Designing Buildings - User contributions [en]

Amphibious Construction

2021-11-02T23:51:20Z

Robert Barker, Stolon:

[[File:Amphibious_Construction_flood_c_StolonStudio.jpg|link=File:Amphibious_Construction_flood_c_StolonStudio.jpg]]

An amphibious building, or can-float building, is one that is designed to float in the event of a flood, but to rest on solid foundations at other times. This unusual hybrid building typology has an express purpose to protect the property from flooding by floating when water levels rise.

Amphibious buildings are typically designed as to be conventional fixed buildings but constructed with technology also used in floating buildings. They are not designed to float continuously, instead, they float when flood levels reach a certain level, hence the alternative name - can-float.

To make any object float it requires buoyancy. As buildings are heavy, water levels need to be sufficient to provide the buoyancy to enable them to float.

Unlike a floating home which requires a permanent deep body of water, an amphibious house only needs to float when water levels rise, and reach the sufficient depth to provide buoyancy, i.e. during a flood. This means that an amphibious building may be bigger and heavier than a floating one, which may be limited in size by the depth of water.

Most amphibious buildings use a concrete pontoon base, rather like the hull of a boat, where the height of the pontoon is determined based on the level of water required to make the structure buoyant. From experience a single storey height concrete pontoon can support a light weight 2 storey building above. This has the added advantage that the space within the pontoon can be used as accommodation rather like a traditional basement.

Steel pontoons, which are lighter than concrete pontoons, may support larger buildings than those using similar sized concrete pontoons. However, in addition to buoyancy the issue of balance must be considered. A boat is made stable by its keel. A floating structure is reliant on maintaining a low centre of gravity. The heavier the base the lower the centre of gravity. Therefore, a building supported by a steel, plastic or timber pontoon may be less stable than a concrete one.

A further consideration is the tethering. Whilst a floating structure can rise and fall, held roughly in place by a mooring post, like a boat; this may not be suitable for a building where it may need to land in exactly the same place that it floated from. In this situation, complicated control measures may be required to restrain the structure.

Whilst there are other issues, the most challenging is servicing. Like a moored boat: electricity, water, waste, and telecom connections need to be flexible. This in itself is not complicated but the distance of travel during a flood can be substantial, so the location of pipes needs to be carefully considered. From experience the waste water discharge is simplest when pumped, thereby facilitating a useable connection at all times regardless of flood levels.

[[File:Amphibious_Construction_parts_c_StolonStudio.jpg|link=File:Amphibious_Construction_parts_c_StolonStudio.jpg]]

Key components of amphibious construction include:

# Locating dock, permeable concrete base and structural guide posts
# Water resistant pontoon construction, such as waterproof concrete or steel
# Raised apertures, doors and windows
# Flexible and insulated services
# Pumped foul drainage

For further information about this type of construction please refer to the case study in the RIBA book ‘aquatecture’.

--[[User:Robert_Barker,_Stolon|Robert Barker, Stolon]] 01:41, 30 Jan 2021 (BST)

= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =

* BRE flood resilient repair project.
* BREEAM Flood risk management.
* Building flood resilience.
* Changing attitudes to property flood resilience in the UK.
* Elevated Construction.
* Fighting flooding in the 21st century.
* Flood defences.
* Flood resilient construction.
* Flood resilient house.
* Pitt Review Lessons learned from the 2007 floods.
* Planning for floods.
* Pontoon bridge.
* Property flood resilience.
* Pumps and dewatering equipment.
* Temporary flood defences.
* Ten years on - Lessons from the Flood on building resilience.
* Thames barrier.

Workplace design – flood protection.

[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Group]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Water]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]]

Flood Resistant Construction

2021-11-02T23:48:44Z

Robert Barker, Stolon:

[[File:Flood_Resistant_Construction_flood_c_StolonStudio.jpg|link=File:Flood_Resistant_Construction_flood_c_StolonStudio.jpg]]

A flood resistant building is one that is designed to resist flood water ingress. That means that the building is designed to prevent flood water from entering through the walls, floor and any apertures. The deeper the flood water and the higher the velocity, the more difficult it is to keep water out. As water rises on the outside of the building it creates a force on the ground floor and outside walls including any windows and doors at that level.

Flood resistant buildings are typically constructed using concrete or steel and concrete but may also be made with masonry provided there is an impervious layer, such as water-resistant render or asphalt. Typically, frame buildings are more difficult to make flood resistant without a concrete or masonry layer due to the number of potential pathways for water around junctions. Masonry is generally permeable, as is concrete unless to a certain specification. Therefore, water can seep through walls and floors unless designed properly. Cavity walls may need to be filled with water resistant insulation below the flood level to prevent the passage of water and to prevent contamination within the cavity.

The ground floor is a potential pathway for floodwater to enter, particularly if flood water remains present outside for a period of time. This is because the water will seek to reach an equilibrium inside and outside the building. If the pressure from the rising water is substantial it will apply an upward force to the floor potentially causing structural damage, water penetration or the floor to rise, particularly if light.

Concrete floors may need to be reinforced to prevent the risk of fracture from the water pressure. Beam and block floors are likely to require additional waterproofing to prevent water ingress. The membrane is also likely to need to be weighed down to prevent it being forced up by the water.

Where flood depths can be greater than a few hundred millimetres (in the order of 0.5m) it may become expensive to make a building resistant to floodwater. In this case it may be more cost effective to make a building resilient to flooding. This may also be more appropriate for existing buildings.

Because most doors and windows would not prevent the ingress of water, specialist flood resistant doors and windows are required, or flood barriers located infront of ordinary doors and windows.

Special care and attention to the detailing of jambs and thresholds is required to prevent water ingress and to ensure the integrity is maintained under the pressure of water.

Where floodwater is likely to remain for several days, such as areas with relatively flat topography, it may be better to consider flood resilient construction, to reduce the reliance on the structural and waterproofing measures.

[[File:Flood_Resistant_Construction_parts_c_StolonStudio.jpg|link=File:Flood_Resistant_Construction_parts_c_StolonStudio.jpg]]

The key components of flood resistant construction are:

# Structurally and water-resistant superstructure
# Water resistant materials, including cavity insulation
# Impervious doors or flood guards and raised windows
# Seals to all incoming services
# Perimeter / sub-floor drainage, sump pumps and non-return valves

= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =

* Amphibious construction.
* BRE flood resilient repair project.
* BREEAM Flood risk management.
* Building flood resilience.
* Changing attitudes to property flood resilience in the UK.
* Elevated Construction.
* Fighting flooding in the 21st century.
* Flood defences.
* Flood resilient house.
* Pitt Review Lessons learned from the 2007 floods.
* Planning for floods.
* Property flood resilience.
* Pumps and dewatering equipment.
* Temporary flood defences.
* Ten years on - Lessons from the Flood on building resilience.
* Thames barrier.
* Workplace design – flood protection.

--[[User:Robert Barker, Stolon|Robert Barker, Stolon]] 23:48, 02 Nov 2021 (BST)

[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Definitions]] [[Category:Water]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]]

Flood Resilient Construction

2021-11-02T23:42:19Z

Robert Barker, Stolon:

[[File:Flood_Resilient_Construction_flood_c_StolonStudio.jpg|link=File:Flood_Resilient_Construction_flood_c_StolonStudio.jpg]]

A flood resilient building is one that can recover from a flood quickly and at minimal cost and disruption. This means that the building is designed to withstand the structural and material damage of flood water; and it is designed such that it can be easily cleaned and dried out to remove pollution and damp such that it can be reoccupied. This therefore requires three key elements

* Structural integrity to fluid and hydrostatic forces
* Material resilience to water saturation
* Drainage pathways and ventilation

These three elements can have many implications on the construction and the design.

Typically flood-resilient buildings are not purpose built, rather they are existing buildings that have been enhanced to provide resilience measures. Masonry and concrete buildings can be readily adapted but also steel and timber structures may also be appropriate depending on the location and characteristics of the flood water (depth, velocity, debris). Because the aim is not to keep the water out the structure needs to allow water drain away after the flood without trapping contaminants. Therefore, cavity walls need to be filled with water resistant insulation below the flood level. Frame buildings may be designed to have removable panels to facilitate drainage.

Because the building is not designed to keep water out, the water level inside and outside should reach equilibrium resulting in lower hydrostatic forces on the structure then flood resistant structures. As the cost of making a building flood resistant are linked to the depth of flood water it may be more cost effective (and feasible) to make a building resilient where flood depths are greater than a few hundred millimetres. It can be possible to combine construction types, using resistant construction to keep low-level, more frequent, flood water out and resilient construction to survive deeper, less frequent, flood water.

Internal fixtures and finishes also need to be considered. Often the best solution is to use finishes at the low level that can be removed and replaced. Wet applied gypsum plaster is better than plasterboard in a flood as there are no gaps and no card. Magnesium oxide board is more durable than gypsum plaster. Floor tiles and paving are preferable to carpet and strip wood flooring. Laminates are likely to delaminate and deform, vinyl and linoleum may de-bond from the floor. Concrete floors are better at resisting water than beam and block or timber but they take longer to dry out. Underfloor heating may help to dry out the floor after a flood but water-based systems should be used in preference to electrical and the manifolds should be located above the flood level. Internal doors should be solid hardwood or fully sealed plastic doors.

Cabling and electrical outlets need to be kept away from flood water. Sockets and switches should be positioned above flood levels and cabling fed through the walls from the floor above. Kitchen white goods should ideally be fitted above the flood level, wall mounted may be suitable.

Where drainage can be built into the floor or the floor laid to fall out through doorways then this can help to drain floodwater from the inside of the building.[[File:Flood_Resilient_Construction_parts_c_StolonStudio.jpg|link=File:Flood_Resilient_Construction_parts_c_StolonStudio.jpg]]Key components of flood resilient construction

# Structurally robust superstructure, such as masonry or concrete
# Water resilient materials, including cavity insulation
# Impervious doors and windows
# Raised services, and electrical fittings
# Drainage paths, gullies and non-return valves

--[[User:Robert Barker, Stolon|Robert Barker, Stolon]] 23:42, 02 Nov 2021 (BST)

[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:DCN_Project_Knowledge]] [[Category:Water]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]]

User:Robert Barker, Stolon

2021-11-02T22:40:25Z

Robert Barker, Stolon:

Robert Barker is one of the co-founders of Stolon Studio Ltd and an RIBA fellow. He has 20 years experience in architecture, planning and landscape design. He has delivered some unusual and highly innovative architecture, such as Forest Mews, Kaolin Court co-housing, the Thames Amphibious House, the prefab Chichester Floating Home, and the flood-resilient property at the BRE park. He has developed various master-planning projects, such as flood-resilient housing in Essex, West Sussex, Norwich, the M55 metro extension in Amsterdam, ZAC Seine Gare Vitry in Paris and other water related plans in the UK. He has been responsible for numerous projects researching zero-carbon, climate adaptation and flood-resilience; and is now developing work on sociable architecture. At Stolon Studio he has developed a growing expertise in complex backland or infill sites, with unique projects located across London. He continues to innovate in each and every architecture project, evolving and exploring new concepts, different materials and working methods in a constant search to create better living and working environments. He is currently involved in a radical new modular construction system.

Robert trained at the Royal College of Art then worked for Birds Portchmouth Russum before setting up Barker and Couts Architects (Baca) in 2003. He went on to win numerous awards and recognition as one of the leading innovators in flood resilient and adaptable architecture and spatial planning. At Baca he led the Long-term Initiatives for Flood-risk Environments (LifE) project and the Climate Adaptive Neighbourhood (CAN) project, which won the RIBA Presidents Award for Research in 2009 and 2014, followed by a commendation for the Amphibious House in 2017. Robert co-authored the Metric Handbook Flood Aware Chapter (2015) and the RIBA book - Aquatecture (2016), he also contributed to the World Bank: Cities and Flooding and various other international books.

File:Amphibious Construction flood c StolonStudio.jpg

2021-02-02T01:04:05Z

Robert Barker, Stolon:

Amphibious (or can float) construction during flood. Image copyright Stolon Studio

[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Water]]

Amphibious Construction

2021-02-02T01:01:09Z

Robert Barker, Stolon:

[[File:Amphibious Construction flood c StolonStudio.jpg]]

An amphibious building, or can-float building, is one that is designed to float in the event of a flood, but to rest on solid foundations at other times. This unusual hybrid building typology has an express purpose to protect the property from flooding by floating when water levels rise.

Amphibious buildings are typically designed as to be conventional fixed buildings but constructed with technology also used in floating buildings. They are not designed to float continuously, instead, they are only designed to float when flood levels reach a certain level, hence the alternative name - can-float.

To make any object float it requires bouyancy. As buildings are heavy, water levels need to be sufficient to provide the bouyancy to enable them to float.

Unlike a floating home which requires a permanent deep body of water, an amphibious house only needs to float when water levels rise, and reach the sufficient depth to provide buoyancy, i.e. during a flood. This means that an amphibious building may be bigger and heavier than a floating one, which may be limited in size by the depth of the water.

Most amphibious buildings use a concrete pontoon base, rather like the hull of a boat, where the height of the pontoon is determined based on the level of water required to make the structure bouyant. From experience a single storey height concrete pontoon can support a light weight 2 storey building above. This has the added advantage that the space within the pontoon can be used as accommodation rather like a traditional basement.

Steel pontoons, which are lighter than concrete pontoons, may support larger buildings than those using similar sized concrete pontoons. However, in addition to buoyancy the issue of balance must be considered. A boat is made stable by its keel. A floating structure is reliant on maintaining a low centre of gravity. The heavier the base the lower the centre of gravity. Therefore a building supported by a steel, plastic or timber pontoon may be less stable than a concrete one.

A further consideration is the tethering. Whilst a floating structure can rise and fall, held roughly in place by a mooring post, like a boat; this may not be suitable for a building where it may need to land in exactly the same place that it floated from. In this situation, complicated control measures maybe required to restrain the structure.

Whilst there are other issues, the most challenging is the servicing. Like a moored boat: electricity, water, waste, and telecom connections need to be flexible. This in itself is not complicated but the distance of travel during a flood can be substantial, so the location of pipes needs to be carefully considered. From experience the waste water discharge is simplest to be pumped, thereby facilitating a useable connection at all times regardless of flood levels.

[[File:Amphibious Construction parts c StolonStudio.jpg]]

Key components of amphibious construction

# Locating dock, permeable concrete base and structural guide posts
# Water resistant pontoon construction, such as waterproof concrete or steel
# Raised apertures, doors and windows
# Flexible and insulated services
# Pumped foul drainage

For further information about this type of construction please refer to the case study in the RIBA book ‘aquatecture’

--[[User:Robert_Barker,_Stolon|Robert Barker, Stolon]] 01:41, 30 Jan 2021 (BST)

[[Category:International]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Water]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]]

Elevated Construction

2021-02-02T00:58:21Z

Robert Barker, Stolon:

[[File:Elevated Construction flood c StolonStudio.jpg]]

An elevated building, with regards to flooding, is a building that is raised on columns (or stilts) so that the floor level is higher than the potential level of the flood water. This is a simple and logical way to protect a property from flooding but it is reliant on accurate predictions of flood levels.

There are many examples of this type of construction across the world, ranging from traditional timber or bamboo houses to modern steel and concrete structures. Some structures may be raised only a few centimetres above the ground, while others are raised meters in the air, such as hurricane homes in the south east of USA or lake side houses in Tonle Sap, Cambodia. A more extreme example of a structure elevated above water ingress is an oil rig.

Elevated buildings maybe constructed from many different materials, such as brick, concrete, steel and wood. The actual construction materials used may be influenced by the local vernacular or may be determined by the flood hazard. Deep and/or fast flowing water can be a hazard to buildings. In some cases the structure required to resist the hydrostatic pressure can be considerable.

One of the main issues with an elevated building is the access and the potential disconnection with the ground plane. Whilst the building may be protected from flooding, if it is elevated above the ground plane then, it may not be able to provide easy access for people, particularly those with mobility difficulties. If it is elevated more than half a storey above ground, the access is more challenging, the engagement with the surrounding environment may be diminished, and natural surveillance becomes less effective. This may result in increased antisocial behaviour and less community interaction or reduced social cohesion.

One should not design to reduce flood-risk yet compromise other important aspects of design. A good design solution to flooding should not result in detrimental social effects for all the rest of the time the building is in use.

In cases where flood depths may be more extreme, it may be preferential to raise the primary floor of the building a storey above the ground and use the ground level for other uses such as parking, bin/bike storage or for less vulnerable uses such as commercial or residential amenity spaces, such that you might find in choosing schemes.

[[File:Elevated Construction parts c StolonStudio.jpg]]

Key components of elevated construction

# Structural columns, piles or stilts
# Permeable undercroft, protected from use or debris
# Raised apertures, doors and windows
# Raised, secured and insulated services
# Sealed and secured foul drainage system

--[[User:Robert_Barker,_Stolon|Robert Barker, Stolon]] 02:14, 30 Jan 2021 (BST)

[[Category:Water]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]]

Flood Resilient Construction

2021-02-02T00:56:05Z

Robert Barker, Stolon:

[[File:Flood Resilient Construction flood c StolonStudio.jpg]]

A flood resilient building is one that can recover from a flood quickly and at minimal cost and disruption. This means that the building is designed to withstand the structural and material damage of flood water; and it is designed such that it can be easily cleaned and dried out to remove pollution and damp such that it can be reoccupied. This therefore requires three key elements

* Structural integrity to fluid and hydrostatic forces
* Material resilience to water saturation
* Drainage pathways and ventilation

These three elements can have many implications on the construction and the design.

Typically flood-resilient buildings are not purpose built, rather they are existing buildings that have been enhanced to provide resilience measures. Masonry and concrete buildings can be readily adapted but also steel and timber structures may also be appropriate depending on the location and characteristics of the flood water (depth, velocity, debris). Because the aim is not to keep the water out the structure needs to allow water drain away after the flood without trapping contaminants. Therefore, cavity walls need to be filled with water resistant insulation below the flood level. Frame buildings may be designed to have removable panels to facilitate drainage.

Because the building is not designed to keep water out, the water level inside and outside should reach equilibrium resulting in lower hydrostatic forces on the structure then flood resistant structures. As the cost of making a building flood resistant are linked to the depth of flood water it may be more cost effective (and feasible) to make a building resilient where flood depths are greater than a few hundred millimetres. It can be possible to combine construction types, using resistant construction to keep low-level, more frequent, flood water out and resilient construction to survive deeper, less frequent, flood water.

Internal fixtures and finishes also need to be considered. Often the best solution is to use finishes at the low level that can be removed and replaced. Wet applied gypsum plaster is better than plasterboard in a flood as there are no gaps and no card. Magnesium oxide board is more durable than gypsum plaster. Floor tiles and paving are preferable to carpet and strip wood flooring. Laminates are likely to delaminate and deform, vinyl and linoleum may de-bond from the floor. Concrete floors are better at resisting water than beam and block or timber but they take longer to dry out. Underfloor heating may help to dry out the floor after a flood but water-based systems should be used in preference to electrical and the manifolds should be located above the flood level. Internal doors should be solid hardwood or fully sealed plastic doors.

Cabling and electrical outlets need to be kept away from flood water. Sockets and switches should be positioned above flood levels and cabling fed through the walls from the floor above. Kitchen white goods should ideally be fitted above the flood level, wall mounted may be suitable.

Where drainage can be built into the floor or the floor laid to fall out through doorways then this can help to drain floodwater from the inside of the building.[[File:Flood Resilient Construction parts c StolonStudio.jpg]]Key components of flood resilient construction

# Structurally robust superstructure, such as masonry or concrete
# Water resilient materials, including cavity insulation
# Impervious doors and windows
# Raised services, and electrical fittings
# Drainage paths, gullies and non-return valves

[[Category:Water]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]]

File:Amphibious Construction flood c StolonStudio.jpg

2021-02-01T23:48:31Z

Robert Barker, Stolon: Amphibious (or can float) construction during flood. Image copyright Stolon Studio

Amphibious (or can float) construction during flood. Image copyright Stolon Studio

File:Elevated Construction flood c StolonStudio.jpg

2021-02-01T23:45:33Z

Robert Barker, Stolon: Elevated construction during flood. Image copyright Stolon Studio

Elevated construction during flood. Image copyright Stolon Studio

File:Flood Resilient Construction flood c StolonStudio.jpg

2021-02-01T23:42:02Z

Robert Barker, Stolon: Flood resilient construction during flood. Image by Stolon Studio

Flood resilient construction during flood. Image by Stolon Studio

Flood Resistant Construction

2021-02-01T23:40:41Z

Robert Barker, Stolon:

[[File:Flood Resistant Construction flood c StolonStudio.jpg]]

A flood resistant building is one that is designed to resist flood water ingress. That means that the building is designed to prevent flood water from entering through the walls, floor and any apertures. The deeper the flood water and the higher the velocity, the more difficult it is to keep water out. As water rises on the outside of the building it creates a force on the ground floor and outside walls including any windows and doors at that level.

Flood resistant buildings are typically constructed using concrete or steel and concrete but may also be made with masonry provided there is an impervious layer, such as water-resistant render or asphalt. Typically frame buildings are more difficult to make flood resistant without a concrete or masonry layer due to the number of potential pathways for water around junctions. Masonry is generally permeable, as is concrete unless to a certain specification. Therefore water can seep through walls and floors unless designed properly. Cavity walls may need to be filled with water resistant insulation below the flood level to prevent the passage of water and to prevent contamination within the cavity. Cavity drainage

The ground floor is a potential pathway for floodwater to enter, particularly if flood water remains present outside for a period of time. This is because the water will seek to reach an equilibrium inside and outside the building. If the pressure from the rising water is substantial it will apply an upward force to the floor potentially causing structural damage, water penetration or the floor to rise, particularly if light.

Concrete floors may need to be reinforced to prevent the risk of fracture from the water pressure. Beam and block floors are likely to require additional waterproofing to prevent water ingress. The membrane is also likely to need to be weighed down to prevent it being forced up by the water.

Where flood depths can be greater than a few hundred millimetres (in the order of 0.5m) it may become expensive to make a building resistant to floodwater. In this case it may be more cost effective to make a building resilient to flooding. This may also be more appropriate for existing buildings.

Because most doors and windows would not prevent the ingress of water, specialist flood resistant doors and windows are required or flood barriers located infant of ordinary doors and windows.

Special care and attention to the detailing of jambs and thresholds is required to prevent water ingress and to ensure the integrity is maintained under the pressure of the water.

Where floodwater is likely to remain for several days, such as areas with relatively flat topography, it may be better to consider flood resilient construction, to reduce the reliance on the structural and waterproofing measures.

[[w/index.php?title=Special:Upload&wpDestFile=Flood_Resistant_Construction_partsStolonStudio.jpg|File:Flood Resistant Construction partsStolonStudio.jpg]]

Key components of flood resistant construction

# Structurally and water-resistant superstructure
# Water resistant materials, including cavity insulation
# Impervious doors or flood guards and raised windows
# Seals to all incoming services
# Perimeter / sub-floor drainage, sump pumps and non-return valves

[[Category:Water]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]]

File:Flood Resilient Construction parts©StolonStudio.jpg

2021-02-01T23:38:04Z

Robert Barker, Stolon: uploaded a new version of "File:Flood Resilient Construction parts©StolonStudio.jpg"

Flood resilient construction key parts

Flood Resilient Construction

2021-01-30T02:23:13Z

Robert Barker, Stolon:

[[File:Flood Resilient Construction floodStolonStudio.jpg]]

A flood resilient building is one that can recover from a flood quickly and at minimal cost and disruption. This means that the building is designed to withstand the structural and material damage of flood water; and it is designed such that it can be easily cleaned and dried out to remove pollution and damp such that it can be reoccupied. This therefore requires three key elements

* Structural integrity to fluid and hydrostatic forces
* Material resilience to water saturation
* Drainage pathways and ventilation

These three elements can have many implications on the construction and the design.

Typically flood-resilient buildings are not purpose built, rather they are existing buildings that have been enhanced to provide resilience measures. Masonry and concrete buildings can be readily adapted but also steel and timber structures may also be appropriate depending on the location and characteristics of the flood water (depth, velocity, debris). Because the aim is not to keep the water out the structure needs to allow water drain away after the flood without trapping contaminants. Therefore, cavity walls need to be filled with water resistant insulation below the flood level. Frame buildings may be designed to have removable panels to facilitate drainage.

Because the building is not designed to keep water out, the water level inside and outside should reach equilibrium resulting in lower hydrostatic forces on the structure then flood resistant structures. As the cost of making a building flood resistant are linked to the depth of flood water it may be more cost effective (and feasible) to make a building resilient where flood depths are greater than a few hundred millimetres. It can be possible to combine construction types, using resistant construction to keep low-level, more frequent, flood water out and resilient construction to survive deeper, less frequent, flood water.

Internal fixtures and finishes also need to be considered. Often the best solution is to use finishes at the low level that can be removed and replaced. Wet applied gypsum plaster is better than plasterboard in a flood as there are no gaps and no card. Magnesium oxide board is more durable than gypsum plaster. Floor tiles and paving are preferable to carpet and strip wood flooring. Laminates are likely to delaminate and deform, vinyl and linoleum may de-bond from the floor. Concrete floors are better at resisting water than beam and block or timber but they take longer to dry out. Underfloor heating may help to dry out the floor after a flood but water-based systems should be used in preference to electrical and the manifolds should be located above the flood level. Internal doors should be solid hardwood or fully sealed plastic doors.

Cabling and electrical outlets need to be kept away from flood water. Sockets and switches should be positioned above flood levels and cabling fed through the walls from the floor above. Kitchen white goods should ideally be fitted above the flood level, wall mounted may be suitable.

Where drainage can be built into the floor or the floor laid to fall out through doorways then this can help to drain floodwater from the inside of the building.

[[File:Flood Resilient Construction partsStolonStudio.jpg]]

Key components of flood resilient construction

# Structurally robust superstructure, such as masonry or concrete
# Water resilient materials, including cavity insulation
# Impervious doors and windows
# Raised services, and electrical fittings
# Drainage paths, gullies and non-return valves

[[Category:Water]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]]

File:Flood Resilient Construction parts©StolonStudio.jpg

2021-01-30T02:22:35Z

Robert Barker, Stolon: Flood resilient construction key parts

Flood resilient construction key parts

File:Flood Resilient Construction flood©StolonStudio.jpg

2021-01-30T02:20:24Z

Robert Barker, Stolon: Flood resilient construction during flood

Flood resilient construction during flood

File:AmphibiousConstruction©Stolon.jpg

2021-01-30T02:19:35Z

Robert Barker, Stolon: uploaded a new version of "File:AmphibiousConstruction©Stolon.jpg": Amphibious construction key components

Diagram of key components of amphibious building construction.

Flood Resistant Construction

2021-01-30T02:17:33Z

Robert Barker, Stolon:

[[File:Flood Resistant Construction floodStolonStudio.jpg]]

A flood resistant building is one that is designed to resist flood water ingress. That means that the building is designed to prevent flood water from entering through the walls, floor and any apertures. The deeper the flood water and the higher the velocity, the more difficult it is to keep water out. As water rises on the outside of the building it creates a force on the ground floor and outside walls including any windows and doors at that level.

Flood resistant buildings are typically constructed using concrete or steel and concrete but may also be made with masonry provided there is an impervious layer, such as water-resistant render or asphalt. Typically frame buildings are more difficult to make flood resistant without a concrete or masonry layer due to the number of potential pathways for water around junctions. Masonry is generally permeable, as is concrete unless to a certain specification. Therefore water can seep through walls and floors unless designed properly. Cavity walls may need to be filled with water resistant insulation below the flood level to prevent the passage of water and to prevent contamination within the cavity. Cavity drainage

The ground floor is a potential pathway for floodwater to enter, particularly if flood water remains present outside for a period of time. This is because the water will seek to reach an equilibrium inside and outside the building. If the pressure from the rising water is substantial it will apply an upward force to the floor potentially causing structural damage, water penetration or the floor to rise, particularly if light.

Concrete floors may need to be reinforced to prevent the risk of fracture from the water pressure. Beam and block floors are likely to require additional waterproofing to prevent water ingress. The membrane is also likely to need to be weighed down to prevent it being forced up by the water.

Where flood depths can be greater than a few hundred millimetres (in the order of 0.5m) it may become expensive to make a building resistant to floodwater. In this case it may be more cost effective to make a building resilient to flooding. This may also be more appropriate for existing buildings.

Because most doors and windows would not prevent the ingress of water, specialist flood resistant doors and windows are required or flood barriers located infant of ordinary doors and windows.

Special care and attention to the detailing of jambs and thresholds is required to prevent water ingress and to ensure the integrity is maintained under the pressure of the water.

Where floodwater is likely to remain for several days, such as areas with relatively flat topography, it may be better to consider flood resilient construction, to reduce the reliance on the structural and waterproofing measures.

[[File:Flood Resistant Construction partsStolonStudio.jpg]]

Key components of flood resistant construction

# Structurally and water-resistant superstructure
# Water resistant materials, including cavity insulation
# Impervious doors or flood guards and raised windows
# Seals to all incoming services
# Perimeter / sub-floor drainage, sump pumps and non-return valves

[[Category:Water]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]]

File:Flood Resistant Construction parts©StolonStudio.jpg

2021-01-30T02:16:41Z

Robert Barker, Stolon:

Flood resistant construction key components

File:Flood Resistant Construction parts©StolonStudio.jpg

2021-01-30T02:16:06Z

Robert Barker, Stolon: Flood resistant construction during flood

Flood resistant construction during flood

Elevated Construction

2021-01-30T02:14:04Z

Robert Barker, Stolon:

[[w/index.php?title=Special:Upload&wpDestFile=Elevated_Construction_floodStolonStudio.jpg|File:Elevated Construction floodStolonStudio.jpg]]

An elevated building, with regards to flooding, is a building that is raised on columns (or stilts) so that the floor level is higher than the potential level of the flood water. This is a simple and logical way to protect a property from flooding but it is reliant on accurate predictions of flood levels.

There are many examples of this type of construction across the world, ranging from traditional timber or bamboo houses to modern steel and concrete structures. Some structures may be raised only a few centimetres above the ground, while others are raised meters in the air, such as hurricane homes in the south east of USA or lake side houses in Tonle Sap, Cambodia. A more extreme example of a structure elevated above water ingress is an oil rig.

Elevated buildings maybe constructed from many different materials, such as brick, concrete, steel and wood. The actual construction materials used may be influenced by the local vernacular or may be determined by the flood hazard. Deep and/or fast flowing water can be a hazard to buildings. In some cases the structure required to resist the hydrostatic pressure can be considerable.

One of the main issues with an elevated building is the access and the potential disconnection with the ground plane. Whilst the building may be protected from flooding, if it is elevated above the ground plane then, it may not be able to provide easy access for people, particularly those with mobility difficulties. If it is elevated more than half a storey above ground, the access is more challenging, the engagement with the surrounding environment may be diminished, and natural surveillance becomes less effective. This may result in increased antisocial behaviour and less community interaction or reduced social cohesion.

One should not design to reduce flood-risk yet compromise other important aspects of design. A good design solution to flooding should not result in detrimental social effects for all the rest of the time the building is in use.

In cases where flood depths may be more extreme, it may be preferential to raise the primary floor of the building a storey above the ground and use the ground level for other uses such as parking, bin/bike storage or for less vulnerable uses such as commercial or residential amenity spaces, such that you might find in choosing schemes.

[[w/index.php?title=Special:Upload&wpDestFile=Elevated_Construction_partsStolonStudio.jpg|File:Elevated Construction partsStolonStudio.jpg]]

Key components of elevated construction

# Structural columns, piles or stilts
# Permeable undercroft, protected from use or debris
# Raised apertures, doors and windows
# Raised, secured and insulated services
# Sealed and secured foul drainage system

--[[User:Robert Barker, Stolon|Robert Barker, Stolon]] 02:14, 30 Jan 2021 (BST)

[[Category:Water]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]]

File:Flood Resistant Construction flood©StolonStudio.jpg

2021-01-30T02:13:37Z

Robert Barker, Stolon: Flood resistant construction during flood

Flood resistant construction during flood

Elevated Construction

2021-01-30T02:12:54Z

Robert Barker, Stolon:

[[File:Elevated Construction floodStolonStudio.jpg]]

An elevated building, with regards to flooding, is a building that is raised on columns (or stilts) so that the floor level is higher than the potential level of the flood water. This is a simple and logical way to protect a property from flooding but it is reliant on accurate predictions of flood levels.

There are many examples of this type of construction across the world, ranging from traditional timber or bamboo houses to modern steel and concrete structures. Some structures may be raised only a few centimetres above the ground, while others are raised meters in the air, such as hurricane homes in the south east of USA or lake side houses in Tonle Sap, Cambodia. A more extreme example of a structure elevated above water ingress is an oil rig.

Elevated buildings maybe constructed from many different materials, such as brick, concrete, steel and wood. The actual construction materials used may be influenced by the local vernacular or may be determined by the flood hazard. Deep and/or fast flowing water can be a hazard to buildings. In some cases the structure required to resist the hydrostatic pressure can be considerable.

One of the main issues with an elevated building is the access and the potential disconnection with the ground plane. Whilst the building may be protected from flooding, if it is elevated above the ground plane then, it may not be able to provide easy access for people, particularly those with mobility difficulties. If it is elevated more than half a storey above ground, the access is more challenging, the engagement with the surrounding environment may be diminished, and natural surveillance becomes less effective. This may result in increased antisocial behaviour and less community interaction or reduced social cohesion.

One should not design to reduce flood-risk yet compromise other important aspects of design. A good design solution to flooding should not result in detrimental social effects for all the rest of the time the building is in use.

In cases where flood depths may be more extreme, it may be preferential to raise the primary floor of the building a storey above the ground and use the ground level for other uses such as parking, bin/bike storage or for less vulnerable uses such as commercial or residential amenity spaces, such that you might find in choosing schemes.

[[File:Elevated Construction partsStolonStudio.jpg]]

Key components of elevated construction

# Structural columns, piles or stilts
# Permeable undercroft, protected from use or debris
# Raised apertures, doors and windows
# Raised, secured and insulated services
# Sealed and secured foul drainage system

[[Category:Water]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]]

2021-01-30T02:12:01Z

Robert Barker, Stolon: Elevated construction key components

Elevated construction key components

2021-01-30T02:11:03Z

Robert Barker, Stolon: uploaded a new version of "File:Elevated Construction flood©StolonStudio.jpg": Elevated construction during flood

Elevated construction during flood

2021-01-30T02:10:11Z

Robert Barker, Stolon: uploaded a new version of "File:Elevated Construction flood©StolonStudio.jpg": Elevated construction during flood

Elevated construction during flood

2021-01-30T02:01:26Z

Robert Barker, Stolon: Elevated construction during flood

Elevated construction during flood

Elevated Construction

2021-01-30T01:53:25Z

Robert Barker, Stolon: Created page with "An elevated building, with regards to flooding, is a building that is raised on columns (or stilts) so that the floor level is higher than the potential level of the flood water...."

An elevated building, with regards to flooding, is a building that is raised on columns (or stilts) so that the floor level is higher than the potential level of the flood water. This is a simple and logical way to protect a property from flooding but it is reliant on accurate predictions of flood levels.

There are many examples of this type of construction across the world, ranging from traditional timber or bamboo houses to modern steel and concrete structures. Some structures may be raised only a few centimetres above the ground, while others are raised meters in the air, such as hurricane homes in the south east of USA or lake side houses in Tonle Sap, Cambodia. A more extreme example of a structure elevated above water ingress is an oil rig.

Elevated buildings maybe constructed from many different materials, such as brick, concrete, steel and wood. The actual construction materials used may be influenced by the local vernacular or may be determined by the flood hazard. Deep and/or fast flowing water can be a hazard to buildings. In some cases the structure required to resist the hydrostatic pressure can be considerable.

One of the main issues with an elevated building is the access and the potential disconnection with the ground plane. Whilst the building may be protected from flooding, if it is elevated above the ground plane then, it may not be able to provide easy access for people, particularly those with mobility difficulties. If it is elevated more than half a storey above ground, the access is more challenging, the engagement with the surrounding environment may be diminished, and natural surveillance becomes less effective. This may result in increased antisocial behaviour and less community interaction or reduced social cohesion.

One should not design to reduce flood-risk yet compromise other important aspects of design. A good design solution to flooding should not result in detrimental social effects for all the rest of the time the building is in use.

In cases where flood depths may be more extreme, it may be preferential to raise the primary floor of the building a storey above the ground and use the ground level for other uses such as parking, bin/bike storage or for less vulnerable uses such as commercial or residential amenity spaces, such that you might find in choosing schemes.

Key components of elevated construction

# Structural columns, piles or stilts
# Permeable undercroft, protected from use or debris
# Raised apertures, doors and windows
# Raised, secured and insulated services
# Sealed and secured foul drainage system

[[Category:Water]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]]

Flood Resistant Construction

2021-01-30T01:52:06Z

Robert Barker, Stolon: Created page with "A flood resistant building is one that is designed to resist flood water ingress. That means that the building is designed to prevent flood water from entering through the walls,..."

A flood resistant building is one that is designed to resist flood water ingress. That means that the building is designed to prevent flood water from entering through the walls, floor and any apertures. The deeper the flood water and the higher the velocity, the more difficult it is to keep water out. As water rises on the outside of the building it creates a force on the ground floor and outside walls including any windows and doors at that level.

Flood resistant buildings are typically constructed using concrete or steel and concrete but may also be made with masonry provided there is an impervious layer, such as water-resistant render or asphalt. Typically frame buildings are more difficult to make flood resistant without a concrete or masonry layer due to the number of potential pathways for water around junctions. Masonry is generally permeable, as is concrete unless to a certain specification. Therefore water can seep through walls and floors unless designed properly. Cavity walls may need to be filled with water resistant insulation below the flood level to prevent the passage of water and to prevent contamination within the cavity. Cavity drainage

The ground floor is a potential pathway for floodwater to enter, particularly if flood water remains present outside for a period of time. This is because the water will seek to reach an equilibrium inside and outside the building. If the pressure from the rising water is substantial it will apply an upward force to the floor potentially causing structural damage, water penetration or the floor to rise, particularly if light.

Concrete floors may need to be reinforced to prevent the risk of fracture from the water pressure. Beam and block floors are likely to require additional waterproofing to prevent water ingress. The membrane is also likely to need to be weighed down to prevent it being forced up by the water.

Where flood depths can be greater than a few hundred millimetres (in the order of 0.5m) it may become expensive to make a building resistant to floodwater. In this case it may be more cost effective to make a building resilient to flooding. This may also be more appropriate for existing buildings.

Because most doors and windows would not prevent the ingress of water, specialist flood resistant doors and windows are required or flood barriers located infant of ordinary doors and windows.

Special care and attention to the detailing of jambs and thresholds is required to prevent water ingress and to ensure the integrity is maintained under the pressure of the water.

Where floodwater is likely to remain for several days, such as areas with relatively flat topography, it may be better to consider flood resilient construction, to reduce the reliance on the structural and waterproofing measures.

Key components of flood resistant construction

# Structurally and water-resistant superstructure
# Water resistant materials, including cavity insulation
# Impervious doors or flood guards and raised windows
# Seals to all incoming services
# Perimeter / sub-floor drainage, sump pumps and non-return valves

[[Category:Water]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]]

Flood Resilient Construction

2021-01-30T01:47:21Z

Robert Barker, Stolon: Created page with "A flood resilient building is one that can recover from a flood quickly and at minimal cost and disruption. This means that the building is designed to withstand the structural a..."

A flood resilient building is one that can recover from a flood quickly and at minimal cost and disruption. This means that the building is designed to withstand the structural and material damage of flood water; and it is designed such that it can be easily cleaned and dried out to remove pollution and damp such that it can be reoccupied. This therefore requires three key elements

* Structural integrity to fluid and hydrostatic forces
* Material resilience to water saturation
* Drainage pathways and ventilation

These three elements can have many implications on the construction and the design.

Typically flood-resilient buildings are not purpose built, rather they are existing buildings that have been enhanced to provide resilience measures. Masonry and concrete buildings can be readily adapted but also steel and timber structures may also be appropriate depending on the location and characteristics of the flood water (depth, velocity, debris). Because the aim is not to keep the water out the structure needs to allow water drain away after the flood without trapping contaminants. Therefore, cavity walls need to be filled with water resistant insulation below the flood level. Frame buildings may be designed to have removable panels to facilitate drainage.

Because the building is not designed to keep water out, the water level inside and outside should reach equilibrium resulting in lower hydrostatic forces on the structure then flood resistant structures. As the cost of making a building flood resistant are linked to the depth of flood water it may be more cost effective (and feasible) to make a building resilient where flood depths are greater than a few hundred millimetres. It can be possible to combine construction types, using resistant construction to keep low-level, more frequent, flood water out and resilient construction to survive deeper, less frequent, flood water.

Internal fixtures and finishes also need to be considered. Often the best solution is to use finishes at the low level that can be removed and replaced. Wet applied gypsum plaster is better than plasterboard in a flood as there are no gaps and no card. Magnesium oxide board is more durable than gypsum plaster. Floor tiles and paving are preferable to carpet and strip wood flooring. Laminates are likely to delaminate and deform, vinyl and linoleum may de-bond from the floor. Concrete floors are better at resisting water than beam and block or timber but they take longer to dry out. Underfloor heating may help to dry out the floor after a flood but water-based systems should be used in preference to electrical and the manifolds should be located above the flood level. Internal doors should be solid hardwood or fully sealed plastic doors.

Cabling and electrical outlets need to be kept away from flood water. Sockets and switches should be positioned above flood levels and cabling fed through the walls from the floor above. Kitchen white goods should ideally be fitted above the flood level, wall mounted may be suitable.

Where drainage can be built into the floor or the floor laid to fall out through doorways then this can help to drain floodwater from the inside of the building.

Key components of flood resilient construction

# Structurally robust superstructure, such as masonry or concrete
# Water resilient materials, including cavity insulation
# Impervious doors and windows
# Raised services, and electrical fittings
# Drainage paths, gullies and non-return valves

[[Category:Water]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]]

Amphibious Construction

2021-01-30T01:41:32Z

Robert Barker, Stolon: Created page with "File:AmphibiousConstruction floodStolonStudio.jpg An amphibious building, or can-float building, is one that is designed to float in the event of a flood, but to rest on sol..."

[[File:AmphibiousConstruction floodStolonStudio.jpg]]

An amphibious building, or can-float building, is one that is designed to float in the event of a flood, but to rest on solid foundations at other times. This unusual hybrid building typology has an express purpose to protect the property from flooding by floating when water levels rise.

Amphibious buildings are typically designed as to be conventional fixed buildings but constructed with technology also used in floating buildings. They are not designed to float continuously, instead, they are only designed to float when flood levels reach a certain level, hence the alternative name - can-float.

To make any object float it requires bouyancy. As buildings are heavy, water levels need to be sufficient to provide the bouyancy to enable them to float.

Unlike a floating home which requires a permanent deep body of water, an amphibious house only needs to float when water levels rise, and reach the sufficient depth to provide buoyancy, i.e. during a flood. This means that an amphibious building may be bigger and heavier than a floating one, which may be limited in size by the depth of the water.

Most amphibious buildings use a concrete pontoon base, rather like the hull of a boat, where the height of the pontoon is determined based on the level of water required to make the structure bouyant. From experience a single storey height concrete pontoon can support a light weight 2 storey building above. This has the added advantage that the space within the pontoon can be used as accommodation rather like a traditional basement.

Steel pontoons, which are lighter than concrete pontoons, may support larger buildings than those using similar sized concrete pontoons. However, in addition to buoyancy the issue of balance must be considered. A boat is made stable by its keel. A floating structure is reliant on maintaining a low centre of gravity. The heavier the base the lower the centre of gravity. Therefore a building supported by a steel, plastic or timber pontoon may be less stable than a concrete one.

A further consideration is the tethering. Whilst a floating structure can rise and fall, held roughly in place by a mooring post, like a boat; this may not be suitable for a building where it may need to land in exactly the same place that it floated from. In this situation, complicated control measures maybe required to restrain the structure.

Whilst there are other issues, the most challenging is the servicing. Like a moored boat: electricity, water, waste, and telecom connections need to be flexible. This in itself is not complicated but the distance of travel during a flood can be substantial, so the location of pipes needs to be carefully considered. From experience the waste water discharge is simplest to be pumped, thereby facilitating a useable connection at all times regardless of flood levels.

[[File:AmphibiousConstruction partsStolonStudio.jpg]]

Key components of amphibious construction

# Locating dock, permeable concrete base and structural guide posts
# Water resistant pontoon construction, such as waterproof concrete or steel
# Raised apertures, doors and windows
# Flexible and insulated services
# Pumped foul drainage

For further information about this type of construction please refer to the case study in the RIBA book ‘aquatecture’

--[[User:Robert Barker, Stolon|Robert Barker, Stolon]] 01:41, 30 Jan 2021 (BST)

[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Water]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]]

Designing Buildings - User contributions [en]

Amphibious Construction

Flood Resistant Construction

Flood Resilient Construction

User:Robert Barker, Stolon

File:Amphibious Construction flood c StolonStudio.jpg

Amphibious Construction

Elevated Construction

Flood Resilient Construction

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Flood Resistant Construction

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Flood Resilient Construction

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Flood Resistant Construction

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File:Flood Resistant Construction parts©StolonStudio.jpg

Elevated Construction

File:Flood Resistant Construction flood©StolonStudio.jpg

Elevated Construction

File:Elevated Construction parts©StolonStudio.jpg

File:Elevated Construction flood©StolonStudio.jpg

File:Elevated Construction flood©StolonStudio.jpg

File:Elevated Construction flood©StolonStudio.jpg

Elevated Construction

Flood Resistant Construction

Flood Resilient Construction

Amphibious Construction