Download - 2014 logbook
Constructing environment logbook
Week1
Week1
E- learning: (W01 m1 Introduction to
Materials , 2014) Introduction to material:
Strength: strong or weak
e.g Steel is a stronger material than timber
Stiffness: stiff, flexible, stretchy or floppy?
e.g. concrete is a stiff material
Shape: mono-dimensional (linear),
bi-dimensional or
tridimensional
Material Behaviours: isotropic or anisotropic?
Economy & Sustainability: How expensive? How
valuable?
Discoveary of Melbourne:
Materials are used in Melbourne: Bluestone= basalt
(Indian rock: from volcanoes)
There are some wheel ruts found on the bluestone,
which are caused by water damage, impact damage
and stiletto heels damage.
An example in Melbourne: Town Hall,
Bluestone is a hard and stiff material, but it was
made in detail in the Town Hall building. It should
be spent much money to make it.
*Sydney= sandstone
Load path: (John Wiley & Sons, 2008)
Using arrow to represent the force, which has
direction, sense and magnitude.
Live load: is supplied
It can be a person or a book case etc.
The load transfers into the beam in two direction and
go through the columns. The whole structure is stable,
thus the ground is supply an equal to the structure,
which an opposite force is produced.
Forces: (Newton, 2014)
Basic structural Forces: direction, scale
Tension forces:
- move apart->stretch and elongate
the material.
Compression forces:
- The opposite effect of a tension
force. Results in the shortening of the
material.
Glossary:
- Load Path - Reaction Force
- Masonry - Point Load
- Beam
- Compression : a characteristic
of mass construction
Tutorial:
Scale:
1:500 / 1:100 -> Use for location, e.g. Google map
1:100 -> Use for plans and section
1:20 / 1:10 -> Use for detail
1:5 -> Use for construction components
Brick:
Blocks:
Lecture:
Students are required to use a sheet of paper to make an
object which can support a brick.
The height, wide and the shape have to consider. This activity
may lead students to think about the compression force and the
tension force.
bed
header stretcher
Weekly task: Students are required to use small wooden blocks to build a tower with an opening and a roof.
Step one:
The group started the foundation with a circular shape( fig 2). Every two wooden blocks are leaving a small space to form a curve shape (fig 1).
Fig.1 Fig.2
Step two:
Since the group found out one layer wall was too easy to collapse, thus, they double the wall (fig 3), in order to make it firmer.
Moreover, the circular base was formed with the same length of diameter for a stronger foundation of a tall tower (fig4).
Fig3. Fig4.
Step three:
As the building process progressed, the tower started to narrow. An opening was constructed step by step. After the door was built,
the group started to form a roof and built it taller. (refer to Fig.5&6)
Fig5. fig6. Fig7.
Step four:
The group was required to remove the blocked and create the windows. Even the outside layer was removed, the tower was
still stable and sturdy. (refer to Fig7.)
Task analysis:
Using small wooden blocks to construct a tower can explore students to consider how the forces associated with the blocks, for
example, how to form a sturdy base for a further construction. Moreover, every detail elements, such as materials, structure and the
shape will be considered through the building processes.
Constructing environment logbook
Week2
Week2:
Glossary:
Structural joints
Stability
Tension
Frame
Bracing
Column
e- learning: (W02 s1 Structural Systems, 2014)
Structural systems:
Solid structure:
Find in early period
Working with stones, bricks or mud.
Compression is the main structural action.
Frame system:
A very efficient and cheap system.
For example, using for covering a large extend of area.
Construction systems:
Enclosure systems:
Structural systems:
Service systems:
Construction systems considerations:
Performance requirements:
Performance of comfort
Protection of rain/ Water vapour
Resistant of sound
Perform over time, it needs to be easy to maintain
Aesthetic qualities:
Proportion, colour, kind of service quality
Economic efficiencies:
Affordable. Initial cost?
Environmental impacts
Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) considerations: (ESD and Selecting
Materials, 2014)
ESD strategies:
Thermal mass
Solar energy
Frontal ventilation
Water harvesting
Insulation
Life cycle: recycled in to other products
Stages: raw material acquisition> primary Processing and Refining>
Manufacturing> Delivery> Construction Use and Maintenance> final Disposal
Co2 commission:
Carbon footprint: a measure of the amount of greenhouse gases generated
during the fabrication.
Example: softwood and clay have a high level of carbon footprint.
Structural joints: (W02 s2 Structural Joints , 2014)
Roller joints
-vertical force
Pin joints
-vertical and horizontal
Fixed joints
Vertical, horizontal and rotation
Lecture:
Using stews and few pins to support a container, in order to test how
stiffness did the ‘ footing’ is by keep pushing / applying force onto the
container until it collapsed. This activity can inspire students to think about
what element, such as joints and length, should be consider to from a sturdy
structure.
Weekly task: Students are required to Use balsa wood to make a model which is tall enough to reach the ceiling.
Step 1: Balsa wood was cut into thin and long battens.
step2: The group started the tower foundation with a triangle shape. A small triangle was sticked to the triangle base in order to increase
the stability and sturdily of the tower.
step 3: Vertical battens were built. Triangular prism shape was formed as a foundation for making sure that the tower was strong
enough to support the further constructing.
Final product
Step4: The upper part of the tower was built in a pyramid shape since the materials were limited. Moreover, it reduced the weight of
the top and focused the force onto center.
Task analysis: Students can experience how to from a sculpture or building with limited materials, such as the amount of balsa wood,
tape and glue. Furthermore, they can learn how to share the material's weight evenly through the task.
Constructing environment logbook
Week3
Week3:
Glossary:
1. Moment 2. Strip footing
3. Retaining Wall 4. Slab on ground
5. Pad Footing 6. Substructure
Structural Elements
- Strut: compression
- Tie: tension
- Beam: combination of compression and tension
- Slab/plate
- Panels and wall
Footings and foundation: (W03_c1 FOOTINGS & FOUNDATIONS ,
2014)
Foundation:
Are found at the bottom of buildings where the building meets
the ground.
Transfer all loads acting on the building structure to the
ground
Footing and foundations should be designed to ensure that this
settlement occurs evenly and that the bearing capacity of the soil
is not exceeded.
Shallow Footings:
- Soil conditions should be stable while using
- Required soil bearing capacity is adequate close to the surface of
the ground
- Transfer loads vertically from the foundation to the ground
Deep foundation:
- Will be used while soil conditions are not stable
- The soil bearing capacity is inadequate
- Load is transferred from the foundation, through the unsuitable soil
and down to levels where bed rock, stiff clay, dense sand/ gravel is
located.
Pad footing:
To spread a point load over a wider area of ground
Strip footing:
A wall or a series of column is spread in a linear manner.
Raft foundation:
Provides increase stability by joining the individual strips together as a
single mat
Mass construction: (W03_m1 INTRODUCTION TO MASS
CONSTRUCTION , 20144)
Mass materials:
Stone + earth + clay + concrete
Stone: hard: resists abrasion
Earth: compressive strength
Clay: good thermal mass
Concrete: durable
These materials are strong in compression but weak in tension
Mass construction can be in modular and non- modular:
Modular:
- Clay brick
- Mud brick
- Concrete block
- Ashlar stone
Non- modular:
- Concrete
- Rammed earth
- Monolithic stone
Masonry:
Stone + clay + concrete
Masonry refers to building with units of various natural or manufactured
products usually with the use of mortar as a bonding agent ( ching12:06)
Bond: the pattern or arrangement of the units
Course: a horizontal raw of masonry units
Joint: the way units are connected to each other
Mortar: mixture of cement or lime, sand and water used as a bonding
agent
Bricks:
Size: 110X230X76
Manufactured from clay or shale
3 main types of brick:
1. Extruded and wire- cut
2. Machine moulded
3. Handmade
Clay bricks uses:
Stretcher course
Header course
Brick-on-edge-course
Soldier course
Blocks:
Concrete block:
Formed by cement, sand, gravel and water
Process involves mixing, moulding and curing
egg block: in special shape
clay block vs concrete blocks:
concrete blocks:
shrink(become smaller). The cement paste reduce in volume as it
hydrate when water is lost to the atmosphere.
Clay blocks:
tend to absorb moisture from the atmosphere and gradually
expand.
Stone:
1. igneous: more for footing
2. sedimentary
3. metamorphic
uses:
walls
Wall and load bearing
- Mortar joints: usually 10mm
- vertical joints: perpends
- horizontal joints bed joints
Considerations: brick are permeable( non- water proof)
advantages:
- can be joined with water based mortar
- any wetness can escape
disadvantage:
- absorb moisture and expand overtime
- efflorescence Moment force:
(iley & Sons, 2011 e-book)
Mo= F X d
Weekly activity: ‘on site’
Walking around the Parkville campus and introduced different building structural system and materials to students.
n
North court:
- typical frame system
- membrane uses as the roof
material which in high tension
forces
- steel frame is used
- Solid system: using
bricks
- Bluestone: with a
long history
building
- It is a steel truss
- The truss can support its own loads.
- Frame system
- Concrete
- Double glass as the windows
University swimming pool:
-frame system with steel columns
-shear wall applied on both side
- deep foundation
Constructing environment logbook
Week4
Week4:
Tutorial:
Quiz 4:
- Cantilever: one point support
- Joist span: between bearer and foundation wall ( along the joist)
- Joist spacing: between joist and joist
Glossary:
- Beams and Cantilevers
- Span and spacing
- Structural elements in flooring
E- Learning:
(Beam and Cantilevers, 2008)
Beams:
A horizontal structural element.
The function of a beam is to carry loads along the length of the beam
and transfer these to the vertical supports.
- Supported at both ends of the beam
- Supported at many points along the length of beam
- Supported at points away from the ends of the beam
- Supported at only one end of the beam
Cantilevers:
Is created when a structural element is supported at only one end.
The function of a cantilever is to carry loads along the length of the
member and transfer these loads to the support.
It can be horizontal vertical or angled.
Flooring systems: (W04_c1 FLOOR SYSTEMS, 2014)
To transfer dead and live loads via horizontal members to supports.
Three types:
1. Concrete systems:
Slabs with two directions or one short direction
Consideration of choosing one way or two ways: cost and
efficiency( the columns) etc
Material :
(W04_m1 CONCRETE, 2014)
Concrete
Components:
1. Cement: Portland and lime
2. Fine aggregates: sand
3. Coarse aggregates: crushed rock
4. Water
Provenance:
Chemical reaction: hydration
- If too much water -> weak
- If too little water -> too stiff
Advantage:
Fluid and shapeless ( before it hardens)
Formwork:
For temporary support and moulds to hold the liquid concrete
It can be built at the building site: in situ or in factory- pre cast
Curing process:
The formwork needs to be supported as the weight of the wet
concrete is very heavy.
- Achieved by using props and bracing
- Generally reaches 75% in 7days
*Concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension->Reinforcement
(by using steel in the form of MESH or BARS)
2. Timber systems:
Board spend on joists and joists
And joists are supported by the bearers.
3. Steel systems:
Apply heavy gauge or light gauge
*Steel framing might combine with concrete slab system
- The particular benefits of steel framing and shallow depth floor slab
systems are desired.
- It helps determine the spacing requirement of the supports.
Beams and cantilevers:
Beams:
A horizontal structural element.
The function of a beam is to carry loads along the length of the beam
and transfer these to the vertical supports.
- Supported at both ends of the beam
- Supported at many points along the length of beam
- Supported at points away from the ends of the beam
- Supported at only one end of the beam
Cantilevers:
is created when a structural element is supported at only one end.
The function of a cantilever is to carry loads along the length of the
member and transfer these loads to the support.
It can be horizontal vertical or angled.
Constructing environment logbook
Week5
Week5:
E-learning:
Short and Long Columns:
Short columns Long columns
description shorter (length) and
thicker (cross section)
taller (length) and
slimmer (cross section).
Ratio of length
and the smallest
cross section
less than 12:1 More than 12:1
Differences: The way to fail
How does it fail? crushes buckling
Example: a 3000mm tall column
with a 450mm x
300mm cross-section
ratio = 10:1
a 6000mm tall column
with a 450mm x 300mm
cross-section
ratio of 20:1
Glossary:
- Stud - Lintel - Seasoned Timber
- Noggins - Axial Load - Buckling
Walls, grids and columns: (W05_c1 Walls, grids and columns, 2014)
Wall systems:
Three basic types:
Structural frames:
Concrete frames:
typically use a gird of columns beams connecting the columns together
Steel frames:
Use a grid of steel columns connected to steel and beams
- UC: Universal column:
Look like an I shape beam. It tries to make both directions equal.
But the column still tends to buck the weaker and smaller side.
- CHS: Circular hollow section
- RHS: Rectangular hollow section
Timber frame:
Use a gird of timber posts or poles connected to timber beams.
K=0.5
K=0.7
K=1
K=2
Load bearing walls:
- Concrete:
Achieved using either in situ or precast
- Masonry
1. Reinforced masonry
Can be constructed from CORE FILLED hollow concrete blocks
2. Solid masonry:
Can be create with single or multiple skins
Join together using bricks or with metal wall ties
3. Cavity masonry:
Formed from two skins of masonry
Advantages:
- Better thermal performance and opportunities for insulation
within the cavity
- Better waterproofing
Stud walls:
- Light gauge steel framing
- Timber framing
Wood to timber (W03_m2 timber properties and consideration, 2014)
Provenance
Early wood Late wood
- Rapid growth at beginning of
growing season
- Light and thin cell
- Slower growth
- Often limited by lack of water
- Think small cell
Growth:
Generally one ring per year
Direction:
- Strong: parallel / Weak: perpendicular
Seasoning (drying)
- Adjust the moisture
- Provided increased dimensional stability
Free moisture and bound moisture is removed from the wood
Timber is seasoned in three ways:
- Air seasoning
- Kiln seasoning(20-40hrs to dry ~12%)
- Solar kiln seasoning
Type of timber:
Softwoods Hardwoods
- Radiate pine
- Cypresses pine
- Hoop pine
- Victorian ash
- Brown box
- Spotted gum
Hardwood stronger than softwood:
Since softwood-> plantation
- growth faster
hardwood:
- Old growth
Weekly activity:
Students are divided into group and ask for making a 3D model base on a plan and section drawing with actuary scale.
The group prepared some
cardboard, balsawood and foam
as the materials
The group was
trying to build the
wall and floor.
And columns and
the beams on the
upstair.
Concrete wall
beam
column
However, this model failed since students were not working on the structure of the building.
Students
should work
out all the
main structure
before building
up the walls.
Beams and
column should
be more
important in
making a
modeling.
From the
graph, it shows
the Z steel
beams are the
main support
of the roof.
And the floor
is supported
by a UB steel
beam,
Constructing environment logbook
Week6
Week6
Glossary:
- Rafter - Purlin - Alloy
- Cantilever - Portal frame - Top chord
- Eave - Soffit
Roof systems: (W06_c1 Roof Systems, 2014)
Flat roofs:
Pitch: 1°-3°
Pitched and sloping roofs
pitch >3°
Concrete roofs:
Are generally flat plates of reinforced concrete ( or precast with a
topping of concrete)
- with applied waterproof membrane (cover)
Structural steel framed roofs:
Flat:
- combine primary and secondary roof beams
heavier roof finishes such as metal deck
or combine roof beams and purlins
lighter sheet metal roofing
Sloping:
Structural steel roofs consist of ROOF BEAMS and PURLINS and
light sheet metal
v
Portal frames:
Consist of a series of braced Rigid Frames (two columns and a beam)
with purlins for the roof and girts for the walls. ( finished with metal
sheets)
Trussed roofs:
- are framed roofs constructed from a series of open web type steel
or timber elements
- may steel or timber
- can be flat or shaped
Space frames:
are 3D Plate type structures that are long spanning in two direction
Light framed roofs:
- Gable roofs: are characterized by a vertical , triangular section of
the wall
- Hip roofs: same (but with corner?)
Materials: (W06_m1 Introduction to Metals , 2014)
Metal:
Types:
- Ferrous: contain iron
- Non- ferrous: all other metals- more expensive
- Alloys: combinations of two more metals
Water related damage:
Oxidation and corrosion
Protect:
- Avoid prolonged exposure to moisture
- Seal against moisture (e.g. enamel or paint metal surface)
- Chemical treatment ( i.e. galvanized steel)
Ferrous metals:
Iron:
- significant and important magnetic properties
- Very reactive chemically
- Good compressive strength
Wrought iron: more widely used in windows and door
Cat iron: use more commonly in daily life
Iron alloys- steel:
Steel is an alloy of iron with carbon being the primary
additional alloy element
- Is a strong material
- And resistant to fracture
- Transfer heat and electricity
Steel- types and uses:
1. Structural steel:
Framing – columns, beams, purlins, stud frames.
Two main types:
Hot rolled steel:
- Element are shaped while metal is hot
- More material is required for this type of process
- Generally used as primary structural elements
Cold formed steel:
- Elements are folded from sheets that have been previously
produced and cooled down
- More used in secondary structure
Reinforcing bars:
Use in conjunction with concrete to produce reinforced concrete.
1. Steel sheeting
Cladding and roofing must be protected from weather exposure
such as paint, enameled etc.)
2. Stainless steel alloys
- Chromium is the main alloying element
- Mainly used in sheets, plates, bars or wire. It may use in
kitchen as well
- Is very rarely used as primary structure due to cost.
Non ferrous metals:
Aluminium:
- Very light - Non- magnetic - Easily form
Pure aluminium is soft
Alloy with small amounts of copper, magnesium, silicon etc.
-> strengthen
Uses:
- Common for window frames, such as balustrades or handrolls
- Rolled aluminium is used for cladding panels, heating and air
conditioning systems
- Aluminium reacts with air creating a very fine layer of oxide
-> keep it from oxidation
Other finish treatment: power coating and anodisation
Copper:
- Electricity conductivity
Uses:
- Roofing material
- Hot and cold domestic water and heating pipework
- Electrical cabling
Zinc:
Present use in construction:
Painting the layers of zinc on to iron or steel as galvanizing
Useful in the production of roofing material
- Cladding for roofs and walls
- Conductor of electricity
Lead:
- Less common: can be toxic
Present use in construction: roofs, cornices, tank linings and
flashing strips for water proofing
- Poor electricity conductivity
- Very resistant to corrosion
Tin:
- Very rare today
- Only decorative
Titanium:
- Very expensive material
- Used in strong light-weight alloys
- Result in attractive and durable cladding
- excellent corrosion resistance
Bronze:
- mix with copper
- use for bearings, clips, electrical connections and springs
- corrosion resistant
Brass:
- use for handles, locks etc
- low melting point and easy to cast
primary secondary
frames
timber Floor- bearer
Roof-
Joist
rafter
steel (hot rolled steel)
Floor- beam
(cold form)
Purlins
1->3 hours
Presentation:
Constructing environment logbook
Week7
Week 7:
Glossary
- Drip - Vapour barrier
- Gutter - Parapet
- Down pipe - Flashing
- Insulation - Sealant
Stop water entering a building:
Drip:
Gutter:
when water full -> water fall away
Two type of gutter:
- Eaves gutter
- Box gutter
Detailing for heat and moisture (W07_c1 Detailing for Heat and
Moisture , 2014)
Detailing for moisture:
Brick Cavity:
- Prevent water come in.
4. Using
M astics
Caulking
Sealant
Silicon
Rubber:
Natural rubber
Synthetic rubber: 10th century
Use of natural rubber:
- Seals
- Gaskets and control joins
- Flooring
Synthetic:
Epdm
Neoprene
Silicone
Plastic: (W02_m2 Plastic, 2014)
Form from carbon, silicon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and chloride
Three main groups
1. Thermoplastics
–polyethylene- insulation of copper
Polymethyl methacrylate
- PVC
- polycarbonates
2. Thermosetting plastics
- Melamide formaldehyde- use for surfaces
- Polystyrene- insulation panels
3. Elastomers
- Similar to rubber properties
Constructing environment logbook
Week8
Week 8:
Glossary:
- Window sash - Door furniture
- Deflection - Stress
- Moment of inertia - Shear force
Openings: doors and windows:
Glass:
Components:
Formers: silica
Basic ingredient:
Any chemical compound that can be melted and cooled in to a glass
Fluxes: soda ash/ potash/ lithium Carbonate
Help FORMERS to melt at lower and more practical temperature
Stabilizers: limestone/ Alumina/ Magnesia
Keep the finished glass from dissolving or crumbling, Longer life
Properties:
- Non porous ( waterproof)
- Higher density of water
- Transfer heat and light but not electricity
- Hard
- High reusability
- High cost in transportation
Flat glass:
- Float glass ( most common one)
1. Clear Float Glass
Simple and cheap
2. Laminated Glass ( 2layers of glasses)
PVB is bonded together ( more safety)
3. Tempered Glass (toughened glass)
Heating ay ~650 C
Soften -> cooled(quenched) -> create a state of high
compression in the surface
( improve safety since glassed break into a smaller pellet pieces)
- Shaped glass
Weekly activity:
Draw a full size section with construction elements and details.
drawing details will be presented in week 10 weekly activity.
Constructing environment logbook
Week9
week9:
Glossary:
- Sandwich panel
- Bending
- Skirting
- Composite beam
- Shadow line joint
- Cornice
Construction detailing:
Movement joints:
- Compressed
- As installed
- Elongated
Health and safety:
- Fire?
- Ageing gracefully
- Water damage:
- Choosing materials
- Appearance?
Repairable surfaces and resistance to damage
Cleanable surfaces:
-Butt cove for resilient
-Straight base for carpet floors
-Top set cove for any floorings
-Cove and cap strips
e.g.
Constructability
Considerations:
- Off the shell items
- Detailing to suit construction expertise
Composite materials:
1. Monolithic materials are:
- A single material or
Materials combined so that components are indistinguishable
(e.g. metal alloys)
2. Composite materials are created when:
Two or more materials are combined in such a way that the
individual materials remain easily distinguishable.
A composite is formed from:
- Combination of materials which differ in composition or form
- Remain boned together
- Retain their identities and properties
- Act together to provide improved specific or synergistic
characteristic not obtainable by any of the original components
acting alone.
Types:
Fibrous
Laminar ( e.g sandwich panels)
Particulate
Hybrid
source from: http://www.consmos.com/EPS_Sandwich_Panel.html
Fiber reinforces cement(FRC):
Components: cellulose fibres, Portland cement, sand and water
Common forms: sheet and board product, or shaped product
Common uses: cladding for exterior or interior walls, floor panels
Benefits: will not burn, resistant to permanent water and termite
damage. Resistant to rotting and wraping
Fiberglass:
A mixture of glass and epoxy reins
Benefits: waterproof, relatively light weight and strong
Aluminum sheet composites:
Sandwich panels?
Form by aluminum and plastic
Benefits: Reduce amount of aluminum are required and light weight,
less expensive, weather resistant, unbreakable etc
Timber composites:
Cost effective
Fibre reinforced polymers:
Polymers(plastic)with timber, glass or carbon fibres
Processed products
High strength
Weekly activity: “Off campus”.
Students went to some large scale unframed buildings to learn the building structure and different systems.
One of the sites is a primary school (The Kathleen Syme Education Centre) at 249Faraday Street . It is a heritage which built in 1986.
The Kathleen Syme Education Centre is a two floor building which constructs with brick system.
Fig. 1 fig.2 fig,3Source from:
http://www.carsondunlop.com/2011/12/brick-houses-solid-masonry-vs-brick-veneer/
fig.5
The Kathleen Syme Education center also used steel frame
system. Fig.5 indicates Steel beams (UB) are used.
Fig.4
Constructing environment logbook
Week10
Week10
Glossary
- Shear wall - Defect
- Soft story - Fascia
- Braced frame - Corrosion
- Lift cycle - IEQ
Lateral support:
Lateral forces: resistance to lateral loads is a major design
concern for building in many geographical locations.
Wind and earthquake forces have different effects on buildings.
Three strategies:
- Bracing of the building
- Shear wall
- Joists
Wind loads might affect thin and tall more,
But it also affects some big opening door.
A soft story exists in a building when one or more floors are
significantly weaker or more flexible than those above or below.
Soft story results in uneven load distribution and
non-uniform deflection in response to lateral loads.
Soft story can be built at the ground
Bracing will be constructed with it to resistant the loads of
wind or earthquakes
Collapses and failures:
Timber fascia:
- material selection: too wide-> it may cause crack
- Exposure to hot north sun
- Painted black on outside only
- Fastener
Flat steel sheeting on plywood:
- timber plywood glued to timber stud walls
- Flat steel sheet glued to plywood
- thermal differences
- blistering and peeling sheets
- cut edges
- Corrosion of cut edges
- Glue failures
- Galvanized exposed nails to fix sheeting?
- Reclad with exterior grade plywood
Consideration:
Suitability of material for the application
- Exposure
- Compatibility
- Strength and deflection
- Long term performance
- Maintenance
- Construction and detailing
Heroes and culprits:
Issues to consider when selecting materials:
- Health and IEQ
- Waste/ recycle
- Energy use
- Pollution and life cycle
How to choose a good material for health:
Reduce VOCS: Paints/ sealers/adhesives
Reduce particles/ dust: Horizontal shelves/ floor coverings/ loose fibre
products
Green cleaning practices: Vacuuming, Chemicals
How to choose a good material to minimize the waste:
Renewable and abundant resources
-. Agriculture products/ earth/ timber
Timber:
-. Recycled plantation
How to choose material to minimize energy
- Extraction/ manufacture/transport
Optimize lighting: General/ task / switching
Optimize appliances: Fridges/ dishwashers/ office equip
For pollution:
Do not choose the materials contain toxins
Choose natural materials or organic
weekly activity: drawing section- function room ( Roof North03)
Actual view of the roof which is location at the north of function room.
the section drawn into 3D.
Materials->/
Properties
bricks blocks Stone concrete timber metal Plastic glass
Hardness Medium-high Medium-high Large range
igneous> metamorphic>
sedimentary
High Medium-low Varied Medium-low High
Fragility medium medium depends low Medium-low low Low- medium depends
ductility Very low Very low Very low (most of them) Very low low high high very low
Flexibility/
Plasticity
Very low Very low Rigid ( low) low high medium high Very high
Porosity/
Permeabilit
y
Medium-low Medium Large range medium high Generally
impermeabl
e
many Non-
porous
density medium Memedium depends Medium-high Depends high low Med-high
conductivity Poor
conductors of
heat and
electrcity
Poor
conductors of
heat and
electrcity
Generally poor poor poor Very good Very poor Heat bout
not
electricity
Durability/
Life span
Very durable Very durable Extremely durable Very durable depends Can be Can be Very
durable
Reusability/
recyclability
High medium Very high Medium-low Very high high high Very high
Sustainabilit
y & carbon
footprint
Tends to be
locally
produced
~ positive
reduction in
carbon
footprint
Transport energy is the
main factor
High
Non-
renewable
Very low
renewable
Very high
embodied
energy
Not a
renewable
resources
cost effective Effective but
high labour
cost
Depends on labour cost effective effective effective effective expensive
Construction workshop:
Each group is asked to build a timber structure with at least 1000mm long, and test how much loads of the product can take.
The materials that my group can get are 1200 X 3.2 X90 mm Ply X2 and 1200 X 42 X18 mm Pine X2.
Students can join the wood by using sundry nails and screws by the hammers, saws and other tools.
fig.1
fig.2 fig.3
Two pine woods is cut into ~1100mm. main structure of the object
1200 X 3.2 X90 mm Ply
1200 X 42 X18 mm Pine
The group preferred using the
longer length as the height
instead of using the shorter side
since it can take more loads
because of the better
compression force.
fig.4
fig.5
Using sundry nails to join the pine
wood together. However, the nails or
screws can destroy the structure of the
wood. It may make the timber easier to
buckle.
Sundry nails
The plywood is better in
tension force since it is more tin
and flexible. And therefore,
plywood cut into few pieces and
added onto the timber structure,
in order to share the load.
However, it cannot help much,
thus, the test is mainly testing
how much loads do the pine
woods can take. Lastly, the
timber structure almost can take
around 200 kilo forces.
Fig.6
From reading fig.6, it indicates the
timber finally cracked is related to
the nails that make it weak.