We firstly discuss a framework for improving the traditional building techniques currently used for housing in Sub-Saharan Africa countries, illustrating the main building types found in such regions and especially Malawi, as typical example of such states: Yomata, a cylindrical floor-plan with mud and bamboo walls, Mdindo a rectangular wood-bamboo and compacted earthen structure and Zidina, a one or two-storey rectangular layout made of unbaked blocks compacted earthen structure and wood. We then present a proposal for providing greater seismic resistance to such traditional buildings through the application of a light-weight roof. The structural problem considered regards the addition of a light, seismic roof to provide wider spans and more interior space to the above-mentioned building types. The proposal calls for erecting a reticular bamboo beam system with the help of small stainless steel plates. By combining modern engineering technologies (efficient stainless-steel elements to achieve a heightened degree of connection between the bamboo beams) with traditional African techniques and materials (spontaneous no-cost bamboo production and handcrafted building components) it is possible to achieve a high-performance roof with satisfactory levels of safety and durability. The system proposed consists of a classical Polanceau (Fink truss) or Palladian (King-post truss) reticular scheme, in which the traditional natural fibre connections are replaced by steel plates jointed by a screw system. Such jointing improves the seismic performance of traditional housing by increasing the degree of transverse connection of the building tops, without however causing any significant changes in inertial forces. The scheme moreover permits increasing roof spans, and thereby obtaining more comfortable interior spaces. The criteria for the design and assembly of such structures are illustrated in order to demonstrate their feasibility and sustainability from the economic and technical perspectives.
Sustainable African Housing Through Traditional Techniques and Materials: a proposal for a lightweight seismic roof
SASSU, MAURO
2004-01-01
Abstract
We firstly discuss a framework for improving the traditional building techniques currently used for housing in Sub-Saharan Africa countries, illustrating the main building types found in such regions and especially Malawi, as typical example of such states: Yomata, a cylindrical floor-plan with mud and bamboo walls, Mdindo a rectangular wood-bamboo and compacted earthen structure and Zidina, a one or two-storey rectangular layout made of unbaked blocks compacted earthen structure and wood. We then present a proposal for providing greater seismic resistance to such traditional buildings through the application of a light-weight roof. The structural problem considered regards the addition of a light, seismic roof to provide wider spans and more interior space to the above-mentioned building types. The proposal calls for erecting a reticular bamboo beam system with the help of small stainless steel plates. By combining modern engineering technologies (efficient stainless-steel elements to achieve a heightened degree of connection between the bamboo beams) with traditional African techniques and materials (spontaneous no-cost bamboo production and handcrafted building components) it is possible to achieve a high-performance roof with satisfactory levels of safety and durability. The system proposed consists of a classical Polanceau (Fink truss) or Palladian (King-post truss) reticular scheme, in which the traditional natural fibre connections are replaced by steel plates jointed by a screw system. Such jointing improves the seismic performance of traditional housing by increasing the degree of transverse connection of the building tops, without however causing any significant changes in inertial forces. The scheme moreover permits increasing roof spans, and thereby obtaining more comfortable interior spaces. The criteria for the design and assembly of such structures are illustrated in order to demonstrate their feasibility and sustainability from the economic and technical perspectives.
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