Public Building and Its Construction Components - Coursework Example

Table of Contents 1.0.Introduction 1 2.0.State of Building envelope 2 2.1.Barrier Wall 2 2.1.1.Figure 1: Bentall barrier wall 3 2.1.2.Figure 2: Structure showing fenestration considerations 5 3.0.Sustainability issues 6 3.1.Figure 3: Bentall Centre 6 4.0.Performance efficiency 8 5.0.Structural condition 11 5.1. Figure 4: Bentall Centre entrance 11 5.2. Figure 5: adopted from Ministry of Home Affairs of India 12 6.0.Conclusion 13 7.0.References 14 1.0. Introduction This paper takes a survey on a public building and identifies Bentall Centre, Kingston with a view to critically assessing it construction components. In so doing, there will be analysis of its design and construction. As noted, the shopping mall is one of the outstanding public buildings in England with branches located in Kingston upon Thames, Berkshire, London and Bracknell. The building that has flagship Bentalls store located at the north end has the historic façade of the ancient Bentalls situated at the Southwest corner. As noted by Evans et al. (1998), the construction of this building started around 1867 which was then regarded as ‘county’ department starting as a drapery shop under efforts made by Frank Bentall. In addition, the principal building of what could be regarded as Kingston store was completed around 1935 with Maurice Web as the chief architect (El-haram et al., 2003). However, it was not until 1987 when modern constructions of what can currently be seen started. This process saw the establishment of modern structures alongside what had been started by Maurice Web to include a six level department store not to mention a four level adjoining shopping centre. 2.0. State of Building envelope From a general observation, the basic purpose of Bentall Centre, Kingston’s envelope or enclosure is to protect the interior spaces or otherwise covered areas. This fundamental shelter is as old as the building itself though due to evolved technologies, there are aspects of advancement in what has been presented in the building. This has been accelerated due to the acts of terrorism as well as recent emphasis on blast-resistant wall systems thus integrating a wide range of materials systems and components into its building enclosure. Breaking these aspects, Bentall Centre, Kingston has the following state of envelope: 2.1. Barrier Wall This is the state of its exterior wall system that has been designed principally to work during the weather-tight integrity of its outermost exterior wall so as to wade off rainwater from penetrating and to some extent, moisture ingress. A good view of the barrier wall can be located at the wall adjacent to the escalator which has been constructed with this wall thus travelling from the ground floor to the second. To make it even interesting is the inclusion of End-Dam designed to stop rainwater collected by a through-wall flashing system entering the dry zone of its exterior wall system. The picture below is a representation of Barrier wall designed on either ends of the building as located in the Apple department. To the left is the wall the where the escalator is located. 2.1.1. Figure 1: Bentall barrier wall Though not ascertained from physical surveying, a research on this indicates that architectures used a unique concrete spandrel panels and solid metal plate exterior cladding systems for the wall (Hawe et al. 2002). Though it has been documented as cost-effective and effective to mass walls assemblies and cavity, further observation on these walls as used in Bentall Centre shows some concern. First, there are relatively complicated interface details that have been integrated thus requiring workmanship in case one has to adopt such walls in future constructions. Secondly, it has been noted that this wall can only offer single line of defence when it comes to bulk rainwater. In as much, these are not points to argue against fitness for purpose, comfort and delight but a point of concern as far as choice of wall barriers are concerned. Secondly, it has to be noted that Bentall Centre, Kingston is a multi-functional building that needs basic architectural units for its success. Therefore in this regard, the envelope has been designed to serve a number of functions. For instance, the wall facing Norwich Union has been designed to act as a barrier between its interior and exterior environment since it serves the purpose of moisture, heat, static and dynamic loads. Therefore the enclosure control and support these loads. Though scholars such as Claesson (2003) have heavily criticised its keyhole shape arguing that its wall designs raise issues related to adverse weather conditions and terrorism attacks, the opposite end of the main entrance serves the purpose and argues against Claesson’s. Further to this, Burnett and Straube give a comprehensive analysis of what a structure should have to be regarded as a building with stable envelope (Ditlevsen and Madsen, 1996). As a matter of fact, considering building envelope components that are essential, fenestration---skylight and windows that the building is made of has become the largest envelope components because they have greater losses and gains of heat than roofs and walls combined. The figure below shows an example of the consideration of fenestration through the structure. Some of the issues they consider in the image below include; a. Support b. Finish (aesthetics) c. Control and d. Distribution of services 2.1.2. Figure 2: Structure showing fenestration considerations To this regard, Bentall Center qualifies as a building with a good state of envelope. 3.0. Sustainability issues In surveying Bentall Centre to ascertain its structural sustainability, the areas that have been covered were concerned with uncertainty related to its physical variability and structural features of its daily activities or loads. The analysis shows that in general, the building has the capability of meeting more than one performance criterion at a given time and in so doing, the following areas have been ascertained. First is the analysis of the features of its performance in all aspects of relative humidity of air and air exchange at the surface around the glaze pane of its windows. Though it was not possible to calculate different internal and external loads or for its different structural parameters to ascertain actual sustainability, physical presentations of its glaze pane of its windows, especially when the centre was given redevelopments to include the big units for H&M and Zara whose glaze pane of its windows show sustainability. 3.1. Figure 3: Bentall Centre Secondly, assessing the probability of its failure was the other option considered to ascertain the sustainability. Basing on the components of its envelope as discussed earlier, it is worth concluding that the building and its systems can contain both internal and external climate requirements thus meeting one aspect of sustainability. In that regard, it is possible to also quantify that the components of this building meet the serviceability or durability that may be required from time to time as a result of its usage, technological demands or environmental conditions. However, the survey of Bentall Centre reveals that the building has been requiring periodic upgrades and maintenance. To this regard, it can be concluded, from the perspective of sustainability that the condition under which this building operates, as well as its properties it is comparatively uncertain to predict. Another aspect of sustainability that can be linked to this structure is its architectural design and heat transfer roofing system. Though this can be argued as a point on its comfort, the sustainability part of this is the fact that unlike ordinary roofing, the glass roofing has been designed in a manner that it transfers heat by using the installed emittance and reflectance. As a matter of fact, the designer called its roof “cool roof” because of its favourable surface characteristics thus enabling to sustain all weather conditions especially on the last floor fitted with gym equipment (Johnson, 2004). In addition, the roofs are sustainable in the sense that they have two key features; first, there is high solar reflectance meaning that solar radiation is reflected instead of being absorbed by the surface of the roof. In conclusion, the impact the activities at this building has on environment is taken seriously. For instance, the building is fitted with the convection boilers with high technical condensers thus providing more efficiency in terms of energy consumption. This also works closely with the available energy management strategy that ensures there is constant ways in which the entire building conserves energy. For instance, at the back where packing is located, lightings are used when they are required. This is has been facilitated by motion-sensitive lighting systems at some points of the roof and at car parks A and B which are able to switch on and off automatically or when needed. Other elements that have been designed for efficiency include: a. Escalators and lifts fitted with gadgets to check of energy efficiency b. Environmentally-sensitive items are used the cleaning teams c. There are new constructions projects like facelift user for Clarence Street which has been planned sustainably 4.0. Performance efficiency Though much of efficiency of the building in terms of its performance can be attributed to its energy usage, there are other essential elements that make the general performance of the building efficient. Beginning with performance efficiency of its energy, understanding this term follows the definition by Hand Book on Non-Destructive Testing of Concrete (2004). It rads, “a building is assumed to be energy efficient when they are designed with the ability to provide considerable reduction of the energy requirement for cooling and heating, independent of the energy and of the tools that will be chosen to cool or heat the same building” (p. 362). Therefore basing on this definition, Bental Centre has the following architectural designs to ensure energy performance efficiency: a. The installation of efficiently performing building envelope: this has been made possible layers of insulation, air-sealed construction, good glazing and avoidance of thermal bridges b. Presence of bioclimatic architecture: looking at the structure of this building from outside, it portrays a shape and orientation that is solar protective and passive of solar systems c. Presence of high performing controlled ventilations which have been achieved through mechanical insulation In summary of the above statement, the diagram below has been adopted to help explain the applicability of energy performance in the building. Source: Southeast Center for Prevention Technologies (The trias Energetica Concept) Nearly all architectural designs in this building are performance oriented. Against the tradition where most structures have been designed to only meet serviceability and failure level, structures in this case have been oriented to perform with little chance for damage. Guide for Evaluation of Concrete Structures (2008) argue that for a structure to be considered as performing, it must first of all be able to fit for purpose where such structures maintain deflections that are below a level that would be niggling to supported systems or occupants. Therefore Guide for Evaluation of Concrete Structures reveals that structures in this building have been designed such that in a given expected loading, they give an acceptable level or margin against the failure state. According to Vision 2000 document, a building is considered to be performance efficient when it effectively meets the intended occupancy and uses. Connecting this with the survey result of Bentall Centre, the building has been equipped by earthquake sustaining elements that provide minimal chances of exposing users to event of earthquakes and in case it happens, the occupants of the building will not be burdened with repairs or loss of properties. This is also gives a reason why this building can be regarded as fit for purpose structure. Therefore on the basis of performance efficiency, the evaluation consisted of a structural analysis based on computed demands on building elements and this compared against a given acceptance criteria given for each of the various performance levels. Another aspect that ensures performance efficiency of this structure is its air tightness. In situations where a building has uncontrolled flow of moisture, air through certain cracks and gaps (exfiltration, infiltration or draughts) makes the occupancy of operation of the building challenging. However, to ensure efficiency of the operation, Bentall Centre has controlled these aspects especially in store rooms where such air and moisture could affect goods. As explained by Guidelines for Assessment of Strength and Performance (2009), when rooms are made to be air tight, the rate of maintaining such building also reduces significantly. In so speaking however, advices that materials to achieve air tightness should be identified at early stage of the house design. Not physically available, from the initial plan of Bentall Centre, there was installation of the insulation that ensures good air tightness and only allowing proper moisture management. 5.0. Structural condition Condition assessment of this building analysed the level of its delight, comfort and maintainability. First, it needs to be established that structures of this building was cushioned at different stages and as identified in the introduction, some started as early as 1930s. Therefore, the survey observed that its structures were subjected to different grades of damages as they are experiencing different loading conditions especially the ones they are not designed for. Looking at the front walls of the building especially at the entrance, the building has not shown any signs of distress thus can be assumed to meet preliminary requirement for serviceability and safety requirement according to relevant codes within the area. Looking at the picture below, there is no action that might be needed towards retrofitting thus making it comfortable and delightful for occupation. 5.1. Figure 4: Bentall Centre entrance On the other hand, figure 5 below shows an example of a building with poor structural condition thus requiring constant repairs. 5.2. Figure 5: adopted from Ministry of Home Affairs of India On comparison, there is no inadequacy of poor quality and design of construction in figure 4 therefore an indication that the structural condition of Bentall Centre are in good condition. On the other hand, figure 5 indicate lack of maintenance is the main reason for the distress as seen. In conclusion, at the present, this building does not show signs of a structure in poor condition and as noted earlier, there is no need for strengthening or retrofitting. However, this is a public building that should be checked regularly to ensure that all structures are up to date and any additions or modifications adhere to set standards and the extant building codes required. 6.0. Conclusion For the general public to whom Bentall Centre, Kingston offers accommodation, shopping and other facilities, a survey research concluding that such building has been designed and completed to modern building-code requirements give some peace of mind since such provides comfort, fit for purpose, delight and maintainability. From the assessment, this survey also concludes that this building has been constructed to give members of public degree of safety not to mention its ability to resist extreme loads without sustaining damages. Such conceptualizes its efficiency, sustainability and structural condition. This is not to argue that the building cannot be subjected damages. Damages sustained might as well depend on the criteria that it was designed to meet, and this idea as brought about a recent paradigm shift in the structural engineering field---something this building can portray. As a point of advice therefore, it is not necessary to simply conform to the minimum requirements as given by building codes but to achieve the bet balance between ultimate performance and cost. 7.0. References Claesson, J. (2003). Dynamic Thermal Networks. A methodology to account for time-dependent heat conduction. International Building Physics Conference, Leuven, Belgium. Ditlevsen O., Madsen H.O. (1996). Structural reliability methods, England, John Wiley & Sons El-haram M., Marenjak S., et al. (2003), The use of ILS Techniques in the Construction Industry, MIRCE Akademy Symposium. Evans R., Haryott R., et al. (1998), The Long Term Costs of Owning and Using Buildings, The Royal Academy of Engineering, UK. Guide for Evaluation of Concrete Structures Prior to Rehabilitation (2008). (ACI 364. 1R- 94(99), By ACI Committee 364, Rehabilitation. Guidelines for Assessment of Strength and Performance (2009). Buildings and Recommendations on Retrofitting Schemes to Ensure resistance to Earthquake: Report No.SSP05441, SERC, Chennai. Hand Book on Non-Destructive Testing of Concrete (2004). Second Edition, Edited by V.M. Malhotra and N.J.Carino, CRC Press LLC. Hawe, P., King, L., Noort, M., Jordens,C., & Lloyd, B. (2002). Indicators to Help with Capacity Building in Health Promotion. North Sydney, New South Wales: NSW Health. Johnson, K., Hays, C., Hayden, C., & Daley, C. (2004). Building capacity and sustainability prevention innovations: A sustainability planning model. Evaluation and Program Planning, 27, 135-149. Read More