INTD 51 sustainable environments

construction methods

construction methods

the choice of construction methods will affect a project’s environmental impact

the way materials are combined & fixed together can contribute to climate change, resource depletion, waste, health issues & water scarcity

EXAMPLES:•construction that does not work with strengths of materials used is wasteful•poorly thought-out construction not using standard modules wastes off-cuts & energy•others?

approaching sustainable construction

prime considerations:•enhancing thermal performance•minimizing energy use on-site•using materials effectively•designing out waste•promoting health•limiting water use on site

consider modern methods as well as traditional techniques

the approach for construction should suit project type—temporary, flexible, long-term

approaching sustainable construction

temporary—constructed with a view to deconstruction: avoid binding mixed materials; simple joints—avoid adhesive; ensure ease of transport, install & dismantling

flexible—reconfigurable furniture/shelving, movable partitions; robust construction to avoid damage from frequent modifications

long-term—durable construction; easily-replaced components; strong mechanical connectors instead of adhesives

reduce

appropriate construction methods can help reduce raw materials, waste, energy & water use and air pollution

•insulation•exposed thermal mass•efficient structures•honest materials•lightweight partition construction•prefab doorsets, staircases, bathroom & kitchen pods •design to suit standard modules (gypsum)

reuse

•keep all or part of existing building•upgrade/update thermal performance•reuse basic construction•source reclaimed construction materials

recycle

attachment method must be considered—ensure materials can be easily dismantled into component parts for recycling

a building is the relationship of its many parts

a building is the result of:•meeting a need•the design process•the application of current technology•material & construction methods•actual construction process

the design of a building involves the utilization of space and all the factors that go with it:

•cost•physical requirements•psychological requirements•activities expected to occur•use of materials•energy efficiency•economic utilization of space

http://www.metropolismag.com/story/20080917/green-architectures-grand-experiment-part-1-the-building

as space considerations are studied a variety of concepts are explored:

•relationship between spaces and activities•reasonable distances of travel•traffic flow•safety and comfort•accessibility•services such as stairs, elevators, restrooms, facilities and security•color, texture & decoration•building codes

decisions about the type of structural frame are based on many factors:

•cost•availability•load-carrying capability•appearance•ease of erection•usable life & span

http://www.metropolismag.com/story/20100512/big-idea-small-package

foundation and walls

material used for foundationand walls must resist compressive and horizontal forces

•compressive forces—due to weight of floors, building contents, and roof

foundation and walls

•horizontal forces—due to wind, subsurface water, soil, and earthquakes

foundation and walls

must rest on a “footing”—a base that resists the vertical forces imposed on it by the wall

columns

slender, vertical support used to carry the weight of materials placed above it

columns

•subject to the same vertical compressive forces and horizontal forces as walls

columns

spacing between columns is regulated by their capacity to carry the imposed load & the capacity of the horizontal member to carry required loads

columns

•columns can be masonry, steel, wood, or concrete

arches

•curved structural construction that spans an opening between two points•two types: block & rigid

arches

block—brick and stone•carry only the forces that cause the stones to compress tightly together•usually made from wedge-shaped blocks called voussoirs

arches

rigid—•concrete, steel or laminated wood•made from continuous curved, rigid material

beams

•structural member used to carry transverse loads•typically supported by the foundation, piers or columns

beams

•can be fabricated from concrete, wood or steel

trusses

structural unit composed of assembled members that utilize a triangular arrangement to produce a rigid framework

trusses

•structural unit composed of assembled members that utilize a triangular arrangement to produce a rigid framework•made from wood or steel

trusses

•commonly used toform structure for floors and roofs•span long distances

structural frames

•wood frame•metal light frame•heavy timber frame•solid masonry•pre-engineered steel frame•cast-in-place concrete•pre-cast concrete•tilt-up construction•tension fabric structure

structural frames

wood frame•most commonly used for residential work•typically enclosed with brick, wood, hardboard, plywood, vinyl, or aluminum siding

structural frames

metal light frame•finding increasing use in residential construction•widely used in commercial construction•acceptance is increasing as quality wood supply decreases

structural frames

heavy timber frame•often called post-and-beam•use solid wood or laminated wood columns and beams

structural frames

solid masonry•find some use in residential construction•extensive use in small commercial buildings

structural frames

solid masonry•the exterior wall encloses the structure and supports the floor and roof

structural framessolid masonry

structural frames

pre-engineered steel frame•used for small commercial buildings•multi-story buildingsuse steel girderswhich are supportedby steel columns

structural framespre-engineered steel frame

•use steel columns with various types of trusses, joists and beams

structural frames

cast-in-place concrete•takes various forms

structural framescast-in-place concrete

•takes various forms•the structural frame is formed

structural frames

cast-in-place concrete•takes various forms•the structural frame is formed•reinforcing steel is placed in the form

structural frames

cast-in-place concrete•the concrete is poured•the forms are stripped off when concrete sets

structural frames

pre-cast concrete•cast in a plant under carefully controlled conditions•shipped to a construction site•lifted into placewith a crane

structural frames

tilt-up construction•structural wall panels are cast in a horizontal position•then tilted into position with a crane

structural frames

tension fabric structure•unusual structure used to enclose large areas•specialty fabric is supported by steel cables, posts, rigid arches and beams

enclosing walls

•must provide access into the building and for the admission of natural light and ventilation•materials used for enclosures include clay, glass, plastic, concrete, stone, metal & wood

enclosing walls

clay products include brick and tile•strong and highly weather resistant

enclosing walls

•concrete products include stucco and various pre-cast concrete wall panels

enclosing walls

•stone wall panels or veneers are used extensively to finish exterior walls

enclosing walls

•glass products are used in windows and curtain wall panels

enclosing walls

•plastic wall panels are used in the same manner as glass but are much lighter than glass

enclosing walls

•metal wall panels are available in aluminum alloy, galvanized, or aluminum steel spandrels

enclosing walls

•wood enclosure products include solid wood siding, plywood and hardboard•are available in a variety of designs and textures•finished by staining or painting

ceiling construction

•typically attach gypsum board/sheetrock to rafters

ceiling construction

•accoustical properties

ceiling construction

•architectural details

window types

window types

window types

energy efficiency• low-e• double paned• high solar gain

door types

door types

door types

door types

stair construction

stair construction

stair construction

binder assignment:Section 7—Construction Techniques

Create an overview of the elements of your structure and how they will be constructed. Include an image and description for each of the following categories:

•Floor construction, Finish flooring/Floor coverings •Wall construction, Wall finishes/wall coverings•Ceiling construction, Ceiling finishes•Window types•Door types•Stair construction