Amphibious house design : flood-resistant living space optimizing affordable technology (FLOAT) Geffry Ross A. Arelito...[et.al].

Thesis (Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering) -- University of Rizal System-Morong.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Flood has been a great problem in the Philippines brought by different factors such as climate change, typhoons, tropical depressions and heavy rains which submerge coastal and low lying areas particularly in Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga and Rizal. Different structures and the people have been greatly affected because of such natural calamity. The need for the flood protection is indeed a must and a research and development must be executed to minimize the destructive effects of flood. This is the reason why the researchers conducted the study regarding the amphibious house. The researchers believed that it is better to adapt and deal with the forces of nature rather than fighting with it. It is impossible to stop the natural calamities, but it is possible to deal with it and control its effects. The study was focused on amphibious house design. The researchers gathered all the needed information to come up to the best design of the amphibious house for the Philippines. With the help of engineering knowledge and principles, the researchers was able to develop an amphibious house named Flood-resistant Living space Optimizing Affordable Technology (F.L.O.A.T). The F.L.O.A.T was a house that has the ability to float on flood water up to 3m high and go back to its original position as the flood water goes down. The amphibious house was composed of four major parts namely; the concrete casco, the catch basin, the mooring post and the house itself. Each part plays a vital role for the effectiveness of the amphibious house. The concrete casco served as the most important part of the amphibious house because it served as the floating device which is connected to the house and also served as a basement. Without the concrete casco the F.L.O.A.T will not be able to float. The concrete casco was monolithically made to make sure that there will be no joints and applied with water proofing to make it water tight. It is made up of concrete and reinforcing steel bars. It has a height of 2m, length of 8m, width of 7m and thickness of 0.15m and has a built-in landing for stability and on foot purpose. The catch basin served as the fixed foundation of the F.L.O.A.T where the house and the concrete casco rest. It has a height of 2m below the finished grade line, a length of 9m and 8m wide. The main purpose of the catch basis was to contain water until the amphibious house float at a certain depth of floatation. According to the analysis, the depth of floatation of the F.L.O.A.T was 1.13m. When flood occurs, the flood water will go down to the catch basin and allow the amphibious house to float before the flood water totally rises up. The mooring post served as the guide and anchorage of the F.L.O.A.T as it float in flood water. It helps to maintain the stability of the amphibious house. The mooring post was fixed together with the catch basin. It is made up of steel post which is 4m high resting on a concrete pedestal. The house which is living space was made up of lightweight materials in consideration of the total weight of the structure. Timber was used for the frame of the F.L.O.A.T and was designed properly to achieve safety and service ability. It has a total dimension of 8m x 7m that has two bed rooms, a comfort room, kitchen, dining area and the living area. The scaled model was made by the researchers to demonstrate the function of the F.L.O.A.T. The researchers used the scale of 1:20 and constructed the model using the same materials used in the design. For some instance, the total weight of the structure is the most important to determine if the structure will float or not, so the researchers needed to adjust to come up to the exact weight of the structure as it was scaled. Then, the scaled model was subjected to testing. The test showed that the F.L.O.A.T was able to float and can be used by people who often experience flood. It can be an effective flood protection and can be used to lessen the damaged brought by flood. This can be made possible using the readily available materials which are affordable and can be made by ordinary skilled worker. Based on the finished structural design and analysis, and testing of the scaled model, the researchers conclude that an amphibious house was an effective flood protection for people who often experienced severe flood. There is no need to worry to the threat of flood which causes damages to the property and the people because of the flood protection which is the amphibious house Flood-resistant Living Space Optimizing Affordable Technology (F.L.O.A.T).