Week 3:

Activity- Case study site visit introduction. This was the first week to explore construction sites. Proposed builder's yard:

They were in the process of removing timber stumps and replace them with concrete stumps instead. This is because timber rot over time. The yellow caps are to prevent people from getting injuries if they fall down on the sharp spines.

The pipes spotted on site were probably for sewage and electricity.

There are different grades of gravel. Finer grades are for high level of concrete. For example, for the foundation, they would use cheaper concrete with bigger size gravel inside.

At the basement level we spotted a waterproofing membrane which was used to prevent the salt, minerals or mould from rotting the building and also basically to stop water from penetrating through the structure.

This image shows where large gravels are poured on the ground (dirt) area. This is to prevent the area from getting muddy when it rains.

Ormond Theology centre reception:

We spotted elevated slabs with metallic thing that is used as a reinforcement for the slab.Fascia gutter was used, which is a hidden gutter. It forces the rain water to drain down. If the box gutter is full, the water will drain down from there.

We noticed the form work as we could see concrete steel columns. Which was probably free cast or offsite made. They used a crane to put everything into place.

Queen's college extension:

We could see timber frames and concrete walls. The structural system is steel frames. We could not see any columns. We spotted roof water gutter.

Eastern Precint Student Centre:

We spotted beams on the roof; they were costumed design; there were long spans between columns. The Student connect structure and the cafeteria building is built in timber frames.

They polished the concrete floor. There were lines in between the concrete flooring. This is done to support the expansion of concrete during summer and to prevent cracks.

Here is the support

Here is the crack on the ground outside ERC.

MSLE Building:

This building is sandwiched between 2 buildings beside it. The structure is steel frame. The budget to build this building was lower than the previous buildings. The span is probably 6 metres. The biggest problem for this type of building is to make sure that the other 2 buildings beside it do not move at all, otherwise cracks will appear. There is a water drain box gutter, but no eave gutter presented. There were vents for ventilation, it was angled down so that the rain will not get inside.

This is from the week 3 glossary. The word is Waterproofing membrane.