Final Document

DESN30152: Technology & Environment in Architecture
Project One: Material/ System Study
Nottingham Trent University
School of Architecture, Design & Built Environment
Student Name: George Playford (N0386000)
Tutor Name: Gavin Richards

00|Contents
DESN30152: Technology & Environment in
Architecture
School of Architecture, Design & Built
Environment
Section 01 | Studio Project Overview
- Project Overview & Concept
Section 02 | Initial Reasearch
- Rammed Earth Wall Construction
- Concrete Construction
- Structural Steel
Section 03 | Further Research & Critical AnalysisSection 03 | Further Research & Critical Analysis
- Structural Steel
- Sirewall System (Rammed Earth Wall Construction)
Section 04 | Initial Exploration
- Sirewall Alternatives
- Sirewall System - exploration of finishes
- Sirewall System - exploration of wall construction
- Structural Framework- Structural Framework
- Steel Connections
Section 05 | Further Exploration
- Steel Framework - exploration of structural framework & application to the building
- Steel Framework - exploration of steel structures & application to the building
Section 06 | Application
- Steel Connections - Steel Angle Joints connecting beams to columns
- Steel Frame Connection to the Sirewall System- Steel Frame Connection to the Sirewall System
- Steel Frame Connection to the Sirewall System
03
04
05
0707
12
14

01|ProjectOverview
Architecture
Environment
The Nottingham Industrial Heritage & Archives Centre
Comprehensive Design Studio - Project One:
Civic Architecture
In response to the project brief for project one ofIn response to the project brief for project one of
design studio, I have proposed the design of an
Industrial Heritage & Archives Centre to be built,
between the Pitcher & Piano and the Nottingham
Contemporary Museum.
Through site analysis and development of my concept,Through site analysis and development of my concept,
the images left are a representation of the proposed
aesthetics and characteristices of the building.
The developed concept for this design is:
Revealing the Traces of our Permanence.
The buiilding is to be built into the existing cliffThe buiilding is to be built into the existing cliff
line of the site - as the user moves through the site,
they discover traces of permanence left over time,
such as the sandstone cliff and the industrial
collections in the building.
To create a connection with the industrial theme of theTo create a connection with the industrial theme of the
building, I propose that aspects of the structural
frame of the building are left exposed.
For the purpose of the ‘Technology & the Environment -
Project One: Material/ System study,’ the detailings of
which I hope to explore are:
- the connections between the structural frame
- the wall construction
- the connections between the structural frame and walls
as shown above, highlighted in red.

02|InitialResearch
Architecture
Environment
Materials & Systems
Rammed Earth
Construction
Rammed earth walls are
constructed by the compacting
(ramming) of moist subsoil into
place between temporary formwork.
When dried, the result is a
dense, hard monolithic wall.
In recent years, rammed earth hasIn recent years, rammed earth has
become popular amongst
environmentally conscious
architects as well as those
seeking an element of exoticism.
Contemporary examples include:
The Eden Project visitors’ centreThe Eden Project visitors’ centre
in Cornwall
Disdavantages with rammed earthDisdavantages with rammed earth
include external surface
protection, water resistance and
strength - but these can be
averted with the addition of a
stabiliser, typically cement.
Once added, the stabiliser
typically makes up 6-7% of thetypically makes up 6-7% of the
total mix. (greenspec.co.uk)
Rammed earth is suitable for
loadbearing and non-loadbearing
construction - which is
appliacable to the design of my
building - its compressive
strength is a maximum of 1MPa (1
Mega [million] pascals per square
metre) for unstabilised rammedmetre) for unstabilised rammed
earth and approximately 10MPa for
stabilised rammed earth.
There are two methods of fabricating reinforced
concrete.
1) The first is to pour the liquid material into
forms at the building site; this is so-called in situ
concrete.
2) The other method is precast concrete - components2) The other method is precast concrete - components
are manufactured in a central factory/plant,
delivered to site and assembled on site.
Common components of concrete include: Portland
Cement & Coarse Aggregates
Concrete is a preferred material of choice for itsConcrete is a preferred material of choice for its
strength and durability characteristics: It is used
in many buildings, bridges, tunnels and dams for its
strength.
It is not weakened by moisture, mould or pests, and
structures can withstand natural disasters such as
earthquakes and hurricanes.
Concrete
Construction Steel is used in a variety of
ways for primary, secondary
and tertiary structures of a
building.
Tata Steel Europe Ltd is a Tata Steel Europe Ltd is a
multinational steel-making
manufacturer headquartered in
London: It is the
second-largest steel-maker in
Europe.
Tata Steel supplies bothTata Steel supplies both
universal beams and columns
into the construction market
throughout the world.
Tata Steel can supplyTata Steel can supply
universal beams in a range of
sizes from 127 x 76 x 13kg/m
up to 1016 x 305 x 487kg/m.
Tata Steel can supplyTata Steel can supply
universal columns in a range
of sizes from 152 x 152 x
23kg/m up to 356 x 406 x
1086kg/m.
Tata Steel has aTata Steel has a
comprehensive range of
sections for structural
applications supplied ‘as-
rolled’, shot blasted and or
primed, with size ranges of
up tp 1016mm deep to meet
both British and Internatinalboth British and Internatinal
standars dimensions.
(tatasteel.com)
Structural Steel
1) First layer of
damp soil is poured
into the formwork
2) The first layer of
earth is compacted,
adding stability
3) This process is3) This process is
repated until the
desired height is
reached and the
formwork can be
removed
(1) (2) (3)
Internalrammed
earthlayer
Insulation
Foundations
Externalrammed
earthlayer
Prefabricatedconcretepanelsassembledtogetheronsite
NottinghamContemporary-ConcreteConstruction
EiffelTower,StephenSauvestre
(contributingarchitect)
WaltDisneyConcertHall,FrankGehry
SteelConstruction

03|FurtherResearch
Architecture
Environment
Structural Steel
Further Reserarch & Critical Alalysis
Willis Tower, Chicago
Architect: Bruce Graham
Steel
Connection to wall 1
Steel
Connection to wall 2
Steel Column
Fooring applied on top
of steel deck
Steel deck bolted
to steel frame
Steel I-Beam
Steel - Structural
framework and flooring
Steel I-Beam
Steel connection plate
welded to the I-Beam
and bolted to the wall
Wall
Advantages:
- Steel buildings are amongst the most
cost-effective and structurally-sound structures
in architecture today.
- Steel buildings are resilient, resisting the- Steel buildings are resilient, resisting the
elements, termites and even natural disasters
like earthquakes.
- Steel buildings can be purchased in large
pieces, pre-assembled or as a modular unit which
can be delivered to site.
-With Computer Assisted Design, steel building-With Computer Assisted Design, steel building
systems become more reliable and accurate over
time.
Disadvanages:
- If the surfaces are left unprotected, the- If the surfaces are left unprotected, the
steels can rust in rain and expand and shrink in
heat. However, if protected properly a structure
is able to maintain its strength and does not
deteriorate with age as fast as other materials.
Justification:
The concept of the building requires that theThe concept of the building requires that the
structure is left exposed and that there is a
connection with the industrial revolution.
The manufacture of steel, and steel structures,The manufacture of steel, and steel structures,
became increasingly popular during the
industrial revolution, suggesting that this
would be a good material to explore for the
application of my building, for this reason.
Steel building metal is produced out of iron ore,
which is mined from the earth and manufactured
industrially. Despite having a high environmental
impact during the manufacturing and transporation
processes, steel remains the strongest and most
reliable building metal, which keeps steel
building construction exceedingly popular.
Simplified procedures can be used to estimate theSimplified procedures can be used to estimate the
required size of beam section. In many cases it is
not necessary to perform detailed calculations to
determine beam sizes, and simpler methods can be
adopted. Rules of thumb provide an estimate of the
required depth of different types of beam in
relation to span.
Primary beams: depth = span/ 20 (metres)Primary beams: depth = span/ 20 (metres)

03|FurtherResearch
Architecture
Environment
Sirewall System (Stabalised Insulated Rammed Earth)
Further Reserarch & Critical Alalysis
The Sirewall System is a stabilised and insulated form of
rammed earth construction, typically 450mm to 600mm thick:
it is stabilised with compacted earth and steel rebar. The
system typically includes 100mm of rigid insulation hidden
in the centre of the wall.
The Sirewall System claims to have the strength and beautyThe Sirewall System claims to have the strength and beauty
of sedimentary sandstone. The distinctive connection to
the earth is also the exterior and interior finish of a
SIREWALL building.
The Sirewall System starts with reusable forms that areThe Sirewall System starts with reusable forms that are
filled with a mixture of damp earth. The soil blend, once
compacted, creates structural rammed earth walls that will
last several lifetimes without the need for maintenance.
The comprehensive strenght of the Sirewall system is:
10mPa – 30mPa
as opposed to non standard insulated rammed earth walls,as opposed to non standard insulated rammed earth walls,
making it highly seismically resistant. It also has
greater erosion qualities - 2500psi presher washer
resistance (pounds per square inch).
SIREWALL regularly exhibits the same strength as concreteSIREWALL regularly exhibits the same strength as concrete
with a fraction of the cement - when comparing a 600mm
SIREWALL and 200mm concrete wall, the SIREWALL is 13.5
times as strong. (sirewall.com)
Justification:
The Sirewall System has greater strength and insulationThe Sirewall System has greater strength and insulation
properties than other types of rammed earth construction
types, meaning it is more energy efficient.
The aesthetic qualities which can be achieved with this
system are also suitable & applicable to my concept.
Exterior rammed earth
wall
Batons for insulation
Steel rebar
reinforcements
100mm Inuslation board
Interior rammed earth
wall
Reinforced concrete
flooring
Mangar Hotel - example of sirewall system
Composition of the Sirewall system - Scale: 1:10

04|InitialExploration
Architecture
Environment
Above:
Section through wall with concrete block work &
Trespa Cladding Panels attached. The Trespa
cladding panels are screwed to batons.
Below:
Trespa cladding Panels are available in aTrespa cladding Panels are available in a
variety of different finishes, including
natural finishes. This would allow for a
similar finish to be achieved as the Sirewall
System.
Above:
Section through wall with concrete block work
with a lime render applied on top.
The lime redner provides protection from the
elements.
Below:
The lime render can be applied using a varietyThe lime render can be applied using a variety
of techniques, to achieve a similar appearance
and finish of the Sirewall System.
Above:
Section through a concrete wall.
The concrete wall is strengthed through the
inclusion of steel rebars in a cage pattern. The
concrete is cast around the steels.
Below:
According to the surface of the formwork of whichAccording to the surface of the formwork of which
the concrete is cast in, different surface
finishes can be applied to the concrete. A similar
finish to the Sirewall System could be achieved.
Internal leaf External leaf Internal leaf External leaf Internal leaf External leaf
Concrete blockwork
Rigid Insulation
Breather membrane
Void
Vapour barrier
Cladding batons
Trespa cladding
panels
Concrete blockwork
Rigid insulation
Void
Vapour barrier
Lime Render
Concrete wall
Rigid Insulation
Void
Vapour barrier
Steel rebars
Alternatives to Sirewall
Exploration of other wall types with similar aesthetic characteristics

Architecture
Environment
The model above was made using cork.
Layers of cork were glued and compressed
together, a representation of the
construction process of a Sirewall.
The texture and layers of the cork represents
a similar finish to the Sirewall System.
The wall is strengthened with steel rebars.The wall is strengthened with steel rebars.
The image above shows a prgression of the
model, top left.
This model has also been made using cork toThis model has also been made using cork to
achieve the same affect, however, the layers
have been further exaggerated. Each alternate
layer also represents a ridge which could be
used as a seat/ shelf in the Sirewall System,
if formwork was made acordingly; the ridges
are meant to appear a natural extension of
the wall.the wall.
The image above shows a focused section of
the model above. the uneven surface is a
representation of the natural surface of
sandstone.
The building is to be built into a sandstone
cliff and so this is relevant to the
conceptual design of the building.
The image above shows an alternative finish
which can be achieved using concrete, and
similarly, the Sirewall System.
This finish was achieved by pressing a rough
sawn board against the concrete whilst it was
being cast.
The model above was made by casting concrete in
formwork, a representation of how concrete is
cast in situ.
The concrete and process used is a
representation of how a Sirewall is also made
on site. Layers of moist soil are compaceted in
formwork and left to set.
The graphic above shows the standard finish
of the Sirewall System.
The Sirewall System has the structural and
aesthetic qualities of sedimentary sandstone.
Sirewall System
Exploration of finishes

Architecture
Environment
In a similar manner to the construction
method illustrated above for a rammed earth
wall, the models on this page were made by
casting concrete in a form and left to set
(see right for this process).
The concrete is a representation of a
rammed earth wall.
The model above was made by casting concrete
into a form and left to set. The void was
created using the form.
The concrete is a representation of a rammed
earth wall the Sirewall System would use. The
process is also very similar.
A further progression of different voids
which could be cast using different forms.
A further progression of different voids
which could be cast using different forms.
The image shows that there is some weakness
in the model beacause of the larger voids.
The model above shows a representation of a
steel beam cast above the void in the
concrete.
The steel beam provides greater stability of
the void, making it safer. This is a
technique which could replicated in the
Sirewall System.
Construction Method
Formwork for the
concrete [compacted
soil] is made using
timber.
The formwork can be
adjusted for the
inclusion of voids
in the wall.
The concrete [rammed
earth] is poured,
compacted and cast in
the formwork.
The formwork is
removed to reveal the
wall. This attempt
failed, however see
left for examples.
The images shows weakness in the construction
method of casting voids in the wall.
The image shows that the model is weaker
around the voids; this model has started to
crumble in this area.
(1) (2) (3)
Sirewall System
Exploration of wall construction

Architecture
Environment
Structural Framework
Exploration of grid structures
The model above is a representation of
structural framework.
The grid structure has been made using wooden
dowl and the joints have been secured using
Jelly Babies.
The grid structure and rigid joints (once the
sweets had set) provide strength and durability.
Once exposed for a period of time, the Jelly
Babies ‘went off’ and set, solidifying them
and making them rigid joints.
This made the structural frame rigid and
strong. The Jelly Babies are a representation
of steel joints which could be used.
The model above has been made using cork and
covered in Duck Tape to give the impression
of steel beams and columns.
The model is a representation of a steel grid
structure which could be used in the design
of the building.
The conceptual model above is a
representation of a structural frame attached
to the site and wall.
The frame has been made using bulsar wood;
the joints have been secured using pins.
The pins used to secure the model are a
represenation of joints which could be used
to secure a structural frame in the real
building.
The image above shows the joints between the
components above. The joints were secured
using copper rod, a representation of steel
conncections whih could be used.
The steel connections will be explored
further in this project.

Architecture
Environment
Steel Connections
Exploration of steel connections
The model above shows a representation of a
steel beam cast above the void in the
concrete.
The steel beam provides greater stability of
the void, making it safer. This is a
technique which could be replicated in the
Sirewall System.
The model above shows a represenation of
steel beams cast into a wall and extending
out. The wall has been made from concrete
[represenation of Sirewaal] and the steel
have been made from cork.
The model above shows steel rod cast in
concrete as a representaion of steel beams
attached to a wall.
In reality, the steel wuld be secured to the
wall using a steel end plate or angle joint,
and bolted together.
The beam cast above the void would also allow
for a steel frame to be attached.
Alternatively, a bond beam could be cast on
top of the wall which would take the load of
the steel frame.
Steel connection between a column and
foundations
Steel connection between
a beam and wall
Steel I-Beam
Wall
Steel end plate
welded to beam
and bolted to
wall
Steel Column
Steel base plate
(secured to column)
Steel column/ base
plate bolted and
set in
foundations:
strengthened with
steel rebars

05|FurtherExploration
Architecture
Environment
Steel Framework
Exploration of structural framework & application to the building
The above model has been made using square
section timber. The scale of the model is at
1:100.
The model is a represenation of the steel
frame which will be used throughout the
proposed building.
The image above shows the grid structure of
the model, something which will be replicated
in the real design.
The uniform structure divides space and adds
structural stability.
A representation of the steel frame which
could be used for the design of the proposed
Heritage Centre.
Square section columns with I-Beams attached.
Above: The image shows the intersection of
the I-Beams and square columns.
The above image shows the various intersections of the
proposed columns and beams of the structure. The connections
between the components in this model have been made using glue
(see page 14 for further progression of these joints).

05|FurtherExploration
Architecture
Environment
The above image shows further progression of the
proposed structural steel frame for part of the
building; the same section was modelled on the
previous page using timber.
This model has been made using 6mm steel rod and has
been secured together using a welding technique.
The image above is a propsed section through the building for the Design
Studio Project.
The models on this page are a 1:100 representation of the steel frame, in
the coloured section of the image above. The section shows how the exposed
steel frame helps separate space in the building, as well as offering
structural support for the different floor levels.
The same structural frame is repeated throughout the building.
The above image shows where joints are required
between the columns and beams of the steel
structure. This model has been welded to create the
joints, however, in reality steel joints or angles
would be used to connect the steels and create the
frame. Steel joints would also be used to secure the
frame to the proposed Sirewall System.
Steel Framework
Exploration of steel structures & application to the building
Left:
3D Graphic of the
proposed steel frame
for the design of the
building.
The connectionsThe connections
between the columns
and beams of the
frame are explored on
the follwing page.

06|Application
Architecture
Environment
Steel Connections
Steel Angle Joints connecting beams to columns.
This page applies the steel connections to the Design
Studio Project.
The detail I have chosen to focus on is shown above.
This page shows the connection between the column and
beams.
Steel Column
Steel Angle joints
bolted to column
and beam
Steel I- Beam
Section through
connection
Section towards
connection
Bolts securing
angle joints to
columns and beams
Steel filler beams can be
attached to the steel I-Beams
using the same connection joint.
The filler beams would allow for
a steel deck and concrete floor
to be applied on top of the
frame.

06|Application
Architecture
Environment
This model shows the connection between the steel frame and the
Sirewall System.
The image above shows the bond beam cast on top of the Sirewall.
The image below focuses on the connection between the steel beam
and the bond beam.
For the secure connection of the steel frame to the Sirewall
System, the steel frame must be connected to a bond beam.
The bond beam in this case is cast from concrete, in the wall,
and strengthened with steel rebars [left]. The steel rebars
also strengthen the connection between the wall and the bond
beam. The steel frame is then connected to the bond beam using
the following connection, below.
Steel Frame Connection to the
Sirewall System
Steel I- Beam
Steel End Plate:
Welded to I-Beam & bolted to
concrete bond beam
Concrete Bond Beam
Steel Rebars
Internal rammed earth wall
[sirewall]
Rigid Insulation Board
Vapour Barrier
External rammed earth wall
[sirewall]

06|Application
Architecture
Environment
Steel Rebars:
Provides added
strength & stability
to the wall
External rammed
earth wall:
[Sirewall System]
Concrete Bond Beam:
Cast on top of the
Sirewall System for
the connection of
the steel frame
Bolts:
To connect the
steel frame to the
concrete bond beam
Steel I- BeamSteel End Plate:
Welded to the end
of the I-Beam and
connected to the
concrete bond beam
Internal rammed
earth wall:
[Sirewall System]
Rigid Insulation
Board
Vapour Barrier
Drawing:
Isometric drawing of
connection detail
Scale:
1:20
Steel Frame Connection to the
Sirewal System
The image above shows the area of the
design of the building that I have
chosen to detail.
The area chosen is the connection
between the steel frame and Sirewall
wall construction.
The isometric drawing - left - showsThe isometric drawing - left - shows
the detailing of this connection.
The steel frame is bolted to a concrete
bond beam - through a steel end plate -
where the steel beams meet the wall.
The concrete bond beam is cast on topThe concrete bond beam is cast on top
of the Sirewall - the connection
between the wall and and bond beam is
strengthened through the steel rebars
in the wall.

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