Retrofitting and Rehabilitation of Vernacular housing in Flood Prone Areas in Sri Lanka

Shawn  Platt; Gihan  Ranasinghe; Gaindu Saranga Jayathilaka; Chintha  Jayasinghe; Thishan Jayasinghe; Pete Walker; Dan Maskell

doi:10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102420

Retrofitting and Rehabilitation of Vernacular housing in Flood Prone Areas in Sri Lanka

Shawn Platt, Gihan Ranasinghe, Gaindu Saranga Jayathilaka, Chintha Jayasinghe, Thishan Jayasinghe, Pete Walker, Dan Maskell

University of Moratuwa

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

5 Citations (SciVal)

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Abstract

This paper presents findings from an investigation into applications to improve the structural resilience and safety of low-rise vernacular masonry homes when subject to extreme flooding. In 2016 and 2017 flooding brought devastation throughout many areas in Sri Lanka. Findings from field investigations to evaluate, characterize, and quantify the extent and nature of structural damage to low rise vernacular masonry houses from these flood events are presented. Low cost solutions were developed to enhance the flexural capacity of masonry walls using reinforced plasters. Single storey homes in rural areas are particularly at risk from rapid flood events, and limited evacuation opportunities require a means of in-situ refuge. Focusing on these risks, a unique retrofitting project, including an elevated refuge area for occupants to escape and shelter during flood events, is also presented. This research will directly improve the welfare of vulnerable communities living in flood risk areas, minimizing the risk of flood induced structural failure, while enabling people to safely remain in their homes.

Original language	English
Article number	102420
Number of pages	13
Journal	Journal of Building Engineering
Volume	41
Early online date	20 Mar 2021
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102420
Publication status	Published - 30 Sept 2021

Funding

The authors wish to thank the Royal Society (Challenge Grants 2017. Project CHG\R1\170062: Safer communities with hydro-meteorological disaster resilient houses) for their support. In addition, the authors all thank: The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO); National Housing Development Authority; University of Moratuwa.

Keywords

Cement Block
Fired Clay Brick
Masonry
Refuge
Resilience

Access to Document

10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102420

Retrofitting and Rehabilitation of Vernacular housing in Flood Prone Areas in Sri Lanka (accepted author manuscript)Accepted author manuscript, 11.5 MBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

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title = "Retrofitting and Rehabilitation of Vernacular housing in Flood Prone Areas in Sri Lanka",

abstract = "This paper presents findings from an investigation into applications to improve the structural resilience and safety of low-rise vernacular masonry homes when subject to extreme flooding. In 2016 and 2017 flooding brought devastation throughout many areas in Sri Lanka. Findings from field investigations to evaluate, characterize, and quantify the extent and nature of structural damage to low rise vernacular masonry houses from these flood events are presented. Low cost solutions were developed to enhance the flexural capacity of masonry walls using reinforced plasters. Single storey homes in rural areas are particularly at risk from rapid flood events, and limited evacuation opportunities require a means of in-situ refuge. Focusing on these risks, a unique retrofitting project, including an elevated refuge area for occupants to escape and shelter during flood events, is also presented. This research will directly improve the welfare of vulnerable communities living in flood risk areas, minimizing the risk of flood induced structural failure, while enabling people to safely remain in their homes.",

keywords = "Cement Block, Fired Clay Brick, Masonry, Refuge, Resilience",

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AU - Ranasinghe, Gihan

AU - Jayathilaka, Gaindu Saranga

AU - Jayasinghe, Chintha

AU - Jayasinghe, Thishan

AU - Walker, Pete

AU - Maskell, Dan

PY - 2021/9/30

Y1 - 2021/9/30

N2 - This paper presents findings from an investigation into applications to improve the structural resilience and safety of low-rise vernacular masonry homes when subject to extreme flooding. In 2016 and 2017 flooding brought devastation throughout many areas in Sri Lanka. Findings from field investigations to evaluate, characterize, and quantify the extent and nature of structural damage to low rise vernacular masonry houses from these flood events are presented. Low cost solutions were developed to enhance the flexural capacity of masonry walls using reinforced plasters. Single storey homes in rural areas are particularly at risk from rapid flood events, and limited evacuation opportunities require a means of in-situ refuge. Focusing on these risks, a unique retrofitting project, including an elevated refuge area for occupants to escape and shelter during flood events, is also presented. This research will directly improve the welfare of vulnerable communities living in flood risk areas, minimizing the risk of flood induced structural failure, while enabling people to safely remain in their homes.

AB - This paper presents findings from an investigation into applications to improve the structural resilience and safety of low-rise vernacular masonry homes when subject to extreme flooding. In 2016 and 2017 flooding brought devastation throughout many areas in Sri Lanka. Findings from field investigations to evaluate, characterize, and quantify the extent and nature of structural damage to low rise vernacular masonry houses from these flood events are presented. Low cost solutions were developed to enhance the flexural capacity of masonry walls using reinforced plasters. Single storey homes in rural areas are particularly at risk from rapid flood events, and limited evacuation opportunities require a means of in-situ refuge. Focusing on these risks, a unique retrofitting project, including an elevated refuge area for occupants to escape and shelter during flood events, is also presented. This research will directly improve the welfare of vulnerable communities living in flood risk areas, minimizing the risk of flood induced structural failure, while enabling people to safely remain in their homes.

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Retrofitting and Rehabilitation of Vernacular housing in Flood Prone Areas in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

RS Challenge Grant - Safer Communities with Hydro-Metrological Disaster Resilient Houses

Cite this

Retrofitting and Rehabilitation of Vernacular housing in Flood Prone Areas in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Projects

RS Challenge Grant - Safer Communities with Hydro-Metrological Disaster Resilient Houses

Cite this