Which types of structural framing systems and materials are most commonly used in the US for residences? For office buildings?
What factors determine why these are the most used materials?
In the United States, residential buildings most commonly use light wood framing, such as platform framing with dimensional lumber or engineered wood. This is because wood is relatively inexpensive and widely available. It is also easy to manipulate and well-suited for low-rise buildings. On the other hand, office buildings use steel frame or reinforced concrete systems. These materials are favored due to their strengths, fire resistance, ability to span longer distances without bending, and capacity to support taller structures. The most influential factors determining material choice are cost, availability, building height, natural risks, fire and seismic codes, construction speed, and structural performance.
Why do different teams of designers and subcontractors link and share their models during the design process?
What are the advantages of linking models?
Are there any disadvantages to linking models?
Design teams link and share their models during the design process to improve coordination, allowing teams to detect clashes early, maintain consistence, and reduce costly errors during construction. It also enables each team to work independently while still referring to updated information from others. However, there are disadvantages such as potential version control issues, increased file size, and computation demand. There is also a heavy risk of miscommunication if the updates are not managed properly as well.
How do you think design coordination was done before we started using digital models?
What advantages does doing this coordination digitally have over previous methods?
Before digital modeling, design coordination was done using 2D drawings, overlays, physical blueprints, and meetings to manually compare plans and sections. These processes were time-consuming and doomed to the possibility of human error, making it difficult to visualize conflicts between systems. Digital coordination allows for teams to work in 3D, making spatial relationship more understandable and allowing for automated clash detection. It also allows for faster updates, better documentation, and improved collaboration across different teams.