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.

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.

Detail Research

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

More Research Images

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.

Tutorial 4 - Pre-cast Concrete Panel

precast concrete panels and non structural concrete floor slab resting on a pad footing.