Building Physics and Structural Analysis Case Study Sample

Introduction Of Building Physics and Structural Analysis of Low-Rise Housing in Chelmsford

Building physics or the building science involves the physical behavior of the various buildings and the constructional impacts upon the comfort, health, safety, and energy efficiency-related properties. Here it also involves durability and other properties for the application purpose of getting involved in the related principles of building physics to make the proper environment for the implementation process. Here this design of the building field of environmental design is described based on the complexities and the problem-solving approaches that finally produce a suitable easy solution with the unique pleasing human senses. So here for this fact the substantial contributions are fetched for the structural and aesthetic landscape areas. The discovery of the proposed building model is documented during the on-site assessment with the provision of a significant analysis.

As per the objective of this project here is the evolution of a low-rise building with the foundation of 126, Lynmouth Avenue, Chelmsford CM2 7PN, UK. It includes the on-site inspection of the proposed building model and the report contains the intent and sheds light on the various aspects of the building construction system.

This research includes various analyses on the evaluation of the various characteristics, like the structural characteristics, the constructional system analysis, relevant discussion on the failures regarding this performance upon the building construction site and the selection of low-rise buildings in the city of the UK is discussed in this part. So here the evaluation is proceeding over the specified low-rise housing buildings that are located in the UK, which have free access to inspection and apply this case study into real-time execution. For this case here by selecting the normal housing with the bungalow or the detached semi-detached housing apartment has been chosen for the low-rise building analysis. Thus the study aims to provide a predictive analysis of the optimized building performances with sustainable measures. It also gives guidance towards the designing of the various new models with the application of new technologies and techniques preventing failures in building construction.

Discussion

Identification of Building

Location Map

The building is located at 126, Lynmouth Avenue. Thus this building belongs to the Chelmsford CM2 7PN in the country of the UK. Here this local map depicts the direction, that belongs to Lynmouth Avenue, the complex number is CM2 0FR. For the postcodes, it belongs to London, which is situated in Scotland or Wales.

Figure 1: The location map of 126 Lynmouth Avenue Chelmsford CM2 0FR

(Source: Taken by author)

Now this has been found that the location London or the Welsh Assembly areas are also situated beside the specified location where the Scottish Parliament is also situated. The specified location can be identifiable by the neighboring locations, here The map includes the extent of the location that belongs to the UK regional council area, which contains the clean air traffic zone with the parliament constituency.

The postcode of the selected building

The 126 Lynmouth Avenue Chelmsford belongs to the postcode of CM2 0FR.

The building description

Here a normal house bungalow, with detached semi-detached housing with low-rising is selected for this case study. Thus it is also selected for all types of accommodation purposes, but here in this case a dormer on two is selected where the roof space also includes the second floor. This building is a one-storeyed house. As it is a semi-detached house, the two floors of the building are adjoined to the other house on one side. Here this building is built as a single-family duplexed dwelling household that shares the common wall with the next house.

The building was built on 31st July, 2002.

The main purpose of this model is to construct a residential building. The normal residential designing has been followed with 3 BHK ( 3 no. of bedrooms in which one is master bedroom, with 1 hall, 1 kitchen , washroom). The reinforcement of steel , cement, coarse aggregate and fine aggregate are used to build this building.

Structural Element

Substructure

Foundation system

A structure is mainly divided into two parts, the structure below the plinth level or, P.L is called sub-structure.

In this structure “Isolated footing foundation” is being used, this type of foundation is mainly used to carry concentrated loads and a minor amount of axial loads in their columns as the columns are one of the most vital parts of this type of residential buildings (Yin et al.2019). This foundation is capable of carrying and distributing loads efficiently. In this case as this a residential building loads coming to this building will be \moderate and the factor of safety always will be 1.5 times of the total calculated loads. There are many types of isolated footing foundations- (i) Spread footing (ii) Sloped footing (ii) Stepped footing. Here Spread footing foundation type is being used.

Foundation Method

This is a shallow type foundation where breadth of the foundation is greater than the depth (B>D). In this type of foundation area of the base of the foundation is being increased by providing offsets.In this foundation spread is given under the base of the wall or columns for offset provision process (Amoatey et al.2020). This foundation is utilized to support each column of buildings/storeys and the columns are interconnected as well to support each other. Isolated footing foundation is the most constructed foundation around the world,design and construction is efficient,simple and durable compared to other types of foundations.

Materials are chosen mainly based on their productivity and workability, Coarse aggregates, fine aggregates, binding material (cement) is being used in their finest workable condition. Reinforcement is also used in the plinth beam to provide gradual support to the superstructure from substructure, also plain cement concrete is being used in substructure (Gwythere tal;.2019).The working of substructure is more important because it carries the total load and transfer it into the soil.

Structural elements: Superstructure

Description

Super structure is the visible part of the building which is above the ground surface, this part of the building includes column,beam,slab and also it includes flooring,roofing work lintels and parapets (Geng et al.2019).Objective of superstructure to carry different type of loads imposing on the structure. There are several type of loads that is calculated before construction of a building, the type of loads are-

• Dead Load (ii) Live Load (iii) Wind Load (iv) Seismic Load (v) Snow Load (v) Load Combination (vi) Special Loads.
• Dead load or DL remains constant irrespective of time and period. Roof, beam, walls these are dead loads. It's also called static load.
• Live load or Impose loads are produced during the use of the structure. Calculation of live load is based on real time analysis and data (Sakiyama et al.2020). Furniture, various equipment etc.
• Wind load is calculated in pounds/sft unit. It is calculated on the structure angle in which the structure is being built.
• Materials used in superstructures are- (i) Reinforcement (ii)Beam (iii) column (iv) (v) Stirrups etc.

In structural members these materials are mainly used to construct- Walls, roofs, load-bearing floors, beams and other structural members.

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Elements of Superstructure

The elements of superstructure are-

• Reinforcement- It consists of steel bar,mesh and it is embedded with in the concrete elements, reinforced steels provide tensile strength to prevent tension failure in the members of superstructure.Reinforcement in superstructure is highly recommended in design methods as well as safety is increased by using tensile reinforcement as it does not fail in the tensile situations and shear failures.
• Beam- Beam is a member which comprises a number of materials including steel and wood to withstand load.Its redirecting the load and fundamentally twisting (Dolce et al.2021). It brings response forces whenever a load is applied on it and it takes the load from the top of the roof and then releases the pressure onto the columns. Beams take axial and bending loads as well.
• Column- Column transmits the load which is coming over it from the roof slab, it takes the load from beam and distributes it on the footing, in the superstructure column plays a carrier or an anchor role (Jia et al.2019).Shape of column can be square,rectangular,circular or it ma\y be hollow, depending on the requirement of the structure columns are designed.Size and shape of the column is depend upon the load and also height of the building takes a vital part in the design of the column structure.
• Stirrups- In construction stirrups are mainly used as shear supporting elements, it is used in beams and columns to resist shear failure in the structure (Ozodovich et al.2022). Shear failure may crack and weaken the structure, therefore stirrups are the shear keys of the structure.

Stirrups are of - double legged, single legged. Stirrups are of various shapers depending upon the shape of the beams and columns.

These structural elements are used to protect the structure and prevent the structural strengths.

Non-structural elements and materials

Floor finishing

In this case study, a low-rise UK-based normal housing complex is chosen. So the floor finishing of the low-rise building is built with the company specialization in the hardwood floor consisting of solid pieces of wood and engineered with wood floating (Shilovi et al.2021). Where the thin veneer of real wood is connected for structural layering.

Here for the wood floors, the European Oak woods are used. That provides natural beauty, durability and potential color finishing (Sangiorgio et al.2020). It lasts for decades with the proper maintenance because these materials can be refinished many times and sanded.

The various problems occur as it is very costlier, and it is also where various dents and scratches can be found. It may contract with the changing humidity levels, which leads to cracks, and splinters.

Staircase

Here in this UK-based low-rise housing complex, the Doglegged staircase is used. Thus it helps in the landings that consume the total floor space (Allen et al.2019). Here it doesn't contain large single dimensions, and the upper stairs are not clearly visible from the bottom stairs. Thus it provides privacy and is filled with the simpler designing structure that occupies the very shorter space. The configuration of these stairs effectively reduces the drift for the bracing effects.

The main problems are faced during the building process of these stairs. Also the handrails of these stairs required careful planning strategy.

Windows

Here in this UK-based low-rise housing complex, the sliding windows are used. These windows are very flexible to use. Provides the unobstructed views and is very energy efficient.

Those are very cost-efficient and it also blended well with the certain architectural designing. Thus it provides the customizable spaces and doesn't require high maintenance.

The tracks of the sliding doors required cleaning well for the continuation of the seal of the apartment (Grondzik et al.2019). The other problems are faced as these windows are filled easily with the dirt and leaves. The panels, hardwares and the tracks can be easily damaged if they aren't handled carefully.

Ceiling

Here in this UK-based low-rise housing complex, the plasterboard false ceiling has been adopted for room designing. Here this type of ceiling is used as it is very environmentally friendly. It doesn't emit any types of smell or allergens or any harmful substances (Bungeri et al.2019). It contains a high porosity base, helps in breathing, and the material contained in this ceiling are helpful for absorbing the moistures from the air and also accumulating it with the contribution of a comfortable indoor climate.

The problems faced in its design for not hiding the irregularities of the ceiling, the sheets are very rigid fastening and also it complicates their replacements.

Interior finishings

Here in this UK-based low-rise housing complex, the British interior style approaches are applied for its interior finishing. Thus it influences the home with the emergence of the trends for giving the modern tests. It contains the creativity with the traditional mix incorporating the innovative features with the love for old and new trends. Thus it provides a handsome look with the high ceiling, and also attracts the eyes of the guests (Awada et al.2021). The disadvantages faced for these implementations, like the diy and they required high maintenance, the walls are less precisely structured as the damages due to moistures are observed. Though it has several disrupts but for giving the housing interior a great look here the portable furnitures, the traditional shutters, electrical accessories and teh ceiling fans, lightweight fabrics has been implemented for make the room more sustainable as well as more comfortable for living.

The Behavior of Materials

Efflorescence

• Description- Here it is observed that “efflorescence” in the outer brick wall. The bricks are not in proper conditions that they should be in,it may harm the surface of the brick and the joints (Stagrum et al.2020).It is usually white, but it can also become yellow,green or it may turn brown.It can weaken the joints of the bonded wall because it weakens the strength of the bricks as well.
• Possible Cause- Efflorescence is a salty crystalline deposit that occurs in the surface of the bricks. It develops naturally by occurring minerals form sources and weather conditions. When water leaves behind the salt deposit of masonry surface then efflorescence of brick causes.

Damp in the wall

• Description- Damping is caused due to excess moisture in the atmosphere. When the moisture could get a way to escape from the property/residence it effects the walls, ceilings and other part of the building (Churkina et al.2020).Damping is stated as the condition between wet and dry condition, it is considered as a big and important aspect of a building, negligence of damping can provide adverse effect to the building as it can create unhygienic condition for the person/persons living in.
• Possible Cause- The reason of damping of wall can be seepage, if it is not taken seriously and addresses quickly this moisture will seeps into the interiors and it will ruin the wall paint.Seepage can be causes due to many reasons like- Leakage in the bathroom, kitchen,water tank.

Crack In the wall

Description- There are many reasons that crack can occur in the waii, those care-

(i) thermal crack (ii) Vibration crack (iii) Shrinkage crack (iv) Settlement crack

Distribution soil settlement and compaction factorized crack of the wall.This procedure can take months or years to be formed, natural settlementment of soil often causes narrow cracks and it can cause big cracks too (Xakimov et al.2022).Cracking is a common damage which can be created due to materials, shrinkage of materialism often results as crack, minor or small cracks are normal in new house it signifies that house is settling.

Shrinkage cracks are normally hairline crack and which do not expand very much, it happens in case of shrinkage of materials and also resistance power is less due to shrinking limit of it.

Possible cause- Cracks can be formed due to various reasons, those are-

Chemical reaction in construction materials, foundation settlement, environmental stress,earthquake etc.

Earthquakes can cause ground cracks, the cracks are classified into several types- tensile type, normal fault type.

Vegetation growth on the wall

Description- Some plants grow in walls between the cracks or floor, this plant-growing process is called “epiphytism”.either this plants penetrate in the side of the house or it can be form in the joint of the bonded walls .These plants are able to grow on other plants or surface, sometimes they grow on walls,floors without getting nutritions from them (Vom Brockeet al.2020). These tiny plants which grown in the roofs and walls can be moss, algee, lichen, mold etc. These plants damage building aesthetics and, building fabrics and it also creates an unhealthy substance on the walls.From a distance they can look a like,and without noticing and realizing the upcoming damage people tend to ignore it.

Possible cause- Supply of water,nitrogen ,moderate temperature and high humid situation stimulates the growth of vegetation growth (Roberts et al.2020).These plants grow from some sources, roughness on the wall surface and biological attachment encouraged by masonry is a vital cause of this growth. These plants can seek their routes by cracking the brick wall, mainly these plants target brick joints to grow and penetrate on the brick wall surface.

Conclusion

From the above description the detailed overview about the Uk based normal housing with the designing analysis is incorporated here. Thus here the building construction site with its demonstrative implementations provides the lucrative look in the housing complex. Thus here the traditional construction style is followed. But there the mixing has been observed for the traditional and as well as for the technical implementation. Thus in this part the in depth description has been given for the UK-based low-rise housing complex. So as per the case study, here the attention has been driven towards the selected model house. At first here the locational details have been given with its postcodes . Then here the total description about this model house is properly defined. The various methodologies used , the structural materials used and the designing techniques are mentioned as well. Here this housing complex belongs to Lynmouth Avenue in the area of Chelmsford from the Eastern region in the city of England. Thus here the postcode of this region belongs to the Moulsham and Central ward with the electoral divisions. This includes the constituency of Chelmsford city. It combines the address and the neighborhood that provides the exact statistical coverage. The case study gives the specific overview upon the building model, and the structural and various non structural elements used in this building constructions are also mentioned here. Thus the natural debris and the other damages occurred in the housing complex creates many bad impacts. So here the various regularities and the maintenance strategy over this applications for the interior as well as for the out structural implementation of the building science and the style followed for the maintenance of this building is described firmly. Hence with the behavioral aspects and the other findings that collaborates the detected problems in the structural model of the building construction is defined, that helps to generate the basic awareness for the maintenance of theis building model.

References

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