common forms of low-rise construction

Common Forms of Low-rise Construction

Suitable for Domestic and Commercial Buildings

Glossary of terms• Components

• Individual items that once assembled make up larger elements of the structure.

• I.E. ~ 1 brick does not represent a wall, however 1000 bricks assembled accordingly would.

Glossary of terms• Elements

• A number of elements organised together make up the total structure.

• I.E. ~ Foundations, walls, roof, floors and stairs organised together would constitute a basic built form.

Glossary of terms continued

Elements continued

• Primary elements ~ these carry and distribute weight, enveloped space, give access, protect against the natural environment (e.g. external walls, load-bearing walls floors, roof, foundations and stairs).

Roof

Walls

Floors

Foundations

Glossary of terms continued

Elements continued

• Secondary elements ~ these give added protection and security, divide space and facilitate service inclusion (e.g. doors, windows, non-load-bearing walls, balustrades, pipe and wire runs, etc).

Windows

Doors

Stairs

Partition walls

Glossary of terms continued

Elements continued

• Finishing elements ~ these give aesthetic value to property but often fulfil specific functions such as protection (e.g. cladding, plastered surfaces, tiled surfaces, decorated surfaces, floor coverings, skirting and architraves, sanitary ware, kitchen units, etc).

Flashings

Doors

Plastering

Claddings and Renders

Glossary of terms continued

• Traditional Construction

• The elements which make up the built fabric are assembled entirely on site (formed in-situ) from individual material components.

Glossary of terms continued

• Modern Construction

• Some, if not most of the building elements are assembled in factories off site, brought on and assembled as complete units accordingly (prefabricated).

Glossary of terms continued

• Load-bearing

• Elements that carry and distribute the load factors imposed on the building.

• Non-Load-bearing

• Elements that have no responsibility to carry and distribute the loads imposed.

Glossary of terms continued

• High Rise development

• Medium Rise development

• Low Rise development

• Buildings and structures over 7 storeys in height.

• Buildings and structures between 3 and 7 storeys in height.

• Buildings and structures up to 3 storeys in height.

Student Activity

• Reference the handout.

• Use the handout to record information from the tutor presentation and peer discussions on common uses of different structural forms.

Cellular Structure(Traditional Form)

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Cross-wall Structure

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Rectangular Frame

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Rigid Portal Frame

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Grid Roof Structure(Space Frame)

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Shell Dome

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Air supported structure

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Suspension Roof Structure

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Shell Vault Structure

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Suspension Structure

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Cantilevered Structures

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Modular Structures

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