NON-REINFORCED FOAM FILLED MODULES FOR RAPIDLY ASSEMBLED POST DISASTER HOUSING

Abstract

Rapidly assembled structures play an important role in post-disaster housing. This research
study introduces a modular non-reinforced foam-filled system for rapidly assembled buildings and studies its
structural performance. A novel structural modular construction system using pneumatic formwork is
presented and its structural performance as a post-disaster housing system is studied. To that end, this paper
presents a numerical analysis using finite element modeling on the foam-filled modular units, together with a
set of experimental tests on the elements. Finally, the performance of a real size module made of
polyurethane AUW763 against snow and wind loads in critical areas is modeled, using the software ROBOT
2016 and ANSYS. The results demonstrate that the foam-filled modular units successfully meet the standards’
requirements for semi-permanent housing even in cyclonic prone areas based on Standards Australia
(AS1170.2), International Building Code (IBC-2015) and an American standard as Minimum Design Loads
for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE7-10).