Site visit #3 Building under construction

Site: Corner of Latrobe st and Hope st, Geelong West.
Construction type: tilt up concrete panels.
Analysis: The concrete panels have been poured on site. Some of the formwork has been removed, while some still remains. Shown in the photos, bolts and fixing points have been cast into the panels.

Site visit #2 Constructed building.

Site: Kardinia Park, Geelong.
Grandstand pavillion.
Construction type: portal frame on concrete construction.





Analysis: The grandstand is initially concrete construction in order to obtain a stepped seeting area. The roofing system, however, is a portal frame. Shown in the photographs, a triangular x bracing is used to hold the structure together as a stabilising element.

Article analysis #1

Source: Building design and construction, Jan 2007.
Link: http:/www.bdmetwork.com/
"Sand as an optional item."

This article addresses the issues and consequences of building without sand and granite, following the termination of the supply from Indonesia. The author outlines the mny benefits and positive outcomes from such a drastic measure. Builders have began to use "dry walls" instead of brick, which yields a cheaper price, and faster construction. The article warns that builders will not be likely to return to brick construction even when supply is reestablished.

Concrete panel construction. Gutter detail.

Portal Frame construction. wall section

Portal Frame construction. section

Site visit #1. Constructed building

The example of long span construction seen here is the Mitre 10 building in Geelong. The roof is supported by the exterior walls only, and has no internal columns.



This photograph shows the internal structure of the roof. There are two single steel beams joined in the middle.




The join connecting the two steel beams is shown here. The connection is made with steel bolts.




Shown here is the connection between the steel column in the wall and the concrete slab. Again, bolts are used to anchor the building, as well as steel plates.







This photograph shows the interresting join between the steel wall columns, the wall cladding, and the long span roof beams and the roof covering. Bolts are the main fixing used, with welding between the roof beam and wall column. An extra triangular steel piece is added to help transfer some of the roof load to the wall, and thus the ground.