week 7 studio journal final 1

Constructing Environments:Studio Journal Week 7

Segujja Kakembo

Student no. 636665

Semester 2 2013Tutorial 1

Week 7 Studio Journal

This week comprised of an off campus site visit

Location: Victoria St “Green Square” Apartments in construction

Large scale project.Very stimulating and interesting activity; able to be on actual construction site, first hand experience.Explored various components of construction stages and elements of a large scale project.

Identifying construction systems

Pre fabricated concrete panels, supporting frame-structure for the swimming pool area.

This is an example of the dominant concrete structured walls and fram-ing of the appartment complex. Pre fabrication can happen off site which allows for a quicker conc-truction process.


Main structural elements of the site:

ConcreteTimber framingStructural steel

Steel poles secure the panels in place during construction.

Timber columns and beams which are used as the supporting frame-work for load bearing walls.

Timber framing

Photo taken by Tony Duong (2013)

The pool deck area inside the appartment complex was the perfect example of how various construction sys-tems, elements and materials utilised work towards forming the final model.

Pre fabricated panels as part of the primary/secondary structure. Post tensioning is used as a method of reinforcing the slab



Pool deck area Light weight concrete utilised at higher levels.

Structural steel for strength and reinforcement.

Water proofing at the base of the swimming pool area (exterioir side shown). A membrane coat is applied in order to prevent water leakage and protect the concrete.

Steel columns are galvanised; conteracts the moisture from the swimming pool (due to the humidity)

Conccrete slab roofing to support the structures and loads of the above levels over the car park.



Car Park

Form decking; made of steel possibly colorbond type of decking. Common construction method for roofing due to its flexebility and availability.

Fans are situated at the blockwork walls; seve as vents for the pollution.

The car park exemplified the works of the mechnaical system of a building under construction.There were various electrical wires and cables running through the area.




Interior (inside the appartment)

Water proofing mebrane (blue coating) has been coated over the flooring sys-tem of the bathrooms. This prevents potential damage caused by leakage and can lead to the destruction of the floor material.

The balcony of the appartment rooms also has a water proof-ing mebrane. This membrane is double-coated directly over the concrete slab.

Matting is used over any habitable areas as apposed to the bare concrete floor-ing. Also works as a sound muffler to an extent absorb-ing the noise from the walls (eg. preventing echoing).


RECAP

List of building materials identified at the site:

Light weight concretePre fabricated cocncrete (slabs, panels)Post tensioned concreteGalvanised concreteStructural steelSteel beams and columnsTimber (framing - variety of types of timber)

All of these materials make up the key structrual features and support of the appartment com-plex.

It was intersting to note that the construction team did NOT use any footings. This is due to the fact that the appartment complex is being built through ‘deep foundations’ which means the load of the structure is transferred to the strong-er subsoil below. This is facilated through the steel columns and reinforced concrete which stabilize the structure (Wkipedia 2013).



References

Ching, F 2008, ‘Building Construction Illustrated’, 4th Edition, New Jersey, John Wiley & Sons.

Sika Building Trust 2013, Sika Group, NSW viewed 7 October 2013 <http://aus.sika.com/en/solutions_products/02/02a015.html>

Wikipedia 2013, Wikipedia, viewed 12 September 2013, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_(engineering)>

week 7 studio journal final 1

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