3. Coordinating Engineering Systems

Question 1

S1 - List the pros (6) and cons(3) of wood structural systems.

Answer 1

\+ irregular forms
\+ easy to erect on-site
\+ plentiful & inexpensive
\+ adaptable
\+ compression & tension loads
\+ construction possible in bad weather
- thick floor assemblies
- combustible
- small spans/height

Question 2

S3 - List the best building height, max span, pros & cons of precast concrete structural systems. (5 pros no cons)

Answer 2

*best up to 30 stories & spans <100'
\+ integral fire protection
\+ allows irregular forms
\+ thin floors
\+ fast on-site erection
\+ flexible

Question 3

S4 - List the pros (3) & cons (4) of site-cast concrete structural systems.

Answer 3

* best up to 30 storeys & spans <60'
\+ integral fire protection
\+ irregular forms
\+ thin floors
- rqrs good wether for erection
- heavy dead load
- rigid
- formwork/labour intensive

Question 4

S5 - List the pros(5) & cons (4) of steel structural systems.

Answer 4

* best over 30 storeys & spans <200'
\+ construction can occur in bad weather
\+ light dead load
\+ fast erection
\+ small column section
\+ adaptable
- rqrs fire protection
- thick floors
- rqrs regular grid
- rqrs shear bracing

Question 5

S6 - What 3 structural systems are best for inherent fire-resistance, particularly useful when structure exposed?

Answer 5

• ALL CONCRETE
• HEAVY TIMBER
• MILL CONSTRUCTION
X NOT STRUC. STEEL (weakens rapidly in fire)

Question 6

S7 - What mech systems will min. construction time? (1 quality & corresponding system)

Answer 6

Systems installed by 1 trade:

• THROUGH WALL PKG TERMINAL UNIT (usually below a window

Question 7

S8 - What structural system is best for a thin floor system?

Answer 7

• CONCRETE w OUT RIBS - IDEALLY PRE-STRESSED

Question 8

S9 - What structural system is best for building in bad weather?

Answer 8

X NOT MASONRY OR SITE-CAST

Question 9

S10 - What structural systems are best for a highly irregular form?

Answer 9

Simple floor/roof framing on-site
• SITE-CAST CONCRETE
• LIGHT GUAGE STEEL FRAME
• WOOD FRAME
• MASONRY

Question 10

S11 - What structural systems are best for allowing changes to the building over time?

Answer 10

Short-span one way systems
• LIGHT-GAUGE STEEL
• CONCRETE
• ANY ALL WOOD
X NOT POST-TENSIONED

Question 11

S12 - What structural systems are best for irregular grid? (2)

Answer 11

• SITE-CAST CONCRETE

* METAL SPACE FRAME

Question 12

S13 - What structural systems are best for min. area occupied by columns/bearing walls? (7)

Answer 12

Long span systems
• HEAVY WOOD
• STEEL FRAME
• STEEL TRUSS
• CONCRETE WAFFLE
• PRECAST CONCRETE
• GLUE LAM
• OPEN WEB STEEL JOIST

Question 13

S14 - What structural systems are best for min. construction time for 1-2 storeys? (3)

Answer 13

Lightweight / Easy to form
Prefab / Easy to assemble:
• ANY STEEL
• HEAVY TIMBER
• PLATFORM FRAME

Question 14

S15 - What structural systems are best for min. construction time for 4-20 storeys?

Answer 14

• PRECAST (prefab)
• STEEL FRAME (prefab)
• SITE-CAST (no lead-time)

Question 15

S16 - What structural systems are best for min. construction time for >30 storeys?

Answer 15

Strong & lightweight
Prefab / Easy to assemble:
• STEEL FRAME
• PRECAST / SITE-CAST COMBO

Question 16

S17 - What structural systems are best for min. diagonal crossbracing?

Answer 16

Rigid Joints:

• STEEL FRAME (results in larger members)

Question 17

S18 - What structural systems are best for min. on-site erection time?

Answer 17

Pre-processed, pre-fab, or modular:
• SINGLE STOREY RIGID STEEL FRAME
• conventional STEEL FRAME w HINGE CONNECTIONS
• any precast 
• HEAVY TIMBER

Question 18

S19 - What structural systems are best for min. no. of trades on-site?

Answer 18

• MASONRY

* PRECAST LOADBEARING

Question 19

S20 - What structural systems are best for min. structural distress from unstable foundation?

Answer 19

Frame wOUT rigid joints
• STEEL (BOLTED)
• HEAVY TIMBER
• PRECAST

Question 20

S21 - What structural systems are best for providing space within struc. for ducts, pipes, mech?

Answer 20

• TRUSS / OPEN WEB
• LIGHT GAUGE STEEL FRAME (combo w load bearing systems)
• PLATFORM FRAME (combo w load bearing systems)