure it performed as a shell and not a slab. Further optimisation was done to optimise the thickness of the shell in rhino after curvature analysis.

Site: Zuidkolk, Delft, Netherlands 36

Work Flow Physical form finding

Digitalisation

Concept

Finite Element Analysis Digital form finding

| Tools |

| Grasshopper | Kangaroo |

Optimisation

Structual Analysis | Karamba |

|DIANA |

Concept

Design Concept

Orthogonal mesh with diagonal springs

Perspective view of the relaxed mesh 37

Aerial view of the bridge

Section of the pedestrian bridge

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The shell structure was analysed in karamba for buckling factor, stresses and deflection. Thin shells are prone to buckling even before yield stress is reached. In this case since the shell is thin compared to its span as well as being shallow, a buckling load factor of 6 was sought.

Cross section: 260 mm Width: 6.00 m Longest span: 90 m

Deflection

Principal Stresses

0.00 0.26 0.51 0.76 1.02 1.27 1.53 1.78 2.04 2.24 2.55 2.80 3.05 3.31 3.56 3.82 4.07

-6.14 -5.37 -4.61 -3.84 -3.07 -2.30 -1.54 -0.77 0.00 0.62 1.24 1.87 2.49 3.11 3.73 4.35 4.97

Principal Stress Lines

Guard rail

Finished floor level Floor support

Reinforced Concrete

Section view of the bridge The double curve of the shell ensures good shell performance. It is not convenient for people to walk on it.

The structurally optimised surface has been added with a lightweight wooden floor and railing to make it pedestrian friendly.

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GLASS VIEW HOUSE Course: Technoledge Structural Design Academic project TU Delft Project area: 139 Sq.m Group Project: Team of 3

The architectural approach is to offer an insight into the belief about the Aurora Borealis and experiencing the phenomenon along this line of belief. Many stories also tell that the Aurora is none other than the mythical BifrÜst – a rainbow bridge of light that connects Asgard (the realm of the gods) to Midgard (the realm of mortals). Hence, the concept has been evolved from this belief as a stairway that gradually elevates from the ground and faces the sky. The observer has to climb a flight of risers to reach a platform from where one could observe the phenomenon with a sense of levitation from the ground towards the sky

Site: Thingvellir National Park, Iceland 40

Work Flow Concept

Structural Analysis

| Tools |

Panelling

Assembly

Spacing of structural elements

Production constraints

Cross section of the components

Transportation constraints

| DIANA |

Joinaries

| Rhino 3D |

Initial Sketch

Design Concept

Site overlooking the water body

Part of the structure is over the water

Structure is inclined to overlook the northern lights

Lifing the view level of the observer

Flight of stairs over the water body

Structural Concept Load bearing cantilevered walls Tapering geometry creating a focus to the sky 41

Structural Analysis

Structural elements Glass fins Load bearing glass walls Stair beams

Aurora Rib Cross section: 3 x15 mm

Key diagram

The largest spanning rib supporting the roof was taken and analysed in DIANA as a complete frame.

Aurora Wall Cross section: 3 x12 mm

Key diagram

The cantilevered walls were treated as load bearing elements and analysed in DIANA.

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Panelling

Massing to panelling Maximum size of a panel: 3 x 6 m

Structural fins

PLan View Layers of laminated glass

After several design iterations we settled on the form above. All glass pieces were designed to fit within the standard float glass dimensions of 3x6m. This allows for easy production as well as cutting and laminating of pieces. The rib portions are connected together to form the complete piece. The rounded corners will be cut from extruded glass tubes.

43

Assembly

1

2

3

5

6

7

4

The building elements need to be connected such that it allows continuous stress flow for a monolithic function. Critical elements are the cantilevered side walls and the ribs which carry the roof loads. Shear stress resisting connections is necessary as they are tall beams compared to their thickness. The beams and walls use external multi-bolt connections to ensure shear strength.

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Joinaries

For connections such as the stairs and base of ribs, embedded connections are used as they provide a clean= look. Roof panels and roof to wall connections are clamped since their load is transferred principally through the ribs. All connections are bolted to ensure sufficient resistance in all directions.

The glass viewing platform to observe northern lights

S.S.Splice plates M10 Head screws 3 x 12 mm laminated glass Friction layer 12 mm Embedded Steel

Friction layer 3 x 12 mm laminated glass S.S.Splice plates Elastomer Sleeve M10 Bolts Spring washer

Detail 1

Detail 2 45

Y

a m u n a

S

a k t h i v e l

+971-545038438 yamunas akth i v e l @ gm ai l .co m

Portfolio 2017-2019

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