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Abstract
A low-cost housing system was developed for use in tropical countries, specifically Haiti, with the aims of minimizing environmental impact (including carbon emissions), maximizing use of local and preferably recycled materials, and using local labor. The housing system integrates low-strength concrete blocks (made using recycled concrete aggregate), an innovative seismically-resistant bamboo frame, earthen plasters, bamboo trusses, and metal deck roofs. The bamboo frame relies on flexural yielding of a short rebar dowel to provide ductile performance at a controlled strength level. The plinth walls below the frame and short rebar dowel protects the bamboo from moisture. The top of a plastic soda bottle is used to protect the rebar from moisture and to seal the base of the bamboo culm, allowing mortar to be introduced into the culm above. This paper focuses on the experimental and analytical results of the flexural yielding of the rebar dowel to establish the structural design of this critical component of the system for resisting wind and seismic loads.
Highlights
The frames are supported by 3-ft (0.9-m) high masonry plinth walls, which are composed of concrete masonry units (CMUs) made from recycled concrete rubble
The braced bamboo frames are assembled on the ground, raised into place and set onto the previously constructed masonry plinth walls
The bamboo frame is held approximately 2- to 3-inches (50 to 75-mm) above the CMU plinth walls, exposing the No 3 rebar and creating a ductile connection, which is the focus of this paper
Summary
On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused extensive and severe damage to Haiti leaving 1.5 million people displaced. Several months after the earthquake, the government of Haiti solicited designs for low-cost homes to be demonstrated the Building Back Better Communities (BBBC) exposition. The Ecological Building Network (EBNet) displayed an economical, culturally appropriate home built primarily of locally available materials. The design, which is the subject of this paper, provides two covered porches within the 15-ft (4.6-m) by 24-ft (7.3-m) footprint, with one of these porches containing an outdoor kitchen. The EBNet design features low-strength concrete block made using recycled concrete rubble aggregate, salvaged reinforcing steel bars for reinforcement, locally-grown bamboo, and locally-sourced earthen plasters. The heavy reliance on local materials promotes environmental sustainability and local economic development while avoiding the relatively high cost of imported materials
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