Building Structure (ARC2523)

Project 1: Fettuccine Truss Bridge

Truss is a structure built up of three or more members which are normally considered being pinned and hinged at the joints. The following figure shows different types of trusses. Load applied to the truss is transmitted to joint so that each individual members are in either pure tension or compression.
In group of 5, we are required to build a bridge using fettuccine with self load not more than 300g.

Objectives

1. To develop student’s understanding of tension and compressive strength of construction materials
2. To develop student’s understanding of force distribution in a truss
3. To design a perfect truss bridge which fulfils the following criterias:
     -High level of aesthetic value
     -Minimal construction material

Learning Outcomes

1. Able to evaluate, explore and improve attributes of construction materials
2. Explore and apply understanding of load distribution in a truss
3. Able to evaluate and identify tension and compression members in a truss structure
4. Explore different arrangement of members in a truss structure

Through this assignment, I've learnt to have good time management to have meeting with my team mates and come out with so many prototype and testing product of fettuccine bridge. Besides that, my team mate and I are also able to built fettuccine in fastest time as we've already done it for few times after the first try. More over, I've also learnt to construct using minimum material that can carry more load where it is a fettuccine with high efficiency.

Project 2: Extension of a R.C. bungalow.

The project is an integrated component where it involves structural theory, force calculation and basic structural proposal. This project is designed to allow the demonstration of knowledge and understanding of building structure.
The assignments is divided into two parts, first part should be done in a group while the second part is an individual work.

Objectives

1. To introduce the basic process of building structures design process to the students.
2. To enable the students to have a holistic experience including Concept and Structure Layout Design, Building Structure Engineering Considerations, Structure Members Sizing and Calculations, Final Report and Presentation.

Part 1: Group work

Working in a group of 8 members, we are to obtain floor plan of a maximum 3 storeys bungalow, preferably 2 storeys. We are required to carry out structural framing and prepare structural drawings for the bungalow. Structural plans should include foundation plan, ground floor plan, first floor plan and roof plan.

Part 2: Individual

We are to propose an extension work to the bungalow that meet the following criteria,
     a. The area of extension should not exceed 30% of the existing floor area (max 100m2 each floor)
     b. The extension should be sideway.
     c. The extension should be of two storeys (foundation plan, ground and first floor plan and roof plan).
2. Frame the extension by using appropriate structural members i.e. columns, beams, slabs, or trusses.
3. Identify and quantify the load acting on the structure.
4. Then followed by calculations.

Learning Outcomes

1. Produce a complete documentation on structural system of a case study
2. Explore and understand the concept of structural analysis
3. Identification of structural components
4. Recognize, Execute and implement basic procedures of building structure design
5. Produce a structural proposal

Through this assignment, I've learnt to have good time management to have meeting with my team mates and come out with a report that consist of analysis, drawings and structural details. Besides, I've also learn the placement of beam and column then calculate their live load, dead load and UDL of it.