Week 9

Penny Wild

MATERIALS & Lynda Fischer

STRUCTURE
 Week 9

STRUCTURAL
BASICS
• FOUNDATIONS

• FOOTINGS

• GROUND TO FLOOR Sub flooring

SYSTEMS

• FLOORING
Floor joists

Bearer
• WALLS Piers/stumps
Simpson. C and Hodgson. B (2008) Building a House – Framing Practices.
Updated edition. South Yarra: Palgrave Macmillan.
 Week 9

FOUNDATIONS

DESCRIPTION

Earthworks
The testing, forming, layering of
earth to provide the base for all
construction.

The relationship and forces

between structure and soil
determine the design of the
foundation.

Zimmermann, A. (2015) Constructing Landscape:

Materials, Techniques, Structural Components.
3rd edition. Berlin: German National Library.
Week 9

FOUNDATIONS

EXAMPLE

Albury City skatepark

https://www.alburycity.nsw.gov.au/major-
projects/regional-skate-park

OLD SKATEPARK DEMOLISHED AND SITE BEING

PREPARED FOR NEW PARK

PERFECT EXAMPLE OF SCULPTING THE

FOUNDATION
Week 9

FOUNDATIONS

EXAMPLE

Albury City skatepark

https://www.alburycity.nsw.gov.au/major-
projects/regional-skate-park
 Week 9

GENERALLY, 3 TYPES FOOTINGS

ISOLATED DESCRIPTION

THIS IS THE AREA OF THE

BUILDING THAT HAS IMMEDIATE
CONTINUOUS CONTACT WITH THE GROUND

FOOTINGS ALLOW FOR THE EVEN

INTEGRATED DISTRIBUTION OF THE TOTAL
LOAD OF THE BUILDING ONTO
THE GROUND
 Week 9

FOOTINGS

Isolated footings
These footings are separate
from one another and
provide a series of support
points for a building

They are usually used under

brick piers, timber posts or
poles, steel columns and
reinforced concrete
columns

These footings are

completely reliant on the
surrounding foundation
Wilkie, G. (2003) Building Your Own Home: A Comprehensive Guide
for Owner-Builders. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. material for stability
 Week 9

FOOTINGS

Continuous
footings
These footings are generally
used in conjunction with
masonry walls

Strip footings or
Beam footings
• Strip footings – are used
extensively throughout Australia
and generally counter any
tendency for the footing to move
due to local settlement – they are
wider than they are deep

• Beam footings – are generally

used in a grid format and
provides a very stable support for
a building even if the foundation
Wilkie, G. (2003) Building Your Own Home: A Comprehensive Guide material is unstable
for Owner-Builders. Sydney: New Holland Publishers.
 Week 9

FOOTINGS
Integrated footings
Most used form in domestic
construction is a slab on ground
system with integral edge beam
Raft slab

Requires stable foundation

http://www.builderbill-diy-help.com/raft-foundation.html material and must be on a site that
is well drained

• It is a requirement in all states

of Australia that this system
be designed by a structural
engineer

• As you can see in the images

the slab is thickened under
walls to support their weight
 Week 9

GROUND TO FLOOR
SYSTEMS
THERE ARE ESSENTIALLY 2 SYSTEMS THAT CAN
BE USED SEPARATELY OR COMBINED IF
REQUIRED DESCRIPTION

• ISOLATED SUPPORT SYSTEM – MOST GROUND TO FLOOR

SYSTEMS ARE ESSENTIALLY
COMMON
THE STRUCTURE THAT
CONNECTS THE FOOTINGS
• CONTINUOUS SUPPORT SYSTEM TO THE FLOOR FRAME.

THEY ARE INCREDIBLY

IMPORTANT TO THE LOAD
PATH OF A STRUCTURE AND
WE’LL FOCUS ON ISOLATED SUPPORT THEIR PLACEMENT IS

SYSTEM AS THAT’S WHAT WE’LL BE USING INTEGRAL TO THE

STRENGTH OF THE OVERALL
WITH THE KIOSK
HOUSE.
 Week 9

GROUND TO FLOOR
SYSTEMS

ISOLATED SUPPORT
SYSTEM
COLUMNS STUMPS EXAMPLES INCLUDE:
More likely on large Found on older style
commercial buildings higher set houses

ISOLATED PIERS
Found on older style
lower set houses

POSTS – MOST LIKELY IN CURRENT CONSTRUCTION

 Week 9

GROUND TO FLOOR
SYSTEMS
POSTS

Photos courtesy of Penny Wild

 Week 9

HARDSCAPING
Raised deck and path options
Week 9

HARDSCAPING

Path materiality
Pavers
Concrete and texture
 Week 9

HARDSCAPING

Other site structures

Squares – stone paving

Urban stone are suppliers of commercial pavers

 Week 9

HARDSCAPING

How will you enable people to negotiate the slope of the property?

Consider tiers, steps and integrated seating

Concrete
Stone
Timber
 Week 9

FLOORS

WHAT’S AVAILABLE?

http://steelmax.com.au/files/uploads/2009/12/a-Steel-MAX-
The common systems are:
RHS-tube-connections.pdf

• Timber floor framing

• Steel floor framing

• Concrete slabs
 STEEL FRAMED FLOORING Week 9
POSTS ARE GENERALLY RHS (RECTANGULAR HOLLOW SECTIONS) OR
SHS (SQUARE HOLLOW SECTIONS) THAT COME PRE-GALVANISED FLOORS
TIMBER AND STEEL
FRAMED FLOORING
GENERALLY TIMBER AND STEEL
FRAMED FLOORS RELY ON
BEARERS THAT RUN PARALLEL TO THE
LENGTH OF THE
BUILDING SITTING ON POSTS. JOISTS
http://steelmax.com.au/files/uploads/2009/12/a-Steel-MAX-RHS-tube-connections.pdf
THEN RUN ONTOP AND ARE
PERPENDICULAR TO THE BEARERS
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TIMBER
AND STEEL SYSTEMS IS:
STEEL SYSTEMS ARE PREFABRICATED SYSTEMS –
MEANING THE SYSTEM IS MANUFACTURED OFF-
SITE AND INSTALLED WHEN AND WHERE
REQUIRED.
BENEFITS ARE IT’S EASE OF INSTALLATION, WHICH
CUTS COSTS WHEN IT COMES TO LABOUR
THE SPANNING CAPACITY OF THE BEARERS AND
JOISTS ARE LONGER THAN TIMBER IS ABLE TO
ACCOMMODATE, WHICH MEANS THAT FEWER
FOOTINGS AND POSTS ARE REQUIRED
www.lysaght.com/go/case-study/quick-fix-steel-flooring-makes-it-easy www.lysaght.com/go/case-study/brisbane-builder-tackles-the-hard-yards
THEY PROVIDE A SYSTEM THAT IS TERMITE, FIRE
AND CORROSION RESISTANT
 Member Species/Type
Width/Sheet Size
Dimension in millimetres
Depth/Thickness
Week 9
Bearer or Rafter Unseasoned 75 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250

Joist or stud
Seasoned

Unseasoned
70

38, 50
70, 90, 120, 140, 170, 190,
240
75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200
FLOORS
Seasoned 35, 45 70, 90, 120, 140, 190
Flooring - T&G strip Hardwood 40, 60, 63, 80, 82, 85 12, 19

Flooring - Structural Plywood

Softwood 67, 83, 87
2400 x 1200
19
7, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19, 21, 25
TIMBER SIZES AVAILABLE
2700 x 1200
Flooring - Particle Board 12 - 1800 x 450/600/900/1200 12, 16, 18
2400 x 450/600/900/1200
3600 x 450/600/1200/1800

16 - 1800 x 450/600/900/1200
2400 x 450/600/900/1200
3600 x 450/600/1200
Seasoned – dried, therefore
18 - 1800 x 450/600/900/1200
minimal shrinkage,
2400 x 600/900/1200
2700 x 900/1200
dimensionally stable, less likely
3600 x 600/1200/1800 to twist or bow and needs to be
pre-drilled
Flooring - Compressed FC 15, 18

Unseasoned – not dried,

therefore tends to be cheaper,
is easier to work, drill, nail and
saw; will shrink in depth and
100

thickness as it dries so
Timber is specified by the larger allowances need to be
cross-sectional dimension first, accommodated especially in
75 then the smaller cross-sectional regards to connections
dimension in millimetres – for
example, 100 x 75
 Week 9

FLOORS

MATERIALS
The platform method generally
places the subflooring on the
floor frame before the walls are
installed, providing a safe
platform for workers to work
from

This subflooring can be strip

flooring but more commonly
these days is a weatherproof
plywood or chipboard sheeting

This sheeting has been developed

to withstand external elements
for up to 3 months - suitable for
a construction period
Wilkie, G. (2003) Building Your Own Home: A Comprehensive Guide
for Owner-Builders. Sydney: New Holland Publishers.
 Week 9

FLOORS
FLOOR MATERIALS

Photos courtesy of Penny Wild

 Week 9

FLOORS
CONCRETE SLABS
Concrete slabs consist of sand,
cement and aggregate and are
always reinforced with steel
whether that be mesh, bars or
cable for post tensioning

Slabs on the ground

• Raft slab
• Floating slab

OR

Suspended slabs
Wilkie, G. (2003) Building Your Own Home: A Comprehensive Guide
for Owner-Builders. Sydney: New Holland Publishers.

There are also precast panels

available - these are made off
site to predetermined panel
sizes
 Week 9

FLOORS
CONCRETE SLABS
Concrete slabs should be
designed by a qualified
structural engineer

They are low to medium in

cost and are used
extensively throughout
commercial and residential
applications

They are inherently fire

retardant and have good
sound attenuation

If formwork is installed
correctly there is little
wastage
www.frostservices.com.au/frost-concrete-services-gallery.html
 Week 9

WALL SYSTEMS

WALLS

LININGS

OPENINGS

Wilkie, G. (2003) Building Your Own Home: A Comprehensive Guide

for Owner-Builders. Sydney: New Holland Publishers.
 Week 9

WALLS

GENERALLY, 3 TYPES

TIMBER

STEEL

MASONRY
Week 9

WALLS
DESCRIPTION
Walls can support the roof and
provide a weatherproof protective
shell around the interior of the
building.
Or they can provide a frame for an
external space or protection from
the weather

They can be constructed as a

structural frame or a solid mass

All walls are generally clad in brick,

sheet or board materials or can be
rendered

Walls also provide support for

windows and doors – as they are
unable to support the load of the
roof on their own
 Week 9

WALLS
TIMBER FRAMING
TIMBER FRAMING IS VERY
FORGIVING – MISTAKES ARE EASILY
FIXED. THIS HAS MADE THIS TYPE OF
WALL FRAMING ONE OF THE MOST
POPULAR CHOICES IN AUSTRALIAN
CONSTRUCTION

Wall frames are constructed lying

down on-site then raised into place.
They can also be prefabricated off
site which is becoming increasingly
popular

Timber frames consist of two

horizontal members called top and
bottom plates – vertical members
Simpson. C and Hodgson. B (2008) Building a House – Framing Practices. called studs with smaller horizontal
Updated edition. South Yarra: Palgrave Macmillan. members called noggings

Diagonal bracing is also required to

add stability to the wall structure
 Week 9

WALLS
TIMBER FRAMING
The timber utilised in timber
frame construction will vary
depending on the location of
the site.
http://www.nzwood.co.nz/what-wood/structural-materials/light-timber-framing/

In Queensland the typical

timber used is cypress pine
as it is readily available,
inexpensive and lightweight

The timber sections used to

construct the frame can
range from 75mm x 38mm to
100mm x 50mm

http://www.daff.gov.au/brs/publications/series/forest-profiles/
australian_forest_profiles_plantationd
 Week 9

WALLS
METAL FRAMING
Metal stud walls are becoming
increasingly popular, especially in termite
and cyclone prone areas – they are light
Top plate and strong

Bracing All of the components are generally fixed

together with pop-rivets, power driven
screws, slots, welding or gluing – this will
all depend on the system you go with

They follow the basic thicknesses of

timber framed walls (70mm and 90mm)

The sections are generally channels rather

than the hollow sections used in the floor
bearers and piers

Each section is designed to slot inside

each other meaning that the top and
bottom plates are thicker to
accommodate the studs

Stud If the frames are being constructed off-

Bottom site, then detailed workshop drawings will
plate be required from the manufacturer and
checked very carefully before giving the
Nogging go ahead for construction
Wilkie, G. (2003) Building Your Own Home: A Comprehensive Guide
for Owner-Builders. Sydney: New Holland Publishers.
 Week 9

WALLS
MASONRY
There are a range of masonry wall
systems available on the market –
one of the most common to
Australia is brick
As well as the standard clay brick
There are also besser
blocks(concrete blocks) and hebel
blocks
Five Dock House – Neeson Murcutt Architects

http://www.hebelinnovations.com.au/Html/Gallary.aspx?id=18#
http://www.superbricks.biz/site/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/brick3.jpg
 Week 9

WALLS
MASONRY
These products can be used to
form textural patterns

These patterns need to be

represented in your drawings

You even need to detail how you

would like the joints to be dealt
with

McMorrough, J. (2006) Materials, Structures and Standards.

USA: Rockport Publishers Inc.
Week 9

WALLS
MASONRY
Stone is another common
masonry construction material
either as the main structural
element or as a tiled lining
Week 9

WALLS

INTERNAL LININGS

PLASTERBOARD
Is a laminated board that
consists of outer stressed skins
of special paper with a core of
gypsum plaster

This is the material of choice if

you require a flush, no seam
finish
To install plasterboard over
masonry you can direct stick if
the face is flush otherwise
furring channels may be required
 Week 9

WALLS

INTERNAL LININGS

FIBRE CEMENT
Is a sheet cladding material
formed from cement and wood
fibre
Generally used in wet areas it also
has great fire resistant properties
Joins can be taped and concealed
or a cover strip will be required to
cover the join

Wilkie, G. (2003) Building Your Own Home: A Comprehensive Guide

for Owner-Builders. Sydney: New Holland Publishers.
 Week 9

WALLS

INTERNAL LININGS
OTHER

Wilkie, G. (2003) Building Your Own Home: A Comprehensive Guide

for Owner-Builders. Sydney: New Holland Publishers.
 Week 9

WALLS
EXTERIOR CLADDING
NOTE THE USE OF FLASHING TO PROVIDE WATERPROOFING TO
EXTERNAL JUNCTIONS

EXTERNAL CLADDING IS INSTALLED – THIS PRODUCT IS CALLED SHADOWCLAD AND

IS MADE FROM RECYCLED MATERIAL

Photos courtesy of Penny Wild

BLUE BOARD IS A FIBRE CEMENT PRODUCT. IT FORMS A GOOD BASE FOR RENDER
 Week 9

WALLS
INTERNAL LININGS
PLASTERBOARD
PLASTER HAS BEEN APPLIED

AQUACHEK – WET AREA

PLASTERBOARD TO BEHIND
THE WASHING MACHINE
AND BASIN

CORNER BEAD – COVERS EVERY

CORNER BEFORE THE PLASTERERS ADD
PLASTER TO SMOOTH OUT ALL THE
JUNCTIONS
Photos courtesy of Penny Wild
 Week 9

OPENINGS
DOORS AND WINDOWS
By their simplest definition
they are openable panels
used to close off and
provide access in wall
openings

They are used internally and

externally and provide
buildings and their
occupants with;
• Security
• Sound attenuation
• Visual privacy or a view
• Protection from the
elements
• Ventilation
• Natural light
Wilkie, G. (2003) Building Your Own Home: A Comprehensive Guide
for Owner-Builders. Sydney: New Holland Publishers.
 Week 9

OPENINGS

Door operation
Common door opening types are;
• Swing – single and double
• Sliding and by pass sliding
• Surface sliders
• Cavity sliders
• Bi-fold
• Concertina or accordion
• Revolving
Common frame types are;
• Timber
• Aluminium frame
• Steel frame

Wilkie, G. (2003) Building Your Own Home: A Comprehensive Guide

for Owner-Builders. Sydney: New Holland Publishers.
 Week 9

OPENINGS

WINDOWS

The main construction types for

windows are;
• Timber framed or
• Aluminium framed

Standard window types are;

• Fixed
• Horizontal slider
• Top hung awning
• Side hung casement
• Double hung
• Louvre
• Bottom hung hopper
Wilkie, G. (2003) Building Your Own Home: A Comprehensive Guide
for Owner-Builders. Sydney: New Holland Publishers.
 Week 9

OPENINGS

Photo courtesy of Penny Wild

 Week 9

THE ROOF

ROOF TYPES AND LININGS

CEILINGS

http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/pubs/fs59.pdf
 Week 9

THE ROOF

DESCRIPTION
A roof is an intrinsic part of any
structure
It is difficult to consider roofs in
isolation because it never is isolated –
footings meet piers which meet the
floor, the walls then the roof
However today we are going to focus
on the nature of roofs in a general way

A roof is made up of the

following elements:

Structural frame

Roof covering
Wilkie, G. (2003) Building Your Own Home: A Comprehensive Guide
for Owner-Builders. Sydney: New Holland Publishers.

Ceilings (but not always)

Week 9

THE ROOF

FUNCTION
The form of the roof must
operate to:
• Control the passage of
moisture, air, heat and solar
radiation
• Control weather issues –
shedding of rain or snow,
wind loads, suction loads,
shaded eaves overhangs
• Create the span it is required
to traverse – ability to have
load bearing walls or
columns underneath,
influencing layout of spaces
below and the types of
ceiling that can be used
• Protect the image of the
building – functional and
symbolic references
 Week 9

THE ROOF

TRUSSED ROOF
SYSTEMS
Is a combination of 2
dimensional, triangulated
frames built into a 3D system

These triangulated assemblies are

pre-fabricated off site and hoisted
up, by crane, to sit on top of the
walls

Simpson. C and Hodgson. B (2008) Building a House – Framing Practices.

Updated edition. South Yarra: Palgrave Macmillan.
 Week 9

THE ROOF

FLAT, AND SKILLION ROOFS

A post and beam construction that

requires the building of walls and
posts to be topped by individual
http://www.infolink.com.au/odin/images/198707/Landmark-Products-Peninsula-range
-of-skillion-roof-shelters-for-Newcastle-City-Council-198707.jpg beams to achieve the desired
shape and structure

This assembly relies heavily on

gravity for structural integrity

Each individual member is more

crucial to the structure of the roof
than in the two previously
described methods

Wilkie, G. (2003) Building Your Own Home: A Comprehensive Guide

for Owner-Builders. Sydney: New Holland Publishers.
 Week 9

THE ROOF
FLAT, AND SKILLION
ROOFS

http://archnewhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Architectural-Design-of-Wood-Summer-House-in-Trosa-by-WRB.jpg

http://archinspire.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/skillion-roof-house-volume-attractive-forest-house4.JPG http://www.laspinaarchitects.com.au/white-patch/02.shtml
 Week 9

THE ROOF

ROOF COVERS
SHEETS:

If the right profile is selected,

can be used on a pitch as low as
3 degrees

There are so many products

available in this area – here a few
of the major ones
• Colourbond
• Zincalume
• Galvanised corrugated steel

http://www.stratco.com.au/products/roofing_walling/roofing_walling_group_page.asp
http://www.colorbond.com/home/residential/roofing/design-advantages-and-key-benefits
 Week 9

EXAMPLE ROOFS

ITN Architects

This slide gives a good level of detail that you should be able to pick
up in your building sections
 Week 9

EXAMPLE ROOFS

1 plus 2 Architecture
 Week 9

CEILINGS
Ceilings can come in a variety of
forms

They can consist of (to name a

few);
• Flush panels attached to the
underside of ceiling joists or
trusses
• Natural timber materials
whether sheets or strips
• Modular panels fixed in a
variety of set outs
• Suspended grid systems
• The ceiling could be exposed
structure

Wilkie, G. (2003) Building Your Own Home: A Comprehensive Guide

for Owner-Builders. Sydney: New Holland Publishers.
 Week 9

References
Wilkie, G. (2003) Building Your Own Home: A
Comprehensive Guide for Owner-Builders.
Sydney: New Holland Publishers.

Ching, F. (2008) Building Construction Illustrated. Fourth

Edition.
New Jersey: Wiley and Sons Inc.

McMorrough, J. (2006) Materials, Structures and Standards.

USA: Rockport Publishers Inc.

Simpson, C and Hodgson, B (2008) Building a House –

Framing Practices.
Updated edition. South Yarra: Palgrave Macmillan.

Staines, A. (2011) The Australian House Building Manual.

7th edition. Caloundra: Pinedale Press.

Zimmermann, A. (2015) Constructing Landscape: Materials,

Techniques, Structural Components.
rd
3 edition. Berlin: German National Library.
Week 9

Please post questions on the

‘got a question’ link on BB