Monday, June 2, 2008
Emerging Technology 4
Fiber Reinforced Plastics
The construction industry is advancing very fast and new materials are needed over the traditional and heavy structural materials. Fiber reinforced Plastic is lighter, stronger and more resistant to corrosion, impacts, parasites and chemicals, therefore it could possibly be a substitute for steel, concrete, masonry and wood.
Fiber Reinforced Plastic has already been introduced into the construction market on a smal scale in structural shapes such as cross-sections, w0sections and tube sections as any combination of shape can be manifactured.
Concrete Reinforcement is another application of FRP as it is as strong as steel but doesnt have all the weaknesses of steel, weaving mat fibers impregnated by resin and then curing the resin is the main method used for this application.
Other applications include prestressing and Post-tensioning Tendons and Pre-Engineered Structural Systems.
FRP has many advantages in that it is low weight, high strength, easy to erect and corrosion resistant, it also leads to lower construction and material costs and higher life cycle period conpared to traditional buildings.
The only barrier at the moment is presented by the lack of acceptance into building codes around the world so it has been limited to smaller applications.
The construction industry is advancing very fast and new materials are needed over the traditional and heavy structural materials. Fiber reinforced Plastic is lighter, stronger and more resistant to corrosion, impacts, parasites and chemicals, therefore it could possibly be a substitute for steel, concrete, masonry and wood.
Fiber Reinforced Plastic has already been introduced into the construction market on a smal scale in structural shapes such as cross-sections, w0sections and tube sections as any combination of shape can be manifactured.
Concrete Reinforcement is another application of FRP as it is as strong as steel but doesnt have all the weaknesses of steel, weaving mat fibers impregnated by resin and then curing the resin is the main method used for this application.
Other applications include prestressing and Post-tensioning Tendons and Pre-Engineered Structural Systems.
FRP has many advantages in that it is low weight, high strength, easy to erect and corrosion resistant, it also leads to lower construction and material costs and higher life cycle period conpared to traditional buildings.
The only barrier at the moment is presented by the lack of acceptance into building codes around the world so it has been limited to smaller applications.
Emerging Technology 4
Precast Hybrid Moment Resistant Frames
earthquake disasters around the globe have prompted research into structural elements that can remain structural integrity after seismic activity.
A new framing system has been developed by Pankow Builders that can absord seismic energy independant of the structural members and delivers a superior post elastic response.
The PMHR Frame consists of a column and beam connection that joins in a both elestic and non-elastic method, this way the seismic energy is concentrated in the connection and not throughout the structural members. Throughout testing the connection remained minimally damaged and no such damage to the actual structure in a 4% shift.
The concept isolates and separates the strength and energy absorption components of the joint, whilst steel within the joint is able to resist the live, dead and seismic loads of the building.
This provides much more security and peace of mind to people living in earthquake prone areas and very minimal damage would occur to the structure leaving it inhabitable after a disaster and possibly with very little to no repairs.
Throughout research the technology has been so succesful that it has been used in many projects throughout the United States including a 40-storey apartment high-rise in san Francisco.
Emerging Technology 3
Recycled Tyre Rubber in Concrete
Used as an aggregate in concrete mixes recycled tyre rubber provides many advantages to the environment and to the construction industry.
There are more 250 million scrap tyres disposed of every year in the United States alone, this is a huge environmental factor which can be offset by the use of tyre rubber particles in concrete mixes as aggregate. Concrete has low tensile strength, low ductility, low energy absorbtion and is prone to shrinking and cracking throuhgout the curing process. Research has found that the use of tyre rubber helps improve these weaknesses.
In application the rubber would have to replace small quantities of the course and fine aggregates at a time as full replacement would hinder the concretes strength properties. Overall the rubber should not exceed 20% of the overall aggregates used in the concrete cement mix.
research conducted in laboratory conditions suggested that the use of rubber overall greatly reduced drying shrinkage, brittleness and elastic modulus, which in turn improves durability and serviceability of concrete cement.
the main setbacks at the moment in furthering its applications are the high cost in producing the rubber particles and the large variation in strengths and affects to concrete based on ration and creation methods.
Used as an aggregate in concrete mixes recycled tyre rubber provides many advantages to the environment and to the construction industry.
There are more 250 million scrap tyres disposed of every year in the United States alone, this is a huge environmental factor which can be offset by the use of tyre rubber particles in concrete mixes as aggregate. Concrete has low tensile strength, low ductility, low energy absorbtion and is prone to shrinking and cracking throuhgout the curing process. Research has found that the use of tyre rubber helps improve these weaknesses.
In application the rubber would have to replace small quantities of the course and fine aggregates at a time as full replacement would hinder the concretes strength properties. Overall the rubber should not exceed 20% of the overall aggregates used in the concrete cement mix.
research conducted in laboratory conditions suggested that the use of rubber overall greatly reduced drying shrinkage, brittleness and elastic modulus, which in turn improves durability and serviceability of concrete cement.
the main setbacks at the moment in furthering its applications are the high cost in producing the rubber particles and the large variation in strengths and affects to concrete based on ration and creation methods.
What is Grancrete??? Technology 2
I ahve come across a new type of construction method that has been in the research phase for many years now.
Grancrete is a type of spray on cement that can be used with any aggregate and when dry the chemicals create a locking connection that makes it very strong. it applies to any panels so a simple wooden panel sprayed with Grancrete becomes like a very strong panel of concrete.
This is mainly a solution for third world housing problems as it is very cheap and effective for use in remote areas.
Grancrete has many disadvantages for use especially in thrid world and poorer countries.
Its is very strong, ahs a short curing time of about 15-20minutes, clings to any material, does not expand or contract based on environmental changes, burn resistant, will set in cold temperatures, long life span of over 100years, can be aesthtically altered such as painted etc.
It is a very interesting product and could prove to be a great method of building inexpensive homes for poor people of people living in thrid world countries.
Grancrete is a type of spray on cement that can be used with any aggregate and when dry the chemicals create a locking connection that makes it very strong. it applies to any panels so a simple wooden panel sprayed with Grancrete becomes like a very strong panel of concrete.
This is mainly a solution for third world housing problems as it is very cheap and effective for use in remote areas.
Grancrete has many disadvantages for use especially in thrid world and poorer countries.
Its is very strong, ahs a short curing time of about 15-20minutes, clings to any material, does not expand or contract based on environmental changes, burn resistant, will set in cold temperatures, long life span of over 100years, can be aesthtically altered such as painted etc.
It is a very interesting product and could prove to be a great method of building inexpensive homes for poor people of people living in thrid world countries.
Construction Technology 1
ELECTRO OSMOTIC PULSE TECHNOLOGY
used to prevent water intrusion on concrete structures
water intrusion on concrete structure can be disasterous for a building, it can invade the basement or footing space of a structure and cause reinforced steel bars to rust and crack the concrete. vapour barriers arent always sufficient and can be destroyed within time, basically when severe dampness is evident in footing structures especially in older buildings, the footing must be exposed all around and the entire dampproofing around the area raplaced. this process is extremely costly and complicated.
Electro Osmotic technology uses to sets of electrodes to create a current between the concrete structure and the surrounding soil. This electric field moves water away from the concrete therefore keeping it dry. By using a negative and a positive elctrode and a series of pulses that run between them pushing the water away from the footings and eliminating the growth of molds and bacteria.
This technology is still in its trial period, but has many advantages over traditional dampproofing methods. It is very cost affectives according to trials by the United States Army Engineers Corp, and does not need to be replaced every five years so is a permanent solution.
The main barrier for its introduction is continued research and the issue of older buildings needing structural repairs before the technology can be implemented.
used to prevent water intrusion on concrete structures
water intrusion on concrete structure can be disasterous for a building, it can invade the basement or footing space of a structure and cause reinforced steel bars to rust and crack the concrete. vapour barriers arent always sufficient and can be destroyed within time, basically when severe dampness is evident in footing structures especially in older buildings, the footing must be exposed all around and the entire dampproofing around the area raplaced. this process is extremely costly and complicated.
Electro Osmotic technology uses to sets of electrodes to create a current between the concrete structure and the surrounding soil. This electric field moves water away from the concrete therefore keeping it dry. By using a negative and a positive elctrode and a series of pulses that run between them pushing the water away from the footings and eliminating the growth of molds and bacteria.
This technology is still in its trial period, but has many advantages over traditional dampproofing methods. It is very cost affectives according to trials by the United States Army Engineers Corp, and does not need to be replaced every five years so is a permanent solution.
The main barrier for its introduction is continued research and the issue of older buildings needing structural repairs before the technology can be implemented.
Monday, May 26, 2008
MY PROPOSAL
This is a final sketch i have produced that shows the overall design proposal. The main structure will be collumns and a truss design spanning longitudinally and then a glass and concrete panel mix cladding on the two sides.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Interesting Research
I really like this shell design, the frame can be seen which is useful.
Construction detail showing an elaborate design by Norman Foster
Major Project Research
I have chosen Norman Foster as my architect, he is my second fav architect, as Zaha Hadid is without a doubt my favourite, i really like deconstructionist architects. I have chosen Foster instead because i feel i can develop a better suited design and get better research details from his designs than from Zaha Hadid, below are some initial images that inspire me. Although many people opt to go with Foster, i have attempted to focus on certain aspects of his designs.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Tutorial 4 - Pre-cast Concrete Panel
precast concrete panels and non structural concrete floor slab resting on a pad footing.Friday, March 28, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
The Carousel Pavillion
The Carousel Pavillion on the Geelong Waterfront was designed by McGlashan Everist Pty Ltd basically to showcase and protect a 19th Century steam carousel. Due to sea spray and chloride deposition the steel was top grade after-fabrication galvanised in all parts of the structure.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Tutorial 1 - Melbourne Central Photos
Overall view of the Melbourne Central Cone. The original design of the Railway station, Shopping centre and Office building were designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa for the Diamaru Department Store, it was then refurbished in 2005 by Ashton Raggatt McDougall after the department store closed in 2002. In now houses a 5 levels of retail, food, bars, and a cinema and entertainment complex, whilst retaining the historic Shot Tower in its centre.
The above image shows an interesting contrast between the historic Shot Tower, built from brick and the modern cone above, constructed of steel and glass. The cone protects and preserves the tower, whilst providing and huge amount of light into such a large space. Although the cone lacks intricacy, such as with the Fed Square Atrium, it still provides practicality and a spectacular sight (when anyone bothers to look up.)
Using a 300mm zoom lense i managed to capture an image of an intrinsic and complex connection that cannot be seen even from the highest level of the building as the top level provides for a closed level occupied by a fitness centre. The various steel elements can be seen interlocking at a set of plates and bolted into the main structural element of the cone. This image provided me with an idea of the connections and engineering involved with the cone that from far appears to be a mundane shape. The construction methods in comparison to the brick tower, which was built in the late 1880's, are an immense progression.
Tutorial 1 - Excellence in Construction Technology
I am a very big fan of "high tech" architectucture and construction produced by the likes of Norman Foster and Zaha Hadid, therefore i sought out a building that displayed an attempt at the "high tech". Living in Melbourne i decided to walk the streets and observe the many buildings of great architectural design. Seeking steel construction, initially the atrium at Federation Square came to mind but i didn't feel it consumed enough of the site to be a major part of the overall site. Therefore, i wondered up to the QV precinct but got a big fat "NO" to taking photos within the Sensis Building (hmmm...Grocon own the whole block and don't allow photography without written proof from a head of department at the University, too tedious) Then across the road i found a building i constantly pass through but don't tend to look up often enough...although design isn't to the highest creative level the construction of the old Diamaru Cone (Now the Melbourne Central Cone) is quite and inspiring sight, and with the historic Shot Tower in the middle it's quite an amazing contrast in technologies.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Welcome to Construction & Structures 2
Welcome to my blog on everything construction. Stay tuned for weekly updates on issues relating to architecture, construction methods, materials and sustainability.
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