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    A4125 Building Systems I

    Technology Requirement
    Anthony Webster

    INTRODUCTION
    The course begins by completing the discussion of basic structural systems begun in Structures II. Next, structural systems designed to ensure satisfactory performance of an entire building in the face of gravity and horizontal (wind and earthquake) loads are presented. Both framed or walled systems and non-framed systems are covered. The term ends with a building analysis project, in which groups of students document the materials, construction methods and performance of a post-WWII American project.
    Qualitative understanding and basic quantitative skills are stressed throughout the course. Structural systems studied are compared in wood, steel, concrete and masonry construction.

    PART I: STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS IN FRAMED AND WALLED BUILDINGS
    Skeleton Framing Systems
    History, principles and materials
    Gravity Systems: Plates and Grids (Examples: Maillart's factories, Hirshorn Museum, Beinecke Library)
    3-dimensional generalization of beams and one-way beam and slab systems
    Bending and shear stresses, deformations; design examples
    Resisting the Wind: Wind Trusses (Examples: Grace building, John Hancock, Le Messurier, Water tanks)
    Reinforced Concrete drops out; Wood and Steel; Overturning and uplift
    Location and architectural program
    Resisting the Wind: Shearwalls (Examples: Monadnok, Seagram, Inland Steel)
    Steel drops out; wood, masonry, and RC; Gravity and wind resistance; Buckling, uplift, design examples
    Resisting the Wind: Moment Frames (Examples: Chicago School buildings, Itakura house)
    Portal frames, stacked portal frames, open K trusses; Materials: steel and reinforced concrete, wood
    Deflections: cladding problems, secondary forces (P-Delta effect); Code requirements
    Quiz I

    PART II: NON-FRAMED OR WALLED STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
    Cable Supported Structural Systems (Examples: PAT Center, Manhattan Bridge, Alamillo Bridge)
    How Cables Work: Cable stayed and suspension systems; Connections
    Arches (Examples: Roman aqueducts, Gaudi, Menn, Ingalls Rink)
    Arch theory, arch cable analogy; Funicular action, live load moments (beam-column action), abutments
    Gothic Compressive Structures (Examples: Chartres, Beauvais)
    Thrust lines, assumed block strength in tension and compression; Code requirements
    Torsion Systems (Examples: Manhattan Bridge, La Devesa Bridge)
    Examples of torsional loading, structural response; Supports and connections; Codes requirements
    Shells I Deep Beams (Examples: Kimbal; Gaudi; Maillart's, Fressinet's and Torroja's Roofs)
    Structural beam action, enclosure, materials and construction techniques
    Shells II Vaults, Domes, etc. (Examples: Pantheon, Duomo, TWA)
    3-dimensional generalizations of arches
    The synergistic effect of the third dimension; Supports and connections, design examples
    Space Trusses and Frames (Examples: Crystal Palace, Javits Center)
    3-dimensional trusses and 2-dimensional trusses and frames; Plate Space Truss analogy
    Pneumatic Structures (Examples: 1972 Osaka Pavilion)
    Tennis Halls; History, principles and design
    Tensegrity Structures (Examples: Fuller, Snelson, Geiger, Levy)
    History, principles and design
    Quiz II

    PART III: BUILDING ANALYSIS PROJECT (6 WEEKS )
    Three-student groups will work with visiting critics. The emphasis is on the relationship s between perceived space, Servicing and supporting systems, and tectonic resolution. Relationships are documented by building plans, sections, detailed drawings of connections, and detail models.

    PART IV: FINAL EXAM