Residential Construction and Structures

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

120 hours.

AND EITHER

OR

VCE Maths Methods 3/4

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

A major portion of the general public has aspirations for home ownership and this continues to drive the residential market in Australia. This subject provides an introduction to residential and multi-unit residential low rise construction systems with an emphasis on materials selection, usage and construction methods. The various structural systems and design concepts currently in use are incorporated and interlinked into all the topics, which include an introduction to footing, floor, wall and roof framing systems and their compliance with Australian Standard Codes. The structural considerations include the analysis of loads, load paths, lateral stability, timber column and beam design for strength and stiffness, and general beam behaviour and statics analysis. The issue of materials technology, its application and performance are incorporated throughout the lecture series leading to an awareness of building pathology and maintenance. The subject also provides an introduction to residential services.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• link basic structural design concepts with current residential construction practices;
• read and interpret residential construction drawings;
• communicate construction solutions by means of sketches and drawings;
• propose and evaluate alternative construction systems.

• Assignments including tutorial exercises, sketch detailing, construction site observation reports, model making and class presentations equivalent to not more than 3000 words (40%).
• A three hour examination (60%).

Regardless of assignment results, a minimum mark of 40% has to be achieved in the exam to pass this subject.

Coursework notes available.

R. Barry (1999), The Construction of Buildings, Vol. 1, Ed. 7, Wiley-Blackwell.

A. Hanaor (1998), Principles of Structures, Wiley-Blackwell.

G. Wilkie (2003), Building Your Own Home, New Holland.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• Analytical skills.
• Problem solving skills.
• Drawing reading skills.
• Research skills.