Sustainability of Corrugated Cardboard Houses as Temporary Emergency Shelters

Transcription

1 Sustainability of Corrugated Cardboard Houses as Temporary Emergency Shelters Toshimasa Konishi PhD 1 Masahiko Tamura 2 1 Utsunomiya university. 1-2, 7chome Yoto Utsunomiya City Japan. Phone: Fax: konishi@cc.utsunomiya-u.ac.jp 2 Utsunomiya university. 1-2, 7chome Yoto Utsunomiya City Japan. Phone: Fax: mt013405@cc.utsunomiya-u.ac.jp 1. INTRODUCTION Background: The situation concerning disasters in Japan (earthquakes and typhoons). Japan is an earthquake-prone country, and is stricken by large earthquakes every several years. Furthermore, typhoons assault Japan every year. As a result of earthquakes and typhoons, many homes are damaged, creating a need for shelters. Many people take temporary refuge in public facilities such as schools, in tents, etc. Although the duration of such temporary shelter living may not be long, it is difficult to ensure a minimal living environment because of a lack of privacy, no soundproofing, difficulty in securing one s own belongings, and a lack of insulation against the summer s heat and the winter s cold. Until their own homes can be rebuilt, many people are forced to live in temporary housing built by public institutions, such as prefabricated homes, etc. Also the amenities of life are inadequate in such places. Because such temporary housing in constructed in bulk, within a limited space, if living there is prolonged, contact with one s own community can become attenuated. Moreover, such temporary housing cannot undergo repeated usage, so problems can arise in terms of the conservation of resources. Proposal for temporary emergency shelters using corrugated cardboard. In light of the situation described above, the author proposes temporary emergency housing, using corrugated cardboard panels, to be used for several months, from the time a disaster occurs until new permanent living quarters can be decided upon. In other words, in order to minimize the length of living in inferior shelters such as tents, public facilities, etc. until permanent housing is available, the disaster victims themselves can set up temporary shelter facilities in the area where they previously lived or nearby, thereby securing their own living space. The main material for such temporary emergency housing is recyclable corrugated cardboard. Such housing is environmentfriendly because it can be recycled following use. 2. OVERVIEW OF TEMPORARY EMERGENCY HOUSES USING CORRUGATED CARDBOARD These newly-developed corrugated cardboard houses are no different from others using multilayered corrugated cardboard panels (about 10 cm in thickness); but several ingenious devices have been adopted concerning the way in which the panels are assembled and joined to each other.

2 Wood-framed type: This is a beginning stage type, with corrugated cardboard layered crosswise, having plasterboard on both sides, with the surface panel being coated with polyester resin. In order to ensure the evenness of stress transfer among panels, all four sides are enclosed in a wooden frame (Figure 1). The plasterboard can easily be separated from the wood frame; and the corrugated cardboard is made 95% from old newspapers. Because water-soluble adhesive agents are used, the paneled portion can be re-used following initial usage. A in-plane shearing test, a simple bending test to seek if they break, and an insulation test are being performed on the panels. Although its strength is considered fully adequate for temporary housing, because screws are used at the joints the method of construction cannot be considered first-rate *1. Figure 1. Corrugated Cardboard of Wood-frame Type Current proposal: The current proposal involves a further simplification of the wood-framed type. As indicated in Figure 2, tongue and groove joints are configured in the corrugated cardboard itself, thereby simplifying their joining (Figure 3). Figure 4 shows an overview of experimental 13.2m 2 temporary housing using a multi-layered cardboard panel system. This experimental housing is a living room only, not yet equipped with a kitchen or bathroom. Corrugated cardboard layered panels are spray-coated with urethane resin mixed with a combustion-resistant agent. Thus, waterproofing and fire retardation are ensured. During these experiments, the wall panels are not sprayed with urethane, but rather covered with a waterproofing sheet as a substitute. Figure 2. Polyurethane Coated Cardboard Panel N A 100 Figure 3. The Tongue and Groove Joint of Panels 1, A 1,000 Figure 4. Outline of Corrugated Cardboard House and Point for Measuring 3. THE QUALITY OF CORRUGATED CARDBOARD TEMPORARY EMERGENCY HOUSING 1, A-A

3 a) Structural safety Simple bending testing and in-plane shearing testing were conducted on the strength of each panel to be used for experimental housing. Table 1, Table 2 shows the results. Table 1. Simple Bending Testing Table 2. In-plane Shearing Testing Test Piece Name FWS, F, FW: Plane Type / W: W Type 00: Layer 00: Coating (mm) /, =, #: Layer Direction b) Constructibility Figure 5 illustrates the process by which corrugated cardboard temporary emergency housing is constructed. With a view to removing the housing following the experiments, the foundation was not joined with the ground. A rope was tied around the overall structure and affixed to the concrete surface on which the house rested. Corrugated cardboard layered panels were laid on top of the foundation as a floor to which laminated boards (12mm in thickness) were secured by hardware. The waterproofing sheets on the wall panels were spray glued. The objective was to carry out the entire construction process by two adults. However, the weight of the roof panels was so great that four people were required for assembly. Caulking was performed at the panels joints and around the fixtures. The entire process, including the interior and exterior, required five days. This experiment demonstrated that if the building material for temporary emergency housing can be obtained, disaster victims having the assistance of some neighbors can within several days easily construct temporary housing themselves, on their own property. Figure 5. The Construction Process of the Corrugated Cardboard House c) Livability In anticipation of the question of livability while taking refuge, the environmental quality of the room was measured. ~ in Figure 4 indicate the locations that were calibrated. The temperature, humidity, and globe temperature, were measured in order to determine the average level of comfort (PMV) and the anticipated level of dissatisfaction (PPD). The duration of the testing was from November 22 through December 6, 2001, with people actually staying in this experimental dwelling. The number of people who were in the room and the events that took place were recorded. Figure 6 shows a portion of the actual calibration results, pertaining to room environment quality (November 22, 2001). The ambient temperature began to rise in the morning along with the rise of the sun, as did the temperature of the room. The temperature declined gradually during the

4 afternoon, with 1:00 PM being the peak. The PMV and PPD showed somewhat low values from late at night until the morning; but they reached near zero during the day, indicating a comfortable environment. Figure 6. Changes with the Passage of Time of Temperature & Humidity & PMV & PPD In order to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the room environment within the experimental dwelling, POEM-H (Post-Occupancy Evaluation Method of Houses) was used. Figure 7 (a) illustrates the comprehensive question and answer survey (sound, light, heat, air, space, and environmental load) that was conducted, and the balances for each item. At this time, the temporary emergency housing using corrugated cardboard was compared in terms of mean values with 22 ordinary homes. The check marks in each item were counted, following which the levels of satisfaction and levels of importance were assigned numerical values. Figure 7 (b) shows the environmental evaluation results obtained following residence therein (In the case of the experimental housing, two persons provided the evaluation). Following comparison with the results from the other homes, it became clear that the residential environment in the experimental housing was the same as for that in the ordinary homes. (a) A Parts of Questionnaire (b) Chart Graph of Indoor Environment (Env.) Figure 7. A Finding of residential Environment 4. LIFE CYCLE EVALUATION FOR TEMPORARY EMERGENCY HOUSING Materials used: Corrugated cardboard : 1436 m 2 /13.2m 2 (in the case of the experimental housing at this time.) Japan s corrugated cardboard production volume is 13, 217 (million m 2 ); and that of the world is 124,873 (million m 2 ), approximately 10.6% of which is produced in Japan, the second largest amount next to the United States production of 30.2%. The recovery ratio for corrugated cardboard in Japan is was 84.4% in 1997, 85.9% in 1998, 88.8% in 1999, and 93.4% in 2000, demonstrating a steady increase. In addition to the above, urethane paint, waterproofing paper, aluminum sashes and aluminum doors are used. Table 3 illustrates the comparison with temporary shelter facilities and temporary housing involving the use of other building systems. The environment-friendly characteristics of corrugated cardboard housing are noteworthy. 5. CONCLUSION

5 By making corrugated cardboard panels and by simplifying the tongue and groove joints, it has become possible to build emergency temporary housing having high levels of constructibility and livability and of adequate strength. It has become clear that the room environment for temporary emergency housing using corrugated cardboard is virtually the same as that for a comparable room in ordinary housing. Comprehensively speaking, temporary emergency housing using corrugated cardboard can be evaluated as being environment-friendly compared to other forms of temporary housing. 6. ISSUES TO BE FACED IN THE FUTURE Although at this time waterproofing was carried out using a urethane coating together with waterproofing sheets, there exists the possibility of pinholing during the coating process. In the case of the waterproofing sheets used this time, there may be a problem in terms of durability. These are points requiring further review. Table 3. LCA of Temporary Shelters Corrugated Cardboard House Tent Prefabricated temporary house Deforestation, Exploitation Raw materials for coating, Raw materials for cloth, Raw materials for steel, plywood, aluminum, waterproof metal poles and rope. insulation, plywood, aluminum, sheet and sealant. waterproof sheet and sealant. Production Corrugated cardboard, coating, Cloth for tent, Steel frame, plywood, aluminum sash, waterproof metal pole and rope. metal sheet for facing and sash. sheet, sealant and plywood. Construction Small-sized electric tool Manpower. Construction machinery. and manpower. Use Small-sized heater (for winter). Lack of privacy, Performance of minimum thermal and sound insulation, dwelling conditions. Heater (for winter). Maintenance Repairing for waterproof Repairing of frayed spots. Nothing for several months. and so on. Disassembly, Demolition Manpower. Manpower. Construction machinery. Withdrawal Easy. Easy. Easy for reuse, Trouble to sorting. Reuse, Recycle Recycle of sash and corrugated cardboard (except coating layer) Difficult to reuse except metal poles in the case of a long term Reuse is possible in the of a short term use. are possible to recycle. use. Scrapping Coating, sealant. Cloth. Many kinds, large quantity. Storage, Transport Bulky but light in weight. Compact and light in weight. Bulky and heavy. :very good, :good, : not so good, :bat Development of the Nissen hut (vault) type: At present, vault-type temporary emergency housing is under development in order to deal with the problem of local stress at the tongue and groove joints by reducing the number of such joints. Currently, strength experimentation using a halfsize scale model has been completed (Figure 8). *1 Taiki Kudo, Toshimasa Konishi, Shigeharu Nakamura, Junichi Matsui, Development of Temporary Dwellings using Layered Corrugated Cardboard Panels -On joint system- Architectural Institute of Japan, Journal of Architecture and Building Science, vol. 116, no. 1466, p Masahiko Tamura, Toshimasa Konishi, Shigeharu Nakamura, Norio Itoi, Junichi Matsui, Development on Temporary Dwellings by Polyurethane Coated Cardboard Panels Architectural Institute of Japan, Summary of Technical Papers of Annual Meeting 2001 E-1, p

6 Figure 8. A Proposal for the Corrugated Cardboard House of Nissen hut Type