Barry's Advanced Construction of Buildings

Stephen Emmitt

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Year: 2018
• Print ISBN: 9781118977101
• eBook ISBN: 9781118977132
• Edition: 4
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Construction & Architectural Engineering
• Index: Technology & Engineering

The updated edition of the authoritative and comprehensive guide to construction practice

The revised fourth edition of Barry's Advanced Construction of Buildings expands on the resource that has become a standard text on the construction of buildings. The fourth edition covers the construction of larger-scale buildings (primarily residential, commercial and industrial) constructed with load bearing frames in timber, concrete and steel; supported by chapters on offsite construction, piling, envelopes to framed buildings, fit-out and second fix, lifts and escalators, building pathology, upgrading and demolition.

The author covers the functional and performance requirements of the main building elements as well as building efficiency and information on meeting the challenges of limiting the environmental impact of buildings. Each chapter includes new "at a glance" summaries that introduce the basic material giving a good understanding of the main points quickly and easily. The text is fully up to date with the latest building regulations and construction technology. This important resource:

• Covers design, technology, offsite construction, site assembly and environmental issues of larger-scale buildings including primarily residential, commercial and industrial buildings constructed with load bearing frames
• Highlights the concept of building efficiency, with better integration of the topics throughout the text
• Offers new "at a glance" summaries at the beginning of each chapter
• Is a companion to Barry's Introduction to Construction of Buildings, fourth edition

Written for undergraduate students and those working towards similar NQF level 5 and 6 qualifications in building and construction, Barry's Advanced Construction of Buildings is a practical and highly illustrated guide to construction practice. It covers the materials and technologies involved in constructing larger scale buildings.

1
Introduction

In Barry’s Introduction to Construction of Buildings we provided an introductory chapter that set out some of the requirements and conditions relevant to all building projects, regardless of size and complexity. We continue the theme in this chapter, with some additional requirements. In this volume the emphasis shifts from domestic to larger‐scale buildings, primarily residential, commercial and industrial buildings constructed with loadbearing frames. This is supported by information on fit out and second fix, lifts and escalators, and off‐site construction. Many of the principles and techniques set out in the introductory volume are, however, still appropriate to this volume. Similarly, many of the technologies described here are also used in smaller buildings. Thus we would urge readers to consult both volumes of the Barry series. In this introductory chapter we start to address some additional, yet related, issues, again with the aim of providing context to the chapters that follow.

1.1 The function and performance of buildings

Structure and fabric

It is the combined performance of the structure and building fabric, together with the integration of services, which determines the overall performance of the building during its life. In loadbearing construction, the materials forming the structural support also provide the fabric and hence the external and internal finishes. In framed structures, the fabric is independent of the structure, with the fabric applied to the loadbearing structural frame.

Loading

Buildings need to accommodate the loads and forces acting on them if they are to resist collapse. One of the most important considerations is how forces are transferred within the structure. Buildings are subject to three types of loading:

1. Dead loads. Dead loads remain relatively constant throughout the life of a building, unless it is remodelled at a future date. These loads comprise the combined weight of the materials used to construct the building. Loads are transferred to the ground via the foundations. Because the weight of individual components is known, the dead load can be easily calculated.
2. Live loads. Unlike dead loads, the live loads acting on a building will vary. Live loads comprise the weight of people using the building, the weight of furniture and equipment, etc. Seasonal changes will result in (temporary) live loading from rainfall and snow. Structural design calculations assume an average maximum live load based on the use of the building (plus a safety factor). If the building use changes, then it will be necessary to check the anticipated live loading against that used at the design stage.
3. Wind loads. All buildings are subject to wind loading. Maximum wind loads (gusts) are determined by considering the maximum recorded wind speed in a particular location and adding a safety factor. Wind loading is an important consideration for both permanent and temporary structures. It is also an important consideration when designing and installing temporary weather protection to protect building workers and work in progress from the elements.

When the total loading has been calculated for the proposed building, it is then possible to design the building structure (the structural frame) and the foundations. This needs to be done in conjunction with the design of the building envelope.

Structural frames

Timber, steel and reinforced concrete are the main materials used for structural frames (Photograph 1.1). In some cases, it is common to use one material only for the structural frame (e.g. timber). In other situations, it may be beneficial to use a composite frame construction (e.g. concrete and steel). Combining two or more materials is known as hybrid construction. The benefits of one material over another need to be considered against a wide variety of design and performance parameters, such as the following:

• Extent of clear span required
• Height of the building
• Extent of anticipated loading
• Fire resistance and protection
• Embodied energy and associated environmental impact
• Ease of fixing the fabric to the frame (constructability)
• Availability of materials and labour skills
• Extent of prefabrication desired
• Site access (restrictions)
• Erection programme and sequence
• Maintenance and ease of adaptability
• Ease of disassembly and reuse of materials
• Life cycle costs

Photograph 1.1 Framed building under construction.

Dimensional stability

Stability of the building as a whole will be determined by the independent movement of different materials and components within the structure over time – a complex interaction determined by the dimensional variation of individual components when subjected to changes in moisture content, changes in temperature and not forgetting changes in loading:

• Moisture movement. Dimensional variation will occur in porous materials as they take up or, conversely, lose moisture through evaporation. Seasonal variations in temperature will occur in temperate climates and affect many building materials. Indoor temperature variations should also be considered.
• Thermal movement. All building materials exhibit some amount of thermal movement because of seasonal changes in temperature and (often rapid) diurnal fluctuations. Dimensional variation is usually linear. The extent of movement will be determined by the temperature range the material is subjected to, its coefficient of expansion, its size and its colour. These factors are influenced by the material’s degree of exposure, and care is required to allow for adequate expansion and contraction through the use of control joints.
• Loading. Dimensional variation will occur in materials that are subjected to load. Deformation under load may be permanent; however, some materials will return to their natural state when the load is removed. Thus live and wind loads need to be considered too.

Understanding the different physical properties of materials will help in detailing the junctions between materials and with the design, positioning and size of control joints. Movement in materials can be substantial and involve large forces. If materials are restrained in such a way that they cannot move, then these forces...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Table of Contents
• Preface
• 1 Introduction
• Chapter 2 AT A GLANCE
• 2 Offsite Construction
• Chapter 3 AT A GLANCE
• 3 Pile Foundations, Substructures and Basements
• Chapter 4 AT A GLANCE
• 4 Single‐Storey Frames, Shells and Lightweight Coverings
• Chapter 5 AT A GLANCE
• 5 Structural Timber Frames
• Chapter 6 AT A GLANCE
• 6 Structural Steel Frames
• Chapter 7 AT A GLANCE
• 7 Structural Concrete Frames
• Chapter 8 AT A GLANCE
• 8 Envelopes to Framed Buildings
• Chapter 9 AT A GLANCE
• 9 Lifts and Escalators
• Chapter 10 AT A GLANCE
• 10 Fit Out and Second Fix
• Chapter 11 AT A GLANCE
• 11 Existing Buildings: Pathology, Upgrading and Demolition
• Index
• End User License Agreement