Prepared by:

Chia Sue Hwa / 0317920

Liu Jyue Yow / 1007P74080

Ang Wei Yi / 0317885

Fong Tze Ying / 0324073

DarshiIni Vig / 0319359

Arvindhan Balasingam / 0319753

Tutor: Ms Alice

Experiencing and understanding skeletal construction is important as it is one of the most widely

used structures for building support. A skeletal structure is in which weight is carried by a skeleton or

framework, as opposed to being supported by walls. A frame is a structure used to resist vertical

forces and lateral forces in conjunction with its foundation to provide strength and stability for the

structure.

For this assignment, we were assigned to construct a temporary bus shelter (4 X 2 X 3 meters)

showing our understanding of the skeletal structure in and applying the usage of recyclable

materials relating to its function.

After researching several types of skeletal construction, our team decided to utilise the combined

strength of steel and timber to construct our temporary bus shelter. Combining the two materials

exudes a old mix new atmosphere for the shelter: the modern look of steel connections merged

with familiar timber creates a structurally sound yet comfortable rest area for the public. Topped

off with a clean roof, the open-air shelter becomes a sheltered yet bright environment for users. By

applying a variety of advanced construction techniques, our team was able to experiment more

in terms of aesthetic form.

The ‘temporary’ aspect of the shelteR plays an important role. Steel, a readily available material

quickens the process of mass construction with timber. Mass production of these connections are

highly doable, and can be easily assembled and disassembled.

Our team sourced wood pieces from local

hardware shops, while also utilising recycled pieces

from the university’s workshop. Besides applying

steel joints to increase the flexibility of timber

construction of the roof to column, and column to

floor, a variety of simple timber joints are applied as

well for both flooring and roofing. Recycled steel

was customised into specific steel joints through

laser visits to a steel manufacturer, while ready-

bought steel reinforcement was also used.

Scale: 1:20Description: Small models showingbasic form and joint connectionwere constructed to betteranalyse and understand howsimple post and beam skeletalconstruction works.

Scale: 1:5Description: A real-scale modelwas made to demonstrateskeletal post and beam structureconnected by pin joints clearly.

Scale: 1:10Description: For interim, the use of timbermixed steel base connections wereshown in the model.

Scale: 1:20Description: For interim, a final model showingthe structure and spaces of the bus shelterwas constructed. Types of necessary jointswere now identifiable. However, some slightdimension changes were still made during theactual construction.

Floor plan.

Front elevation. Roof plan. Side elevations

Sketches, annotations and notes of early research on initial designs.

FLOOR PLAN

ROOF STRUCTURE PLAN

FRONT ELEVATION BACK ELEVATION

SIDE ELEVATIONS

Primary Secondary Rafters

L Brackets and screws are used to hold in place and attach the roof structure to the columns.

Screws, bolts and nuts are used to tighten the joints and fix the columns within the welded base.

Four columns extends up between the flooring and the roof structure, held in

place by welded bases, and bracings.

Planks of wood were trimmed down to the appropriate sizes and secured down onto the floor framing with nails.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

WOODEN PLANKS / PLYWOOD

1. Withstand loads and forces

2. Flexibility in construction

3. Ready-cut dimensions

4. Rustic look and feel

1. May

crack/splinter

when screwed

STEEL CONNECTIONS

1. Increases load-bearing

ability of structure

2. Recycled from old steel

3. Insect resistant

4. Modern look

1. Adds weight to

model

2. Corrode if

exposed to

water

L-ANGLES / NAILS / SCREWS

1. Holds timber together

effectively

2. Highly useful for almost all

joints

3. Ready-bought in sizes and

shapes

1. Less

aesthetically

pleasing

2. Bulky when high

in numbers

Wooden planks Plywood

Screws and nailsL-angles

Steel connections Fixed and pin joints

SKELETAL LOAD TRANSFER– TWO WAY SYSTEM Uniform distributed load in two directions Force is channelled from beams to columns

EXTERNAL FORCES – LOADS STATIC LOAD The weight of the roof structure is permanently attached to the columns DYNAMIC LOADCaused by users that get on and off the shelter

CONCLUSION:1) The load is distributed evenly throughout the

structure, so that no single part is carrying the load.

2) Forces are directed along angled components such as the roof to column joints, and column to flooring joints so that the forces hold pieces together instead of pulling them apart.

3) Structure is strengthened by using appropriate steel angles and connections.

4) Back bracing is added to increase lateral and vertical rigidity.

Load is uniformly distributed

on both sides of the shelter

STATIC LOAD

DYNAMIC

LOAD

BASIC TIMBER JOINT

JOIST FRAMING

BRACING

WELDING DETAILS

STEEL PLATES

L-BRACKETS

• http://www.world-architects.com/en/projects/41967_Tamedia_Office_Building

• https://www.pinterest.com/konsiteo/timber-structures/

• http://www.minimalisti.com/architecture/06/pallet-house-plans-design-ideas.html

• http://www.archdaily.com/257002/shelter-rainforest-marra-yeh-architects/

For this assignment, we were assigned to construct a temporary bus shelter (4 X 2 X 3

meters) showing our understanding of the skeletal structure in and applying the

usage of recyclable materials relating to its function. The construction should

demonstrate the knowledge of skeletal frames and its joints. It must clearly define all

building components such as roof, column, walls and floor. The joints should be

constructed to reflect actual joints. The real scale of the shelter is 4 x 2 x 3 meters,

and the model is to be constructed in 1:5 scale.

By the end of this project, we have understood the manipulation of skeletal

construction to analyze the issues of strength, stiffness and stability of structures

including modes of structural systems, forces, stress and strain and laws of static of

skeletal structures. We have also learnt how to overcome the force and stress applied

to a structure with suitable construction techniques.