Building Construction Project 1 Shelter Report

ARCHITECTURE SEM 3

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 2

SHELTER FOR ONECHAN PIN QI 0314676

LEE JO YEE 0314880

MAHI ABDUL MUHSIN 0314421

DANAR JOVIAN 0314575

TAN SHING YEOU 0314850

TAN ZI JIAN 0318291

A skeletal structure is the basic essence and root of any built structure. It is essential as it provides the support for astructure to stand firm and gives it the strength to support any external loads exerted on it. The right material and system ofconstruction is the key to building a strong skeletal structure. Materials should be appropriate for its function,simultaneously delighting the user with its aesthetics. This project required us to build a ‘Shelter for one’ using recycledmaterials. Materials were to be experimented and used carefully to serve its specific function. As a group, we have utilizeddiscarded wooden planks and pallets for the core structure and used canvas banners as a comfortable back support. As it isdesigned to fit one person in a sitting position, the maximum height is 1.5 m and the base size about 0.75m x 0.75 m. Thecompleted structure needed to be strong enough to sustain at least 60 kg of weight, while being elevated at least 5 inchesoff the ground.

This project has taught us to understand how skeletal structures react under loading and also why they reject loads incertain circumstances. It has established our understanding and ability to manipulate skeletal construction to solve anoblique design problem. We were able to recognize the implications of construction in design, and were able to analyze theissues of strength, stability, stiffness and aesthetics of a built structure.

Our Design for the shelter was gradually improvised during the course of analyzing certain strengths and weaknesses due toproposed materials, stress and strength of joints etc... We thoroughly enjoyed applying what we have learnt in the moduleinto the design through a first hand experience of building it.

DESIGN INSPIRATIONSThe diagonal folds were inspired by the traditional Beach chair,

without an installed base. the absence of the base, required less

materials for the design However, minimizes the amount of load

exerted onto the structure. The design concept was used as

inspiration so as to make a more contemporary structure

compared to rigid box structure.

STRUCTURE MATERIALS

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

PROJECT DETAILS

IDEA DEVELOPMENT

INSPIRATION :

THE BEACH FOLD

PRELIMINARY WORK

THE SHELTER INITIAL IDEA IS INSPIRED BY A BEACH CHAIR WHICH IS FOLDABLE, PORTABLE AND MINIMAL MATERIALS USED TO CONSTRUCT. THE MACHANISM THAT WE EXPLORE IS “X” BRACING THE SUPPORTS THE CHAIR WEIGHT AND THE MAIN STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS OF THE CHAIR.

1st PROPOSED DESIGN 2ND PROPOSED DESIGN

THE CHAIR IS THEN DEVELOPED INTO A SHELTER THAT CONSISTS OF THE COVERED ROOF, SUPPORTING COLUMNS AND FLOOR BEAMS THAT COVERED WITH SLABS.

THE IDEA IS TO REMOVE TWO OF THE FOUR COLUMNS AND ADD IN THE “X” BRACING INSTEAD TO TRANSFER THE ACTING DOWNWARD FORCES TO THE GROUND.

THE IDEA IS FURTHER DEVELOPED BY ADDING IN THE ROLLING MECHANISM OF THE ROOF AND PVC PIPES AS THE FLOOR SLABS.

DIFFERENT KINDS OF JOINTS ARE EXPLORED AND APPLIED IN THE CONNECTION TO ACHIEVE THE “NAILLESS” CONCEPT.

EVOLUTION OF THE DESIGN FROM THE BEACH CHAIR TO THE FIRST PROPOSED DESIGN.

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

DAY 1 : CHOOSING AND COLLECTING MATERIALS

As a group, we scouted around different

workshops and construction areas to obtain the

recycled wood planks that we used for the

design. We managed to secure some timber

planks which were in good quality despite some

pieces having wear and tear due to being

abandoned without usage for months.

Nevertheless, we decided to use them in order to

economize and recycle the disposed wood

panels and put them to good use. The planks

were later smoothened with sand paper

TIMBER AS A WORKING MATERIAL

ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY

timber is not toxic, does not leak chemical vapor into the structure and is safe to handle and touch. It also means

that as timber ages, it does so naturally and doesn’t break down into environmentally damaging materials.

A VERY GOOD INSULATOR

In reducing the amount of energy used to heat and operate the structure, insulation is very important. Timber is

a natural insulator and can reduce energy needs especially when it is used in structure for roof shelter

CONVENIENT TO WORK WITH

Timber is versatile and can be used in a wide variety of ways. Being light, it is easy to install and can be worked

with simple equipment. This greatly reduces the energy needed for construction.


DAY 2 : PREPARING AND CUTTING THE TIMBER


INSTALLATION

THE WOODS ARE MEASURED AND MARKED PRECISELY PRIOR PROCEEDING TO THE CUTTING STAGE IN THE WORKSHOP.

VARIOUS KINDS OF CUTTING MACHINES AND TOOLS HAVE RULES AND SAFETLY REGULATIONS TO BE OBEYED IN ORDER TO KEPT THE USERS SAFETY.


INSTALLATION

DAY 3 : CONSTRUCTION OF THE BASE & VERTICAL SUPPORT,

JOINTS EXPLORATION & APPLICATIONS

HALVING JOINT

The joint is made bycutting two channels thatinterlock and are bondedtogether with adhesives.This type of woodworkjoint is very useful forsupporting or increasingthe strength of two piecesof timber instead of justsimply nailing or screwingthem together.

It consists of two pieces oftimber that have twochannels cut half thethickness of both pieces oftimber to produce a flushinterlocking joint whichallows the two pieces ofwood to pass througheach other.

JOINING THE UPPER FRAME AND LOWER FRAME BY USING THE COLUMNS.

STRONG AND STABLE FRAMES ARE FORMED BY THE HALVING JOINTS WITHOUT ANY NAILS.

WOODEN COLUMNS

FRAMES

CHANNELS THAT INTERLOCK


INSTALLATION

DAY 3 : INSTALLING THE DIAGONAL SUPPORTING STRUCTURES

HALF LAP JOINTS

The diagonal structures wereconstructed In order to allow the forcefrom the roof and the seating platformto be transferred to the ground withoutrisking the entire load to beaccumulated in the vertical columns atthe back.

HOLES THAT CUT IN TO ALLOW PLACEMENT OF THE SLANTED COLUMNS

TESTING AND EXPERIMENTS WERE CARRIED ALONG THE PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THE OUTCOME IS SATISFYING, FOR EXAMPLE WEAK JOINTS AND LOAD TESTING ON A SINGLE PVC PIPE.


INSTALLATION

DAY 3 : INSTALLING THE ROOF STRUCTURES

‘ROLLING CANVAS’ MECHANISM

This mechanism is adopted to allow the roof structure/banner between the vertical post and the upper frame to beadjusted conveniently to the user’s preference. The circular cutting provides a resting position for the wooden postwhile the horizontal cutting allows it to be rolled back and forth, until it reaches the other resting point.

DAY 3 :

INSTALLING THE

FLOOR SLABSRecycled PVC pipes were used as the base/seating as it provided a comfortable and ratherStable materiality. The pipes were trimmed in half and nailed to the wood piece used as the base.

FORCE DIAGRAMS

THE DIAGRAMS EXPLAIN THE PATH OF THE FORCES WHICH ARE APPLIED AND EXERTED ON EACH COLUMN, PLANK AND BRACE. THECHARACTERISTICS OF THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURES ARE AS FOLLOWS;

- to provide support from the base and diagonal columns against the downward weight of the user- the diagonal structures are again supported by 2 other vertical columns at the back of the structure- 4 wooden planks are used as a square frame on the base and roof structure to aid the ‘x’ shape structures on either sides

FORCE DIAGRAM

THE DESIGN

EVALUATIONthe shelter showed no signs of breakage or collapsing during load testing. the structure is rigid and the strength is still maintained even after frequent usage over a reasonable period of time. the success of the strength is due to;

1) STRONG JOINTSProper research and experimentation was done in order to use the most appropriate and smart joint to support the columns. Length,

2)STRONG MATERIALITYRecycled pallet wood is used for the main base and seat structures due to its strong durablity and strength . It provides strong compression and tensile forces against the load exerted on the structure.

3)MATERIAL FOLLOWING FUNCTIONPallet wood is used for horizontal structures due to their wider dimensions while timber planks are used for the supporting structures. The supporting structures require more strength as it holds the whole structure together.

DIRECTIONS AND DISTRIBUTION OF FORCES BY THE SKELETAL SYSTEM

ACTING FORCES

INSTALLATION PROCESS

OVER VIEW

At the outset, measurements of the wood pieceswere Precisely taken. The location and depth ofthe joints were then carefully analyzed andtrimmed accordingly, and the first base channelsare constructed.

An identical framing is then constructed for theroofing, however with a more distinct cutting. Thecutting for the roofing contains a rolling section forthe roof banner. The bottom framing does notcontain this cutting as it requires more strength forthe exerted load, which is not needed for the roofframing.

Two vertical support columns are then constructed and attached to the two frames. These structures are the main support of the shelter.

The two diagonal section of the ‘X’ bracing is then added totransfer the remaining force from the upper frame and floor slabsto the ground.Although the basic idea was to use trimmed jointmethods for attachment, the diagonal columns were also nailedinorder to provide extra strength.

6 pvc pipes are then installed to the baseframing as the seating platform, and abanner is attached to the top framing as ashading tool.

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CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

THE DESIGN

The rolling mechanism for theroof is inspired by the roundtenon and mortise joint. theidea was improvised into alongitudinal section to createan adjustable and convenientshading device on top.

6 pieces of carefully trimmed PVCpipes were used as the floor slabs.the pipes were nailed to the baseframing on either ends.

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ROUND TENON & MORTISE JOINTS

HALF-LAP JOINTS

CROSS-HALVING JOINTS

PVC LAP JOINTS

The structure is built to provide a safe and comfortable shelter for the user and provide resistance to outdoor weather ( sunlight, rain etc..) The adjustable roof provides shading in different intensities of daylight and directs rainwater away from the shelter.

ADAPTATION TO EXTERNAL FACTORS

TESTING

LOAD TESTING

One piece of pipe can carry the weight of 60kg

In conclusion, we haddeveloped a deeperunderstanding on the skeletalstructure . Throughout theprocess of constructing theshelter, we had learnt thecooperation between thedesign and the skeletalstructure in order to supportload.

By analysing the issue ofstrength, stiffness, and stabilityof structures, we got to knowthe suitability of each joint fordifferent part of the shelterwhich bear different load. Welearnt how important is thebuilding construction applied inarchitectural design which helpthe building to sustain in alonger lifespan.

Sunrays is blocked by the shading above.

The material used for the roof is the water-repellent recycled banner.

It can withstand the load of three individuals which is roughly 180 kgs.