Making the Right Connections in the Design and Building Process

Making the Right Connections

In every project the challenges and opportunities are found at the connections both physical and

mental

The Hazards of Disconnect during

the Design/Build Process

My name is John Boys

My name is John Boys

..I thought I was going to rescue fair maidens

when I grew up

..I thought I was going to rescue fair maidens

when I grew up

Panelized Procedures in Log Post & Beam Construction

Integration of connections between a variety of interfaces

Integration of connections between a variety of interfacesIntegration of connections between a variety of interfaces

We felt like we were

Knights on a Rescue Mission!

We felt like we were

Knights on a Rescue Mission!

Earth Sciences Building – University of British ColumbiaEarth Sciences Building – University of British Columbia

Hopefully, that

established my cred….

Hopefully, that

established my cred….

...on with the show...this is

it...

...on with the show...this is

it...

To build structures that stand the test of time…

…We Have to Understand our Materials

Life Cycles – Wood wantsTo recycle itself and become

compost

…and how it behaves

Organic

Movement…Working close to the natural…a unique set of challenges

Connections!Connections!

Structural

ConnectionsConnections

Wood to wood CLT joinery – engineering for loads and aesthetics

Handling, moving and Positioning Material

Safety

Damage Control

Efficiency

Connection!(Thank Goodness)Connection!

(Thank Goodness)

Euro CLT vs North American

Accuracy…and well considered solutions



..Makes everyone happy!

In other words…In other words…

These “reports from the field” are about keeping your customer

happy, and how to avoid change orders, cost over-runs, time over-runs reduce gaps in that result in

expenses and conflict in the production stages.

These “reports from the field” are about keeping your customer

happy, and how to avoid change orders, cost over-runs, time over-runs reduce gaps in that result in

expenses and conflict in the production stages.

Job site problems are often a manifestation of design/Build Team

disconnect

Job site problems are often a manifestation of design/Build Team

disconnect• Tolerances• Break in Scope of Work• Context

Tolerating tolerances & managing client expectations.

With a significant part of the building prefabbed on a precision CNC machine it is critical to examine all the connections with other parts of the building- Primarily foundations and structural steel.

When possible use details that tolerate intolerance!

If you need to tighten tolerance it is imperative that these specifications and narrower tolerances are brought to the attention of the trades at the bidding stage. Remember this is not furniture!

Copy taken from CMHC thingy

Tolerating tolerances & managing client expectations.

More Remediation- More Delay

No 3D model

No control of gridlines or benchmarks

High precision connection -2 shops- Not!High precision connection -2 shops- Not!

OK…maybe I can hear you thinking…”does he

have any idea the complexity involved in drafting plans of this

scope?”

OK…maybe I can hear you thinking…”does he

have any idea the complexity involved in drafting plans of this

scope?”

Lost Effectiveness due to Break in Scope of WorkLost Effectiveness due to Break in Scope of Work

Integration of connections between a variety of interfaces

• Integration of connections between different interfaces

• Tolerances not sufficient to accept Massive Gluelams

• 3D Modelling to the rescue

Gluelam – StructurelamDavid Nairne & Associated – ArchitectVanbots (Contractor)

Gluelam – StructurelamDavid Nairne & Associated – ArchitectVanbots (Contractor)

3D Modelling – the Solution to Connection Conundrums3D Modelling – the Solution to Connection Conundrums

Patrick R. Stewart Architect (Linda Ursaki)Patrick R. Stewart Architect (Linda Ursaki)

3D Modelling!!!

Further Evolution of panelsEasy for us as we had control of productionSequence Planning

Can’t ConnectCan’t Connect

…going to harp on 3D just a little

bit more…Context.

…going to harp on 3D just a little

bit more…Context.

ContextContext

ArchiCad

Tolerances/3D modelling/Context/Connections/Break in Scope

…and my personal favourite…

“By Others”

…and my personal favourite…

“By Others”

Architect: Jana FoitEngineer: Equilibrium – Eric Karsh, Bernhard GafnerTimber fabrication- StructurlamTimber Specialists: John Boys & Company

Architect: Jana FoitEngineer: Equilibrium – Eric Karsh, Bernhard GafnerTimber fabrication- StructurlamTimber Specialists: John Boys & Company

“ The Stairs” ESB –UBC. A study of great connections

Sites From the Site

Connections

Handling and Storage of Materials

Site Conditions

SHERPA Connections –clean, elegant, hidden, engineered capacities

No tolerance for sloppy manufacturing

Custom Connectors - 40 mm intolerance tolerance

Fast and Epp

Fully Threaded Screws- amazing capacities, but only if installed in tension

Structural adhesives-Epoxy & PUR- proven track record since 1936

Connections - Timber rivets

Rigging

7 point pick!

Pre-assemble

Bolt placement template with reference axis-Laser cut - ADAM integrated

Beautiful!

Cutting off knife plates

Out of levelOut of PositionOut of Pocket

Out of levelOut of PositionOut of Pocket

Material Handling

Pick your People carefully

A “can-do” attitude goes a long way…A “can-do” attitude goes a long way…

Wood Finishes

A clear well defined finish specification is criticalDo not apply your final finish in the shop and expect it to be in the same shape after assembly

FOUR CASE STUDIES

Tales From the Field

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

ESB – Earth Sciences Building: University of British Columbia

Fort McMurray Airport Project: Fort McMurray Alberta

UBC-O - Kelowna: Fitness Centre

Jesse Garlick Retreat: White Rock Washington

Creative, well considered design.

Very creative engineering with simple clean connections. (With a few exceptions)

Once we got on the job site, we found the engineer and architect easy to work with and open to ideas.

Contractor and Owner really focused on doing a quality job.

Earth Sciences Building: University of British Columbia

The Good

Busby Perkins and Will Architects: (Jana Voit)Equilibrium Consulting Inc. Bernhard Gafner, Eric KarshBird ConstructionStructurlam

Busby Perkins and Will Architects: (Jana Voit)Equilibrium Consulting Inc. Bernhard Gafner, Eric KarshBird ConstructionStructurlam


The Not so GoodSome connection details not fully examined for constructability Breaks in scope of work

Poor Pre-planning for erection of CLT and heavy timbers; poor integration with other activities

No crane planning

Site storage of Materials and Weather Exposure(Payment schedule to suppliers tied to

delivery;so sequencing compromised.Affect site movement, and degrade

quality.

Low bid gets the job!Little incentive for prior communicationsImplies little knowledge of materials,

uniquechallenges associated with massive

timber etc…

Crane and crane allocation.Poor planning or lack of understanding for

loads and positioning for reach.Shared with other trades meant it slowed

us down.(A lot!)

…Wait for it…

…Wait for it…


The Not so Good

The GoodIt was late summer...and mosquito season was finished

We had a fabulous crew of heavy timber guys

Very simple repetitive details. Used lots of CLT's (85,000sq feet)

We got a comprehensive crash course in worst case scenarios, and live to tell "tales from the Field"

Once all the problems were solved, we were able to install 1-2 truckloads a day.Fire up the Barbeque!

Fort McMurry Airport Project - Alberta

The BadThe Project was not initially designed for CLT.

CLT decided on at advanced planning stage; not all processes and details well considered

Location: Short building season. Hard to get and retain top notch help (competing with tar sands)Working at the airport


What Connections?

The UglyLow bid rules

Bureaucratic company culture. No clear process of communication or procedures to resolve site challenges or conflicts.

No control of site datum points or grid lines.

Contractor not ready for us but asked us to mobilize in the faint hope we would get the project back on schedule.

Had to throw out our carefully detailed sequence planning. site conditions, crane access, material sequencing not what we had agreed upon.

Turnover of site manager and project supervisor.

Six months later roof still not on.

By Others Brothers- very busy!


The Good

Innovative use of CLT as structural box beams.

Wonderful design

Not a low-bid-gets-it project; allowing for creativity and effective trouble shooting

Pleasant, professional dealings with architects, engineers and general contractor

Good crew - both timber guys and

contractor's people.

UBC-O: The Fitness Centre

Architects: Craig Duffield McFARLAND MARCEAUEquilibrium Consulting Inc: EngineerStructurlamKindred Construction

Architects: Craig Duffield McFARLAND MARCEAUEquilibrium Consulting Inc: EngineerStructurlamKindred Construction


The UnfortunateTwo key elements were not well considered:

Crane strategy

Wood finishing (stain)

All Good!

why clt? I used CLT on this project for several reasons:1. CLT allowed for a precise, crafted building to be shipped to a remote location. 2. fast erection time: Structure in 2.5 days. Total construction time from foundation to occupancy: May-October (6 months). 4 person crew for erection, 2 person crew for construction + Mech and Elec subs.3. solid wood has thermal mass to keep the building cool during the hot summers.4. “plastic free” building envelope. By simply taping the joints, CLT creates an air-tight building envelope appropriate for passive-house/super-efficient home design.5. architectural opportunities:solid wood interior with “trimless” detailingfolded plate roof structure to create 25 foot spans with 4” thick wood and no beams.cantilever ability by using walls as beamsfloor to ceiling windows: headers are not needed above windows\durable interior finish (even the upstairs floor) will last forever, while allowing anything to be fastened to the walls. (drywall free design)1. Local material using pine-beetle killed wood from the region.2. Wood is a renewable material that actually sequesters carbon instead of producing more C02.

Jesse Garlick Says…

Jesse Garlick Says…

Designed by Jesse Garlick -McFarland Marceau ArchitectsDesigned by Jesse Garlick -McFarland Marceau Architects

Jesse Garlick Retreat – Washington State

More Good!

Structural design criteria to accommodate architecture & constructability (remote site):· Clean and simple box type structure with folded roof· Exposed structure· Keep cost low· Easy and quick installation – owner wants to build as much as possible himself, so the building needs to get weather tight pretty quick with a minimum crew.· Minimum amount of different materials/fasteners (It’s sometimes a challenge to keep the numbers of different screw types to a minimum…)

Why CLT?· Folded plate roof – CLT doesn’t require additional support beams due to 2-way action (besides the steel plate down the valley…)· Cantilevered walls - no need for additional supports due to 2-way action (beam and wall action – although we needed to rely on the strapping to bail me out…)· Transfers – same as above· Prefabrication to speed up installation – but crane is required to handle panels· Clear layering of assemblies in regards to the envelop, avoiding heat bridges.· CLT provides continuous backing for envelope system – no need trying to hit a stud· Cost - a cabin can be built much cheaper, but you won’t get the same architectural result. CLT is

probably the best bang for your buck for such projects.

Bernhard Gafner

Explains

Bernhard Gafner

Explains

Jesse Garlick Residence – Washington State

An Equilibrium Consulting inc . ProjectAn Equilibrium Consulting inc . Project

The Best!Jesse Garlick Retreat – Washington State

My summer Holiday (or vacation to you Americans)all two days of it! Great working with Bernhard, Jesse and their wives on the reset.

Exploring new and creative use of CLT.

Working with a design/build team that shared a common goal and took the time to understand the unique issues of working with CLT

John Boys & Company – Heavy Timber SpecialistsJohn Boys & Company – Heavy Timber Specialists

Boys just Wanna Fun!Boys just Wanna Fun!

More Garlick

An integrated Design/Build Team that Communicates

Material, Handling and Storage

Lift Systems

Sequence

Joinery

Your Heavy Timber Specialist can help trouble shoot connection issues, develop sequence plans, coordinate and specify rigging solutions, and help define the narrower tolerances required in heavy wood structures.

Get him involved early in the process.


Model

The End

Making the Right Connections in the Design and Building Process

Education

Transcript of Making the Right Connections in the Design and Building Process