INTRODUCTION TO STRUCTURES:
Introduction to Structures:
The two structural designs selected for this paper are a square deck and a hexagonal deck. The sketches shown below show these two designs as well as their dimensions. The sketches have been drawn to scale and they clearly indicate the type connection between structural elements.
Sketch 2: Hexagonal deck design
Selected design and justification:
Of the two designs, the square design was selected. This is mainly because it is easy to design and implement with little modification to the original design. In addition, the material that was selected for the deck is wood, which is aesthetically pleasing and easy to maintain. This is mainly because treated wood does not rot or get affected by water over a long period. Below the design of various parts of the deck has been examined in detail.
Deck Design:
The deck that will be designed for the school is a freestanding deck. This deck is self-supporting and is built independent of the any building or other structures around it. In order for this deck to be, self-supporting and independent there are a number of factors that need to be considered. These include the footing, framing, deck floor, stairs, railing and other deck features.
Footing:
Footing is the most essential part of the deck. This is mainly because the footing offers support to other parts of the deck. In order to have a strong and self-supporting deck the footing needs to be done in an excellent manner. The type of footing that will be used for the deck will be a square-concrete footing. This type of footing will extend from below the ground to above it. A large surface area footing will be used since it is easier to connect the deck posts to it. This is mainly because it will offer a larger surface area for connecting the post base connector that will help hold the concrete post in place. The square-concrete footing will have 0.5 x 0.5 meters dimensions. This surface area is sufficient for supporting the deck to be constructed.
Framing:
Deck Joist:
Deck joists are the structural members that form the essential parts of the deck frame. The main purpose of joists it to offer strength to the deck. They help to create the shape of the frame. The joists for the deck will be parallel to each other in order to make it easy to construct the deck. In addition, this will help to increase the decks structural integrity since they will help distribute the weight of the deck evenly. The on centre spacing between the designed joists will be 5 meters. This will also help to increase the structural integrity of the deck. The material to be used for the joists is 2x10. This size can easily be found and it will allow for a longer on center joist span. This implies that the deck is cheaper to construct since a smaller number of posts will be used to build the deck.
Deck Blocking:
In order to increase the structural strength of the deck blocking can be used. This mainly involves the use of small wooden pieces, which will be installed between the joists. This will help to create a rigid frame that will help increase the strength of the deck frame. In addition, this will allow longer joists to be used for the construction of the structure.
Posts and support structures:
Post will help hold up the framing and the deck floor. Posts will help to raise the deck floor the required 3.5 meters above the ground.
Deck surface:
The surface of the deck will be made out of wood. The purpose of using wood for the deck floor is due to both its aesthetic elements as well as its natural properties that make it easy to maintain. The wooden deck will also help increase the strength of the structure. Therefore, the wood to be used will be 2 X 6. This wood is thick and is very strong.
Water Drainage on the deck floor:
The deck floor will be designed in order to ensure that it does not trap water. Therefore, the floor will have small slots that have been cut that will allow water to flow out of the floor instead of being trapped.
Deck floor design:
The floor will be installed horizontally. This is mainly because this is the quickest and easiest method to install the floor. This is especially true since the deck is square. Therefore, it will be easy to install horizontal deck floors. The wood for the deck floor will be installed parallel to each other over the joists. The floor also need to be fastened to the deck frame properly. Appropriate nails for the wood that has been used for the floor need to be selected in order to ensure that the deck floor is properly attached to the frame. Since the deck is 20 m, the deck floor will have to have a splice in the middle. The splice will be staggered across the deck floor in order to ensure that the joint is not visible. Staggering also makes the deck floor aesthetically pleasing.
In addition, since there is a possibility that the deck frame will not be level there is a need to make some minor modification while installing the deck floor in order to ensure that the floor is level. The floor is required to be level for many reasons. The first is for the safety of people who use the deck. In addition, a level surface will allow furniture and other fittings to be fitted to the deck with ease. This can be achieved by installing spacers in areas where the joist is lower. This will help to raise the floor high in order to ensure that it is level as is required.
Deck stairs design:
The deck stairs will be on the west side of the deck. The width of the stairs will be 1.5 meters. The rise height of the staircase will be 0.2 meters; the stair run will be 0.254 meters. The stair risers will be closed with a 1-meter guardrail for the staircase. The guardrail will have a grip able handrail, which can be used to assist people get up the staircase. At the bottom and the top of the staircase, a flat, level landing will have to be constructed.
Deck railing:
A 1-meter railing will be installed around the deck. This will serve as a safety feature that will prevent students from accidentally falling from the top of the deck. The material that will be used to construct the deck railing is wood.
