Underground Dwellings Research Articles

BerlinUnter Grund: Vision beyond the surface city

AbstractThis article examines a selection of poetry and short prose depictingU‐Bahnjourneys in early 20th‐century Berlin. While the cultural imagination of Berlin's emergence as a modern metropolis in the late 19th and early 20th centuries is closely intertwined with the historical novelty of exterior spaces in the city and the figure of the perambulating flaneur, the cityscape's underground, made up ofU‐Bahntunnels and thousands of passengers have figured much less prominently in scholarship on Berlin's modernity. The close readings focus on the texts’ mediation of the sensory experience of underground dwelling and the impact of the sudden shifts between above‐ and belowground environments on the passenger's perception of space. As the article shows, the visual imagination and literary tropes that we encounter in theU‐Bahnsignify not only modes of representing modern urban space but also hold significance for understanding the importance of threshold experiences in modernity.

RESEARCH OF OLD RUS SITES NEAR THE VILLAGE OF TSYBLI IN PEREYASLAV REGION (Pages Of The Field Work Of Dr. Oleg Sukhobokov)

The research materials of the Livoberezhno-Dnieprovska Slavic-Rus archaeological expedition of the Institute of Archaeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in 1995 in the village of Tsybli in Pereyaslav region headed by Dr. Oleg Sukhobokov are publish in the paper. Research staff of the Pereyaslav-Khmelnytskyi State Historical and Cultural Reserve and the Pereyaslav-Khmelnytskyi Grigory Skovoroda Pedagogical Institute took part in its work. The expedition worked since July 4 to August 8 1995. Dr. Oleh Sukhobokov had long-time scientific ties with the Pereyaslav Reserve, and at the Institute Professor Sukhobokov carried out scientific and pedagogical work, lectured at the Faculty of History, and was a member of the editorial board of the periodical scientific publication.
 The goal of expedition was a comprehensive survey and excavation of multicultural archaeological sites in the vicinity of the settlement. The main focus of its work was the excavation of Old Rus monuments: the hillforts and settlements in the Uzviz 1, Uzviz 2 and Tserkva tracts. According to a number of signs the sites near the village Tsibli form a common complex — a three-parts settlement with a complex structure consisting of a fortified hillfort, an unfortified suburb on the plateau, a «posad» on the slope of the loess terrace — the «pidnizhia». It is also possible that there was a kind of “obolon” located on the lower part of the bank of the former Tsybli River, directly under the hillfort (the cultural layer of the latter was significantly destroyed by economic earthworks). The picture is complemented by the remains of a satellite village in the Tserkva tract located on the high end of the forest terrace, separated from the loess one by a water channel which is a remnant of the former Tsybli riverbed. The most interesting objects of research in 1995 were the remains of earth fortifications of the settlement in Uzviz 1 tract and two underground dwellings in the Uzviz 2 tract. In the Tserkva tract the massive cultural layers related to the functioning of the old village of Tsybli in the 17th—20th centuries and with the Old Rus settlement of the 11th—13th centuries were discovered. In two excavated Old Rus dwellings the remains of adobe household stoves were found, and thanks to the fire the charred remains of wooden structures and interior details of one of the dwellings were survived. The dwellings date from the 12th to the early 13th century. The nature of the charred remains and their considerable number allow us to draw certain conclusions regarding the construction and furnishing of the dwelling. Based on research materials, an attempt was made to graphically reconstruct one of the houses.
 Study of the complex of sites near the Tsybli village in Pereyaslav region in 1995, in which Dr. Oleg Sukhobokov took a direct part, made it possible to clarify the existing theories on the nature and borders of the settlement of this territory in Old Rus Age and to determine the prospects for further research.

Effects of the courtyard’s geometry in dig pit underground dwellings on the room’s daylighting performance

Courtyard vernacular underground dwellings most commonly called “dig pit houses”, have been for centuries a shelter for the human kind. Despite their noticeable energy saving properties and security enhancing design features, they present several disadvantages related to indoor environment quality such as poor indoor natural daylighting. The dig pit in these typologies is the main design feature that allows natural light into the rooms. In this paper the effect of changing the courtyard’s geometry on the daylighting performance inside the rooms is investigated by the mean of computer simulations using Ecotect-RADIANCE software pack. The findings of this study show that dimensions corresponding to a WI (Well Index) = 0.5 result in better daylighting performance inside the rooms. Moreover, it shows that increasing the number of wall surfaces on the courtyard surface tend to engender a noticeable improvement of the room’s daylighting.

Staging the Speculative

Staging the Speculative

THE RUSSIAN PIONEERS’ WINTER CAMP ON KARACHINSKY ISLAND, THE LOWER TOBOL RIVER, WESTERN SIBERIA

In 2014, an expedition from the Tyumen State University excavated an underground dwelling on Karachinsky Island, in the fl oodplain of the Tobol, to check the chronicle data saying that Yermak and his Cossacks had spent a winter at that place during the Siberian campaign. The dwelling, measuring 10 m by 5 m by 2 m, consisted of two chambers. Three to four bottom tiers of logs were preserved. Remains of a cellar were found in the central part east of the oven. The building existed for a short time because the area around it was sterile. A lens of charred clay and coal, and traces of fi re on frame logs suggest that the structure had burnt down. Then it was repaired, but the amount of garbage and kitchen waste is small. All household effects had been carried out before the dwellers left. Finds include a wheel-thrown pot, a grindstone, a potter’s scraper, and pieces of slag and metal. An AMS date of wood, generated at Arizona University, falls within the 17th century. The chemical analysis of modern and old soils indicates intense use of the island for pasture and manufacture. In sum, our survey provides no evidence of Yermak’s stay on the island during his campaign. According to Skrynnikov, the Cossacks had marched from the Stroganov forts to the Siberian Khanate capital without wintering, which was tactically correct, since the Tatar forces were weak and fragmented because of Mametkul’s foray into the Uralian towns.

Temperature and circadian effects on metabolic rate of South American echimyid rodents, Trinomys setosus and Clyomys bishopi (Rodentia: Echimyidae)

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) represents the lowest level of metabolic activity capable to sustain homeostasis in an endotherm and is an important tool to compare metabolic rates of different species. Echimyidae is the most specious family within caviomorph rodents, however, little is known about the biology of its species, such as Trinomys setosus (Desmarest, 1817) and Clyomys bishopi (Ávila-Pires & Wutke, 1981), a ground and an underground dwelling echimyid, respectively. The ambient temperature and circadian effects on metabolic rate were evaluated through closed-system respirometry for these two species, as well as the circadian effects on CO2 production and respiratory exchange ratio (RER). Trinomys setosus and C. bishopi showed the lowest metabolic rates (0.56 ± 0.02 mLO2.h-1.g-1 and 0.53 ± 0.03 mLO2.h-1.g-1, respectively) at 32 °C and during the light phase. Under laboratory conditions, T. setosus showed metabolic rate variation compatible with nocturnal activity, whereas C. bishopi activity cycle remains unclear. Both species showed BMR lower than expected by allometric regressions for rodents.

Las viviendas subterráneas y el riesgo sísmico

It is estimated that underground dwellings throughout the world are home to between 40 and 60 million people. After a general analysis of the types of underground dwellings, their location and the factors influencing its development, analysis of the vulnerability of this type of housing has been introduced against natural risks, issue that has not been thoroughly studied before. It should be noted that the location of underground dwellings throughout the world matches in most cases with active regions seismically, so a first approach is carried out to the study of the vulnerability of underground dwellings compared to the seismic risk, having as background the earthquake in the Chinese region of Shaanxi occurred in 1556 that affect large groups of underground dwellings.

Fighting Energy Poverty by Going Underground

The inadequate coverage of energy needs in the residential sector, known as energy poverty, is a primary socio-economic problem, worldwide. Especially in Greece, under the pressure of the recent economic crisis, households face serious difficulties in meeting sufficiently their energy needs. We will show that one long-term way to minimize energy consumption, and therefore, tackle energy poverty, is the turn to underground constructions. Although underground built space can offer important benefits in terms of energy demand and consumption, underground residences have been largely regarded as unusual, far from the common residence type. However, in Greece and especially in Greek islands, underground residences have been often used in order to deal with extreme heat, during summer. Moreover, since 2012, underground constructions have been introduced as a special residence type by the Greek building regulation, thus facilitating the expansion of such practice. In this paper, the benefits of an underground residence in terms of energy poverty are being examined. More specifically, energy consumption required to achieve desired energy standards is calculated both for an earth-sheltered and an aboveground residence of similar characteristics in Greece. In this way, an indicative energy poverty ratio is calculated for the two residence types. The different climatic conditions throughout the country have been taken into consideration, by examining different Climatic zones. The findings show lower energy poverty ratios in the case of the underground residence at all climatic zones. In other words, a household living in an underground dwelling can more easily meet its energy needs compared to another one living in an aboveground dwelling. Hence, the analysis shows that modern architecture design should more systematically turn to underground constructions, incorporating the advantages of bioclimatic performance and energy savings.

Historical development and environment adaptation of the traditional cave-dwellings in Tajuña's valley, Madrid, Spain

The combination of the diverse environmental and natural characteristics (geography, climate, geology, relief …) and cultural ones (society, economy, history) has conditioned the constructive traditions, the forms of the dwellings and the function of the vernacular architecture in the valley of Tajuña river, southeast of Madrid. This work analyzes the culture of vernacular underground dwellings in this area through the study of the history and society, and the relationship with the natural and climatic environment. Vernacular architecture answers all these characteristics offering a clever adaptation to human life. Diverse energetic achievement mechanisms make this comfortable habitat possible, as for example, the orientation and ventilation according to relief, the use of local materials or the defense against thermal oscillations. These are bioclimatic strategies inherent to vernacular architecture. As a result of the research, there are several criteria and bases for the preservation and maintenance of this traditional, unknown and under the risk of disappearing heritage.

Regeneration and Improvement of the Underground Courtyards in South Shanxi — Taking Zhangdian Town of Pinglu County as Example

As original forms of ecological building, underground cave dwellings contain rich construction ideas which embody modern culture including low carbon emissions, energy efficiency, environmental protection and harmony. Taking Zhangdian Town of Pinglu County in Shanxi as an example, this thesis made a study on the classification of the destruction of the underground courtyards in this region by collection and investigation of the first hand data on the spot. Then, a method for reinforcing, repairing and rebuilding is put forward according to different situations. The improvement for better cave dwelling environment is also proposed from the aspect of natural ventilation, lighting, thermal insulation, waterproofing, seepage proofing, traffic and so on, which set the base of the further development of underground courtyards.

Lung cancer and indoor exposure to coal and biomass in rural China.

Incomplete combustion of coal in homes has been linked with lung cancer in China. We report on a lung cancer case-control study in a rural area of China, where many residents live in underground dwellings and burn coal and unprocessed biomass (crop residues, wood, sticks, and twigs) for heating and cooking. We interviewed 846 patients with lung cancer (626 men, 220 women; aged 30 to 75 years) diagnosed between 1994 and 1998, and 1740 population-based controls. The odds ratio for lung cancer associated with coal use compared with that for biomass in the house of longest residence was 1.29 (95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 1.61), adjusted for smoking and socioeconomic status. The risk for lung cancer increased relative to the percentage of time that coal was used over the past 30 years (P = 0.02). Our findings suggest that coal may contribute to the risk of lung cancer in this rural area of China.

ライトシェルフを用いた窰洞の光環境改善に関する研究

Yao-dong are unique underground dwellings in the Loess Plateau of China. The only one open part of the Yao-dong tends to be made small in order to control heat loss. Therefore, although the brightness near the open part is sufficient, the farther inside, the more remarkably it decreases. We focused on the improvement on lighting conditions using light-shelf. The shapes of light-shelf used were flat and concave. As the result, the light-shelf which curvatured reflection board is the most effective in order to improve the lighting conditions especially back of the room.

Lung cancer and indoor air pollution in rural china

PURPOSE: Indoor air pollution has been linked with lung cancer in China. In contrast to previous studies conducted in urban areas with high levels of industrial pollution, we undertook a lung cancer case-control study in a rural area of China, where residents live in underground dwellings. We evaluated the effects of radon, wood and coal combustion, cooking oil fumes, and environmental tobacco smoke on lung cancer risk.METHODS: We enrolled 886 lung cancer cases (656 males, 230 females) diagnosed between 1994-98, aged 30-75 years and 1765 frequency matched population-based controls from two prefectures in Gansu Province in Northwestern China. We conducted interviews with subjects or next of kin on smoking, housing characteristics, fuel use and cooking practices. Year-long radon detectors were placed in current and former homes of subjects.RESULTS: Subjects primarily used coal (22%), wood (56%) or a combination of both (22%) for heating. Odds Ratios (OR) for lung cancer rose with increasing percent of time that coal was used to heat homes over the past 30 years (ORs = 1.00, 1.17, 1.35, 1.23 compared to wood only, adjusted to smoking, P for trend = 0.025). Among non-smoking females and males, the OR for ever exposed to environmental tobacco smoke was 1.19, 95% CI = 0.7–2.0 with a significant trend for increasing years of exposure. Fumes from cooking with rapeseed oil increased the risk of lung cancer (OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.0–2.5) among non-smoking women. Among these women, occasional and frequent eye and throat irritation during cooking appeared to be associated with increased risk of lung cancer (ORs = 1.00, 1.42, 2.28, p trend < 0.01), whereas, increasing level of smokiness during cooking did not appear to affect risk.CONCLUSIONS: There is a suggestion that coal used for heating, environmental tobacco smoke, and cooking oil fumes contribute to the risk of lung cancer in this rural area of China.

Radon and thoron in cave dwellings (Yan'an, China).

222Rn and 220Rn concentrations were measured in cave dwellings and brick houses in the region of Yan'an (China) during summer 1997. The underground dwellings are built into Quaternary loess, and all investigated houses are founded on it. The median values of indoor 222Rn and 220Rn concentrations are 42 (n = 18) and 77 Bq m(-3) (n = 15) for brick houses and 92 (n = 23) and 215 (n = 17) Bq m(-3) for cave dwellings. To classify the dwellings in respect to their "cave-character," the fraction of walls having a direct contact to the loses is calculated for each dwelling. While the 222Rn concentrations are increasing with higher fractions, the 220Rn concentrations are not correlated with this fraction. On the other hand, due to the short half-life of 220Rn the distance from the measuring point to the walls is negatively correlated with the 220Rn concentration, while there is no correlation with the 222Rn concentration. Therefore, concentric isolines of 220Rn concentrations showing a strong gradient were detected in cave dwellings. An influence of the ventilation rate is distinct for 222Rn but weak for 220Rn. The effective dose rates for 222Rn and 220Rn and their progenies are calculated for brick houses (2.7 mSv y(-1)), cave dwellings (7.1 mSv y(-1)), and for traditional cave dwellings with a bed foundation built with loess (16.7 mSv y(-1)). These calculations are based on summer measurements only. It is expected that the true effective dose rates will be significantly higher.

大都市部の狭小過密敷地に立地する戸建て3階建て住宅の変容過程 : 東大阪市をケース・スタディとする戸建て3階建て住宅に関する研究 その2

This paper aims to clairfy the transformation process of the detached 3 story houses in the urban densely inhabited area. Main conclusions are as follows ; (1) It was not until 1971 that the detached 3 story houses have been built. (2) 2 stories with underground dwelling rooms could be classified into 3 types by the structure of the housing ;such as, (1)[retaining wall type] (2)[heaping up earth type] (3)[digging in the ground type] (3) Floor space of the detached 3 story house for sale was increased about 20 m^2 by having the underground garage. Then, houses have steadily transformed into 3 stories. However, decreasing in lot size have resulted in the decreasing of the floor space.

Radon measurements in underground dwellings from two prefectures in China.

Radon, an established lung carcinogen, remains the single most important environmental radiation exposure. Yet, an excess of lung cancer from breathing radon in homes has not been consistently demonstrated in studies conducted to date. To address several major problems that have hindered previous studies of lung cancer and radon in homes, we have embarked upon a lung cancer case-control study in Gansu Province, China, where a substantial proportion of the population live in underground dwellings. In this paper, we report on results of a pilot study in which radon measurements were made for 3 days in the summer in 40 homes under normal occupancy conditions using short-term E-PERM detectors and for 6 months from February through August in 49 homes using long-term alpha-track detectors. Useable E-PERM data were obtained from 38 homes and useable alpha-track data from 47 homes. For both types of detectors, measurements were approximately log-normally distributed. Arithmetic and geometric means were 233 and 185 Bq m-3 (range 74-1,590 Bq m-3) for E-PERM measurements and 165 and 158 Bq m-3 (range 74-592 Bq m-3) for alpha-track measurements, respectively; 68% of E-PERM measured homes and 55% of alpha-track measured homes exceeded 148 Bq m-3. Alpha-track measurements made at the entry, middle, and rear areas of the underground dwellings did not differ significantly (arithmetic means of 168, 162, and 165 Bq m-3 with standard deviations 63, 73, and 48, respectively), which suggests that air circulation may be minimal. The underground dwellings measured in the pilot study had high radon levels and the underground dwellers may provide an excellent population for studying indoor radon and risk of lung cancer.

Underground Dwellings in Central Europe (Plate iv)

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Improvements in the Sanitary Conditions of Underground Dwellings and Small Underground Workshops, by E. THOMAS SWINSON (Member), writing under the motto : " Cave-dweller."

Improvements in the Sanitary Conditions of Underground Dwellings and Small Underground Workshops, by E. THOMAS SWINSON (Member), writing under the motto : " Cave-dweller."

Notes of an 'Eirde House' at Bogfechil, parish of Udny

This article gives the dimensions of an underground dwelling found in Aberdeenshire in 1862. No analysis of the construction is offered, but the author does note that some pottery and animal remains were found inside the souterrain.

Note of the Antiquities of Udny, Aberdeenshire, in a Letter to the Secretary

A report on an underground dwelling found in Aberdeenshire. A bead was unearthed from this site, but no human remains were discovered. The author also discusses several other sites and finds in the surrounding area. One of the Secretaries, John Stuart, described the type of flint arrow-head that was referenced in this paper and provided some folkloric interpretations of these artefacts.