Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Intro to Structures
Structures in Nature Manmade Structures Industrialized Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

"There is nothing new under the sun"

This does not mean that everything has been built already but that the principle behind the design already exists.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Structures in Nature
Natural structures can be divided into three categories: Structure in Plants Structure of Animals Structures that Animals Build

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Structure in Plants
If you look closely at a leaf you can see how the main rib tapers from the base, the point where the whole weight of the leaf is borne from. The other ribs spring from the centre rib in a regular pattern and taper from the centre to the edge. The whole leaf can be looked at as the way nature has evolved a mechanically sound structure that elegantly performs its desired functions in the conditions in which it grows. A leaf is a perfect example of a lightweight structure in nature.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

If you look closely at the head of the sunflower you will see that the seeds are arranged so that a pattern is formed by spirals winding out from the centre. If you examine the head in greater detail you will notice double spiraling. This is where two opposite sets of rotating spirals are formed by the arrangement of the individual florets in the head of the flower.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Structure of Animals.
The image opposite illustrates the structure of an insects eye, which is composed of many parts and all these parts have to be held together and supported. This is done by a geodesic dome grid on the outside surface of the eye which by its nature takes the shape of a hemisphere. The whole structural framework of the domed grid is held firmly in position and this in turn provides a stiff and strong support for the cornea. This enables the insects eye to function efficiently. The concept behind the geodesic domes which Buckminster Fuller designed are the very same as the structure of an insects eye.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

The body structure of animals is a system of balanced beams and masses. Animals bodies therefore must be balanced otherwise they would fall over due to the pull of gravity.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Structures that Animals Build

Insects and animals play a more active role in the building of their homes. The web of the spider, the dam or lodge of a beaver or the structure of the termite are designed in such a manner so as to support the creatures activities.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Magnetic Termite Mound in Australia These termite mounds in Australia are aligned north-to-south as a means of temperature control.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Spider web

The spiders web is one of the most fascinating and interesting of structures constructed by animals. Although it may appear at a glance to be randomly constructed it follows a basic pattern.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Spiders webs have been proven to be so resilient that in tests the web of the Nephila spider was capable of repelling a moving bullet.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

 By examining structures in nature we can see where the principle exists and see how these principles are incorporated in structures today.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Manmade Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Structures have developed gradually over time but there were two main factors that affected the development of structures:The availability of tools for cutting and shaping. During the stone age stone axes and flints were used to cut the wood but due to the nature of the tools methods of jointing were limited. With the advent of the Bronze and the Iron Age new materials were available and therefore improved tools. Methods of construction and building techniques. As peoples needs changed so to did their building techniques. With the improvement in the different types of tools that were available they was also a development in the methods of construction, such as improved jointing techniques.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

As these two factors changed over time, so to did the type of structure that were being constructed. We will take the example of timber and trace its development in the use of construction.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Early structures such as this circular hut were constructed form branches and stakes and they were jointed at the apex using strips of bark. No tool were required in the construction of such a hut.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

With the development of tools such as stone flints, basic jointing started to occur. It evolved from being tied as above to the use of natural forks and finally basic shaping and jointing.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Frames started to change shape and developments started to occur not only in the jointing but also in the foundations.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Structural members started to become more square in section and more elaborate jointing such as halving and mortise and tenon joints were developed.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

As structures developed separate framing was used for the walls and the roof. From the detail of the jointing system it can be seen that more elaborate joints were used. this was a result of the fact that tools also improved.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Colosseum

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

One thing we have to keep in mind when comparing natural and manmade structures is that nature uses live materials while man uses passive ones and the two do not always behave in the same manner.

Industrialized Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Northern Pacific Railroad Bridge, 1872

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 1 Intro to Structures

Construction and Materials

Construction and Materials

Major Types of Materials for Building Construction Criteria for Selecting and Using a Building Material

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Major Types of Materials for Building Construction

Earth Plants Metal Composite

Raw Materials Mud Stone Lime Industrial Materials Brick Cement Block Glass

Trees/Woods Straw

Lumber Board Laminated Wood Plywood Board

Iron Steel Aluminium

Reinforced Concrete Fabric Structures Membrane

Timber

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Boards

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Steel

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Stones

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Bricks

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Concrete

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Criteria for Selecting and Using a Building Material

Material for Structural Purposes
Elasticity and Stiffness Dimensional Stability

Material for Partitioning or Finishing

Water Resistance Thermal Conductivity Transmission, Reflection or Absorption Density Combustion Design Scheme Standard Shapes and Sizes

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Material for structural purposes

Each Material has different properties of strength, elasticity, and stiffness. The most effective structural materials are those that combine elasticity with stiffness.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Elasticity
Elasticity is the ability of a material to deform under stress bend, stretch or compress and return to its original shape when the applied stress is removed. Every material has its elastic limit beyond which it will permanently deform or break.
Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Termed Ductile
Materials that undergo plastic deformation before actually breaking are termed ductile.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Brittle materials
Brittle materials, on the other hand, have low elastic limits and rupture under loads with little visible deformation. Because brittle materials have less reserve strength that ductile materials, the are not as suitable for structural purposes.
Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Stiffness
Stiffness is a measure of the force required to push or pull a material to its elastic limit. A materials stiffness, along with the stiffness of its cross-sectional shape, are important factors when considering the relationship between span and deflection under loading.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Dimensional Stability
The dimensional stability of a material as it responds to changes in temperature and moisture content affects the manner in which it is detailed and constructed to join with other materials.
Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Water Resistance
The resistance of a material to water and water vapor is an important consideration when it is exposed to weather or used in moist environments.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Thermal Conductivity
The thermal conductivity or resistance of a material must be assessed when it is used in constructing the exterior envelope of a building.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Transmission, Reflection or Absorption

A materials transmission, reflection, or absorption of visible light and radiant heat should be evaluated when the material is used to finish the surfaces of a room.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Density
The density or hardness of a material determines its resistance to wear and abrasion, its durability in use, and the costs required to maintain it.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Combustion
The ability of a material to resist combustion, withstand exposure to fire, and not produce smoke and toxic gases, must be evaluated before using it as a structural member or an interior finish.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Design Scheme
The color, texture, and scale of a material are obvious considerations in evaluating how it fits within the overall design scheme.

Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

Standard Shapes and Sizes

Many building materials are manufactured in standard shapes and sizes, These stock dimensions, however, may vary slightly from one manufacture to the next. They should be verified in the planning and design phases of a building so that unnecessary cutting or wasting of material can be minimized during construction.
Building Construction and Technology 2

Lecture 2 Construction and Materials

End