Portfolio - Building Construction 2 [ARC 2513]

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE. BUILDING. DESIGN

Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia (MASSA) Research Unit

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)

Project 1: Understanding Forces in Skeletal Structure

This is my first project in this subject. This project is a group project of six persons. The tasks that we had to do for this project are to construct model of a tower by using popsicle stick, toothpick, thread, pins and a base of A5 size. The requirement of this project are we are not allow to use glue and the height of the tower must not be more than 30cm and must not exceed 100 pieces of popsicle stick. The purpose of doing this project is show how a load applied to a structure will work and also the joint of the structure members. 

Firstly, we worked on two methods which is interlocking the popsicle stick and another one is using toothpick to penetrate it through the popsicle stick and then tied with thread. After finished doing the model, we went to test it with some loads, in the end, it only can withstand 35kg. After some discussion with my groupmates, we found that there is problem is connecting the upper component which will cause the load transfers to sideway. Since load is tranfers vertically downward, so we decided to connect the vertical member end to end to each others and used toothpick and thread to strengthen it as well as added diagonal bracing to it which to overcome its shear force.

My groupmates and me were in the process of doing the model

This is our model final looks!!

Our model can withstand 137.5kg!! 

After the model was finished tested, we had to do a report of it. We had went through some discussion with out tutor, she suggested that we can test our model again until it breaks. So, we went though another testing it. In the end, we found that actually our model can withstand 176.5kg until it broke. 

Heng yee was putting the loads on it.

When up to 176.5kg, our model finally couldn't withstand the force of the load on top. So, it breaks. 

This is my report:

In this final project, I did learnt a lot of things. I understand how a skeletal reacts under loading which can apply construction system in design. It allows me to demonstrate my understanding and knowledge of how skeletal construction works. I also allow me to analyse the issues of strength, stiffness and stability of structures including modes of structural systems, forces, stress and strain and law of static. Lastly, I want to thanks my tutor who helped us a lot in this project and guided us step by step on how to improve our model and also whenever we met any difficulties and problems in doing our project or the understanding of the lectures.

Project 2: Understanding Forces in Solid Structure and Surface Structure

This project is also a group project of seven persons and consists of an individual part. The tasks that we had to do for this project is to proposed a building either solid construction or surface construction and identify the different types of structural systems used in the construction of the building. In the end, we had to produce a model showing the different structural system used in the building with suitable scale and materials. After a series discussions with my groupmates, we had chosen St. Paulo Church by Fuksas to work on.

 Our final model!!!

This is our booklet:

For the individual part, I had chosen roof construction to work on. During the process of doing the model, I had learnt the construction detail of the roof. So, it ease my work in doing the detail drawing of the roof construction.

Throughout the process of this assignment, it lets me learnt what is the difference between solid and surface construction systems in terms of loads and forces acting on structural elements and also identifications of basics structural systems in concrtuction. Besides, I really realised that team work and communication are very important. I really want to thanks to my group mates and I appreciate a lot during the process of completing this assignment.