Week 4 blog - Structural Systems

 Week 4 blog - Structural Systems 

It's important that Interior Designers recognize the building's structures and know when an engineer or architect is required on a project. Interior design encompasses the analysis, planning, design, documentation, and management of interior non-structural/non-seismic construction and alteration projects in compliance with applicable building design and construction, fire, life-safety, and energy codes, standards, regulations, and guidelines for the purpose of obtaining a building permit, as allowed by law. Qualified by means of education, experience, and examination, interior designers have a moral and ethical responsibility to protect consumers and occupants through the design of code-compliant, accessible, and inclusive interior environments that address well-being, while considering the complex physical, mental, and emotional needs of people. 

Purpose of Structural Systems 

To carry loads of a building and transfer them to the foundation. There are three primary types: Bearing walls, Stud walls, and Structural frame. There are also three keys structural basics: Stability, Strength and Stiffness, and Economy. Loads of Structural systems have a lot to do with tension, compression and deflection. It's important to understand the components of a structural system, such as the cable, post and beam, truss, arch, and shell. 

Recognizing these components are important when understanding building structural systems for current applications of this world. Natural effects such as hurricanes will play a big part in whether the structure is able to withstand weather conditions. In order to create a building that is able to withstand a hurricane there are materials and resistant qualities to help avoid much disruption to the structure.

There are also historic structural systems made out of heavy timber and often mortise and tenon joints. Most structural systems today are made of wood, steel, masonry and concrete. Alternative systems are SIPs (Structural Insulted Panels), Cobb (made of earth, straw, water, and sand), Rammed earth, Cord wood, Bamboo frame, earth shelter, gabion wall, and sandbag. Besides these, there are recycled materials that can be used in a more sustainable way to act as alternative support methods. I chose to do further research on earth shelter structures. These systems use soil and the earth itself as part of the building’s structure and insulation. They're designed to “maximize energy efficiency, durability, and harmony with  the environment”. A house that is surrounded this way, by the earth, has a thermal control system that keeps the interior a cool temperature and ‘requires overall less heating in the winter and less cooling in the summer” year round. One large challenge of these building systems is water. When built, these systems must have extra precautions against moisture problems. It's vital to study the site to make sure it's suitable for earth sheltered design due to high water tables or low permeability soils. 

Earth Sheltered Design – Sustainability