Taylor's University Lakeside Campus
School of Architecture, Building & Design
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Architecture
Building Technology (BLD 61403)
Building Technology 1 Construction Solutions Report
1. School of Architecture, Building and Design (SABD)
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Architecture
Building Technology 1
(BLD614013 / ARC3514 / ARC3512)
Assignment 2: Construction Solutions of
Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman Community Library
Lee Xiang Loon (0322090)
Tutor: Mr. Mohamed Rizal
2. Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman 3
1.2 Community Library Floor Plans 4
2.0 Precedent Studies & Analysis
2.1 Structural Steel Frame – The Spring House 5 – 7
2.2 Composite Floor System – The Spring House 8 – 9
2.3 Roof System – Discovery Centre 10 – 13
2.4 Operable Blinds Facade System – Apartment Building CASP 74 14 – 16
2.5 Double Skin Facade System – Weill Cornell Medical College
Belfer Research Building 17 – 20
3.0 Alternative Design Scheme
3.1 Operable Blinds Facade Scheme 21 – 22
3.2 Double Skin Facade Scheme 23 – 24
4.0 Sectional Perspectives
4.1 Ground Floor 25
4.2 3rd and 4th Floor 26
4.3 Detailing 27
2Building Technology 1: Construction Solutions |
Table of Contents
3. Site Plan | Scale 1:500
1.0 Introduction | 1.1 Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman
3Building Technology 1: Construction Solutions |
The community library sits on two existing shophouses
of total lot area of 392.2m2 in Jalan Tuanku Abdul
Rahman, Kuala Lumpur. The building is fronting to the
east while the rear to the west, and sits within a row of
traditional and modern shophouses.
This community library designed within an urban infill
site serves as a centre for the existing local community
to share similar interests and exchange ideas, addressing
the fading cultural heritage of the site.
4. Ground Floor Level
Scale 1:200
1.0 Introduction | 1.2 Community Library Floor Plans
4Building Technology 1: Construction Solutions |
Ground Mezzanine Level
Scale 1:200
First Floor Level
Scale 1:200
Second Floor Level
Scale 1:200
Third Floor Level
Scale 1:200
5. 2.0 Precedent Studies | 2.1 Structural Steel Frame
5
The Spring House | Wu & Liu Architects
The Spring House is located in Guiren Tainan, Taiwan.
The design combines the client’s unique personal living
space and for her special friends. The building combines
steel, bricks, concrete and metal plates to form the
framework of traditional architecture and spatial order
to reinterpret modern residential construction. This
residential building uses both steel frame structures and
composite metal decking for its floors.
Building Technology 1: Construction Solutions |
6. 6
Advantages
1. Fast to build at site, as the majority of work can be
pre-fabricated at the factory.
2. Steel structures are flexible and good at resisting
wind and earthquake forces.
3. Strong and durable, and does not warp or expand
unlike traditional wood framing.
4. A wide range of pre-made structural sections are
available and they are suitable to clad with any
material.
5. Able to span long distances.
6. Has a variety of joining methods including bolting,
welding and riveting.
Disadvantages
1. Lose strength at high temperatures and susceptible
to fire so coatings are required.
2. Prone to corrosion in tropical and humid
environments.
Integration to Community Library
Steel frame constructions allow a larger structural spans
and efficient when laid out along a regular grid,
especially when the site has a long distance from front
to rear.
The brick structure combined with the modern steel
structure to produce a unique local architectural type.
This brings a sense of locality with the neighbouring
shoplots which are of solid masses as well. Masonry also
possess good insulation properties for acoustics needed
in the community library. Salvaged bricks from the
existing building can be reused for the new library.
Building Technology 1: Construction Solutions |
2.0 Precedent Studies | 2.1 Structural Steel Frame
Steel Frame Structures
Steel construction has an immense strength which
is an advantage to buildings. It can bend with
cracking and can flex when wind or earthquake
forces acting on it. Various connection joints are
concurrently used throughout the steel system to
further strengthen the connections between
structural members and the masonry walls.
7. 7
Construction Process
1. After the concrete foundation has set up, steel base plates are anchored and attached to
the foundation with four anchoring bolts. The plates are levelled on a bed of non-shrinking
grout.
2. The steel columns are lowered and welded to these base plates. The plates are used to
transfer concentrated load from the columns to the ground.
3. Primary ground floor beams are connected to the columns via fin plates. The plates are
welded with the column and bolted to the web of the beams.
4. Secondary floor beams are connected to the primary beams through a similar method.
5. The ground flooring is prepared through composite decking. The composite process is
done by welding sheer studs through the steel decking to the supporting steel beam
below. [See Composite Floor System] Infill brick walls are then placed.
6. For the upper floors, more columns are erected and connected through splices. The splices
provide strength and stiffness to both the columns. The splices are bolted to both the
columns.
7. The process is repeated for the flooring system.
Building Technology 1: Construction Solutions |
Brick wall
Steel columns
Composite steel flooring
Steel beam
Concrete foundation
Reinforced concrete
Master bedroom
Entrance
Sectional detail of The Spring House
Steel column is welded to its
steel base plate after the
plate is levelled on a bed of
non-shrinking grout.
Steel beams are connected
to columns via fin plates
through welding and bolting.
Composite flooring system by
welding sheer stuffs to the
supporting steel beam below.
More columns are
connected through
splices by using bolts.
4321
2.0 Precedent Studies | 2.1 Structural Steel Frame
8. 8Building Technology 1: Construction Solutions |
2.0 Precedent Studies | 2.2 Composite Floor System
Advantages
1. No evidence of nails and has a nice flat finish.
2. Steel and concrete may be arranged to produce
ideal combination of strength, with concrete
efficient in compression and steel in tension.
3. The construction time is reduced since casting of
additional floors may proceed without having to
wait for the previously cast floors to gain strength.
4. The construction of composite floor does not
require highly skilled labour. The steel decking acts
as a permanent form work.
5. Composite decking offers excellent resistance to
corrosion, chemical attack and outdoor weathering.
Disadvantages
1. Temperature sensitive and expands and contracts
with temperature change.
2. If damaged or faded, the material must be
replaced.
3. A soft material and wears easily.
Integration to Community Library
The lightweight properties of composite decking allows
the sizes of other structural components to be greatly
reduced, permitting smaller interiors and the possibility
for open floor plans.
Composite flooring has a much smaller depth compared
to reinforced concrete floor slabs. This allows flexibility
in design and at the same to withstand greater loads.
Ceiling heights can be significantly increased.
Composite Flooring
Composite decking serves as a tensile
reinforcement for the concrete slab to
which it is bonded with embossed rib
patterns.
9. 9
Construction Process
1. Trapezoidal steel decking is placed and spanned in a direction transverse to the secondary
floor beams.
2. The decking is rigidly connected to the primary and secondary beams by shear studs,
which are connected through deck-welding techniques.
3. Steel mesh reinforcement, i.e. rebars, is placed above the steel decking to provide
bending resistance and reduce cracking at the supports. The mesh also aids the
distribution of the effects of localised point and line loads.
4. The profiled steel decking acts as a formwork during construction and additional external
reinforcement at the final stage of construction when reinforced concrete is cast on top of
it.
Building Technology 1: Construction Solutions |
Trapezoidal steel deck profiles
Reinforced concrete cast in-situ
Mesh reinforcement
Trapezoidal steel deck profile
19mm⌀ x 95mm shear stud
Edge trim and restraint strap
End cap
Fixings to suit project
specifications
50mm min. bearing
50mm min. bearing
Downstand edge beam
Composite floor components
• 1-1/2” (38) spanning 4’ to 8’ (1220 to 2440)
• 2” (51) spanning to 8’ to 12’ (2440 to 3660)
• 3” (75) spanning 8’ to 15’ (2440 to 4570)
Composite decking span
2.0 Precedent Studies | 2.2 Composite Floor System
10. 10Building Technology 1: Construction Solutions |
2.0 Precedent Studies | 2.3 Roof System
Discovery Centre | Architecture Discipline
This city town hall located in Karnataka, India serves as a
office/sales office and the design brief demanded the
exploration of sustainable design and development.
The exposed roof structure utilizes longitudinal steel
trusses for the long building span and topped with
polycarbonate sheeting to allow diffused lighting into
the interior.
11. 11
Advantages
1. The simple mechanism of longitudinal steel trusses
of the roof allows simple and fast construction.
2. The lightweight of the roof truss members reduces
the typical bulkiness of structural members.
3. Steel roof trusses allow larger spans, which
contributes to the need of lesser columns. An open
floor plan can be achieved and it is economical.
4. Lightweight polycarbonate sheet is lightweight and
reduces the sizes of columns supporting the roof.
5. Using a truss system aids in keeping the roof light,
brings light inside and enables controlled
surrounding views of the site.
6. The fabric louvers arranged in angular between the
trusses allows soft and diffused light to penetrate
into the interior spaces. Thus, exposed ceiling can
be achieved.
Disadvantages
1. Skilled labour is required to install these steel roof
trusses.
2. Rust can be a problem when the metal is cut, drilled
and welded if no proper coating is done on the
structural members.
Integration to Community Library
Longitudinal steel roof trusses are encouraged to be
used as the roof system in the community library as it
can span long distances especially when our site is long
in length. The installation of steel trusses also means
that lesser and smaller sized columns can be used to
support the roof structure. This allows an open floor
plan of the community library which contributes to more
interior spaces.
The ceiling can be left exposed as it is as steel trusses
can be aesthetically pleasing when viewed. The
lightweight fabric louvers installed on the structural
members bring in soft and diffused light into the interior
spaces.
Building Technology 1: Construction Solutions |
2.0 Precedent Studies | 2.3 Roof System
12. 12Building Technology 1: Construction Solutions |
2.0 Precedent Studies | 2.3 Roof System
1. Primary steel truss – 18m wide span
2. Perforated fabric louvers
3. Translucent fabric layer
4. Steel roof purlins
5. Milky white polycarbonate sheet
6. Rain water to ground storage
7. Composite fascia
Cross-sectional detail of the roof system
Longitudinal section of the building
Construction Process
1. The steel trusses are pre-fabricated in the factory. The diagonal web
members are welded and bolted to both top and bottom chords of the steel
trusses.
2. The primary steel trusses are brought to site and assembled to the structural
steel beams through welding. Both beams and trusses sit on the round
columns of the building.
3. Roof purlins are laid on the trusses of varying heights to allow a small
degree of roof pitch. The purlins are then fasten through bolting and
welding to the top chord of the steel trusses.
4. Polycarbonate sheeting is laid and nailed with fastening plates on the
purlins.
5. The translucent fabric layer is installed right below the top chord of the truss
and secured onto the structural steel beams.
6. Perforated fabric louvers are aligned and angled between the trusses. Some
layers are overlapped with one another to allow natural light to diffuse into
the interior spaces below.
13. 13Building Technology 1: Construction Solutions |
2.0 Precedent Studies | 2.3 Roof System
[Top] Angular perforated fabric louvers
[Bottom] Diffused natural light into the spaces below
Longitudinal steel roof trusses installed onto the structural steel beams
14. 2.0 Precedent Studies | 2.4 Operable Blinds Facade System
14Building Technology 1: Construction Solutions |
CASP 74 | Bach Arquitectes
The CASP 74 apartment is located in Barcelona, Spain.
The design of the building responds to the necessity of
the modern era and the facade is composed as a
dialogue between fixed panels formed by steel framed
vertical ceramic planks, and sliding aluminium blinds
providing the necessary privacy and lighting control.
15. 15Building Technology 1: Construction Solutions |
2.0 Precedent Studies | 2.4 Operable Blinds Facade System
Advantages
1. The changing façade provides solar protection and
privacy.
2. Folding aluminium blinds creates dynamics when is
viewed from the street and allows lighting control.
3. The façade prevents heat from getting into the
interior spaces during summer due to the ceramic
planks, so it seals to keep warmth.
4. Aluminium is a lightweight material which makes
the blinds easy to handle and less expensive to
transport.
5. The blinds are durable and less susceptible to
corrosion as aluminium has its own naturally
occurring oxide film.
Disadvantages
1. The blinds can be noisy at the window when it is
operated because they are metal.
2. Tendency to accumulate dust over time, which is
most noticeable on darker coloured vanes.
Integration to Community Library
The implementation of vertical blinds especially with
aluminium as the material is perfect for controlling light
in accordance to the time of the day. It is modern
looking yet classic which fits the ambience of the site of
Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman – the mix of classic and
contemporary.
The blinds can be obtained in a wide range of colours
to complement with the surrounding building facade
and interior spaces perfectly. While the vertical blinds
offer different levels of privacy which is needed for the
library spaces, it can be remote control operated by the
librarians.
16. 16Building Technology 1: Construction Solutions |
2.0 Precedent Studies | 2.4 Operable Blinds Facade System
Sectional detail of facade
Continuous plate along the slab
Würth insulating metallic fabric
UPN 160 channel
Fixed frame to fasten ceramic planks
Grey lead colour lacquered aluminium sliding formed
by vertical rectangular profiles
Special ceramic plank 120x80x680mm by Bach Arquitectes,
the long faces of some pieces are enamelled
3mm neoprene between the separation of ceramic plank
50x30x3mm galvanized steel profile for supporting
ceramic planks
Double plates, fixed with high screws
Lateral drilling profile to allow internal welding with
the supporting flange, allows ventilation in the
event of water entry
Sliding window, grey lacquered aluminium leadFront elevation and horizontal section of facade
Isometric sketch of facadeFixed ceramic planks during construction
17. 17Building Technology 1: Construction Solutions |
2.0 Precedent Studies | 2.4 Double Skin Facade System
Weill Cornell Medical College
Belfer Research Building | Todd Schliemann & Ennead Architects
The Belfer Research Building of Weill Cornell Medical College is a medical research
facility in New York, United States. The building envelope features a high-
performance double-skinned, fritted-glass curtain wall that maximizes energy
efficiency. The passively vented system is designed to promote controlled convection
within the wall cavity to mitigate extreme temperatures and enhance thermal comfort
within the building.
18. 18
Advantages
1. The double-skinned facade helps to promote
energy efficiency.
2. Passive vented system promotes controlled
convection within the wall cavity, mitigating
extreme temperatures on the exterior of the
building, and significantly reduces temperatures on
the interior glass.
3. Openings and sun-shading devices enhance visual
and thermal comfort within the interior spaces,
reducing the carbon footprint of the building.
4. Curtain wall design provides an economically
sensitive sustainable solution.
Disadvantages
1. The view to the exterior from the building may be
obstructed.
2. The wall cavity results in a decrease in usable floor
space.
3. The construction of a second skin presents a
significant increase in materials and design costs.
Integration to Community Library
Introducing the double-skinned facade in a community
library is feasible as the wall cavity acts as a buffer zone
to tackle noise coming from the street to allow quiet
interior spaces. For a tropical country, the facade
reduces solar heat gain in the interior spaces and
promotes thermal comfort for the users.
This double building envelope approach offers glare
protection which is helpful for reading activities and
promotes good daylighting method which subsequently
minimizes the need of artificial lighting.
Building Technology 1: Construction Solutions |
2.0 Precedent Studies | 2.4 Double Skin Facade System
19. 3D render of double curtain wall
19Building Technology 1: Construction Solutions |
2.0 Precedent Studies | 2.4 Double Skin Facade System
GL-1 Insulated Glass Unit:
- 3/8” low-iron outer lite
- Low-E coating #2 surface
- 1/2” air space with argon gas fill
- 1/4” low-iron inner lite
GL-2 Laminated Spandrel Glass:
- 5/8” low-iron laminated w/ 50% coverage frit pat.
#2 surf. and opaque white interlayer
GL-6 Laminated Fritted Glass Screen:
- 5/8” low-iron laminated w/ 75% coverage frit pat.
#2 surf. (black & white double pass frit)
GL-7 Laminated Fritted Glass Screen:
- 5/8” low-iron laminated w/ 50% coverage frit pattern
#2 surf. (black & white double pass frit)
1. Not used
2. Not used
3. Painted aluminium 4-sided structurally glazed curtain
wall w/ laminated glass panels
4. 16 gauge stainless steel cable @ 2” O.C. horizontal
spacing. Wires tensioned across opening
5. Painted steel catwalk grating, 50% open supported on
painted steel catwalk structure anchored to building
structure
6. Curtain wall gravity load connection
7. Interior painted GYP BD finish
8. Intermediate ventilated cavity
9. Radiant ceiling panel
10. Concealed roller shade pocket
11. Painted aluminium 4-sided structurally glazed curtain
wall w/ insulated glass panels
12. Painted aluminium sill cover (1/8” thk.)
13. 4” semi-rigid mineral wool insulation w/ galv. steel
backpan assembly
14. Typical office partition with painted aluminium
partition enclosures at vertical curtain wall mullion
interface
Sectional detail of double curtain wall
20. 20Building Technology 1: Construction Solutions |
2.0 Precedent Studies | 2.4 Double Skin Facade System
Front elevation of building facade Energy efficient building with sun shading properties
21. 21Building Technology 1: Construction Solutions |
3.0 Alternative Design Scheme | 3.1 Operable Blinds Facade Scheme
Front Elevation | Scale 1:100