This page is where you will enter your reading reflections. The reading and reflections are to be entered prior to class discussions. Class discussions are in part based on your reflections on the reading.
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I underestimated the amount of work that goes into ensuring that walls are put up correctly. I thought it was very interesting how insulation is installed between wythes and interior walls and how insulation actually works. I was intrigued to know how insulation conserves both heat and cold in order to keep buildings at right temperatures. Overall, I found the reading to be very useful and now realized that Earth Science actually did me some good in High School.
After this reading I have found a new appreciation for Masonry Walls. It is way more complicated than I imagined as many factors come to play when the walls are constructed. I have always wondered what the little holes in exterior walls are for, and today I have discovered that they are for draining when moisture penetrates through. I did not find the information about composite masonry walls very interesting as it was quite obvious to me that exterior walls always have variety. It all makes sense to me now because during hot summer days whenever I touch a masonry wall is it always scorching hot as they retain the heat.
Reading #4 about Masonry wall construction gives a clear understanding about the layers that contribute to a completed wall. This reading made me think about the certain requirements for a masonry wall to be durable and functional and the systems to make that possible. For example, I’ve seen weep holes and cavity drains before but never knew their purpose of being there, the reading covered more than there functions but the whole system.
What I learned from this reading is there 3 different types of masonry walls (composite masonry walls , masonry cavity walls, masonry load bearing walls) each has a certain feature to be used differently. Many little parts of the wall interior here a great impact in keeping water out and keeping temp inside different from outside. This answers my curiosity when I am outside and is hot but then I go back inside and is cold. But sometimes is cold outside and inside is more colder.
In this reading # 4 I learn about the construction of masonry walls and their balance between economy and appearance. There are many factors that come into play when building walls. I learned the functionality of the small holes in the walls, these serve to drain the water that filters. This information on masonry walls was very interesting to me because now I understand the composition of the walls and the retention of heat.
Reading #4 talked about load bearing walls, which is a very common process used in building construction. I find that Load bearing walls are very efficient when it comes to building because Load-bearing masonry walls can be built with or without reinforcement. Masonry Load Bearing Walls Made of brick, stone, concrete masonry, Practically any material can be used to support roof and floor structures which is very efficient in usage of materials.
This reading gave me a better understanding of masonry walls and the different factors to consider when constructing a wall. Now knowing what weep holes and cavity drains shows me that theirs a purpose to every design as little as it may be.
reading 4 gave me a brief content about wall structures and a variety of materials used in different buildings. in New York City we get to see many kinds of walls and ashlar types. building facades are the top things that attract tourists the most. walking down the city we can see both modern and urban structures and incredible views the city has to offer.
After completing this reading, I learned the different types of masonry walls and their functions. For example, load-bearing masonry walls which transfer loads from the roof to the foundation. And something I found interesting was the holes that are in the walls and how their function is to clear out the water that infiltrates. This reading is very helpful since we learned about the different types of masonry walls that are used when constructing a building.
This reading gave me the understanding that masonry walls have way more to it other than just a stone placed on the floor, as you walk down a street you may see many massive masonry walls but an average person will never realize that some of this walls have a cavity in the inside to help prevent water from penetrating the building and that same cavity works great as a thermal Insulation, and that these walls are reinforced with building joints to help adjust to all expected amounts of motion without any distress.
Reading #4 better explained the process of making walls with mortars and cavities. How masonry of walls can change, expand, or shrink due to change in temperature or moisture. Walls used to be un-reinforced until north america started using steel rods. Trowels seem to have an importance when removing mortar or bed joints. I discovered how the BCRMS (Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures) govern the engineering designs for load bearing walls.
After reading #4, I have a better understanding about Masonry wall construction. I learned how certain requirements for a masonry wall to be durable and functional. A cavity in the inside to help prevent water from penetrating the building. cavity also works great as a thermal Insulation.
Reading #4 helped me understand the importance of each component in the sections, why they are there and their purpose. We cannot build a structure without taking consideration the loads because of gravity, or lateral loads. And besides from loads how water, so simple can ruin and effect the strength and stability of our structure. That’s why we use flashing to prevent and drain water through cavity, and right under them weeps to manipulate the direction of water.
Reading #4 helped me understand why walls are built the way they are. If the walls didn’t have many parts then we would have a lot of problems, for example if a wall doesn’t have insulation there would be 2 outcomes either the owner spends a lot more of money in keeping the building hot/cold or people would be hot/cold in this building meaning people wouldn’t want to go in.