Development of Durable Non-Engineering rural houses

Abstract

Shelter is one of the most important needs for human beings. Most people of Bangladesh live in non-engineered houses. These houses are vulnerable to natural hazards like flood, stonn, cyclone etc. People living in these houses sutTer seriously during natural disasters. Our present research is direcicd towards' reducing their sufferings. This is possible by developing durable non-engineered houses that ean withstand natural hazards. For this purpose this study investigates some costeffective techniques to improve the durability and rigidity of non-engineered houses. On this regard special.emphasis is given to develop durable plinth, better frame stiffness and improved alternatives for roof & walls. To improve the durability of plinth cement is mixed with soil at ditTerent percentages and thus mud-concrete is prepared. Dried mud conerete samples are sunk in water. At the end of the investigation it is found that mud concrete prepared with even 3 % cement does not get washed away by water. In the present study ditTerent types of wind bracing schemes are tested to get better stiffness of bamboo frame. At the same time frame stitTness is tested for different types ofknot binder. During the study improved alternatives are prepared and tested as substitute for corrugated iron roof and walls. For this p.urpose bamboo reinforced concrete slab is prepared using bamboo bars at different spacing. All the samples are tested for bending under point loading. Again bamboo reinforced mud-concrete slabs arc prepared using different percentages of cement. All these samples are sunk under water to investigate their durability against floodwater. From the study it is found that durable plinth can be prepared by using mud concrete at the periphery and top level of the plinth. Bamboo frame with cross or Y_ bracing can improve the stitTness of the frame considerably. It is observed that bamboo reinforced concrete slab can be used as wall successfully and as roof with some precautions. Bamboo reinforced mud-concrete slab can be u'sed as wall successfully.