Architecture and Building Construction work in different aspects. Architecture is about having that image of creating a building, the art aspects, building construction focuses more on how to physically create such a thing. It is important to know these things, architects and engineers must work together to figure out the scale and proportions that is appropriate to create comfortable space for human activities. Each have a critical role to play, one cannot work without the other. Francis Ching also teaches about the different systems that run in a building. Structural systems are beams, columns, etc. Enclosure systems is the “shell” (roof) of a building. Mechanical systems is the “essential services to a building”, water systems and sewage disposal is a part of mechanical systems.

There must be a state of equilibrium in all structures, meaning that all forces should be equal with each other. There are many ways to ensure equilibrium in a structure. Trusses (bracing) are a very good example that is used in all building/bridges. Example: every truss in a bridge is withstanding many forces, two common ones being tension and compression or even both, these forces must be equal to each other or else they fall apart. It’s also important to know which material is best to resist these forces. Concrete itself is good when under compression, very bad in tension, steel in the other hand is good with both, it has it’s limits.

Reading Number 4, Ching goes into vivid detail on Structural elements and how they function, He tells us about elements like Structural spans and how long certain materials can be able to span as a beam, Structural patterns which allow us to use grid lines and critical points to indicate columns or load bearing walls, lateral stability  which tells us that while a building is being built it must be able to not only resists vertical loads like gravity but also have the ability to resist things like wind and seismic forces for any direction he tells us supports can be made by using things like rigid frames, shear walls and braced frames which can range from Timber/ Steel/ Reinforced concrete. During the beginning of the reading changes states that a structural unit has to have a structural system which also has to consist of things like columns, beams, slabs etc.

Francis D.K Ching explains how architecture and building construction are not really the samething. Architecture should be considered the following conceptual system of order in addition to the physical construction  Ching mentions on page 2.02. Building control is only the execution of architecture. He also talks about system which is an assembly of interrelated or independent part forming a more complex and unified whole and serving a common purpose. Some systems he mentioned were structural system, Enclosed system, and mechanical system. Each system had its on functional way of importance. Ching explains and shows drawings that defines its way of form.

In this reading Ching talks about structural units ,Structural spans, structural patterns and lateral stability. Ching states that with the principal structural elements of columns, beams, slab and load bearing wall, it is possible to form and elementary structural unit capable of defining and enclosing a volume of space for habitation. Horizontal spans consist of grinders, beams, and joints. The vertical support for a structural unit are supported by load bearing. Structural spans is the capability of horizontal elements determines the spacing of their vertical supports. Structural patterns is the arrangement of principal vertical supports that establishes the possibilities for the ordering of spaces and functions in a building. Lateral stability is important because a structure must be sized, configured, and joined to form a stable structure under any possible load conditions. 

In these fews pages it talks about colums, beams and arches. These are all part of a structural system that helps a building stands up.  The important thing is how they are supporting each other, meaning which way they are placed. Because the load might be different the way they are placed will affect the structure. When placing them we must pay attention to force, tension, and compression. They are different structural placements that put more force, tension and compression in different areas. If that happens we will need to know if the material will be able to support it or not. For example if two ends are being compressed towards the middle, the material should be able to hold and not snap/buckle in the middle. Another important structural element are joints, how to connect the materials. Just like we must consider how to place columns and beams to stand and support for a long time, its the same for joints. Need strong joints to withold the weight of the structure.

With the principal structure of columns, beams, slabs, and load bearing walls you can form an elementary structural unit capable of enclosing space for in-habitation. But with this comes the different kind of spans. Those two supports are the horizontal and the vertical span which are both supported by different structural elements. Horizontal may be crossed by concrete slabs or by a layered joist supporting planks. The vertical span may be provided by load-bearing walls or columns and beams. With these spans come the one-way system and the two-way system. Each of these systems have their moments where they’re most effective.

Reading three was about structural forces, structural equilibrium, columns, beams, beam spans, trusses, frames and walls, arches and vaults, domes, and finally joints and connections. Structural force is any influence that produces a change in the shape or movement of a body. Structural equilibrium is a state of balance or rest resulting from equal action of opposing force. In the column section it explains how columns are rigid, relatively slender structural members designed primarily to support axial compressive loads applied to the ends of the members. 2.14 talks about beams and how they are rigid structural members designed to carry and transfer transverse loads across space to supporting elements. Truss is a structural frame based on the geometric rigidity of the triangle and composed of linear members subject only to axial tension or compression. Plate structures are rigid, planar, usually monolithic structures that disperse applied loads in a multidirectional pattern, with the loads generally following the shortest and stiffest routes to the supports. Arches and vaults are described as columns, beams, slabs, and bearing walls are the most common structural elements because of the rectilinear building geometry they are capable of generating. 2.26 defines a dome as a spherical surface having a circular plan and constructed of stacked blocks, a continuous rigid material like reinforced concrete, or of short, linear elements, as in the case of a geodesic dome. Shells are thin, curved plate structures typically constructed of reinforced concrete as mentioned in 2.27. joints and connections is basically the manner in which forces are transferred from one structural element to the next and how a structural system performs as a whole depend to a great extent on the types of joints and connections used.

In this part of the chapter by Ching, he talks about the science of the structures. First, he explains that structural forces have vectors. All vectors must have 2 or more forces, magnitude, and direction. The sum of all vectors R, is represented by a diagonal line resulting from a parallelogram. And in a circular motion, all vectors lie on the tangent line. To achieve equilibrium in structural design the amount of tension must be equal to the amount of compression between forces acting against each other, which also supports Newton’s Law of action and reaction. Furthermore, he goes on to explaining columns. He explains that columns function best when they’re slender and rigid to support axial loads. They’re subject to bend when the compressive stresses are applied to the kern area. Columns, if they’re too long and slender or too short and thick, they are weak and subject to shortness and bending. He then defines beams as horizontal supports to loads. They too can bend if the elements supported are heavier than the beams can handle. Another way of deformation is the vertical shear of the column gets pushed forward. Trusses are defined as member of webs and chords supporting each other. Like columns and beams, frames and arched vaults can also bend if the line of thrust does not follow the arch axis. In the last part of his chapter he shows different examples of domes such as lattice, geodesic a d schwedler domes, with a note than they’re all steel. In addition, he provided many examples of connections between columns and beams, and explains that connectors can be either points, lines, or surfaces.

The main concept you should keep in mind is to take an account of the body movement while building a staircase. The whole movement of the steepness and pitch. Exterior and interior stairs have lot’s indifference. You have to keep tracks of the treads and risers. That will get tricky at times. The width and the height should be the same or else it’s dangerous. The exit is the path or passageway leading to an exit should be as direct as possible, be unobstructed by projections such as open doors, and be well lit. The red EXIT sign is a universal sign for an emergency path out.