Constructing Environment Logbook

Week 1

When choosing material in construction we basically choose by six major factors. They are strength, stiffness, shape, material

behaviours, economy and sustainability (Constructing Environment 2014).

There are two types of basic structural forces namely tension force (stretch and elongate) and compression forces

(shortening of material) (Constructing Environment 2014).

Static Loads vs Dynamic Loads

Static loads are applied slowly to a structure without fluctuating rapidly in magnitude or position whereas dynamic loads are

applied suddenly to a structure often with rapid changes in magnitude and point of application (Ching 2008, p. 2.08).

Static loads consist of live loads, occupancy loads, rain loads and impact loads (Ching 2008, p. 2.08).

Dynamic loads mainly consist of wind loads and earthquake loads (Ching 2008, pp. 2.09-2.10).

Conclusion :

Foundation of the building is a very important factor and it directly affects the stability and outcomes of the building. Also, material

choosing is a very important process in which different material is used in different context depending on the outcomes one wants

to achieve and availability of the material in that particular area. Furthermore, detailed planning and calculation can minimize

wastage of resources and thus achieve maximum efficiency.

Key Terms

Load Path : The interconnection of all wood framing elements of the lateral and vertical force resisting systems, which

transfers lateral and vertical forces to the foundation (Dictionaryofconstruction.com 2014).

Masonry : Construction composed of shaped or molded units, usually small enough to be handled by one man and composed

of stone, ceramic brick, or tile, concrete, glass, adobe, or the like (Dictionaryofconstruction.com 2014).

Compression : Structurally, it is the force that pushes together or crushes, as opposed to tension, which is the force that pulls apart

(Dictionaryofconstruction.com 2014).

Reaction Force : Resistive forces acting on a structural member that serve to hold it stable (Dictionaryofconstruction.com 2014).

Point Load : A term used in structural analysis to define a concentrated load on a structural member (Dictionaryofconstruction.com

2014).

Beam : A horizontal structural member, such as a girder, rafter, or purlin, that transversely supports a load and transfers the load to

vertical members, such as columns and walls (Dictionaryofconstruction.com 2014).

Week 2

Various types of Structural Systems

1. Solid Systems (working with stones where compression is the main structural action) (Constructing Environments 2014).

Eg. The Egyptian Pyramids or Great Wall of China

2. Surface Systems (Shell or Plainer) (Constructing Environment 2014).

Eg. Opera House

3. Skeletal or Frame Systems (efficient way of transferring load through to the ground) (Constructing Environments 2014).

Eg. The Eiffel Tower

4. Membrane Systems (cover large are efficiently and cheaply) (Constructing Environments 2014).

Eg. The overhead structure in North court of UoM

5. Hybrid Systems (most of the structures in reality are mixture of skeletal or plainer) (Constructing Environments 2014).

Eg. The Beijing swimming cube or the Bird Nests

Enclosure Systems

It is the shell or envelope of a building which mainly made up of the roof, exterior walls, windows, and doors (Ching 2008, p.

2.03).

Mechanical Systems

It provides essential services of a building such as water supply system, sewage disposal systems and electrical systems etc

(Ching 2008, p. 2.03).

Bibliography

Ching, FDK 2008, ‘The Building’, Building Construction Illustrated, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, N.J., pp. 2.0 - 2.30.

Dictionary of Construction 2014, WebFinance Inc. Viewed 17 March 2014, http://www.dictionaryofconstruction.com.

Newton, C 2014, Constructing Environments, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, viewed 17 March 2014,

https://app.lms.unimelb.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_5_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecut

e%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_271852.