A design for a plywood and steel frame Hexayurt that could survive a hurricane (with spreadsheet costs)
Hi All, This design might work, and it's simple enough to be easily modified to make it stronger. Document: http://docs.google.com/View?id=dfb4dw4_63ddpsvdc2 Spreadsheet: http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tXSHc5XIC_uB7wzJaOaeSPg&output=html Vinay asked me to put this design up at appropedia.org but before I do that I want to share it with you and then see if we as a group want to share it more widely after refining it more. I did not make drawings (yet) but this is almost self-explanatory, and here's the brief explanation (covered in more detail in the document link above): Build using plywood as we would use insulating boards, and reinforce all the edges and seams with bolts through sheet-steel running the length of each edge and seam. Visualize an 8-foot long strip of sheet steel about 4 inches wide, bent at the angle of the edge and drilled or punched out holes for the bolts every foot or so, with corresponding holes pre-drilled in the plywood, so the whole thing bolts together into a solid shell that wind cannot tear apart and water cannot get into once the shell is finished as a normal construction roof and wall, with metal roof flashing and sealant. Internally there are cables under tension to strengthen the walls, and a raised floor can be made from plywood resting on cinder blocks. The steel plates can be cut from stock sheet steel, holes punched, and bent on a sheet metal brake in a standard sheet metal shop using readily available stock and tools. The plates would be bolted together as they are also bolted to the plywood, so that the entire metal frame is tied together. Using sheet steel the frame would not be strong all by itself (it could stand on its own but would not be structurally strong at all until the walls were bolted into place. Then the roof panels could be placed and bolted in (standing on a ladder. The final 6th panel could be placed by standing on the roof because it should be strong enough with 5 panels in place to support a person's weight. I calculated the cost to be about $700 if a lot of them are made (Haiti needs a lot of them). The doc and spreadsheet have a lot of info. Would any of you like to continue designing and drawing this out, with my input and assistance as you ask for it, if you even need it to carry this out? I've also asked around about doing some actual wind testing and I will update you when I have any info on that. Please let me know that you received this? Thanks, this could really help if it's actually workable. Richard Ginn - [email protected] -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "hexayurt" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/hexayurt?hl=en.
