BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONS) IN ARCHITECTURE

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 2 (BLD 60703)

PROJECT 1 : SKELETAL CONSTRUCTION (TEMPORARY BUS SHELTER)

Group members :
Lee Kylie (0326655)
Ong Von Wan (0323364)
Phares Phung Chi Meng (0323554)
Shum Li Sze (0322822)
Sii Siaw Hua (0322608)

Tutor : Mr Edwin
Contents
1.0 Introduction 3
2.0 Function 3
2.1 Design Intention 4
2.2 Design Development 5
2.3 Design Considerations 6
3.0 Final Design 7
3.1 Orthographic Drawings 8
3.2 Skeletal Structure & Components 9
4.0 Building Construction 10
4.1 Building Materials 11
4.2 Joints & Connections 12-13
4.3 Construction Process 14-18
5.0 Final Outcomes 19
6.0 Load Test 20
6.1 Load Distribution Analysis 21-22
7.0 Conclusion 23
8.0 References

2
1.0 Introduction
A bus shelter is essentially a designated spot where buses stop
for passengers to board or alight from a bus. These are normally
positioned on the highway and are distinct from off-highway
facilities such as bus stations. The construction of bus stops
tends to reflect the level of usage.
In the case of our project, our temporary bus shelter reflects a
practical usage based on portability and comfort. It functions to
provide optimal shading from rain and sun, as required by the
project brief.
2.0 Function
As a commonly and widely-used construction system,
skeletal construction is what we would be experimenting
with in this project. In a group of 5, we are to construct a
temporary bus shelter that can accommodate 5-6 people
on a scale of 1:5. The understanding of skeletal system is
further enhanced through the models reaction to loading.
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2.1 Design Intention

The bus shelter design is based on the practicality

of the distinctive X columns, which caters the
exploration of effective load transfer.

By highlighting the X columns, we are able to

display interesting connections and joints at each
intersection. And multiplying them into three
columns allows repetition of design elements.

As the saying goes,

Form follows function.

4
2.2 Design Development
The initial idea consists of an irregular
pentagonal prism, a cantilevered roof and
seat.
Prism does not display sufficient skeletal
structures.
Impractical division of spaces for a bus
shelter/
The final design after implementing
minor modifications such as the
addition of a backrest, three X
columns, and finalizing materials.
Only practical and functional
elements takencantilevered
roof, seating, full exposure of bus
shelter.
By combining the previous two
modifications and removing the
unnecessary vertical columns, a
more practical design is formed.
The bus shelter is multiplied for
elongation. This produces space to
accommodate more users.
To increase stability,
cantilevered roof is modified to
a roof supported by tilted
columns, forming an X.
The X also gives the bus
shelter an aesthetic value.
5
2.3 Design Considerations T Semi-transparent
GH
N LI polycarbonate sheets partially

SU
block malaysian sunlight that
is typically glaring, thus
providing natural lighting
without completely blocking it

N +
TI O
T ILA RE M I CS
VEN OSU O N O
EXP ERG

AL L
I NF
RA

The seats are designed to

have a slanted backrest for
comfort. The seats are also
Exposure on either sides of the continuous like a bench to
seats allow optimal ventilation, encourage maximum use of
as well as provide an space.
unobstructed view of oncoming
vehicles.
As the roof is slightly tilted,
rainwater could easily flow
downwards. The parallel
valleytroughs of the
polycarbonate sheets help to direct
water flow in one direction

6
3.0 Final Design

7
3.1 Orthographic Drawings
B

A A

Roof Plan

Side Elevation Front Elevation

8
3.2 Skeletal Structure & Components

Roof sheet

Roof joists

Column

Chair rest

Chair

Floor decking
Rim joists and
floor joists

Bearer

Foundation

Section A-A Section B-B

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4.0 Building 4.1 Building Materials
Construction
1200 x 2400 mm angular polycarbonate sheet

36 x 25 mm timber batten

50 x 150 mm timber beam

50 x 150 mm timber joist

100x150mm timber column

50 x 150mm timber chair rest

50 x 150mm timber plank

50 x 150mm wooden decking

50 x 200mm rim joist

50 x 200mm timber joists

100 x 200mm timber bearer

200 x 200 x 400mm concrete stump

400 x 400 x 200mm concrete pad foundation

Axonometric drawings
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Polycarbonate corrugated roof sheet
It is used as the roof covering as it can withstand
forces, resist heat, sunlight and is also waterproof.
Timber
Timber is used to construct temporary bus
shelters as it is renewable, safe to handle
and easy to work with. Other than that, it
does not expand against heat due to its good
thermal properties.
Concrete
Concrete is used as the foundation of the bus
shelter to support the load transferred
throughout the structure as well as to protect
the timber structure. It raises the timber
structure above ground to prevent water and
moisture from coming into contact with
timber.
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4.2 Joints and Connections

Section A-A
Lap joints are being used to connect both columns together.
The connections used include the metal plates and bolts and
nuts to create a strong connection.

12
 Section A-A
Nails are used to connect the decking, chairs wooden plank
and polycarbonate roofing.

13
4.3 Construction Process
Concrete Foundation Footing and
Concrete Stump Construction

First, we begin by Foundation footing is The framework for

Cement powder, sand, stone and
making wooden water are premixed in correct made by pouring the stumps is placed on top
frameworks for the proportions, then the mixture is poured concrete mixture into of the dried footing
into the frameworks to form molten the footing frameworks. concrete. Mixture is
concrete footings
concrete. poured to be solidified.
and stumps.

The surface of
concrete is then
smoothened and left
to be dried for 3 to 4
day

14
 Timber flooring construction

All the timbers are The structure of the
measured and cut flooring is a
in the carpentry combination of two
workshop before rectangular timber
assembly. frames bolted in each
corner.
Floor joists are assembled
vertically through on top of
the floor beams then, floor
decking is applied on the
top of floor joists.

One of the detailed A floor bearer is fixed under

view of the flooring each column. Each column
connection which covers 4/5 of the bearer to
displays bolting, provide space for a
commonly used in cantilevered floor. The bearers
our model making. sit on concrete stumps.
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Timber flooring decking and Sitting area construction

Trellises are cut in a decreasing order The trellises for the timber flooring decking are
of size to further display the assembled onto the floor joists, then they are both
construction of floor joists underneath. nailed together.

Each end of timber planks is The benches are bolted into metal plates underneath
nailed on a timber bearer, which are connected to the columns. Backrests are
creating a bench. added on top of the benches by bolting them to the
columns.

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Timber Column Construction
Diagonally structured columns are
constructed with two layers of timbers which
one of the timber is cut half allowed another
timber crossing on top then stack diagonally
in order to create a half lap joint in the middle.
Timber adhesive glue is used to stack the double
layers of timber columns together firmly.
The half lap joint port is cut slightly
slanted downward in order to
accommodate the diagonally structured
columns and provide more stability.
The half lap joint is then fixed tight with screw
and bolt in the intersection of the diagonal
columns.
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Timber slanted flat roof construction
Different thicknesses of battens are
cut out in preparation for the slanted
roof.
Corrugated boards which represent the
actual polycarbonate sheets are added onto
roof joists and hammered with nails.
Similar to the construction of timber
flooring, rectangular roof frames with
roof joists within are assembled. Then,
battens of different thickness are spaced
evenly and glued on top of roof joists to
create the slanting of roof.
The timber roof is connected with the
diagonal columns by bolting.
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5.0 Final Outcomes

19
6.0 Load Test
Load test is carried out by placing a tool box
30kg with full of tools on top of the wooden decking
to represent the live loads.

Load test is carried out by placing a tool box

with full of tools on top of the roof structure to
represent the dead loads.

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6.1 Load Distribution Analysis

Construction Loads ( People & materials ) Suction (Uplift)

Wind Load

Dead Load (Roof

Structure)

Wind
Live Loads Suction
(People)

The bus shelter experiences wind forces in horizontal

Gravity Load direction. The structural frame is able to resist uplift,
wind-induced sliding and overturning.

Vertical forces such as dead load and live load act

on the temporary bus shelter. The load is acted on
the polycarbonate roof panel and the roof joists . The
load travels from the roof joist to the beam that
supports it. The load is transferred to the end of the
beam and it travels down to the connecting column.
Then, it travels down to the floor joists and bearers
before travelling down to the foundation to be
distributed to the ground.

21

Load Path
Dead loads and live loads are
transferred down to the foundation
through the slanted column.
The foundations are supporting the
flooring structure such as joists, bearer
and wooden decking.
The column supports the roof structure
which consists of beam, roof joists and
polycarbonate sheet.
Reactive force
Applied force
Structural Equilibrium
The diagrams represents
the complete system of
reactive and applied
force on the bus shelter.
It maintains the structural
equilibrium of the bus
shelter.
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7.0 Conclusion
The knowledge of building construction is meant
to be learned and applied through hands-on
activities, thus the implementation of this project.
It provides a platform for us to explore the
skeletal system on a more practical level. The
scale of our bus shelter is small and sufficient
enough for us to apply our construction
knowledge without being too big for feasibility.
We have also learned that the fundamentals of a
good design include our choice of materials, as
well as types of joints that would eventually
determine the overall stability.
Through the nitty-gritty, we were able to produce
a functional bus shelter that could withstand the
harsh Malaysian weather and provide optimal
comfort to users.
8.0 References
Chudley, R. 2006, Construction
Technology. 4th edition Pearson and
Prentice Hall.
Ching, Francis D.K. 1991. Building
Construction Illustrated. New York.
Van Nostrand Reinhold.
Lyons, Arthur, 2004. A Materials for
Architects and Builders 2nd Edition.
Oxford. Elsevier
Butterwort-Heinemann
Seeley, Ivor H. 1995, Building
Technology 5th Edition.
Basingstoke, Hants: Macmillan
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