Figure 1 photo taken by Hill
This is the bird-‐eye view of the foundation of the tower. (Please refer figure 1). The choice of the geometric shape of a circle aims to provide a firm base for the tower.
As the construction going on, the firm base of the towel provides a good basis for the building to be built higher. (Please refer figure 2). The load path of the towel can be illustrated as the following diagram. (Please refer figure 3). The loads of the blocks are transferred to other blocks underneath the block, which are supported by the blocks nearby.
Figure 2 photo taken by Hill
Figure 3 photo taken by Hill
Figure 4 illustrates the principle of the constructing framework of the block. Due to the force of gravity, the block on top poses pressure on the two supporting blocks. In return, the two blocks underneath support the block on top. This framework achieves the perfect balance Figure 4 of the blocks. Due to the displacement of blocks, the “closing gap” framework has to be done by standing the block to support the upper part of the tower. (Please refer figure 5). This block is the key block of the upper part of the tower. The friction between the key block and the blocks that support the key block helps to concrete the structure of the tower. Also the force of compression from the blocks built on the key block and the reaction forces from the blocks that support the key block contributed a lot in maximizing the friction between the key block and the blocks built around it. However, when an earthquake take place, if the vibration trigger the loose of this key block, the upper part of the tower will collapse. Figure 5 photo taken by Hill Figure 6 illustrates the load path of the structure of this tower. The structure maintained the balance of the blocks. The load can be transfer down to the ground.
Figure 6
The cylinder shaped tower is able to transfer the load to the ground. (Please refer figure 7). Therefore, tower is able to hold the weight. (As what can be seen in figure 8.) Figure 7 Figure 8 photo taken by Hill However, when an earthquake takes place (in the studio, it was a simulation of an earthquake), the tower collapsed since the blocks cannot take the load, the supporting frame just collapsed as a serial action.
FIGURE 9 photo taken by Hill
Load(path)
Forces(action-‐reaction)
Summary of Week 1
collinear forces concurrent forces nonconcurrent forces
Static loads Dynamic loads Earthquake loads
Glossary: Load Path: the ways or paths that load transferred down to the ground. (Constructing Environments, 2014) Reaction Force: equal in size, but the opposite direction of the action force Masonry: “refers to buildings with units of various natural or manufactured products, such as brick, stone, or concrete block, ususally with the use of mortar as a bonding agent.” (Ching, 2014). Point Load: Compression: “When an external load pushes on a structural member,the particles of the material compact together.” (Environments, 2014) Beam: “are rigid structural members designed to carry and transfer transverse loads across space to supporting elements. “(Ching, 2014).
Bibliography: Ching, F. (2013.). Building construction illustrated (5th ed.). Constructing Environments,. (2014). W01 s1 Load Path Diagrams. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y__V15j3IX4&feature=youtu.be Environments, C. (2014). Constructing Environments Weekly Guide 2014s2. Issuu. Retrieved 7 August 2014, from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/constructing_environments_weekly_gu?e=8 943534/8747216 Hill, S. (2014). Photos for Constructing Environments.