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.