Final Posters

Final Posters

concrete construction

This is just an image i took on the way to uni today of the concrete multi-store complex i went on a site visit to earlier in the month. (sorry about the blurriness, it was an action shot!) It is interesting to see how the construction has progressed since i last saw it, but im not sure if i'm a fan of the rock climbing wall extension (the little shed on top), its seems a little oddly placed.

The Globe Building, Torquay

Globe facade. This building is constructed using concrete slabs, with a timber cladding. The central columns are constructed of concrete, but most likely have steel running through the centre, due to their odd angle, and concrete's tendancy to weaken and buckle under tensile loads. They are connected to a steel beam. Window to wall connection
Corner Window Connection Concrete attached column and beam system to help disperse loads

These steel connections assist in transferring the loads from the concrete floor slab into the walls below

I really like this building due to its innovative use of timber as a facade to make it more appealing. Also, the unsupported window corners are aesthetically pleasing, but also are effective as they assist the function of the building- a retail store, as it allows an unobstructed view.

Article-Modern times, modern methods

Constructing the Future
Issue 23 February 2005

This article discusses the new developments being acheived through off-site, prefabricated manufacture of construction materials.

Methods on concrete construction techniques such as Tunnelform and Crosswall construction have become a more populare method of concrete construction.
Using these methods, producing structures are low on labour, and highly mechanised so that they perfom well and are durable

Tunnelform construction involves (using in-situ concrete) pouring the concrete into two half tunnel shapes that together form the walls and the ceilings of a space.

Also, new methods have sought to achieve a more energy efficient way of construction. One method is to make spaces heavily insulated and more air tight. However, this article disputes that there is a danger of overheating the space during hotter months. To prevent this, the article suggests maxamising a buildings thermal mass, using concrete as a practical way of introducing it into a building.

Contructing members off-site can improve the quality and the efficiency of building construction, by reducing the number of activities performed on site, and producing the members in a more isolated environment.
Also, methods have been developed so that the contractor can simply prepare the grounds for the building's componenets, and even the footings can been constructed off site.

All in all this promotes a more efficient, and (hopefully) more durable structural members. However, i wonder how many jobs of on site labourers will be lost to the machine?

Site Visit Three (20/05/07) -North East Wall

Here you can see 'C' purlins running along the face of the building, with bracing running perpendicular to it. You can also faintly see safety mesh running over the purlins. The large overhang is most probably there to provide shade, but also could be purely aesthetic.

Here you can see the diagonal cross bracing running at 45 degrees from one column to another, to provide resistance against lateral forces. Also the insulation is visible on the underside of the roof.

Site visit three (20/05/07)-Overall View

This is an overall view of the construction so far from the North East side. From this view you can clearly see the structural steel framing, and prefabricated concrete slab divides.