Loads:

The structure of a building must be able to support two types of loads – Static and dynamic. (Ching 2008)

Static loads slowly applied to the structure, which includes live loads, dead loads. Under a static load, a structure responds slowly and its deformation reaches a peak when the static force reach maximum (Ching 2008)

Dead loads are applying a vertical downwards load. It can cause by the self-weighted of the materials.

Live loads comprise any moving loads on a structure resulting from occupancy. (Ching 2008)

Load Path Diagram

Forces diagram

Loads apply on Stucture (2009 Petervaldivia)

Forces combine

Forces: Forces are the influence that produces a change in the shape or movement of a body. It is considered to be a vector quantity possessing both magnitude and direction (Ching 2008) Collinear forces are the algebraic sum of the forces Concurrent forces are the vector sum of the forces from all diretions. Forces on the Stucture Tension forces: When an external load pulls on a structural member, the particles composing the material move apart and undergo tension. Tension forces stretch and elongate the material. Compression forces: A compression force produces the opposite effect of a tension force. When an external load pushes on a structural member, the particles of the material compact together. Compression forces result in the shortening of the material. (Newton 2014)

The mass tower construction

A circle round structure

Hand drawing 1

Hand drawing 2

Rome Colosseum (Altius Directory 2014)

Final Structure

The door

The purpose of construct an mass tower is to understand the structure, load path and forces. The material used is Medium density fiber, which is a light but unbreakable material made by timber.

The idea of this structure coming from the colosseum and some high buildings. A circle liked structure with all the forces transfer down to the surface and achieve a structure equilibrium. The space between the bricks can save material for the tower, however as it attach on the lower bricks, the force will be directly transfer down to the lower level The door was construction during the process until we reach the enough height that the structure is stable enough to transfer the force to the side of the door. However, the bearing of the wall cannot be so large. Some of the bricks fall during the construction is because the bearing is so large and the dead loads is to large to make the structure unstable. Hand drawing 3

Shanghai Tower (Wekipedia 2014)

Reference: Ching, F.D.K (2008) Building Construction Illustrated (4th ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Materials Introduction, Petervaldivia (Dec 2009) Retrieved from http://www.petervaldivia.com/technology/materials/building-structure.php

Roman Colosseum, Altius Directory (2014) Retrieved from http://www.altiusdirectory.com/Arts/roman-colosseum.html

Shanghai Tower, Wikipedia (2014) Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shanghai_Tower_2013-8-3.JPG

Newton, C (Subject coordinator). (2014) BASIC STRUCTURAL FORCES (I). Australia: University of Melbourne [Video]

Load Paths, Flexible Learning Toolboxes (2014) Retrieved from http://toolboxes.flexiblelearning.net.au/demosites/series10/10_01/content/bcgbc4010a/01_loads_loading/01_primary_loads/page_008.htm

Glossary: Load Path: The direction in which each consecutive load will pass through connected members. (FLT 2014) Compression: When an external load pushes on a structural member, the particles of the material compact together. (Ching 2008) Masonry: The structural made and use the mason Reaction Forces: The force act as a support to the load Point Load: Happens when all the forces apply on a small area. Beam: One of the structural, usually use to transfer or support the load carry by the roof

Roller joints allow rotation but resist translation in a direction perpendicular into or away from their faces. (Ching 2008)

Pin joints theoretically allow rotation but resist translation in any direction. (Ching 2008)

Fixed joints maintain the angular relationship between the joined elements, restrain rotation and translation in any direction. (Ching 2008)

Roller Joint Pin Joint

Fixed Joint

ESD examples (Biscoe Wilson Architects 2014)

The building system including structural, enclosure and mechanical Systems Structural system is designed and constructed to support and transmit applied gravity and lateral loads safely. (Ching 2008) Enclosure system is the shell of a building. (Ching 2008) Mechanical system provide essential services to a building. (Ching 2008)

Construction system includes Performance requirements, Aesthetic qualities, environmental impact and economic efficiency. Performance requirements including structural compatibility, fire resistance, control of hear, air, water, noise reduction, safety and etc. (Ching 2008) Aesthertic qualities including desired relationship of building, preferred qualities of form, color and etc. (Ching 2008) Economic efficiency including all kinds of costs, such as labor maintenace and etc. (Ching 2008) Environment impact including conservation of energy, energy efficiency and etc. (Ching 2008)

In building this tower, we try to create more fixed joints as we can in order to stabilize the structural. The idea was from the Shanghai pearl tower. So in this case, a rectangular is made which support by a cross is used as the base of this tower. However, the glue and the tape are not working well (The material tension force)

Hand drawing 1

Tower photo 1 Tower photo 2

In order to let the tower stand on the ground, we chose an alternative option, which is directly lay the supporting strip on the floor. Unfortunately, we haven't consider the strength of the material. The materials are thin strips made by balsa wood. As the height went on, the whole structural start to shake and can’t stand still on the floor.

The idea of Shanghai pearl tower was using the pin joints and with a triangular stand for the base. Where we chose to use rectangular as the base. Therefore, because the material we using in building the tower, a triangular prism will stand on the floor

Hand drawing 2 Tower photo 3 Shanghai pearl tower (Wikipedia 2014)

Compare to the two structure, the load force for first structure only lies on the middle balsa wood strip which is hard for it to stand. However, the second structure send the force to all three strips equally and transfer to a larger area of surface on the ground.

Reference: Ching, F.D.K (2008) Building Construction Illustrated (4th ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD), Biscoe Wilson Architects (2014) Retrieved from http://www.biscoewilson.com.au/index.php?id=12

Shanghai oriental pearl tower, Wikipedia (2014) Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shanghai_oriental_pearl_tower.JPG

Glossary:

Structural Joint: The point between two structural which connect by another material Stability: The structural reach equilibrium and being stable Tension: Opposite to compression, it stretch and elongate the material (Ching 2008) Frame: It’s a sub structure of the building, which is use to transfer the load Bracing: Using material to supporting structure to make is stabilize Column: Rigid, relatively slender structural members designed primarily to support axial compressive loads applied to the ends of the numbers (Ching 2008)