Wooden Houses Research Articles

Houses of the Polish-Belarusian borderland as areas of value

Nowadays, as a result of globalization processes, the sense of identity and relationship between humans and their place of living is increasingly losing its importance. Today’s thinking about the house as a centre of the world is becoming less obvious in comparison to the symbolism of a house in the folk culture. Wooden houses on the Polish and Belarus border are an example of a temporal continuum – both in the spatial and in the spiritual aspect. Because of their architecture, decoration on facades and spatial layout, they are a distinctive feature of the local landscape, and ethnic communities inhabiting them, to this day have maintained a strong identification with their own roots and place of residence. The greatest threat to the continuity of local tradition as well as wooden architecture of borderland villages is their progressive extinction. That is why the issue of protection of the cultural heritage and the generational memory of local residents is one of the key issues in maintaining the identity of those areas. The aim of the article which is based on ethnographic sources and field researches is to present the symbolism of traditional wooden houses in the villages of the north-eastern Poland as areas of material and spiritual values and to bring attention to the need of protecting them in the context of contemporary civilization changes.

Passive room conditioning using phase change materials—Demonstration of a long‐term real size experiment

The thermal properties of lightweight buildings can be efficiently improved by using phase change materials (PCMs). The heat storage capacity of the building can be extended exactly at the desired temperature level, which leads to an enormous increase in residential comfort. This is shown in the present paper using the example of a prefabricated wooden house. The house was divided into two identical rooms. One of them was equipped with almost one ton of phase change material based on salt hydrates with a melting temperature of approx. 21°C. The material was encapsulated in 1-l Polyethylene containers and installed in two back-ventilated layers inside of the walls. The house was monitored for a period of 87 days in terms of temperatures, solar radiation and air velocity inside the PCM wall system. A considerable temperature buffering could be observed in the PCM room compared to the reference room. An overall reduction of the temperature fluctuations of 57% and a reduction of the day/night fluctuations of 62% compared to the reference room could be obtained. In addition, a prediction regarding the energy demand of such buildings is discussed on the basis of a simulation program. Thus, the annual cooling capacity can be reduced by 36.5% compared to the regular timber construction technique by introducing PCM. Furthermore, the good correlation of the simulation results with the experimental ones allows using the simulation as a tool to design a house with additional thermal storages.

Dynamics of decrease of the gamma dose rate in air in rural settlements of the Bryansk region (Russia) in the remote period after the Chernobyl accident

The aim of this study was to determine the dynamics of decrease of the dose rate of gamma radiation in air from 137Cs in typical rural locations in the remote period after the Chernobyl accident. The dose rate measurements were performed in the areas of 15 settlements of the Zlynka, Klintsy and Novozybkov districts of the Bryansk region of Russia in the period 1998–2012. After the accident in 1986, the density of contamination of the territory with 137Cs in all settlements was higher than the value of 555 kBq/m2 . Monitoring measurements of the dose rate were performed in eight locations commonly used in assessing the radiation doses to the rural population after the Chernobyl accident: 1) virgin soils (meadows) located outside settlements, 2) virgin soils located inside settlements, 3) forests, 4) arable fields, 5) kitchen gardens, 6) other ground surfaces (earthen yards next to residential buildings), 7) single-story wooden houses, 8) asphalted areas (streets, roads, courtyards next to residential buildings). The number of observation sites in individual locations ranged from 6 to 19 (a total of 103 sites). Series of measurements at individual sites were launched in the period 1998–2001 and completed in 2009–2012. On average, the duration of the series was 11.1 years. The measurements were made in the spring-autumn period annually (in some years at some sites two to three times a year) using a portable gamma-ray spectrometer-dosimeter. In the initial period of the study (1998–2001), the values of the absorbed dose rate in air from 137Cs were in the range from 40 to 2020 nGy/h. The maximum values were recorded in virgin meadows and forests, and the minimum ones were observed inside houses and over asphalted surfaces. By the end of our series of observations (2009–2012), the dose rate decreased at all sites, by an average of 33% (range 6–64%). The values of the ecological period of half-reduction of the dose rate, calculated for individual sites, ranged from 14 to 320 years and averaged 34 years (virgin soils located outside settlements), 30 years (virgin soils located inside settlements), 37 years (forests), 93 years (arable fields), 99 years (kitchen gardens), 33 years (other earth surfaces), 45 years (wooden houses), 60 years (asphalted areas). The deduced values of the rate of decrease of the dose rate of gamma radiation in the air in the surveyed locations were used to estimate the ecological period of the half-reduction of the effective external dose for rural population living in wooden houses. On average, this period was equal to 50 years. Given the radioactive decay of 137Cs, we can expect that the external dose from Chernobyl 137Cs to the rural population will decrease by approximately 4% per year. Our estimate of the rate of decrease of the external effective dose from 137Cs in the remote period after the Chernobyl accident is in agreement with the estimates that were previously given by other authors for the slow component of decreasing external doses from 137Cs to adults living in rural settlements of the Bryansk region.

Mainshock‐aftershock state‐dependent fragility curves: A case of wood‐frame houses in British Columbia, Canada

SummaryDuring a mainshock‐aftershock (MSAS) sequence, there is no time to retrofit structures that are damaged by a mainshock; therefore, aftershocks could cause additional damage. This study proposes a new approach to develop state‐dependent fragility curves using real MSAS records. Specifically, structural responses before and after each event of MSAS sequences are used to obtain statistical relationships among the engineering demand parameter prior to the seismic event (pre‐EDP), the intensity measure of the seismic event (IM), and the engineering demand parameter after the seismic event (post‐EDP). The developed fragility curves account for damage accumulation, providing the exceeding probability of damage state (DS) given the IM of the event and the DS of the structure prior to the seismic excitation. The UBC‐SAWS model, which was developed for wood‐frame houses in British Columbia, Canada, is considered as a case study application. Results indicate that for the examined structural typology, state‐dependent fragility curves based on residual interstorey drift ratio (pre‐EDP), peak ground velocity (IM), and maximum inter‐storey drift ratio (post‐EDP) are the best choice to characterise the cumulative damage effect. An illustration of the developed fragility curves is provided by considering a hypothetical MSAS scenario of a Mw 9.0 Cascadia mainshock triggering a Mw 6.0 crustal event in the Leech River fault, affecting wooden houses in Victoria, Canada. The MSAS scenario increases Yellow tags (restricted access) by 12.3% and Red tags (no access) by 4.8%.

Wooden houses of Penza Town of the 19th - early 20th centuries and the problem of heritage preservation

The article presents the data on the influence of historical conditions on the formation of the architectural image of a wooden residential building. The problem of preserving wooden architecture as a historical and architectural heritage is considered. Material conservation is possible for the types of residential buildings that were built in the city of Penza in the first and second half of the 19th century. Wooden Art Nouveau houses built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries have been lost for today. The construction of their virtual models is proposed.

Architecture of residential wooden houses in the cities of Samara province in the second half of the XIX - Early XX centuries

The article discusses the features of wooden and stone-wooden buildings of county towns and large trading villages of the Samara province of the second half of the XIX – early XX centuries. The prerequisites and main factors for the development of wooden architecture in the Samara province are presented. A brief description of the planning features of settlements is given. Common features and distinctive features of wooden architecture are identified. Residential buildings, style solutions used in the design of facades, decorative elements, as well as design features of wooden and stone-wooden buildings are considered.

PRESERVATION OF STOVE HEATING IN A WOODEN HOUSE BUILT IN THE 19–20th CENTURIES IN TOMSK

Purpose: The aim of this work is to identify and collect the data on the engineering equipment routinely used for stove heating, which possesses a unique architectural potential determining its typology and preservation. Design/methodology/approach: In addition to a fullscale study, the historical review is given. This study determines the principles the stove arrangement in wooden houses. Research findings: A rapid loss of both historical wooden houses and stove heating systems is shown, which are considered to be the key elements for maintaining a valuable historical environment. A need for determining the causes of the destruction and loss of historical houses is shown. Originality/value: The research includes the not yet published data on historical houses, in particular, at the address 33, October street, Tomsk, Russia, built in the 19– 20th centuries, which is of high architectural potential. Practical implications: The results can be used in preservation of engineering equipment of stove heating in historical wooden houses.

Recyclable Architecture: Prefabricated and Recyclable Typologies

Buildings are being demolished without taking into the account the waste generated, and the housing shortage problem is getting more critical as cities are growing and the demand for built space and the use of resources are increasing. Architectural projects have been using prefabrication and modular systems to solve these problems. However, there is an absence of structures that can be disassembled and reused when the structure’s life ran its course. This paper presents three building prototypes of new recyclable architectural typologies: (i) a Slab prototype designed as a shelf structure where wooden housing modules can be plugged in and out, (ii) a Tower prototype allowing for an easy change of layout and use of different floors and (iii) a Demountable prototype characterized by the entire demountability of the building. These typologies combine modularity, flexibility, and disassembling to address the increasing demands for multi-use, re-usable and resource-efficient constructions. Design, drawings, plans, and 3D models are developed, tested and analyzed as a part of the research. The results show that the implementation of the recyclable architectural concept at the first design stage is feasible and realistic, and ensures the adaptation through time, increases life span, usability and the material reusability, while avoiding demolition, which in turn reduces the construction waste and, consequently, the CO2 emissions.

Large Urban Fires in Japan: History and Management

Wildland fires and wildland–urban interface (WUI) fires quite often become the focus of discussion among fire researchers whenever large outdoor fires are the topic, especially because of their global occurrence and their potential for causing serious damage. But at the same time, large urban fires have been occurring in Japan especially after major earthquakes or with high winds, at densely built urban area consisting of old wooden houses. Normally, fire spread is caused by three mechanisms: flame, radiation, and firebrands, especially in the cases of wildland fires, WUI fires, and large urban fires. And what is common between WUI fires and large urban fires is structure–structure fire spreading. In Japan, “Taika” (large urban fire) is a fire when the total burnout floor area is 33,000 m2 or more. The present paper first discusses the history of large urban fires in Japan, then examines the national standard regulations for fire safety in Japan aimed at mitigating the damage caused by those fires. Finally, an overview of current scientific research in methods of controlling urban fires in Japan is provided. This paper compiles such impotent information on large urban fires in Japan, which is the novelty and merit in this work. Furthermore, the contents in this paper will be contributing to the progress of new project ISO/TR 24188 on “Large outdoor fires and the built environment—Global overview of different approaches for standardization”, at ISO/TC92/WG14 “Large outdoor fires and the built environment”.

Comparing the Economic Indicators of Sustainable Development in Wooden Housing

Sustainable development as a concept of construction arose some 20 years ago. Nowadays, this is a global trend in conventional construction. This paper analyzes the sustainable development indicators, mainly the economy of wooden housing. The proposed method for calculating the economic sustainability indicators is based on calculating the full life cycle of a house with a breakdown into such stages as design, construction, operation, and disposal. The paper compares wooden housing against conventional reinforced-concrete residential buildings in terms of this economic indicator. Stakeholder analysis assesses the sustainability factors (environmental, economic, and social); the assessment can be used to draw sustainable development policies, strategic goals and objectives pertaining to wooden housing.

The level of satisfaction in construction of post-earthquake houses in Tanjung Sub-district, North Lombok Regency

The earthquake disaster on Lombok Island in 2018 impacted 564 inhabitants, damaged167,939 houses, and damaged infrastructure. This condition requires the community to live in temporary shelters. The government, stakeholders, and other social agencies have worked together to rebuild the houses during the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase. The government’s earthquake-resistant residential model consists of simple instant houses (RISHA), conventional instant houses (RIKO), and instant wooden houses (RIKA). The purpose of this research was to analyze the level of community satisfaction of these houses. The research used five variables, i.e., reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, and tangible with 24 sub-variables. The analysis method used isthe Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI). The research found that the CSI values for the RISHA and the RIKA model are 70.80% and 67.61%, respectively. Both models are in the satisfied category. Meanwhile, the CSI value for RIKO is 81.86% which is in the category of very satisfied.

The state of wooden housing architecture preservation from the interwar period in cities of the Lublin region. Protection possibilities

The article describes the condition of the wooden buildings created in the interwar period in the Lublin region and the method of its conservation, taking into account legal forms in force in Poland and in the world. This is a very substantial topic, because buildings of this type are increasingly disappearing from the landscape of a small city, in favor of catalog construction, thereby destroying the unique small-town landscape

Calculation of the effective external dose rate to a person staying in the resettlement zone of the Vetka district of the Gomel region of Belarus based on in situ and ex situ assessments in 2016–2018

The aim of this study was to perform a preliminary assessment of the expected effective dose rate from external exposure to an adult individual staying at that part of the radioactively contaminated territory of the Vetka district of the Gomel region of the Republic of Belarus, from where residents had been resettled after the Chernobyl accident. For this assessment, in summer 2016 and 2018 soil samples were taken from 19 sites located in forests (7 plots), virgin meadows (4 plots), cultivated meadows (6 plots) and vegetable gardens (2 plots), with the subsequent estimation of the inventory and vertical distribution of 137Cs in the soil. The values of 137Cs inventory in the soil ranged from 452 to 1620 kBq m−2 (mean = 904 kBq m−2, median = 964 kBq m−2). The results of the measurement of soil samples were used to calculate values of the air kerma rate, normalized to the inventory of radioactive caesium in the soil. On average, the normalized indicator of the air kerma rate from the man-made source was higher in forests (1.13 nGy h−1 per kBq m−2) compared to virgin meadows (0.95 nGy h−1 per kBq m−2). Normalized air kerma rate in cultivated meadows and vegetable gardens was approximately two times lower than the corresponding indicator for virgin meadows. Using a field gamma spectrometer-dosemeter, ambient dose equivalent rate of gamma radiation in the air was measured at the surveyed sites and the contributions of the technogenic and natural components to the dose rate were estimated. Additionally, such measurements were performed on asphalted surfaces (5 sites) and inside two wooden houses. The measured values of the total ambient dose equivalent rate at a height of 1 m above the ground, asphalted surface or house floor varied from 160 to 2260 nSv h−1. The lowest levels were recorded over asphalted surfaces and inside houses, and the highest ones at forest and virgin meadow sites. The contribution of the technogenic component to the total dose rate varied from 61.9% to 98.8% (mean = 88.9%; n = 26). The effective dose of anthropogenic radiation calculated from the results of in situ measurements in a forest, virgin meadow, cultivated meadow, kitchen garden, asphalted area and house was 0.59, 0.80, 0.34, 0.29, 0.06 and 0.06 μSv h−1, respectively. Similar values for land plots were calculated based on ex situ analysis of soil samples. It can be expected that, starting from 2020, the average effective external dose of a person staying in the resettlement zone of the Vetka district will not exceed 1 mSv year−1.

A free-produce stand on campus: impact on fruit and vegetable intake in Dutch university students.

To investigate the effects of providing free fruit and snack vegetables at a university on students' fruit intake, snack vegetable intake and total vegetable intake. Free fruit and raw snack vegetables (e.g. bite-sized tomatoes) were provided in a stand in the form of a miniature wooden house located in the central hall of the university's main building, which students regularly pass through on their way to lectures and the cafeteria. Three interventions tested with a pre-test/post-test design were performed. In these three interventions, small changes to the appearance of the stand were made, such as placing potted plants around it. Demographic characteristics and fruit and vegetable intakes were assessed with questionnaires. A Dutch university of applied science. Intervention 1 included 124 students; Intervention 2 included ninety-two students; Intervention 3 included 237 students. Longitudinal linear regression analyses showed that post-test snack vegetable intake was consistently higher compared with pre-test. In the three interventions, post-test snack vegetable intakes were between 11 and 14 g/d higher than at the pre-test, which is comparable to three bite-sized tomatoes. No differences in fruit intake or total vegetable intake were found. Subgroup analyses showed that, in all three interventions, students with the lowest pre-test fruit intake and total vegetable intake reported the largest increase in fruit intake and snack vegetable intake after the interventions. Providing free fruit and vegetables to students at their university might be beneficial for those with low habitual intakes.

Apie oberbombardyro Vaitiekaus Ivaškevičiaus 1791 m. Vilniaus piešinį

ABOUT THE 1791 PICTURE OF VILNIUS BY OBERBOMBARDIER WOJCIECH IWASZKIEWICZ The article discusses a watercolour painting from a private collection authored by Wojciech Iwaszkiewicz, artillery ober-bombardier of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In the background of the urban landscape are objects that allow easy identification of the capital of Lithuania: partly ruined Upper Castle and the Bekesh Hill. Other objects and figures are identifiable by the inscriptions on the other side of the painting. Particularly interesting is the first plan of the drawing, which depicts the Tatar Gates and a few wooden houses standing near them. This is the only known view of the Tatar Gates of the Vilnius defensive wall. The buildings also depict a number of city dwellers, most of them being military personnel of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (artillery officer, cannoneer, ober-feurwerker, etc., as well as the author of the painting himself ), thus the picture is also interesting as a source of research into different military uniforms. Inscriptions by the Upper Castle and Bekesh Hill reflect legends and stories, popular among Vilnians at the end of the eighteenth century. In the former case, one tower of the castle is named as the temple of the pagan god Lelum Polelum Swistum po Swistum. Yet above the Bekesh Hill is written a legend about the reckless death of this cadet on the way down while riding a horse. Through historical sources we were able to determine that W. Iwaszkiewicz enlisted into the army of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania as a cannoneer in the spring of 1790, soon was raised to the rank of the bombardier and in the spring of 1791 to the ober-bombardier, yet in the summer of 1793 he was raised to the rank of stykjunker. The painting in analysis is related to a particular event: attempts to reform and strengthen the Lithuanian artillery at the end of the eighteenth century and the amassing of the military in Vilnius. In spite of somewhat primitive style of the painting, it’s a very interesting and valuable document of urban iconography. Keywords: Vilnius, Wojciech Iwaszkiewicz, Bekesh Hill, Upper Castle, Tatar Gates, artillery.

Опыт государственно-частного партнерства в сфере развития современного деревянного жилищного строительства в Финляндии

This paper studies the experience and algorithm of public-private partnership in the development of modern wooden housing in Finland. Are view of the state of modern wooden architecture in the general context of architectural activity in Finland was carried out by analysing governmental programmes aimed at developing wooden housing and environmentally sustainable constructionpractices,in particular the "State architectural policy of Finland" adopted in 1998. The materials of a seminar on constructing modern wooden housing held in Irkutsk by Finnish specialists are presented. The ex-perience of Finnish colleagues was considered in terms of its expediency for the construction industry of the Angara region. It is established that the organizational and economic effectiveness of projects in the sphere of wooden housing construction and environmentally sustainable construction processes should be based on a close and comprehensive cooperation of state construction organizations with private construction companies and public organizations. Specific forms of public-private partnership in the field of wooden housing construction are described, along with the roles and positions of all the par-ticipants. Special attention was paid to the Finnish experience of holding housing fairs, which are aimed at promoting wooden housing construction in different cities of Finland. The Finnish experience in the development of wooden housing construction is currently one of the best in the world, and its applica-tion in the construction industry of the Angara region is expedient.

Survey on Measures to Promote Collaboration among Stakeholders in Seismic Retrofitting of Old Wooden Houses in Kochi Prefecture

Survey on Measures to Promote Collaboration among Stakeholders in Seismic Retrofitting of Old Wooden Houses in Kochi Prefecture

Solutions for retrofitting existing, wooden houses in cold climates

Upgrading existing one-family houses to higher energy standards can be a challenge for owners, among others, due to the unclear status of technical regulations in the case of retrofitting at the national level. Retrofitting projects face technical obstacles that can be difficult to exclude with sensible measures. As a result, retrofitting projects are more difficult to complete. How can we effectively increase the rate of retrofitting projects for private owned residential buildings? Challenges associated with a complete renovation were listed, analysed and illustrated based on one of the smallest Norwegian typical wooden houses from the 1960s. Optimal packages of solutions for the retrofitting, based on energy simulation models, were proposed. The analysis showed that existing buildings are vulnerable meeting today’s, much stronger, energy requirements equal for all buildings. More attention should be given to the development of separate regulations at the national level as well as to the development of retrofitting solutions, if the goal of increasing the number of renovations is to be achieved. The efficient use of solar energy becomes an important measure, especially in the context of expected climate change, and a key to achieve sustainable energy management and a better indoor climate. To avoid unnecessary cooling loads and ensure optimal thermal comfort for residents, overheating criteria should be included in energy requirements even in cold climates in the near future.

On research on construction method and performance evaluation of external envelop of timber framed houses for improving the durability of the buildings (Part 3-1) Analysis and explanation of deterioration risk caused by moisture in wooden houses

On research on construction method and performance evaluation of external envelop of timber framed houses for improving the durability of the buildings (Part 3-1) Analysis and explanation of deterioration risk caused by moisture in wooden houses

On research on construction method and performance evaluation of external envelop of timber framed houses for improving the durability of the buildings (Part 3-2) Analysis and explanation of deterioration risk caused by moisture in wooden houses

On research on construction method and performance evaluation of external envelop of timber framed houses for improving the durability of the buildings (Part 3-2) Analysis and explanation of deterioration risk caused by moisture in wooden houses