StructureCraft’s Post

5 Interviews to Understand the Relationship between Architecture and the Environment https://lnkd.in/dJNykF9m #animals, #architecture, #earth, #environmentalist, #getgreengetgrowing, #gngagritech, #greenstories, #nature, #philosopher, #poet, #recycling, #rivers, #soil, #waste, #writer

Good article and interesting comments in the comment section.

Are you considering specifying marine epoxies for your next #historicpreservation project? I just published an article on the pros and cons of using marine epoxies for architectural wood repair. https://lnkd.in/gmxQqSxT

Super long 100m #glulam beams... Built for the 2010 Winter Olympics, the Richmond Oval has some of the longest #glulam spans in the world. Given the lack of clarity around resource scarcity, it is remarkable to note that all the wood needed to build the Oval, would take only 28 minutes to grow in the Canadian forests. So in theory you could build 900 Ovals every month. "We’ve spanned this enormous distance with panels using ordinary two-by-fours, the same kind you can find in every house in Canada." Gerald Epp The structure comprises composite wood-steel arches that span 100 metres, while between those arches are novel prefabricated WoodWave structural panels, made from lumber that’s arranged in a geometric wave pattern. They were cut using custom computer numerically controlled (CNC) machinery and are made of three- to six-metre pieces of lumber spanning the 12.8 metres between the arches. The naturally straight V-shaped sections were bent into an arch using a custom-built hydraulic press and tied with a steel rod to keep the curved shape. By using standard wood products supplied directly from BC mills, including lumber affected by the mountain pine beetle infestation, the facility demonstrates what can be achieved using a simple, sustainable, and abundant material. In addition to using wood products obtained from local forests, wood ceilings and panelling were milled from trees felled on the site. Text extracts: Naturally wood Video credit: BC Provincial Government Architect: CannonDesign Structural Engineer: Fast + Epp Mass Timber: StructureCraft __________ 🤝✅🔔 If you appreciate our posts, please follow, like, and share for more. Innovation Strategy & Training | David Hugh Elias ELLIOTT #structuralengineering #civilengineering

Let's see how birds are building their nest; they are great Civil, Architecture & material engineers ;) Some species of birds, including swifts and hummingbirds, use their saliva in the building of their nests. The swift, for example, projects a large amount of saliva against a surface, such as a tree trunk, providing an anchor for the nest. They then build up the nest in continuing layers of bird saliva along with the odd inclusion of objects such as feathers, twigs, and other plant material. The resulting nest is a fairly smooth, deep, bowl shape. Saliva is an ideal building component as it is thick and dries quickly.

Very excited to see The Institution of Structural Engineers shining a light on some of the incredible concrete reuse work being done at the Structural Xploration Lab, EPFL by Corentin Fivet, Célia Küpfer, Maléna Bastien Masse, and the wider team! The paper gives an overview of three projects the team have undertaken to prove the technical potential for reclaiming and reusing concrete walls and floors in a new life. They are: 🌉 a post tensioned arch footbridge made from 25 small blocks that had been cut from a wall (~60 lower carbon than the new equivalent*); 🏢 a 30m² area of office floor made from an old slab and old steel beams both scheduled for demolition (~90% lower carbon); ☔ a community pavilion made from 3D assemblies containing both column and slab. I remember when we published a paper by Michał P. Drewniok in 2020 about Steel Reuse, David Leversha said something like "it just seemed obvious that we should be doing this on every project now". Four years later, and thanks to the work of Penny Gowler, Laura Batty and many others, the London reclaimed steelarket is booming. Could we see reclaimed concrete follow suit...? Great work EPFL!! (*most of the emissions came from the timber formwork used to make the arch, and the transport emissions) #structuralengineering #concrete #reuse #design #climateemeergency

Let’s take a moment to marvel at the incredible engineering skills of birds as they build their nests—nature's very own civil, architecture, and materials engineers! Some bird species, like swifts and hummingbirds, showcase extraordinary ingenuity by using their own saliva as a key construction material. For example, the swift skillfully projects large amounts of saliva onto a surface, such as a tree trunk, creating a strong anchor for the nest. They then layer the nest with more saliva, feathers, twigs, and other plant materials, forming a smooth, deep, bowl-shaped structure. The saliva acts as a perfect building material—thick, durable, and quick-drying. Isn’t it fascinating how these small creatures create such stable and intricate homes with such minimal resources? Let’s draw inspiration from the natural world around us and apply these lessons in sustainability and resourcefulness to our own lives. How can we, too, build with such efficiency and care for our environment?

Let's see how birds are building their nest; they are great Civil, Architecture & material engineers ;) Some species of birds, including swifts and hummingbirds, use their saliva in the building of their nests. The swift, for example, projects a large amount of saliva against a surface, such as a tree trunk, providing an anchor for the nest. They then build up the nest in continuing layers of bird saliva along with the odd inclusion of objects such as feathers, twigs, and other plant material. The resulting nest is a fairly smooth, deep, bowl shape. Saliva is an ideal building component as it is thick and dries quickly. Video Source: happybird_777 (tktk) Please follow my channel to access all the videos easily! https://lnkd.in/gr4DSyUt hashtag#mehrtashsoltani

Sand, the unsung hero of construction, plays a crucial role in shaping the foundations of our built world. 🏗️✨ As a fundamental component in concrete, it provides the sturdy base upon which structures rise. The fine grains of sand interlock, creating a stable matrix that reinforces the integrity of the construction. But it doesn't stop there. Sand is also a key ingredient in mortar, plaster, and asphalt, contributing to the smooth finishes and resilient surfaces we rely on. 🛠️🏡 Its versatility extends to the creation of glass, another cornerstone in modern architecture, adding transparency and sophistication to our buildings. Yet, as essential as it is, the demand for sand raises environmental concerns. Sustainable extraction practices and exploration of alternative materials become crucial to preserve ecosystems and mitigate the impact on riverbeds. So, the next time you marvel at a towering skyscraper or enjoy the coziness of your home, remember the humble yet indispensable role that sand plays in constructing the foundations of our urban landscapes. 🏙️🏠 #construction #architect #designengineer #ingenieriacivil

As an architect and as a preservationist I get tired of seeing this image trotted around the internet. It lacks context and makes the average person looking to build a house thinking there is something wrong with the lumber we use or that their house may be lower quality. Old Growth vs New Growth We have very few old growth forests left in this country. Most are protected and have strict limits on logging. Production lumber forests are filled with fast growing trees that mature in 10-25 years. That seems like a long time but it isn’t compared to the 100+ year old trees used in the first few hundred years of construction in the US. Modern lumber is kiln dried and designed for structural loads consistent with modern codes and standards. It’s safe, it’s good quality. It just looks different. But who cares? It’s inside the wall. #knowbeforeyoubuild #roguearchitect #roguearchitecture #materialsmatter #factsmatter #hireanarchitect #educateyourself