Metal and Glass - Carousel Pavilion Geelong Water Front

Located at 1 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong Waterfront, this steel and glass structure stands out on the waterfront.

The steel frame of the building comprises six umbrella forms of 12 x 12 metres in a 3 x 2 array. The steel structure is exposed and utilises a range of hollow sections. The cross-linked main arms of the umbrellas are fabricated box sections sculpted to reflect roof loads with minimal use of material. The diagonal arrangement of the mainframes and the combined arching effect develops an inherently stiff structure which eliminates the need for diagonal bracing in roof or walls.

Sited on the sea wall and exposed to very high wind loading, designers carried out a detailed analysis using Australian Wind Code recommendations for strength limit state conditions. Window mullions are structural and stiffened with a horizontal truss which forms the lower roof edge of the Pavilion.

For more information click here

Lysaght

retrieved from http://www.bluescopesteel.com.au/index.cfm/objectID.600ECA47-609B-4062-9CCF920153D483FC

Major Breakthrough In Roofing Technology

22 November 2003

An innovative new development by BlueScope Lysaght is making it easier and quicker than ever to install the popular roof decking profile, LYSAGHT KLIP-LOK 700 HI-STRENGTH®. BlueScope Lysaght has created a brand new clip-fixing system for this product, further cementing the company's reputation as a leading provider of steel building solutions.

LYSAGHT KLIP-LOK 700 HI-STRENGTH® was released just over two years ago, and has been used on many high-profile projects, including the new Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. This high performance profile enables long spans, and extremely long runs. The wider sheets also make installation quicker, especially on bigger jobs.

The key benefit of this roofing profile is its fixing method. A fixing clip is simply secured to the steel or timber supports using the hexagon shaped screw heads and the LYSAGHT KLIP-LOK 700 HI-STRENGTH® sheets are laid directly on to the clips. With no exposed fasteners, the sheets provide a clean, smooth finish to the roof.

While LYSAGHT KLIP-LOK 700 HI-STRENGTH® has already been extremely successful in the marketplace, BlueScope Lysaght is continually looking for ways to improve its product range. BlueScope Lysaght's Mike Celeban explains: "There are three main issues that roofers have had with previous clip fixing systems. The first is that it takes a fair bit of effort to clip the cladding on - you've really got to push down hard with your foot. So if you've got 10,000 sqm to lay, your ankles will get really sore, which is an OHS issue."

"Secondly, when you clip the cladding on, the clips are so strong that they may mark the ribbing - you get these protrusions showing - which has been a concern on some projects. The third issue is that in some situations, there may be a need to remove sheets in order to get at service areas, or to put skylights in. With the original clips, if you tried to peel the sheet off, you'd wreck the whole sheet."

BlueScope Lysaght has produced the ground-breaking new clip in order to eliminate these issues. "It's completely different," says Mike Celeban. "Firstly, the new clip is more flexible, making it much easier to clip sheets onto. Secondly, the new design means that it doesn't mark the ribbing. Thirdly, you can remove sheets without damaging them. And these new clips have the same high-strength capacity as the old clips."

The new LYSAGHT KLIP-LOK 700 HI-STRENGTH® clips have already been used on a major project in Ingleburn, the Austool Australian Centre for Toolmaking Innovation. Situated in the new 16 hectare Austool Business Park, this new 3600 sqm facility comprises a two-level 600 sqm office area and a 3000 sqm machinery area.

"A major client of ours, Roof & Fascias, trialed the clips on the Austool project," says Mike Celeban. "They kept away from using LYSAGHT KLIP-LOK 700 HI-STRENGTH® previously, because of the issues with the old clips. But they were willing to give the new clips a try."

3,300 sqm of LYSAGHT KLIP-LOK 700 HI-STRENGTH® was used on the Austool centre, and 5,000 of the new clips. According to Roof & Fascias Director, Vic White, the new clips made the job easy. "The new clips are great. We'd used LYSAGHT KLIP-LOK 700 HI-STRENGTH® in the past, but the problem with the old clips was that once you'd laid a sheet down, you couldn't take it off again without damaging the sheet."

"With this new clip, the sheeting came up without a problem, and we could lay it again. And the new clip also makes the sheets easier to install. We'd definitely use them again - we are actually using LYSAGHT KLIP-LOK 700 HI-STRENGTH® on another project right now - it goes down so well," says Vic.

Roof & Fascias also installed 700 sqm of attractive LYSAGHT CUSTOM ORB® in durable ZINCALUME® steel. The LYSAGHT CUSTOM ORB® was installed horizontally, giving a clean, modern appearance. 400 sqm of stylish LYSAGHT MINI ORB® in ZINCALUME® steel was used to line the soffits.

The new LYSAGHT KLIP-LOK 700 HI-STRENGTH® clips are also being used on a project in Roseville - the construction of a new Junior School Building for Roseville College. The two storey building will house 200 students, from Kindergarten to year 6. Due for completion early next year, the new facility will include classrooms, seminar rooms, music practice rooms, a Before and After School Care facility, and a car park. Norwest Metal Roofing is installing 700 square metres of LYSAGHT KLIP-LOK 700 HI-STRENGTH® on the project, using over 1000 of the new clips.

Glass wall technology

While glass wall technology is very interesting, due to developments such as the spider fixing, I would rather refer to the effect it has. McLaren Technology Centre by Foster and Partners is a prime example of the amazing effects possible with curtain wall technology. It blurs the lines between inside and out, creates amazing reflections and allows masses of light to flood indoors. Now, since I must speak of the technological side of things, I will speak of the fixing methods of glass walls. The beauty with glass walls is that, generally, no external structure is needed, only an internal one with which to fix the glass fittings. This system allows for the creation of extra sleek lines and effect on the outside of the building. Holes are drilled into the glass around its edge at regular intervals, then metal fittings with a soft, high-density synthetic coating material are placed into the holes and fixed in place, while the other end of the fitting is fixed to the internal structure, which will then transfer all the loads from the glass, fittings and wind into the rest of the main structure and footings.

LVL technology

L.V.L.'s haven't been around particularly long, so I'd consider new technology. The greatest advantage of LVL's is there ability to span distances longer than typical wooden members. LVL's are also typically more dense and therefore less flammable than normal timber.
Click here for more details regarding the process involved in the production of LVL's.

It's beautiful! Glass aggregates.

I know this may not be new technology but I think it should be used wherever possible. Glass aggregates come in many shapes, sizes and colours and when ground down, they capture light and glow.








For details, visit http://www.concreteconstruction.net/industry-news.asp?sectionID=711&articleID=325531

To new heights!

The Burj Dubai is now the worlds tallest building and to achieve such a feat, many new heights in technology must be reached (pun intended). For an overview of the achievements made in Burj Dubai visit http://www.burjdubai.com/ ; specifically using the 'technology' button on the site.

Developments in concrete technology

The architect and engineer's dream come true! Concrete an inch thick! Below I have posted a link to Popular Mechanics that describes the future of concrete, once the 'novelty' pricing phase has passed. While the technology is the three products described is not particularly new it is being more widely accepted, practised and therefore standardised for our future enjoyment. For an brief report, visit http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/research/1282226.html
While this technology is ready for us, there is a very interesting report on the potential of 700 MPa concrete technology advancing at this very moment. For this report visit http://books.google.com.au/books?id=W6BNygdZLJUC&pg=PA325&lpg=PA325&dq=700+MPa+concrete&source=web&ots=Ee59Bg4XUH&sig=IoBeYNSnD2ytsmAopsTlYjyjWHw&hl=en

Melbourne Aquarium extension by Peddle Thorp, cnr. Flinders andf Kings way.

This extension is quite interesting as there are many different construction techniques being incorporated in the design. The pre-existing Melbourne aquarium sits between the Flinders street train line and the Yarra river, while the extension is being built of the other side of the tracks and partially underneath the tracks; this situation leads to an interesting resolution. Due to the pre-existing train lines overhead and its subsequent massive support structure, the aquarium extension has to work with the existing mass. As can be seen in one of the photos, concrete bricks have been added to the walls of the under-lying tunnel to perhaps create a square form in the passage.
The framing system on the street front is predominately steel, however, a couple of pre-cast concrete tilt-up panels have also been used. All the ventilation has been contained within the roof space. And, while it is only an educated guess, there should also be a substantial amount of poured concrete substructure because of the subterranean rooms/exhibits that need to be created while supporting the mass that lies overhead.



Antarctica exhibit

Northbank Place by Peddle Thorp

This building on the corner of Flinders street and Kings way is a large scale version of 191 Malop Street (as aforementioned in my prior blog entry), but within the construction phase.
This Large scale long-span concrete framed building has the potential to be used for many purposes due to its open plan. Like 191 Malop street, this building is supported by its reinforced concrete columns and floor slabs while the cladding and fenestration is supported by metal framing systems. These framing systems are then in turn simply bolted to the existing slabs. As can be seen in the photo of the rounded corner, the use of metal framing for the cladding allows for a detailed, dynamic and strong external skin.

191 Malop street, Geelong.

191 Malop street is a newly completed long-span concrete office building. The application of concrete columns supporting concrete floor and ceiling slabs is a simple and economic soltion for this office space. The long spans between columns allow for an open floor plan and abundant glazing which are typical and useful for office spaces.

While the structural elements are all made up of concrete, the walls and facade are created with metal framing systems. The windows are simply placed between the horizontal slabs, reaching from floor to ceiling. Meanwhile, the facade and service areas are bound by a metal framing system and clad in insulated metal sheeting. All services are hung from the ceiling slabs and hidden by a suspended ceiling.

I've lost my groupmates!!

My group mates decided that my our choice of buildings was too risky and they've decided to do another... and leave me. But, I'm continuing to post on the same blog as aforementioned.

PROJECT 3 - address change.

From now on most of my posts regarding this project will be found at http://banfactory.blogspot.com/

This allows for all information and team progress regarding the project to be accessed in one position as opposed to an omitted or extracted version on this site.

Project 3 info

For our construction project we've decided to model Shigeru Ban's 'Imai Daycare Centre', Odate, Akita, Japan, 2001. So far, we have researched the building, found plans and details, researched materials and construction methods for each element and decided upon a design schedule. We've also allocated responsibility for the detailing of certain elements and decided upon our individual 5X5 areas. The site has been assessed and we have come to a layout resolution that allows for circulation, parking, site elevations and drainage. We are currently at the stage of specifying the required dimensions for structural elements as we are adapting a small scale building to a large scale.

Composite construction in an office development

Baptist Union of Victoria

This project by Atelier Wagner Architects for the Baptist Union of Victoria is located on the corner of High St and Blackburn Rd with a total estimated cost of $5,000,000.

The projects structure consists mainly of pre-cast and in-situ concrete, heavy steel and light aluminum.  The floor slab and internal columns are made in-situ, while the external skeleton is pre-cast.  To brace the metal skeleton that will hold the glass cladding in place, a metal bracing strip has been cast into the external concrete columns allowing for the bolts and fixings to be rendered over, thus hiding them and creating a smooth line between the concrete and glass.

While heavy steel has been used for the window frames, a lighter aluminum has been used for fascia framework, allowing for tighter curves and minimal cost.

Also, the detail of the stairs show how grooves have been left in the edge of the stairs allowing for a metal frame to be inlaid, ultimately melding the two, minimizing the need for a supporting frame for the metal frame; this system also makes for a slender profile of the wall when clad over.

End Wall of Concrete Factory Detail

Here we have a detail of the end wall in a typical concrete framed factory.  The end walls are a bit simpler than the side walls as a gutter does not need to be included.  

Pre-fabricated concrete is an excellent material for building with as construction time is minimal.

Concrete portal construction

The concrete portal frame is much like the fixed portal frame however the single-skin concrete wall acts as a load-bearing frame and weather retardant in one, doing away with the need for complex combinations typical of steel frame buildings.

Hello,

here we have a portal frame, however, it isn't considered fixed as the prior one is due to the flexibility of the structure as a whole.  This frame has less HD rods holding it down and a much more flexible joint where the mullion meets the purlin due to the lack of heavy reinforcing; in this case the roof practically rests on top of the mullion with minor fixtures holding it down.  Due to it's flexibility, this system is generally used for medium size frames requiring minimal resistance to wind loads, etc.

Standard Fixed Portal Frame

In the diagram I'm displaying my interpretation of the standard 'fixed' portal frame as observed in the 2007 Construction and Structures 1 and the 2008 Construction and Structures 2 classes.  The diagram illustrates the standard of most factories built in Australia today as the 'pinned' portal frame is rarely used anymore due to the need for extra on-site labour and speed of assembly issues.  The fixed frame is also favored as it allows for larger open spaces between stanchions than the pinned; this is because the fixed frame relies on its rigidity and distribution of loads into the footing system, allowing for minimal cross-bracing, while the pinned frame allows flexing and thus requires cross-bracing to limit this movement, closing up the space between stanchions.

Contemporary Construction - Week 1, Site 1

Hello all,

For my first report I decided to visit the EastLink Operations Centre (ELOC), designed by Melbourne architects Roger Wood and Randal Marsh, 2007.  I found this building interesting due to it's contemporary appearance and modern construction methods.

Instead of using grounded organic building materials such as brick or wood, so common in our Victorian styled surroundings, the architects have used a steel frame with light-weight metal cladding, not dissimilar from the construction technology used for Frank Gehry's Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, which allows for it's dynamic contemporary form.  To further establish a contemporary feel, the EastLink building is laden in strong colors making the building  stand out, boldly contrasting with the landscape.

John Gardiner, managing director of Connect East (EastLink) says in reference to the design, "we are a company that wants to identify with our community", which suggests that the bold architectural statements we see at EastLink and throughout Melbourne - such as Federation Square or RMIT's Story Hall - are now synonymous with Melbourne Culture.

Metal such as is used in this building, is a very dynamic material for design as can be seen, however, it also serves many other purposes in relation to construction. Recycled metals are readily available, light weight, easy to transport and allow for fast installation due to off-site fabrication, all of which minimize the cost for the building owner and our environment.

Within the EastLink building we are able to observe many materials and construction methods that are quite possibly the future of commercial buildings; expect to see many more fine buildings such as this in the future.

Written by Jason Gec

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