Structure & Framing Research

Multiple framing models were made to test the structure and to try to minimize the amount of timber used, since in that area timber is the most expensive building material. 

Since wind orientation was integral to the design process each model started out with a windrose from the site and a 13’ x 19’ concrete foundation that was agreed upon during the mud brick making workshops for the sqft of the buildings footprint.

The framing employs moment frames throughout to connect the vertical and horizontal members. Pin connections in model allowed the model to react to forces similar to the way the final framing will act. This connection allows for fixed movement in the x, y, and z plane, but torque can still occur, which is why bamboo shear walls will be needed throughout the building. The bamboo shear walls will not only counter act torque, but will also double as rain screens to help protect the mud brick from rain and back splash during the rainy season. 

The bamboo shear walls will also have varying degrees of porousity in their spacing to allow for cross ventilation and light in areas of the program where it is needed. The east side will have foundation to roof bamboo shear walls since direct light is not needed in that area and the west side will have bamboo shear walls that only reach 3’ due to the need for direct sunlight in certain areas on that side. 

In the framing there will be two different ridge beam heights to allow for hot air trapped between the zinc roof and reflective insulative materials to escape. This way the hot air is expelled and more cross ventialtion is allowed. While a zinc roof is not an ideal roof solution it was requested on behalf of KDHW to not use traditional thatching materials and instead employ a material that would last longer than 1 or 2 years. 

Structure & Framing Model 1 - 3

Final Structure & Framing Model

Soil Research

Phase Two began in December of 2012 with a mud brick building technique workshop, organization of the onsite team, material acquisition and other details. A significant amount of time was devoted to meetings with the community to address local concerns and to have user input on design changes. 

Prior to the mud brick building technique workshop it was important to gather my own information about the soil conditions so that I could know which soil was best to use in the mud bricks. Since it would not be possible to bring in dirt from the mud bricks it was important to do some quick tests on the local dirt to see which was best suited. In general two categories of tests were performed: soil type analysis tests and soild eprformance analysis tests. Soil types generall range from clay to sand with a silt and hetergeneous mixtured coming in between them. Sandy soil is unusable for mud bricks without the addition of clay. Silt with a high clay content can be used and heterogenous mixtures can be used, but  are not preferred especially when the contents of the mixture are unknown. Clay soil is the best for mud brick making, but in its most pure form can sometimes dry and crack, so additions of silt and tensile fiberious materials are neccessary. The soil type analysis test were to help determine which of the five sites tested had the best soil for mud brick making. The soil performance analysis tests were then conducted to see how each soil sample behaved. From all the soil samples collected Soil Sample 3 was used since it had a high clay ratio and performed the best in the soil performance analysis tests. 

These simple on site tests were taught to those participants during the mud brick making work shop so that they could be empowered to select soil when making their own mud bricks.

Aggregate diagram of the tests performed on the 5 potentional soil samples from the site vaccinity to help determine the utlimate choice for soil use in mud bricks

Mud Brick Technique Workshop

In January of 2013 I spent 15 days in the refugee camp conducting a mud brick technique workshop with the community and select KDHW staff. This workshop was attended by camp officials, the Clinic in Charge, various volunteers from the community, and KDHW staff. For 10 days the workshop was aimed at learning the techniques behind soil selection, soil testing, mud brick making, and mud brick care. Two types of mud bricks were made; bamboo infill and straw infill, in order to stress the concept that mud bricks can be made anywhere and with almost anything for very low cost. A team of community members was also chosen to oversee the completion and storage of all the mud bricks needed for the final design that will be built in the summer of 2013.