CONSTRUCTING ENVIRONMENTS:

STUDIO JOURNAL WEEK 1

S T U D E N T N O . 6 3 6 6 6 5

S E M E S T E R 2 2 0 1 3

B Y S E G U J J A K A K E M B O

ACTIVITY TASK: TOWER CONSTRUCTION

The tower construction task in this week’s tutorial

provoked us to generate a ‘construction system’ and

design ideas while abiding by the guidelines of the

brief and its requirements.

Wood block tower

(2011)

BREAKDOWN OF OUR GROUP ‘CONSTRUCTION

SYSTEM’ EMPLOYED

First created a solid outer structure, the three walls of the tower, using a brick

laying method of building the blocks.

Two side walls

Back wall

BREAKDOWN OF OUR GROUP ‘CONSTRUCTION

SYSTEM’ EMPLOYED

The structure of the roof was achieved through ‘trial and error’ until we

settled upon using two rubber bands to hold 6-8 blocks per beam.

The rubber bands were essential in the making of the roof as they allowed

the blocks to be suspended over the walls preventing collapse.

Two rubber bands per

beam used for

compression, hence

suspending the roof.

BREAKDOWN OF OUR GROUP ‘CONSTRUCTION

SYSTEM’ EMPLOYED

We continued to extend the

tower over the roof

(continuing the previous

walls) which technically

transformed the roof into a

floor.

Continuation of wall on

top of roof

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TWO WALL STRUCTURE

The roof was now situated between two walls on opposing ends

epitomising the concept of compression.

This was the most fundamental component of our structural design as we

had fulfilled the aim of the task by directly applying compression to the

roof from opposite ends providing reinforcement. This is called uniaxial

compression.

The roof is situated

between the two

directly opposed walls.

Observation: Two

directly opposed walls

apply compression to

the roof stabilising and

allowing it to support

weight (water bottle).

The red arrows display

that this is uniaxial

compression.

Uniaxial compression diagram.

ALL GROUPS TOWERS

It is apparent these structures did

not involve uniaxial compression, in

terms of the roof, as the roofs of

each tower are placed upon the

walls with no continuation of mass

on top.

EFFICIENCY OF MATERIAL

The blocks although seemingly unstable worked efficiently in supporting

direct weight when constructed in a stable tower like form.

However distributed weight implied would most probably have led to the

collapse of many of the groups towers.

Without the rubber bands the roofs would not have been able to be

constructed which can be a constriction as it leaves very little room for

design alternatives.

NOTE ON THE ROOF STRUCTURE

Although our roof served quite efficiently under directly applied weight

(due to uniaxial compression from the walls) it could have been

strengthened by the use of more rubber bands forming a raft like

structure, similar to the roof below (of one of the groups towers).

Multiple rubber bands help support

a raft like solid structure.

WHAT IS DEFORMATION?

Defined as “The act or process of deforming” (2013) under the dictionary which does not give us much of an idea of what it is.

However its definition under the label of Physics is “An alteration of shape, as by pressure or stress” (2013).

This second definition can be expanded upon in the field of construction as it mentions and directly labels the structures involved in deformation.

Uniaxial compression tests use the measurement of deformation of the specimens in order to test compressive strength (2013).

Hence compression and deformation are closely related aspects.

REFERENCES

Farlex 2013, The Free Dictionary, Pennsylvania viewed 5 August 2013,

<http://www.thefreedictionary.com/deformation>

O Sokalska, Dreamtime, Ukraine viewed 7 August 2013,

<http://www.dreamstime.com/anele77_info>

SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden 2013, SP Technical Research

Institute of Sweden, Sweden viewed 7 August 2013,

<http://www.lib.unimelb.edu.au/recite/citations/harvard/ref241-

elecSourceWebsite.html?style=2&type=4&detail=1>