Sustainable steel buildings
A construction made of steel is very sustainable since steel is the only substance with an automatic least default value for recycled substance in the LEED program. Additionally, majority of green policies and standards recognize the exceptional potential of steel at reducing the quantity of construction waste generated at a site. Majority of this is attributable to the general exploitation of pre-engineered panels to construct steel assemblies through contemporary, efficient technology. Buildings built with steel exploit prefabricated blueprint, just like modular buildings, they are prepared in a factory, and quickly assembled afterwards on site. This again helps in maintaining the sustainability of a site. Steel structures are thermal and power efficient, and are meant to last since they don’t warp or become rancid like a wood-framed house and won’t decay if galvanized appropriately.
Lee Hall III – Clemson University, Clemson, S.C.
Almost every structural steel components in the above diagram are the direct demonstration of the architectural expression. This construction is an open dual-height space, covering a secondary internal arrangement of mezzanines. The constructions’ roof is made of a light-weight composite solid deck construction held by exposed steel beams. The column trees deliberately call attention to the structural steel. The trees are comprised of seamless steel tubes with 1 inch thick walls and four curving “arms” built out of flat 1.25 inch and one inch thick steel plate. Almost all of the structural steel in the building acts as both a load-carrying functional scheme and a sculpturally communicative medium. However, what is possibly most remarkable about its application of structural steel is that the vastly and expressive character was attained without any costly or eccentric fabrication techniques, unique finishes, unusual connections, nor the higher tolerance designation related with this kind of construction.
A fire-rated wall have sheltered openings, which control the spread of fire and expands continuously from the base to the roof, with sufficient structural steadiness under fire circumstances to enable collapse of building on either side without the wall falling down. Another method of protecting the building from fire is through a shear wall. This is a wall that is braced with the aim of withstanding lateral forces exerted on the wall, such as the forces created by storm or earthquakes. Also there is shear walls which are regularly made with plywood or oriented-strand plank connected over the studs to provide lateral bracing and hence adding to the wall’s fire resistance. However the most fire-resistant outer walls are covered with fire resistant materials like brick or concrete. Walls covered in less fire-resistant substances, such as vinyl and wood siding, should include wallboard that are fire resistant with the siding connected directly to the wallboard on the outer surface of the building.
Gypsum wall board
The above Photo demonstrates a curved piece of wood stud wall with inflated metal lath pined to it, between two flat surfaces created by gypsum drywall board. There is a sample for the designer and owner to illustrate how the plaster will be applied all over the new construction. The uncovered lath connected to the studs by screws and nails is observable at the top of the picture.
This class has presented me with the ability to produce a complete architectural project based on a building plan and site that incorporates development of programmed spaces. The class has improved my understanding of structural and green systems, building envelope schemes, life-safety requirements, wall segments and building assemblies, and sustainability principles.