The Smart Shelter Foundation’s innovative use of steel has been pivotal in addressing the pressing need for resilient infrastructure in Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, and Indonesia.
With natural disasters having the greatest impact on the developing world, building disaster-resilience in the hardest hit areas is crucial to preventing millions of people from falling into severe deprivation.
In fact, the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery and the World Bank estimate that the impact of extreme natural disasters forces some 26 million people into poverty each year and amounts to $520bn in lost value.
One of the major issues facing poorer communities is the outdated or unavailable information on construction techniques that leaves their building stock particularly vulnerable to extreme weather or seismic events.
To tackle this growing issue, a Dutch architect called Martijn Schildkamp left his full-time job to start the Smart Shelter Foundation (SSF) – a non-profit organisation that deploys his earthquake-resistant building methods ‘on the ground’ in reconstruction projects.
Accessible disaster resilience
Schildkamp’s methods use only readily available resistant materials, which he combines with local labour to construct cheaper, more robust buildings. A key part of this is integrating concrete- and steel-based, seismically-resistant techniques that support traditional building methods.
By leveraging the versatility and strength of steel in support of traditional methods, the foundation has revolutionised the construction of shelters, schools, and community centres in disaster-prone regions, ensuring safety and sustainability for vulnerable populations.
The SSF uses steel in critical places to bolster “non-engineered” seismic performance in its buildings. This is achieved with continuous horizontal bands made of steel-reinforced concrete.
In Sri Lanka, where coastal communities are susceptible to frequent natural disasters such as tsunamis and cyclones, the Smart Shelter Foundation has implemented steel-banded shelters that can withstand extreme weather conditions.
Similarly, in India, where seismic activity and monsoon floods pose significant risks, the foundation’s use of steel-reinforced concrete foundations has been instrumental in constructing disaster-resilient schools.
These schools not only withstand earthquakes but also offer a safe learning environment for children in flood-prone areas. The flexibility of steel allows for efficient construction, ensuring that educational facilities can be built swiftly to meet the urgent needs of communities.
In Nepal, a country prone to earthquakes due to its location along the Himalayan belt, the Smart Shelter Foundation has deployed steel reinforcement bars and stirrups in the columns and beams of confined masonry buildings.
By employing steel in the building process, the foundation produced buildings which were able to survive the 2015 earthquake which struck the country, fostering resilience and stability in affected regions.
In Indonesia, where volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis are recurring threats, the Smart Shelter Foundation has utilised steel in the construction of evacuation shelters for use during emergencies.
The disaster-resilient material of choice
Steel’s durability and ductility makes it an ideal choice for increasing the seismic resistance of structures in disaster-prone areas, offering long-term safety and protection.
Furthermore, the use of steel in Smart Shelter Foundation projects aligns with sustainable development goals as steel is recyclable and can be repurposed for future construction projects, minimising waste and conserving precious resources in disaster-prone regions.
The Smart Shelter Foundation’s strategic deployment of steel in Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, and Indonesia underscores the transformative impact of combining traditional building techniques with “non-engineered” seismic best practice to enhance resilience and foster sustainable development.
By prioritising safety, durability, and sustainability, the foundation continues to empower communities to withstand and recover from natural disasters, ensuring a brighter and more resilient future for generations to come.
Images: Smart Shelter Foundation