Introduction to Engineering and Technology Concepts Unit Four Chapter One– Structural Technologies

Instructions for Success: Each chapter of every unit will begin with a “Mindjog.” This is a warm up question that you should answer in your workbook in the proper chapter. Please take notes as you move through the presentations in the notebook that has been provided. Sections will come up in each presentation with an assignment notice. Turn to the section detailed on the slide in your workbook and complete the assignment before proceeding. Good luck!

Objective Students will define how basic structures are developed and constructed.

Mindjog! On your worksheet, please respond to the following question: “Think of a structure such as your home. Name as many components that you can that make up it its overall construction.”

What is Construction? The Mindjog asked you to consider the components of your home. Did you think of things like lumber, piping, the foundation, and the like? What is construction anyway? Construction is a production activity that produces structures such as buildings or roadways (Wright, 2004).

Consider… What are the three basic physical needs for humans? They are food, clothing, and shelter. Still, construction processes include more than just homes. Factories, stores, offices, roads, railways, canals, damns, power transmission lines, communication towers, and even pipelines are included in this category (Wright, 2004).

Types of Construction Construction uses technological actions to erect a structure on the site where it will be used. There are only two types of construction: Buildings – enclosures to protect people, materials, and equipment from the elements. Heavy Engineering Structures – help our economy function effectively (Wright, 2004).

Buildings Buildings can be grouped into three types: residential, commercial, and industrial. What are the differences? Residential buildings are where people live. Commercial buildings are used for businesses and government purposes. Industrial buildings house machines used to make products (Wright, 2004).

From One to Another… Another way to look at this is how an artifact goes from creation to you. If we use an MP3 player as an example, you can imagine that the player was created in an industrial building, shipped out in large quantities to commercial buildings where it is unpacked and put on the shelf. Then, you go to the store (commercial building), purchase it, and take the player back to your residential building (house).

Other Types of Buildings Besides commercial, industrial, and residential buildings, there are others that exist: Monuments- structures paying tribute to accomplishments or sacrifices of people or groups.Monuments- structures paying tribute to accomplishments or sacrifices of people or groups. Cultural- can include theaters, galleries, libraries, performance halls, and museums.Cultural- can include theaters, galleries, libraries, performance halls, and museums. Government- house government functions.Government- house government functions. Transportation- buildings that aid in the loading and unloading of passengers and cargo from transportation vehicles.Transportation- buildings that aid in the loading and unloading of passengers and cargo from transportation vehicles. Sports Arenas- used for sports, concerts, trade shows, and conventions.Sports Arenas- used for sports, concerts, trade shows, and conventions. Agricultural- include barns and storage for livestock, machinery, farm products (Wright, 2004).Agricultural- include barns and storage for livestock, machinery, farm products (Wright, 2004).

What is Involved? What steps are taken when constructing a building? Preparing the Site Setting Foundations Building the Framework Enclosing the Structure Installing Utilities Finishing the Exterior and Interior Completing the Site (Wright, 2004)

Preparing the Site What should be thought of before simply building a structure? For this, let’s suppose we are building a house (Wright, 2004).What should be thought of before simply building a structure? For this, let’s suppose we are building a house (Wright, 2004). Perhaps our house is going to be constructed ocean front. We would need to have good ground, consider the natural environment, and purchase the ground.Perhaps our house is going to be constructed ocean front. We would need to have good ground, consider the natural environment, and purchase the ground. The site is then cleared to make room for the structure. This may include grading, preparing areas so that water drains away from the site.The site is then cleared to make room for the structure. This may include grading, preparing areas so that water drains away from the site. When possible, the building should be located to save existing trees and other natural life (Wright, 2004).When possible, the building should be located to save existing trees and other natural life (Wright, 2004).

Setting Foundations The foundation is the most important part of any building project. The foundation is the “feet” of a building. Without a proper one, the building will settle unevenly on the ground. This may cause it to lean, become unstable, and fall. A complete foundation has two parts: footing and wall. The footing spreads the load over the surface. The type of foundation used is dependent on the soil type (Wright, 2004).

Foundations Types There are three types of foundations: spread, slab, and pile. Spread foundations are used on rock and in hard soils such as clay. The foundation walls sit on a flow flat pad called a footing (Wright, 2004).

Foundations Types Slab foundations are used for buildings built on soft soil. The foundation becomes the floor of the building, allowing the weight of the building to be spread over a wide area. This foundation can be used in earthquake areas because it withstands vibration (Wright, 2004).

Foundations Types Spread foundations are used in wet, marshy, or sandy soils. Piles, large poles made of steel, wood, or concrete, are driven into the ground until they encounter solid soil or rock (Wright, 2004).

Building the Framework The foundation becomes the base for the next part of the building, the framework. Erecting the framework gives the building its shape and size. The framework includes the floors, interior and exterior walls, ceilings, and roof. Doors and window locations are also set up at this time. Low cost building framework are made of lumber while industrial and commercial buildings have steel or reinforced concrete (Wright, 2004).

Installing Utilities Utilities are normally installed after the building has been enclosed to prevent theft and damage from the weather. The utilities include: electrical, plumbing, climate control, and communications (Wright, 2004).

Finishing the Exterior and Interior The final exterior finishing step is installing siding and trim. Siding is the finish covering the wood building. Many materials are used including shingles, boards, plywood, hardboard, brick, stone, aluminum, vinyl, and stucco. Trim are the strips of wood that cover joints between window frames, door frames, and the siding (Wright, 2004).

Completing the Site Completing the building is the major part of the project. Still, other work remains: Earth is moved to fill in areas around the foundation. Sidewalk and driveways are installed. Landscaping helps to prevent erosion and improves the appearance of the site (Wright, 2004).

Heavy Engineering Structures Construction projects do not always produce buildings. These are heavy engineering structures and will be grouped into three categories: Transportation Communication Production (Wright, 2004)

Heavy Engineering Structures Transportation systems depend on constructed structures. Consider: Roadways – almost as old as civilization. The Romans built the first engineered roads. Bridges – provides paths for vehicles to move over obstacles. There are five: Beam Bridges – use concrete or steel to support the deck. Truss Bridges – use small parts arranged in triangles to support the deck. Arch Bridges – used curved members to support the deck. Cantilever Bridges - Use trusses that extend out like arms. Suspension Bridges – Use cables to carry the loads (Wright, 2004).

Communication Structures Most telecommunication technology relies on constructed towers to support antennas. These towers are usually placed on a concrete foundation. A steel tower is then built on top. Once the tower is complete, a signal wiring can be installed. Similar techniques are used to construct towers for power transmission lines (Wright, 2004).

Production Structures Some structures that are used for production activities are not buildings. Consider petroleum refineries are a mix of machinery and pipelines. Irrigation systems are constructed to bring water to farms in dry areas. Dams are developed for controlling floods, supplying water, making recreational lakes, and/or generating electricity (Wright, 2004).

Assignment #1 Please turn to the section in your workbook entitled, “Unit Four, Chapter One – Structural Technologies.” Complete the extension questions under the “Assignment #1” header before moving onto the next section of slides.

BEFORE MOVING ON: Did you complete the “Assignment #1” Section under the “Unit Four, Chapter One – Structural Technologies” section of your workbook? If you have, please proceed to the next slide.

Chapter One Completed! Please close this presentation and launch the file entitled, “Chapter 2 – Transportation Technologies.”

References Wright, R. (2004) “Technology” The Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc.