Applied Studies 240: Introduction to Structures

Part II: The Flow of Forces

Project 5: Designing with the Flow of Forces

Learning Plan

  1. Review the Learning Outcomes.
  2. Read the Introduction.
  3. Complete the Required Readings and explore the online resources.
  4. Answer the Focus Questions.
  5. Add materials as appropriate to your Personal Archive.
  6. Complete Project 5. (Revisit the marking matrix.)
  7. Submit Project 5 as part of Collection 2 when you have completed Projects 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Learning Outcomes

After successfully completing this project, you will acquire proficiency in the following areas:

  1. Understanding of how forces flow in a structure;
  2. Understanding of strut and tie modeling;
  3. Ability to apply basic patterns of force flow to any structural element; and
  4. Ability to synthesize your knowledge of the flow of forces to design better structures.

Introduction

In this project, you will explore how forces flow through a structure and then use your knowledge to design more effective and expressive buildings.

Required Reading

  • Chapter 14: Master Lesson: Designing with the Flow of Forces in Form and Forces: Designing Efficient, Expressive Structures
  • Buelow, P. v. (2008, December 19). ARCH 324 – Structures 2, Winter 2009.

Supplemental Reading

If you found this project of interest, you may want to read the following:

Focus Questions

  1. Can you identify any structures that express force flow?
  2. Define an indeterminate beam.

Evaluation

Your work will be evaluated using the marking matrix outlined in the Evaluation and Grading section of the Course Orientation.

Project Description

In this project, you will gain an understanding of the flow of forces through an object subject to loading. Your work here will consist of two small projects:

  1. Understanding the flow of forces (through exercises at the end of Chapter 14)
  2. Exploring the flow of forces in one of your own designs

Project 5a: Understanding the Flow of Forces

Complete Exercises 1, 2, 3, and 4 at the end of Chapter 14 in Form and Forces: Designing Efficient, Expressive Structures. Develop an answer to each component of the exercise and present your response as a Collection.

Project 5b: Designing with the Flow of Forces

Using the design you identified earlier (see Identifying a Suitable Project) investigate it with regard to the locations of critical stresses.

Take one façade of your chosen building and assume (for this exercise) that all solid portions are precast concrete. Diagram the flow of forces as in Exercise 1 of Chapter 14 showing primary and secondary forces and differentiating tensile forces from compressive ones. As in Exercise 1, propose a new shape for the façade that is more efficient and expressive of the flow of forces.

It is important that you pick a façade that is not completely glass and includes some continuous nonglazed portions from top of wall down to the ground. The building should also have openings for windows and doors.

Going Further

If this is a topic that interests you, you may want to explore AStrutTie, a program designed to analyze strut-and-tie modeling in concrete members. See https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCobFeElSZ-ZKRj4ineSJtPg

Review Terms

Refer to the Key Terms and Concepts at the end of Chapter 14 in Form and Forces: Designing Efficient, Expressive Structures.

Submission Requirements

For Collection 2, include the following items from Project 5:

  • Project 5a – Exercises 1 to 4 from Chapter 14 of Form and Forces
  • Project 5b – a diagram and brief commentary (around 250 words) that describe the flow of forces in your chosen building façade
  • Project 5b – a drawing and brief commentary (around 250 words) that describe your proposed new, more efficient and expressive shape for your façade

Note: Do not submit Collection 2 until you have completed the requirements for Projects 3, 4, 5, and 6.

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