HIGH AND DRY CONSTRUCTION

FOR VULNERABLE AREAS OF THE WORLD

Houses with solid walls are demolished by powerful floods but, with an open frame ground floor construction, the water passes underneath leaving the upper floor HIGH AND DRY

which accommodates, rather than confronts, a torrent. In this way we learn to live with floods. A pilot project undertaken by the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Mozambique, supported by MRDF (Methodist Relief and Development Fund) has demonstrated that it

Flooding is the most common of all environmental hazards. It regularly claims over 20,000 lives every year and adversely affects around 75 million people world-wide.
The reason lies in the widespread geographical distribution of river floodplains and low-lying coasts, together with their attractions for human settlement because of the fertility of the soil and the importance of the fishing industry. Over some flat deltaic countries rainy season flooding regularly covers an estimated 20% of the total land area and very high floods may cover half the available land. The December 2004 Tsunami disaster in South and South East Asia has removed any remaining complacency over the possible consequences of natural disasters. People of goodwill respond to dramatic images with customary generosity. However, much of the expensive relief activity does nothing to prepare for future events or to re-establish the everyday livelihoods of the people caught up in the tragedy. Nature is too powerful to keep under control at all times. Flash flooding from storms falling on urban areas or deforested hillsides result in vast quantities of water rushing through towns and villages. Sea defences can only cope with normal tidal surges; tsunamis penetrate far inland exerting forces which cannot be resisted except by School children in Mozambique point to exceptional civil engineering measures. their new HIGH AND DRY classroom Giant single-purpose emergency refuges for times of flood have been constructed in Bangladesh. But then people have to return some distance to what is left of their homes after the floodwaters have gone down. The more logical step is to provide safe refuge right in the locality a building that is used daily, not just in times of flood, and is possible to provide local flood-proof buildings requiring only a small team of people and low material use, with all building components manufactured on site. This approach can be replicated elsewhere to reduce loss of life and property damage at time of flood. By employing local resources and using the skills and energies of the local people, it also creates new livelihoods, alleviating poverty.

Knowing that the floods will come again one day, a community should have a place to go which has an everyday purpose, but will provide a safe refuge for many people. In due course all homes should have a HIGH AND DRY area.

THE HIGH AND DRY CONCEPT

HIGH AND DRY CONSTRUCTION: DEVELOPMENT PHASE

The concept was developed by Parry Associates in a practical exercise at their Cradley Heath headquarters in the UK. The object was to design the new elements of the system and demonstrate the effectiveness of the building technique, which involves a deeply coffered raised slab forming the raised floor. The construction system is modular, based around a nearcubic frame comprising concrete columns and beams formed from standard concrete and steel reinforcing bars. The beam elements are made up of individually moulded sub-components cavity blocks - into which the reinforcing bars are embedded in fresh mortar during construction. To ensure the practicality and ease of operation of what would be an innovative system, the Cradley Heath work team undertook a series of design and manufacturing tasks. Several building exercises were undertaken in the UK to prove the construction equipment and methods proposed. The final exercise involved construction of a complete section of raised floor including casting the slab. A roof was erected over the upper floor, again comprising roofing tiles produced on site using the same equipment that produced the column and beam elements. In practice the householder would apply whatever materials are locally available to build the upper storey as if building at ground level.
HIGH AND DRY A single core based on a contractors weekly output

High School proposal for Mozambique

Coffer former Cross section of the raised floor, after props taken our and before removal of the coffer formers Rubble and waste items added to save cement Reinforcing bar

The concept proceeded to overseas implementation, starting with the aftermath of the catastrophic floods in Mozambique in 2000. Since then High Schools (HIGH AND DRY buildings built as school classrooms) have been constructed in Lionde and Nconhane, with a third project under way at Malkazene: all in the area of Gaza Province, hardest hit by the Limpopo flooding.

Preparing raised slab for casting

The design of the raised floor consumes less concrete than a solid slab and eliminates the need for expensive plywood shuttering and formwork. The slab is supported on slender concrete columns, engineered to a standard similar to the posts of a pier or pedestrian bridge. A new hollow coffer assembly has been the main innovation. These modular hollows were initially made of micro concrete and left in place. Subsequent development led to the use of flexible moulds which can be used over and over again, simplifying the manufacturing process. The moulds are then temporarily supported in position by bush poles (which are also used over and over again), whilst concrete is poured over reinforcing bars placed in the valleys between the rows. This forms a grid of beams between the columns. When the concrete is set the bush poles can be removed and used for the next section of the floor.
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HIGH AND DRY: IN MOZAMBIQUE

The Wesleyan & Methodist Church of Mozambique had been carrying out community programmes in the Limpopo valley for some years. With the flood disaster in year 2000 and the prospect of recurrence due to climate change and other factors, the church began to cast about for solutions which could provide defence against floods. Meanwhile, staff at Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) in London were aware of certain building projects to which it had contributed, notably in Sri Lanka and Sierra Leone, which were based on building elements roofing and wall blocks, etc., manufactured on a small scale near the point of use from locally available materials. As the projects had been successful, both technically and as generators of local employment, MRDF had begun to exchange ideas with the originators of the production and construction systems: West Midlands engineering firm JPM Parry & Associates Ltd. As news of the flood disaster in Mozambique unfolded, Parry Associates quickly produced a design concept for a two storey building which could be constructed from local materials using an extension of the firms proven technology, and which would offer very substantial savings in comparison with conventional multi-storey building techniques. The upper storey would rest on a securely founded frame and would provide a substantial area of refuge for people and stores in time of flood. The concept design was presented as a classroom, hence the original title High School, but it could be used for almost any other communal or private purpose under the description of the HIGH AND DRY construction system. MRDF consulted the local Methodist Church in Mozambique to ascertain whether it agreed with the validity of the concept and could provide resources to undertake a pilot project. Their response was positive in both respects and the project was initiated.

MRDF agreed to provide funding in the UK to cover manufacture and shipment of special production tooling, and to assist a local church to provide the organisation and funding for a first HIGH AND DRY classroom project in Mozambiques Gaza Province. After completion of the first project, at Lionde, a second application was initiated and completed during 2004 at Nconhane. A third High School at Malkazene is now under construction and is planned to be opened in July 2005. It is estimated that by mid-2005 high quality, safe refuge will have been provided for over 1,000 people in buildings which at normal times provide classroom accommodation for the school children of the three villages. The precedent created by the Mozambique project is potentially valuable to other situations where fears of future flooding need to be taken into account in plans for reconstruction associated with sustainable development.

One of the new HIGH AND DRY classrooms in Gaza Province, Mozambique

HIGH AND DRY: HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS

The concrete fill forms a grid of beams Edge shuttering panels Coffer former

THE RAISED FLOOR CONCEPT

The special elements required to support the raised floors using the Parry HIGH AND DRY system are: 1. 2. 3. 4. Hollow column blocks Column top slabs Shuttering slabs Hollow rectangular blocks for ground and wall beams

THE CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS

These are all made on site on a hand powered, large format vibrating machine, using special moulds designed and produced for the purpose Comprehensive training is given for making the elements; descriptive and illustrated manuals are provided. The production site requires availability of water, but electricity supply is not necessary.
Reinforcing bars Column blocks

The strength of the slab depends upon the steel reinforcement placed between the hollow coffers which, once concreted into position, form a series of beams

The manufacture of the wall and beam building elements is based on vibrated concrete shaped in re-usable moulds. Vibrated concrete results in a stronger, lighter product with consequent savings, especially in cement and roof timber. Columns are founded in a 400mm deep concrete base and constructed of pre-cast concrete blocks and reinforcing bars. The raised floor is constructed with rows of 600 x 600mm cavities in the underneath surface formed by coffer units, which are laid on bush pole props accurately located by spacers. Reinforcing bars are positioned between the coffer domes; shuttering panels are positioned around the floor extremity rising to 10mm above the domes; concrete is poured to fill the space up to the top of the shuttering, and consolidated by tamping or vibration. (A conventional raised floor would require nearly twice the amount of concrete and cradling in 18mm plywood shuttering which is usable, on average, twice only.) Once the slab is complete, a conventional building can be erected on the raised floor from vibrated concrete elements, with wall blocks, window frames and roof tiles or by reverting to materials and methods traditional to the area. The ground floor can be left open-sided to present no resistance to fast flowing water. If walls are constructed between the frames, non-structural materials should be used which readily give way under pressure of deep, fast flowing water so this passes through the lower storey, leaving the upper floor HIGH AND DRY and the occupants and contents safe from harm. DURABILITY AND SERVICEABILITY Although the HIGH AND DRY concept is innovative, all structural calculations and working procedures follow established orthodoxies and adhere to best practice for this type of high performance structure.

Construction of blockwork columns tied with reinforcing bars

Shuttering panels in place awaiting installation of reinforcing bars and pouring of the concrete slab

Horizontal beams made by joining V blocks with steel reinforcement grouted in with fresh concrete

METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING THE HIGH AND DRY PLATFORM

Substantial foundations are laid for the columns, which are reinforced by accurately positioned bars. The columns of blocks are built to the raised floor height of 3 metres above ground level.

Column caps are mortared to the tops of the columns and the column reinforcing bar ends are joined to the reinforcing bars of the slab. The vertical reinforcing bars are nested into the cutaway corners of the blocks and then grouted into permanent position, using fresh cement mortar.
Right: At the point where the coffer moulds meet the corner cap, the claw goes into the cavity in the corner of the cap holding the adjacent moulds in position

The coffer moulds are then lifted into position (top right) and supported on props made from bush poles obtained locally. A claw device holds the square coffer moulds together at Right: An area of coffered floor the corners. slab viewed from above. On the
extreme right the concrete infilling is in place; on the left the moulds are still exposed

Below right: a school in Mozambique, demonstrating the HIGH AND DRY construction method

The vertical reinforcement bars extend upwards through the slab to provide a means of tying the upper floor superstructure in place. Ideally this should be based on further columns, the same as those which support the raised floor. The tops of the columns can be linked by a ring beam joining all four columns.

THE EQUIPMENT KIT AND THE PRODUCTS

MANUFACTURING TOOLS HIGH AND DRY building technology is based on a series of moulding tools used with a vibrating table, powered manually or by a 12V DC electric motor. A Vibrating table B Column block mould C Column top cap mould D Mould for standard wall blocks E Mould for ground and wall beams F Mould for slab side shuttering panel G Multi-stacking units H Moulds for roof ridge tiles I Moulds for roof tiles CONSTRUCTION TOOLS J Coffer formwork units K Coffer formwork frames L Claws for supporting slabs Roof tiling template M

The amount of equipment supplied to construct a 3m x 3m core slab will include 25 formwork sets, including claw brackets used with locally supplied bush poles to prop up the slab for one week

Production equipment supplied will be sufficient for a 2-3 person team to make elements for one core in a week.

THE PRODUCTS
Roof Ridge Tile Roof tiles

The pre-cast equipment manufactures the correct number of products needed to construct foundations, ground beams, columns (including top capping), wall

beams and roofing to cover the upper floor. A detailed manual specifies the details of the reinforcing steel and the concrete mixes used.

Hollow block

Column cap

Column block

Beam block Side shuttering panel

Coffered slab seen from below

HIGH AND DRY: BENEFITS FOR THE POOR

The HIGH AND DRY concept is designed primarily for people dwelling in flood-prone areas where capital is relatively scarce and labour is relatively plentiful. For such communities the system offers the following advantages and opportunities: concrete platforms. Besides the incomes generated, the sense of common purpose in a vulnerable community will be highly positive.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Initial construction of raised platform buildings is likely to be led by an NGO until the business parameters are fully REFUGE AND ACCOMMODATION recognised within the community. The system offers For people whose occupations require them to live in areas excellent scope for small business activity with low cost with the risk of flooding, a HIGH AND DRY upper floor equipment, provides a secure area where they and their most precious possessions can remain, either until a minor flood subsides or in extreme circumstances until rescue by emergency services. The upper floor becomes the core of the dwelling but, being modular, is capable of extension into a wider, longer building.

Small beginnings with just two or three workers engaged in production can grow into larger undertakings once business becomes established

easily learned skills and relatively straightforward management. An NGO can encourage a move towards an independent commercial operation if it intends to withdraw after launching the enterprise, or it can continue to EMPLOYMENT organise the activities with direct labour or small subA HIGH AND DRY construction project employs people from contractors as a livelihood-generating mission. the immediate area, operating hand-powered equipment to produce building elements; gathering sand, aggregate and INDEPENDENCE bush poles; constructing columns; and pouring the coffered The existence of secure areas will change many attitudes, e.g. to investment in manufacturing facilities and to property development. It will encourage enterprise and the move from subsistence to the generation of a saleable surplus. The circulation of incomes will advance the integration of the community into the formal economy, giving its people ever greater control over their lives. In summary, the HIGH AND DRY concept has the potential to mobilise community effort to bring important and beneficial changes to peoples lives. It promises to be good value for money as a development initiative eligible for humanitarian support during the introduction phase then moving into self-sustaining small enterprise.
Parry-trained technician from the Gambia providing instruction to builders in Malawi. Transfer of skills can be done South to South, with technicians from one country travelling to another land to introduce new groups of trainees to new skills, such as roof building

Left to build with indigenous materials, poor peoples homes are sometimes so flimsy that their possessions and accommodation can be swept away in a few minutes

LONG TERM BENEFITS FROM POST-DISASTER RECONSTRUCTION HIGH AND DRY house cores to improve and protect lives
Parry Associates are introducing an affordable, easy-toconstruct raised platform for flood-prone settlements. HIGH AND DRY house cores are designed so that the flood can pass underneath a secure room built well above the water level on top of the platform. The platforms and supporting frames will provide a structurally-robust and protective core to informally-constructed sections of the dwelling. The HIGH AND DRY concept derives from experience gained during the aftermath of previous flood disasters in Mozambiques Gaza Province in 2000, and Northern Honduras in 1999. The approach seeks to combine early provision of shelter with resumed livelihoods, more durable accommodation and greater security for the future when other inundations may occur. HIGH AND DRY platforms comprise the use of light but robust frames pinned to the ground by vertical post foundations with flat, lightweight coffered floors, raised 3 metres above ground level. The frames are modular, approximately cubic in proportions, 3m x 3m x 3m. The materials used are bought from local suppliers and all manufacturing and construction activities are performed by local people. Production of the building elements and the subsequent construction is performed using a kit of equipment which provides for the local manufacture of high quality wall, floor and roofing products. These will be saleable in the local market a basis for a sustainable local business. There will need to be a training phase, creating the vocational skills for small producers and contractors to acquire for delivering the technology, and pilot programmes in the areas concerned to make the public, businesses and government officials aware of the potential benefits. The provision of the modular house cores, installation of which involves primarily local resources (materials and labour), could become a subject of targeted sponsorship, to assist the lowest income families. Individual units could be constructed by local manufacturers/contractors for under 500 each. NGOs working with the local authorities will be able to identify suitable beneficiary households, while western organisations such as charitable foundations, churches, mosques and schools may raise sponsorship funds to pay for HIGH AND DRY house cores.

San Pedro Sula, Honduras: workers making tiles using Parry equipment after the flood disaster destroyed the local village

For further information contact: JPM Parry & Associates Ltd, Overend Road, Cradley Heath, West Midlands, B64 7DD, UK Tel +44 (0) 1384 569 171 Fax +44 (0) 1384 637 753 Email: info@parryassociates.com www.parryassociates.com

Vision of newly-built HIGH AND DRY house cores integrating into a small town in Sri Lanka 8