Review Task 1.

1) How do you define a building element?

An element is an individual part of a building such as a wall, a floor or roof etc. Each element
has its function within the construction.

Elements

1. Foundation. The foundations

function is to provide support to
the structure.
2. The framework provides stability to
the structure.
3. Floors and ceilings provide steady
load-bearing platforms.
4. Exterior walls support the roof and
protect occupants from the
elements of weather.
5. Windows allow light in they also
give a view of the outside which can
have an effect on a person’s mental
health.
6. The roof provides shelter keeping
the internal structure and
occupants dry.
7. Internal walls separate the overall
floor space into smaller rooms.

(Diagram from www.petervaldivia.com)

2) Why is the weight of all occupants using a building, together with the weight of all
furniture and goods called “live” loading?

Live loading is a term for the loading created by the weight of the occupants, the furniture;
snow which falls and settles on the roof is considered a live loading. These loads are
considered as acting positively on a structure; live loads are subject to change and therefore
can only be estimated
 3) What are the stresses that are been placed onto the following elements of
construction?
 An external wall supporting a roof.
 A concrete floor with a heavy filing cabinet placed on it.
 A sheet of plywood fixed over a timber framework.

An external wall supporting a roof.

Compression.

A concrete floor with a heavy filing cabinet placed on it.

Shear.

SHEAR
sheet of plywood fixed over a timber framework.

Tension.

4) As a group discuss the following performance requirements of a building and agree

on a group ranking.

Performance requirement Group ranking 1 = most important to 8 = least important

Structural stability. 1
Durability. 2
Thermal insulation. 5
Exclusion of moisture. 3
Acoustic insulation. 7
Flexibility. 8
Aesthetics. 6
Buildibility. 4

Individually decide your ranking of the following performance requirements.

Performance requirement My ranking 1 = most important to 8 = least important

Structural stability. 1
Durability. 2
Thermal insulation. 6
Exclusion of moisture. 4
Acoustic insulation. 7
Flexibility. 8
Aesthetics. 5
Buildibility. 3
 5) Explain briefly why you chose structural stability as the most important.

Structural stability is the most important in my view because I don’t want my structure to
move unnecessarily when a load is introduced such as occupant loading or wind loads.
Excess movement in a structure can cause severe weaknesses and structural collapse

6) Explain briefly why you chose flexibility as the least important.

Flexibility is the least important to me, as a change to the structure is not done many times
during a buildings life span maybe once or twice, as long as the structure is safe, warm, dry;
I feel it is fulfilling its purpose as a dwelling the aesthetics can be changed with redecorating
the visual size of a room can be made to appear larger with clever use of colour.

7) Give an example of a building material that;

 Has a high thermal resistivity value:-
 Has a low thermal resistivity value:-

High thermal resistivity value:-

Fibre glass insulation.

Insulant Density (kg/m3) Thermal conductivity

(W/mK)
Window Glass 2200 0.8 to 1.0
Glass fibre 10.5 0.035 to 0.045
Expanded polystyrene 25 0.033 to 0.04
Extruded polystyrene 27 0.02 to 0.03
PUR/PIR 30-40 0.02 to 0.03
(Table from www.colorcoat-online.com)

Used for property insulation in lofts and walls because of its low thermal conduction.

Low thermal resistivity value:-

Glass

Glass has a thermal conductivity of 0.8W/mK. A lot of heat can be lost through windows in
properties but the use of double glazed units improves this figure.