Building Construction 1 | architecture0322915

Synopsis: Building Construction 1

The module is the first part of building construction modules. It intends to develop the understanding of the principles and practices of construction technology in relation to site, plants, soil mechanics, building envelope, and building components “below ground”, basement and foundation, “on ground”; floor and staircase, beam and column, wall and opening and “above ground”, roof and ceiling. In order to achieve the above students will undergo a series of continuous assessments, discussions, presentation and site visit.

Module Teaching Objectives

To develop an understanding of the structural elements in construction and its application in the building industry.
To have a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of buildability and the awareness of how buildings are developed in response to practical considerations involved in the process of construction.

Module Learning Outcomes

Define the application of building components in real life examples.
Infer the relationship between buildings and sites.
Explain complete constructional procedures of the various components of building with suitable design.
Compare structural elements according to the materials used.
Select suitable structural elements for their design project.
Design and apply a structural element for their design project.

Project Introduction

Project 1: Documentation & Analysis

The aim of this project is to expose and introduce students to various construction elements. It also intends to enhance the understanding of principles of construction, sequence of construction activities, importance of basic detailing, construction joints and material application through real life projects. It also creates an opportunity to study the relationship between site and construction method.

Project 2: Integrated Construction Solution

This is a continuation of the first project - an integrated project where it involves construction detailing solution for the final project in design studio. This project is designed to allow the demonstration of knowledge and understanding of construction, application from prior project and emphasise producing construction drawings and details to be drawn manually.

Assignment 1: Experiencing Construction

Introduction

The design process is ongoing from conceptual design stage right through to construction. The preparation of construction drawings plays an important role in this process.

Project Objectives

To introduce basic principles and procedures of construction process through real-life project (experiential learning).
To understand the sequence and coordination of construction at site.
To expose students to construction technology/methods responding to site context.
To allow student to demonstrate their understanding and knowledge of construction, material and technology.
To train students to produce manual sketches, drawings and detailing relating to EXISTING construction.

Project Learning Outcomes

Produce a complete documentation (pictures, sketches and drawing) and an analysis of construction elements.
Understand and explain construction elements and its components.
Understand current construction technology on local construction sites.
Explain current material and technology in relevance to the present construction industry.

Experiencing Construction

In this project of building construction, we went to visit a construction site as a group. At the site, we saw the progress of constructing a building and also learnt the importance of site safety.

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Describe your image.

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Describe your image.

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Describe your image.

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Describe your image.

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After the site visit, we were required to summarize and produce an analysis of the information we get from the site. As a group, we combine all our individual works together. My part is to analyse the information on slab and window construction.

Here are some information from my analysis:

A COMMON STRUCTURAL ELEMENT OF MODERN BUILDINGS. HORIZONTAL SLABS OF STEEL REINFORCED CONCRETE, TYPICALLY BETWEEN 4 AND 20 INCHES THICK, ARE MOST OFTEN USED TO CONSTRUCT FLOORS AND CEILINGS, WHILE THINNER SLABS ARE ALSO USED FOR EXTERIOR PAVING.

TYPES OF SLABS:

- ONE WAY SLAB

- ONE WAY JOIST SLAB

- TWO WAY SLAB

- TWO WAY FLAT SLAB

- TWO WAY WAFFLE SLAB

- TWO WAY FLAT PLATE

SLAB-ON-GRADE:

STARTING A HOUSE WITH A SLAB-ON-GRADE INSTEAD OF A CONVENTIONAL BASEMENT FOUNDATION CAN REDUCE YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT DURING CONSTRUCTION, AND HAS THE ADVANTAGE ON FINANCIAL SAVINGS AS WELL.

YOU CAN ELIMINATE A LARGE AMOUNT OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM YOUR BUILDING MATERIALS AND ALSO DURING THE FUTURE OPERATION OF THE HOUSE BY REPLACING CONCRETE WITH LOWER-IMPACT AND BETTER PERFORMING BUILDING MATERIALS.

SLAB-ON-GRADE CONSTRUCTION IS AN UNCOMMON METHOD OF HOME BUILDING THAT REPLACES THE CONVENTIONAL FOUNDATION WALL AND BASEMENT WITH A CONCRETE SLAB THAT RESTS DIRECTLY ON GRADE.

SLAB-ON-GRADE CONSTRUCTION

(1) SHUTTERING IS DONE BY USING BAMBOO OR PROPS. IT IS LEVELED BY A THIN WATER PIPE.

(2) PLANE SHEET OF TIN PLATE IS PLACED ON THE LEVELED SURFACE. THEN DAMP PROOF MEMBERS ARE LAID AFTER THE LEVELED SURFACE. A SHEET IS USED FOR THIS. FORM WORK FOR THE SLAB IS ALSO CONSTRUCTED AT THE EDGE.

(3) ACCORDING TO THE DESIGN OF THE SLAB, BEAM IS CONSTRUCTED.

(4) TWO LAYERS OF REINFORCEMENT ARE PROVIDED. AT THE FIRST BTTOM LAYER ROD IS PLACED AND THEN TOP LAYER OF ROD IS PLACED. THEN EXTRA TOP IS PLACED BETWEEN TWO LAYERS. WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN CLEAR COVER AT LEAST 1” TO 1.5” BETWEEN THE BASE AND REINFORCEMENT BY A WOODEN OR CEMENT BLOCK.

(5) AFTER SETTLING THE REINFORCEMENT, ELECTRICAL WIRES ARE PLACED IN BETWEEN TWO LAYERS ACCORDING TO THE DESIGN.

(6) CONCRETE IS MIXED AND POURED ON TOP. LEVELING IS DONE WITH THE FORM WORK HEIGHT. MIXING IS DONE BY ONE PART CEMENT, TWO PARTS SAND AND FOUR PARTS BALLAST.

(7) A VIBRATOR MACHINE IS USED TO SET THE MIXTURE OF CEMENT, SAND AND BALLAST POURED IN THE SLAB.

WINDOW

TYPES OF WINDOWS:

CASEMENT

INFO:

A WINDOW THAT IS HINGED ON THE RIGHT OR LEFT HAND SIDE AND OPENS OUTWARD WITH A TURN OF A CRANK HANDLE.

PRO:

IT OFFERS EXCELLENT WENTILATION. AND SINCE THIS MODEL IS SEALED ALL THE WAY AROUND WHEN SHUT, IT BOASTS A LOW AIR-LEAKAGE RATE AND GOOD NOISE REDUCTION.

CON:

BECAUSE IT SWINGS OUT, IT WON’T WORK NEAR A WALKWAY OR A DECK. THE CRANK CAN GET TEDIOUS.

DOUBLE-HUG

INFO:

THIS TYPE FEATURES TWO SASHES THAT SLIDE VERTICALLY OPEN AND CLOSED.

PRO:

OPENING BOTH THE TOP AND THE BOTTOM CREATES A NATURAL CONVECTION-COOL AIR COMES IN AT THE BOTTOM AND WARM AIR ESCAPES OUT THE TOP. MANY MODELS TILT INWARD SO YOU CAN SCRUB THE PANES FROM THE INSIDE.

CON:

THE HORIZONTAL RAIL IN THE MIDDLE OBSTRUCTS YOUR VIEW.

FIXED (PICTURE)

INFO:

IT DOESN’T OPEN BUT OFFERS UNOBSTRUCTED VIEWS.

PRO:

A SMALL ONE CAN BRIGHTEN UP A STAIRWELL, WHILE A LARGE ONE SHOWCASES AN AMAZING VISTA. A FIXED WINDOW COMES IN MANY SHAPES. PLUS, NO DRAFTS HERE: IT’S COMPLETELY AIRTIGHT.

CON:

YOU WON’T GET ANY VENTILATION, OF COURSE, AND YOU’LL NEED TO CLEAN THE EXTERIOR FROM THE OUTSIDE.

AWNING

INFO:

SIMILAR TO A CASEMENT BUT HINGED AT THE TOP.

PRO:

WHEN EXTENDED, THE GLASS SLOPES DOWNWARD, SO THE WINDOW CAN BE LEFT OPEN WHEN IT RAINS. IT CAN BE USED AS A CLERESTORY (A WINDOW NEAR THE TOP OF A WALL) TO LET HOT AIR ESCAPE.

CON:

OFFERS ONLY PARTIAL VENTILATION AND IS USUALLY TOO SMALL TO USE IN THE EVENT OF AN EVACUATION.

WINDOW ELEMENT:

THERE ARE THREE MAIN ELEMENTS TO FORM A WINDOW:

GLAZING: CLEAR GLASS OF A WINDOW
SASH: THE PART THAT HOLDS GLAZING
FRAME: THE FIXED PART PF ASSEMBLY THE RECEIVES SASH

WINDOW INSTALLATION:

PLACE THE ALUMUNIUM WINDOW FRAME
CHECK FRAME AND WALL
DRILL A HOLE THROUGH EXISTING HOLE FROM THE FRAME
PLACE A FISCHER THROUGH THE HOLE
INSTALL THE WINDOW
FINISH THE WALL WITH SEALANT/MORTAR

Assignment 2: Construction Detail & Specification

Introduction

This project is a continuation of the first project - an integrated project where it involves construction detailing solution for Project 2b in Architecture Studio 2. This project is designed to allow the demonstration of knowledge and understanding of construction and application from prior project. Emphasis in producing related manual construction drawing for STEEL and/or TIMBER detail and specification. Technical knowledge is viewed as something separate from design. One of the aims of this assignment is to develop an awareness and understanding of the strong interrelationship between these two areas of study. Critical success of any design project relies on a designer’s ability to address issues of appropriate methods of construction, integration of structure and the selection of materials whilst addressing the many other complex issues that are part of the design process. This assignment will enable you to develop and demonstrate some knowledge of construction, materials and structural theory in a small scale design project.

Project Objectives

To develop an understanding of the structural elements in construction and its application in the construction industry.
To apply suitable construction elements, material and detail/joint solutions suitable for a specific design.
To demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of build ability.
To demonstrate awareness of how buildings are developed in response to practical considerations.
To demonstrate certain levels of manual drawing and sketching skills.
To allow students to demonstrate their understanding and knowledge of construction, material and technology.
To encourage students to produce manual sketches, drawings and detailing relating to construction.

Learning Outcomes

Select suitable structural elements for their design project.
Design and apply a structural element for their design project.

Construction Detail & Specification

Along with Architecture Design Studio 2 final project, I designed a retreat house for a specific client. I was required to produce an A2 panel to describe how i want my retreat house to be constructed.

Reflection

My reflection towards this module throughout the semester is me and my groupmates get the chance to learn a lot of knowledge off the textbook and lecture notes during our site visit. After analysing the construction methods of my building, I discover a lot of possibilities of constructing a building and it enlarge my ways to design a building.

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Synopsis: Building Construction 1

Module Teaching Objectives

To develop an understanding of the structural elements in construction and its application in the building industry.

To have a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of buildability and the awareness of how buildings are developed in response to practical considerations involved in the process of construction.

Module Learning Outcomes

Define the application of building components in real life examples.

Infer the relationship between buildings and sites.

Explain complete constructional procedures of the various components of building with suitable design.

Compare structural elements according to the materials used.

Select suitable structural elements for their design project.

Design and apply a structural element for their design project.

Project Introduction

Project 1: Documentation & Analysis

Project 2: Integrated Construction Solution

Assignment 1: Experiencing Construction

Introduction

The design process is ongoing from conceptual design stage right through to construction. The preparation of construction drawings plays an important role in this process.

Project Objectives

To introduce basic principles and procedures of construction process through real-life project (experiential learning).

To understand the sequence and coordination of construction at site.

To expose students to construction technology/methods responding to site context.

To allow student to demonstrate their understanding and knowledge of construction, material and technology.

To train students to produce manual sketches, drawings and detailing relating to EXISTING construction.

Project Learning Outcomes

Produce a complete documentation (pictures, sketches and drawing) and an analysis of construction elements.

Understand and explain construction elements and its components.

Understand current construction technology on local construction sites.

Explain current material and technology in relevance to the present construction industry.

Experiencing Construction

In this project of building construction, we went to visit a construction site as a group. At the site, we saw the progress of constructing a building and also learnt the importance of site safety.

After the site visit, we were required to summarize and produce an analysis of the information we get from the site. As a group, we combine all our individual works together. My part is to analyse the information on slab and window construction.

Here are some information from my analysis:

A COMMON STRUCTURAL ELEMENT OF MODERN BUILDINGS. HORIZONTAL SLABS OF STEEL REINFORCED CONCRETE, TYPICALLY BETWEEN 4 AND 20 INCHES THICK, ARE MOST OFTEN USED TO CONSTRUCT FLOORS AND CEILINGS, WHILE THINNER SLABS ARE ALSO USED FOR EXTERIOR PAVING.

Assignment 2: Construction Detail & Specification

Introduction

Project Objectives

To develop an understanding of the structural elements in construction and its application in the construction industry.

To apply suitable construction elements, material and detail/joint solutions suitable for a specific design.

To demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of build ability.

To demonstrate awareness of how buildings are developed in response to practical considerations.

To demonstrate certain levels of manual drawing and sketching skills.

To allow students to demonstrate their understanding and knowledge of construction, material and technology.

To encourage students to produce manual sketches, drawings and detailing relating to construction.

Learning Outcomes

Select suitable structural elements for their design project.

Design and apply a structural element for their design project.

Construction Detail & Specification

Along with Architecture Design Studio 2 final project, I designed a retreat house for a specific client. I was required to produce an A2 panel to describe how i want my retreat house to be constructed.

Reflection