CONSTRUCTING ENVIRONMENTS: LOG BOOKIsaiah Finn699045

WEEK 1

Materials: Strength - Strong or Weak Materials like concrete are strong and so are favored in some situations because it is hard to break

Stiffness - Stiff, flexible, stretchy Materials like rubber are used for there flexible properties, whereas metals are used when there is no movement wanted within the structure

Shape - mono, bi and tri dimensional The shape of a material can determine how it performs as well as its aesthetic qualities

Material Behavior - Tension/Compression Different material behave differently under tension and compression. for example rope be- comes very floppy when not under tension

Economy and Sustainability A materials cost and impact on the environment are also heavily considered as a material needs to be cost effective to be used.

Forces:A force is an influence that produces change in the shape or movement of a body

Tension:Tension force pulls outwards on a member

Compression:Compression force pushes inward on a member

Load Paths

Dead load: static load eg. Structural elements of a building

Live load: A load that can move eg. Person or bookcase

A load takes most direct route to ground

Forces opposing the load are equal and opposite

Task: Build the tallest structure out of MDF blocks to house a toyOur structure consisted of columns in a X pattern to achieve maximum height interlaced with beams to support the structure. We also created a large beam using rubber bands to support a roof structure. Our design was ultimately unsuccessful, this was because the vertical columns were not stable enough when the dead load from the structure increased with the buildings height.

Other groups used only beams, which used more blocks to achieve height, however, created a more stable structure. They also utilized a cone shape to achieve a roof. Another group used a JENGA style brick pattern which created a very stable structure because of the lack of gaps between bricks.

We made another smaller, structure. This smaller structure used only horizontal beams spaced closely together. This smaller structure was able to hold quite a heavy load because downward forces being applied by the live load could take an even route through the structure. However when a point load was applied the structure failed because the load could not move evenly through the structure.

WEEK 2

Structural SystemsSolid - Very old style, Using stones and bricks, Uses arches and takes advantage of compressionSkeletal - Most modern way of transferring loads to groundMembrane - Utilized in sports stadiums, very cheap but not as strong and durable as other systems Hybrid - Combines two or more structures to give buildings structural integrity

Enclosure – Shell or envelop of building: walls, roof, windows, doors

Structural – the construction that supports loads to the ground: columns, beams, load bearing walls

Service – water, heating, sewage, ventilation, air-conditioning

Fixed joints do not allow any movement. therefor if any expansion or compression happens it can cause weakness and breakage in the joint or the members

Roller and Pin joints are used to allow movement so that the forces acting on the building do not break the structure

Task: to make the tallest possible structure from one sheet of balsa woodThe structure we made using the thin balsa wood consisted of a tri angular base, because triangles offer the best compromise between stability and quantity of material required. our structure was not very stable as we found that not having any compression or tension caused the building to fall. This compression and tension was achieved by another group doing a similar construction however they had put “X’s” in between there sections, these extra supports meant that their construction was more stable and was able to reach greater heights than ours was.

WEEK 3

Structural Elements

Strut – A slender element designed to carry a load parallel to its long axis, this load produces compression

Tie – A slender element designed to carry a load parallel to its long axis, this produces tension

Beam - A horizontal element designed to carry vertical loads using its bending resistance

Slab/Plate – A wide horizontal element design to carry vertical load

Panel – A deep vertical element designed to carry vertical or horizontal load

Footings and Foundations

A substructure constructed partially or completely underground which support the sub structure

Footings and foundations distribute the weight of a buildings

Shallow or Deep footings depending on soil quality and weight of the building

Retaining and foundation walls are created to construct underground constructions such as basements

Shallow Footings

Pad footing – Spread a point load over a wide area

Strip Footing – Used when loads from a wall or a series of columns is spread in a linear manner

Raft Foundation – Provides extra strength by joining individual strip footings together into a single mat

Deep Foundations

End Bearing Piles – Extends the foundations down to rock or soil so that it will provide support for the building loads

Friction Piles – Rely on the resistance of the surrounding earth to support the structure

Masonry

Can be made from: stone, earth, clay and concrete

Units act together to create a monolithic whole

Absorb water – therefore expansion joints required

Masonry: a building made of units of product usually connected by mortar

Bond: Pattern of the units

Course: A horizontal row of masonry units

Joint: The way units are connected

Mortar: Mixture of cement and lime, sand and water, used as a bonding agent

Perpend: Vertical Joint

Bed Joints: Horizontal Joint

Brick Veneer: a non structural brick wall

Stretcher Bond

Stack Bond: Brick Veneer

Stretcher Bond: Load Bearing

WALK AROUND CAMPUS

Trees grow on top of column to give it support

Joins show concrete was pre cast

Truss used as an aesthetic element as well as structural

Two different concrete finishes

Use of many different materials, also using a structural aesthetic style

Melbourne UniversityUnderground Car Park

Economics and Commerce Building

Cantilevered steel beams holding cables

Debate whether cables are structural or aesthetic

Membrane shelters users and directs water to drain

Union House Staircase

Union House Outdoor Area

Use of structural aesthetic style

Skeletal structural element

WEEK 4

Span: distance between two structural supports Spacing: the repeated distance between a series of similar elements

Cantilever: A structural element that is only supported at one end

Floor Systems

Slabs: concrete slabs span between structural supports

Steel: Girders and joists used to hold up flooring or open web joist which can have services run through them

Timber: Joists and bearers

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Concrete

A mix of cement, fine aggregate, course aggregate and water. A chemical reaction occurs and the concrete sets

Formwork: temporary support or molds used to hold the liquid concrete until it sets, can be done in situ (on building site) or pre cast (done off site in a factory). Some formwork is sacrificial which means it is left there after concrete has set.

Reinforced Concrete: Mesh or steel bars set inside concrete to improve its structural performance. Because concrete is very strong in compression, but weak in tension

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In Situ

Used for: footings, retaining walls and non standard structural elements (bespoke elements)

Shotcrete: concrete that is sprayed into place

Pre-cast

Made in a factory:• More cost effective• Higher quality product• Faster production• Limited in size due to transport• Can achieve high quality finishes

Used for: retaining walls, walls and columns

MATERIAL PROFILE: CONCRETE

Hardness: High. Can be scratched by a metallic objectFragility: Low. Can be chipped by hammerDuctility: Very LowFlexibility/Plasticity: LowPorosity/Permeability: Medium – Low. Depends on how it is treatedDensity: Medium – HighConductivity: LowDurability: Very HighRecyclability: Medium – Low. Can be crushed to use as aggregateSustainability: High Embodied Energy. Non Renewable. Long LastingCost: Generally Cost Effective

Oval Pavilion Model TaskTask: to build a model of a section of the oval pavilion using the construction drawings. Our model was of a section with part of the canopy structure and underground foyer. We made the canopy out of paddle pop sticks and masking tape. The concrete structure that created the foyer was made out of cardboard

Other Groups ProjectsImage 5Image 4

WEEK 5

Short Column: shorter and thicker Length : shortest cross section less than 12:1Fail by Crushing

Long Column: taller and slimmerLength : shortest cross section greater than 12:1Fail by buckling

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Walls

Structural Frames• Uses grid of columns and beams• Concrete frames• Steel Frames• Timber Frames

Load Bearing Walls• Concrete and Masonry• Rely on their mass to carry loads

Stud Walls • Timber Framing or Light Gauge Steel

Framing • Carry vertical loads, require

diagonal bracing• Very popular in Australian

construction

Timber

Strong Parallel to grainWeak Perpendicular to grain

Knots in the timber are a point of weakness, knots should located where the timber will experience compression to increase structural integrity

Timber is seasoned to remove moisture, any timber below 15% of its original moisture content is considered seasoned

Timber is sealed to prevent fire damage, absorbing of moisture and termites Image 8

MATERIAL PROFILE: TIMBER

Hardness: Medium – Low. Can be easily markedFragility: Medium – Low. Generally will not shatter or breakDuctility: LowFlexibility/Plasticity: Highly flexible, medium plasticityPorosity/Permeability: High. But depends on seasoning and finishingDensity: Medium: Extremely varied depending on variety of timberConductivity: LowDurability: Can be high depending on seasoning and finishing Recyclability: Very highSustainability: Very low embodied energy, fully renewableCost: Generally Cost Effective

WORKSHOPTask: create a beam to withstand as much force as possible using 2 pieces of treated pine and 2 pieces of plywood

Our beam design had the two pieces of pine on top of each other, we used the plywood vertically as a kind of bracing for the pine, the plywood has considerably more strength when the force is applied parallel to the face of the timber, that is why it has been placed like this

Our beam failed at about 400kg. As you can see in the photo the plywood warped, as soon as the force was not being applied parallel to the face the timber started splitting and ultimately failed. The beam breaks like this because there are compression forces on the top of the beam where the load is applied and tension forces on the bottom side of the beam.

WEEK 6

Roof Systems:

Flat roofs: 1° - 3°Pitched and sloping roofs: greater than 3°

Concrete Roofs• Concrete plates on a concrete or load bearing wall• Require a waterproofing membrane• More expensive than timber or steel• Used when roof needs to be walked on

Structural Steel• Roof Beams and Purlins clad with lighter sheet metal

Trussed Roofs• Span long distances using little material• Steel or Timber

Truss: a structure that consists of five or more triangular units

Purlin: a horizontal structural member in a roof

Metals

Ferrous (iron) metals

Steel• Strong• Transfers heat and electricity• Formed into many different shapes

Hot rolled steel: Elements shaped while metal is hot, used for primary structural elements, joints are welded and bolted

Cold formed steel: Elements are folded from sheets, used as secondary structure, galvanized, joints are bolted or screwed

Reinforcing Bars: bars of steel used to reinforce concrete due to its tensile strength

Non Ferrous (iron) metals

Aluminum• Easily formed• Light• Cheap

Copper• Extremely good conduction• Used in wires

Zinc• Commonly used as a thin layer on steel to

create galvanized steel

Brass• Used for handles, taps, nuts, bolts and

plumbing

MATERIAL PROFILE: METAL

Hardness: Varied. (Lead is soft, Steel is hard)Fragility: LowDuctility: HighFlexibility/Plasticity: High when heated, low when at room temperaturePorosity/Permeability: Very LowDensity: HighConductivity: Very HighDurability: Can be high depending on type, finishing and maintenance. Can also be low due to oxidation and rustingRecyclability: HighSustainability: Very high embodied energy, but recyclable Cost: Generally Cost Effective

WEEK 7

Moisture

For water to enter a building it needs:• An opening – Planned: windows and doors.

Unplanned: poor workmanship, deterioration• Water present at the opening• A force to move the water through the opening

To prevent water penetration:• Remove openings – Sealants and Gaskets • Keep water away from openings – Gutters, tiles,

downpipes, sills, flashings• Neutralize forces that move water through

openings – gravity, surface tension, momentum, air pressure

Tanking: Placement of a waterproof membrane around a construction

Weep holes allow moisture to move outside of the building

Heat

Conduction of heat is controlled by:• Thermal Insulation – to reduce heat conduction• Thermal Breaks – Made from low conductive

material such as rubber, put in between high conductive materials like metal to create a break from outside to inside

• Double Glazing – to create a static pocket of air between glazing to act as insulation

Radiation Controlled by:• Reflective surfaces – Reflective materials, low e

glass that do not get hot in the sun• Shading Systems – Verandahs, eaves, solar

shelves, screens and vegetation to prevent direct solar radiation

Thermal Mass – Store heat over a long period of time, delays transfer of heat. Hot sun heats mass during day, this stored heat slowly releases at night

Paints

Liquid until meets a surface and then becomes solid

Protects elements – resist chipping, cracking and peeling

Clear paints are called varnishes or lacquers

Components:• Binder – the film forming component• Diluent – adjusts viscosity • Pigment – Gives Colour

Oil based or water based paint

MATERIAL PROFILE: RUBBER

Hardness: Hard. Resist AbrasionsFragility: Low. Does not shatter or breakDuctility: High. In heated stateFlexibility/Plasticity: Highly flexible, high plasticityPorosity/Permeability: Very low. Considered waterproofDensity: MediumConductivity: LowDurability: HighRecyclability: HighSustainability: Varied embodied energy depending on natural or man made rubberCost: Generally Cost Effective

MATERIAL PROFILE: PLASTIC

Hardness: Medium – Low. Depending on typeFragility: Medium – Low. Fragile in degraded stateDuctility: High. In heated stateFlexibility/Plasticity: Highly flexible, high plasticity when heated, goes hard and stiff when setPorosity/Permeability: Low. Many plastics are waterproofDensity: LowConductivity: LowDurability: HighRecyclability: High for thermoplastics, low for thermosetting plasticsSustainability: Varied embodied energyCost: Generally Cost Effective

Thermosetting: plastics that has an irreversible curing processThermoplastics: a plastic that becomes pliable above a certain temperature

WEEK 8

Doors

Allows: light, ventilation, view, access

Can be made from timber, aluminium or steel

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Windows

Allow light, ventilation and views

Commonly made from timber, aluminium or steel

The main structural consideration regarding windows is how to carry the load around the window

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Curtain Wall: a non-structural walling system that uses lightweight metals and glass

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Glass

FORMED from silicaFLUXES reduce melting temperatureSTABILIZERS stop the glass from dissolving or crumbling

Flat Glass - SheetsShaped Glass – Curved, blocks, channels, tubes, fibresFloat Glass – Most common glass processLaminated Glass – Layer of plastic in-between two sheets of glass, when shattered the glass adheres to plasticTempered Glass - Increases strength of the glass

Tinted – Lowers exposure to solar radiationWired – Similar to laminated, but wire instead of plasticPatterned – For privacy or lightCurved – Specific design requirements, expensivePhotovoltaic – Integrated solar cellsChannels – Used in facadesSlumped and Formed – Design featuresFibres – Hair like strand used in telecommunication

MATERIAL PROFILE: GLASS

Hardness: High. Can be scratched by metalFragility: High. Shatters EasilyDuctility: Very lowFlexibility/Plasticity: Highly flexible, high plasticity in molten state, very low when setPorosity/Permeability: Very low. Considered waterproofDensity: Medium - HighConductivity: Transmits heat and light, but not electricity Durability: Very HighRecyclability: Very HighSustainability: High embodied energyCost: Generally Expensive to produce and transport

WEEK 9

Construction DetailingHow materials are put together

• Movement joints – buildings move small amounts, contracting and expanding, soils, these movements can cause cracking

• Health and safety - balustrades, tread width and height on staircases, fireproofing qualities, materials used in wet areas, disability access

• Material ageing and durability

• Repairable surfaces and materials - how easily damaged materials are replaced

• Cleanable surfaces – how easy is it to clean, really important in hospitals and restaurants

• Constructability – ease of construction

Expansion joint in masonry

Composite Materials

Monolithic: a single material or a material combined so components are indistinguishable

Composite: Two or more materials are combined in such a way that the individual materials are easily distinguishable

1:1 SECTION DRAWING

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Task: to do a 1:1 scale section drawing of a section of the oval pavilion based on the construction drawings given. My drawing is a double glazed window section at the front of the building. Actual drawing is included at the back of the physical version of this document

WEEK 10

Lateral Forces

Wind – depend on size of exposed area, low effect on base, high on top

Earthquake – depends on mass of the building at its peak, act at base of buildings structure

Resisting lateral forces:• Bracing• Diaphragms/shear walls• Moment joints

Materials: Heroes and Villains

HealthVillain: Oil Paints – oil vapors that are emitted are bad for your health Hero: Water Based Paints

Cost and WasteHero: Bamboo – doesn’t require a finish, grows quickly and easilyRecycled materialsVillain: Hardwoods – takes around 100 years to grow

Energy (embodied energy)Hero: Timber, Things that are Australian made, LED lightsVillain: Aluminium, light globes

PollutionHero: Linoleum, Wool Villain: PVC

BIBLIOGRAPHYTextsChing, F. (2008). Building Construction Illustrated (4th ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.Cameron, R. (2014). Week 1. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/week_01_guide/1?e=8943534/6989973Cameron, R. (2014). Week 2. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/week_02_guide/2?e=8943534/7032196Cameron, R. (2014). Week 3. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/week_03/2?e=8943534/7199693Cameron, R. (2014). Week 4. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/week_04_guide/2?e=8943534/7229313Cameron, R. (2014). Week 5. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/week_05/2?e=8943534/7327804Cameron, R. (2014). Week 6. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/week_06_guide/2?e=8943534/7434612Cameron, R. (2014). Week 7. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/week_07/2?e=8943534/7502268Cameron, R. (2014). Week 8. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/week_08_guide/2?e=8943534/7691735Cameron, R. (2014). Week 9. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/week_09_guide/2?e=8943534/7772143Cameron, R. (2014). Week 10. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/week_10_guide/2?e=8943534/7834146

Images1. Ching, F. (2008). Building Construction Illustrated (4th ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. (pp. 4.03)2. Ching, F. (2008). Building Construction Illustrated (4th ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. (pp. 4.26)3. Kelly, E. (2011). Contemporary Buildings: A spotters guide. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2011/sep/11/contemporary-buildings-spotters-guide4. Cox Architecture (2012) Constructing Environments: Oval Pavilion Construction Drawings. Melbourne, Australia (pp. A46-02)5. Cox Architecture (2012) Constructing Environments: Oval Pavilion Construction Drawings. Melbourne, Australia (pp. S04.01)6. Typical Damage and Collapse of RC Buildings. (2013). Retrieved from http://theconstructor.org/earthquake/typical-damage-and-collapse-of-rc-buildings/407/7. Buckling. (2014). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckling8. Cameron, R. (2014). W05_m1 From Wood to Timber. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJL0vCwM0zg&feature=youtu.be9. Ching, F. (2008). Building Construction Illustrated (4th ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. (pp. 8.02)10. DIYadvice. (2014). Door Types and Styles. Retrieved from http://www.diyadvice.com/diy/doors-windows/planning/door-styles-types/11. Cameron, R. (2014). W08_c1 OPENINGS: DOORS & WINDOWS. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7QQIue58xY&feature=youtu.be12. Cameron, R. (2014). W08_c1 OPENINGS: DOORS & WINDOWS. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7QQIue58xY&feature=youtu.be