Reflections on Construction and Control of Large Buildings - Assignment Example

Reflective journal- Building Student name Course name Institution Date of submission Student Number Week 1 was centred on the topic ‘construction and control of large buildings.’ As a preamble to the more technical components of controlling the construction of large buildings, we were taken through a classification of large buildings. Later, we learnt that the national construction code volume is concerned with class 2 to class 9 buildings. At the same time, building permits should be issued in compliance with the National Construction Code. Ultimately, I was able to understand that a building code refers to a set of regulations and rules that stipulate the minimum standards for buildings. In effect, failure to comply with these codes may lead to disasters, such as the collapse of buildings, or general welfare and safety since they are concerned with construction and occupancy of the buildings. At the end of the week, I concluded that building codes are meant to be applied by regulators, and architects, although they are also used for many purposes by safety inspectors. Week 2 focused on sustainability. A dominant subject matter throughout the week was that buildings are not inherently isolated. Rather, apart from being conceived as a house, it is also intended to support and inspire many human activities. Still, since they cost money to build, we as the architects must give priority to efficiency. Factors to consider in sustainability include solar access, topography, and climate. Fortunately, I must acknowledge that planning and building regulations targeted at responding to these factors exist to ensure sustainability exist. For instance, Section J of the Building Code of Australia requires building designs that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Week 3 concentrated on site investigation and design measures. The specific case of study was Cornwallis Building failure. I learnt that historical buildings like the Cornwallis Building might tend to have certain problems based on the building type and the factors leading to defects. Specifically, this is due to the building type in addition to the factors leading to defects, such as the location and building design. For instance, heavy loads on building, in addition to the rain loads, grounds loads, as well as love loads may exert pressure on the damp locations, leading to the collapse of buildings. From the lectures, I learnt that all these factors should be taken into consideration, through visual inspection or recording the reading of moisture content through the application of moisture equipment. Week 4 was concerned with floor systems. I learnt that in building design the fundamental system of structural features like the floors, which are often determined at the conceptual stage of the design process are based on subjective judgment, where a structural system is chosen after evaluation of a range of likely options on their performance against a number of criteria. In the end, I conceived that different buildings need different requirements. In which case, there is no 'one size fits all' floor system solution. Basically, the requirements vary contingent on the type of use and occupancy, as well as to support the building during a fire incident. These, in my view, can prevent the dangers of the floor collapsing, as witnessed in the Triangle Shirtwaist factory, which was situated in New York City. Week 5 dwelt on wall systems and fire resistance. During this week, we explored issues of fire-resistance-rate buildings, and particularly the assemblies and materials essential for building fire resistance rates walls that can stand against fires and smoke in buildings. A case study of the Cocoanut Grove Nightclub that had over 460 people dead in 1942 after a fire incident showed how walls could facilitate fire spread. We explored many types of walls, like structural frame wall, load-bearing wall and stud frame wall. The Cocoanut Grove Nightclub led to the enacting of many building regulations today like of a 'Place of Assembly', having separate exit doors, protection of fire exit and most importantly, the need to use fire rated materials. In week 6, we learnt about roofs and the ideal types of roofs for different building structures or purposes of the building. What was interesting to learn was that rather than just strive to have a watertight roof, the roof has to perform additional functions like supporting snow, have a long-lasting abrasion-resistant finish, resist heat absorption during hot weather and losing heat during cold weather, and lastly, be attractive. Hence, the roof must have adequate bearing for beam seatings and deterioration of concrete. From a case study of the Camden School for girl, I also began to acknowledge that a roof has to have the capacity to withstand the wind, snow, and water loads. In the case study, the roof of the school’s assembly hall fell in 1973, as the roof must have inadequate bearing for beam seatings. In Week 7, the focus was on moisture. At the end of the week, my earlier perceptions that ingress moisture leads to the collapse of most balconies or decks were confirmed. I learnt that buildings should be completely sealed against ingress of moisture. Indeed, most of the case studies surveyed in this regard showed that most of the building faults were traceable to moisture ingress that in turn corroded, rotted and compromised structural integrity. While this may appear a little complicated, it is interested to note that several simple methods can be used to overcome the imperviousness of buildings to make them waterproof. For instance, making the junctions between cladding waterproof is vital. I learnt that an approach to duplicating important functions of elements of a system for the purpose of increasing the system’s reliability is referred as ‘redundancy.’ Redundancy can be used to avoid deck failures. In Week 8, we focused on planning approval. I learnt that planning approval is concerned with a proposed building and how it is likely to affect the environment, traffic, provision of sunlight to the adjacent structures, as well as the aspects of the urban places. Initially, I mistook planning approval for building approval. After Week 8’s lecture, however, I learnt that the two are different. On receiving a planning approval, building approval should also be applied for. Hence, I can confidently assert that unlike a planning approval, building approvals are concerned with the structures of the building that are potentially injurious and hazardous. At the end of the lecture, it was interesting to note that use of land for construction of large buildings may need both approvals under planning and building approvals. Week 9 focused on fire resistance and stability of buildings. I learnt that several factors determined fire safety in buildings. Examples include the provisions of means of escape, and the capacity of the structure to resist fire, as well as contain fire and smoke spread. Additionally, the building should remain stable in the event of a fire. The fundamental message expressed during week 9 is that, as architects, we need rigorous guidance in regards to the integrity of buildings’ compartments during the fire. While the fire resistance of load-bearing or non-load-bearing components that make up the compartment floors and walls are essential, they are evaluated separately through standard fire test procedures. I also realised that while constructions are assumed to offer a level of resistance during an actual fire in buildings, the mode of failure may vary. Week 10 examined how innovative public housing can be designed for a diversity of tenants, such as the case of Byker Wall in Newcastle. Initially, I understood that public housing should denote low-cost buildings that do not envision architectural innovation. However, during the course, I learnt that low-income housing could be perceived as leading the front line of innovative architecture. Indeed, one case study of this, as conceived in Week 10, was the Byker Estate in Newcastle, which was built between 1969 and 1982. By concentrating on such an exceptional example, I was able to conclude that public housing can make innovative homes. Read More