73704 - Workshop of Architectural Technology 1

Course contents

The program is divided into three parts: lectures, ex tempore exercises and design and construction workshops

Lectures

The lectures focus on the explanation of the conceptual contents of the discipline according to the following articulation:

A. Principles and laws of construction. (20 hours)

A1. Principles of statics and construction of the frame system in relation to architectural design: Le Corbusier: maison Domi-ino – Ville Savoye

Auguste Perret: Rue Franklin and Notre-Dame de la Consolation du Raincy

The origins of the studies on reinforced concrete and the first applications in Italy

The determination of the support forces in the determined systems.

Criteria for the identification of lability conditions and indetermined and over-determined structures

Confrontation among “trilithic” system, framing system and thrust system.

Evolution of the concepts of strength and stability in historic construction typologies: megalithic constructions (dolmen); Atreus Tomb, the nuraghi, the Knossos Palace , the Lion Gate, the roman masonry, the mixed wood-masonry system (fachwerk).

A2. The concept of structural “monolithicity”

The thrust system: analogies with funicular polygons. The concept of catenary.

Typologies of arches and vaults; geometric ratios and nomenclature

Interpretive criteria on the structural behavior of leaves arches: static, graphical methods and equilibrium conditions

Criteria and construction systems to avoid thrust

The Pantheon and the Mausoleum of Theodoric: construction process and statics.

The tabicada construction: Gaudì and the interpretation of the structural behavior .

The curved beam and the arch.

The concept of transversal “monolithicity”: the contribution of transversal block (diatoni) for increasing stability to dropping off of masonry 

A3. The continuous structures: structural behavior and mechanical characteristics

The cantilever beam according to the interpretation of Galileo and the hypothesis of Bernoulli-Navier

The basic hypothesis of the elasticity theory.

The structural behavior: elastic, plastic and fragile

Simple and Compound stresses

Criteria for the determination of shear and bending moment in structures: the cantilever beam

The mechanical characteristics of reinforced concrete and steel: the definition of modulus of elasticity and allowable stress.

 

B. Construction systems and building elements. (40 hours)

 

B1. Reinforced concrete

Design criteria of reinforced concrete structures

The disposition of reinforcing bars and on-site procedures.

Foundation typologies: plinth and inverted beam

Brick-concrete horizontal structures: behavior principles and construction typologies.

Analysis of a structural construction documentation

Relationship between structure and cladding: avoiding thermal bridges.

Criteria of insulation and water-proofing of planar roofs

External and internal finishing

B2. Steel

Physical and mechanical charatcteristics of steel profiles

Behavior and calculation of steel beams.

Connection systems: nails, bolts and welding.

Modalities and issues of connection between beam and beam, beam and pier, pier and foundation. 

Beam typologies: full and light, design criteria of trusses.

Typologies of cantilever; folded plates and concrete slabs, “volterranee”, mixed steel-brick. collaborating slab.

B3. Wood

Physical and mechanical characteristics and construction typologies

Wood horizontal structures simple-double grid; criteria of  structural calculation of connection system between composing elements, the concept of collaborating horizontal-structure.

Pitch roof construction typologies, behavior principles (thrust, wood steel (Palladian truss, Polonceau truss).

Readings/Bibliography

1.  Gulli R., Struttura e Costruzione, FUP, Firenze, 2012.

2.  Dassori E., Morbiducci R., Costruire l'architettura, Tecniche Nuove, 2010.

Teaching methods

Exercises (20 hours)

The exercises consist of ex-tempore, 4 hours each. The contents are coherent with the subjects of the lectures and focus on the graphical elaboration of technical problems, conceptual and related to construction. The test is individual and is element of evaluation for the final evaluation.

Laboratory (25 hours)

The laboratory consists of manifacturing an object, to be executed in working groups of 5 students. The first goal is to stimulate the comprehension of the conceptual contents of the discipline through a direct confrontation with the physical reality of the built object. The project is elaborated under the supervision of the teacher and two tutors. The handout is either a set of design drawings and a physical model.

 

Office hours

See the website of Luca Guardigli

See the website of Riccardo Gulli