Volta Riparian Symbiosis, Ghana_Technical_Studies

VOLTA RIPARIAN SYMBIOSIS TECHNICAL STUDIES JOURNAL FAROUK ANANE KWANING - ADS 3 BANKING NATURE

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CONTENTS

CONCEPT

Introduction Research Proposal

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STRUCTURE

Research Development Proposal Technical Drawings

ENERGY

Research Development Climate Diagrams

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ONE-TO-ONE Research Development Proposal

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CONCEPT

Introduction Research Proposal

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INTRODUCTION AT THE EDGE OF THE LAKE The Akosombo Dam, built in 1961 and officially opened in 1965 to promote and boost development in a myriad of areas ranging from powering aluminium smelting plants to domestic use; in an attempt to aid the surge in industrialisation, technology, development and infrastructure of the “New Ghana�.

The introduction of the dam on the Akosombo Gorge flooded a section of the Volta Basin hence forcing a rapid increase in the volume and surface area of the river - making the Volta Lake the largest man-made lake in the world.

The river initially about 1,013km2 in surface area currently has a volume of 148km3 and surface area of 8502m2. A staggering 740% increase in the lake's area over 50years triggered the unpreventable flooding of the Volta Basin and forest areas from Akosombo all the way to Yeji in the northern part of Ghana.

The inundation affected more than 15,000 homes in 740 villages and resulted in the displacement of 78,000 people.

Thousands of hectares of forest and grasslands lost to the growing borders of the lake left behind residues of tree stumps within the water body. These stumps cause accidents on the lake resulting in monthly casualties for those using the lake for one reason or the other. The stumps have led to the following: 1. Rising death tolls 2. Fishing and other forms of aquaculture are experiencing setbacks 3. The socio-political bureaucracy has forced inhabitants, boat and ferry owners to uproot the visible stumps via their resources CONCEPT

4. The potential in the underwater mining of the tree stumps could generate up to 40% of the existing revenue gotten from the timber industry.

5. Despite the need for H.E.P being the reason for damming the river, perennial power cuts remain

TECHNICAL BRIEF The creation of the lake boosted the fishing industry. The villages along the lake are heavily involved in the fishery and its related activities.

Due to poor infrastructure and a systemic approach to subsistence fishing, the riparian border in many parts along the Volta experience severe sedimentation and erosion.

The task would engage and intervention that involves standard and custom components which allow for a construction of lightweight demountable itinerant fish preservation platforms which exist within the constantly moving boundary of the lake's edge.

Akosombo Dam 1961 River Boundary 1971 Lake Boundary 1981 Lake Boundary

While protecting the delicate riparian, an afforestation scheme to green the river banks happens simultaneously.

The intervention combines vernacular and tropical architecture

1991 Lake Boundary 2001 Lake Boundary 2011 Lake Boundary Site Location

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SITE - DZEMENI, VOLTA DZEMENI RIPARIAN In the strategy, the environmental sensitivity of the site and the level of degradation of the riparian are relevant to this intervention. The shoreline is used as points of departure and arrival which are closely related to the relief. This came as a recommendation in the 1998 study, commissioned by the Volta River Authority to halt erosion and sedimentation (Tsikata, 2006, p. 149). According to the Volta Development Act, any infrastructural activity is prohibited around the Akosombo Dam and in areas with steep slopes - which were to be planted with trees and green cover to arrest major rock slippage.

Within the softly undulating areas in the riparian landscape, some settlements are located at the lakeside, but also in proximity to the existing transport system on more accessible locations. These settlements are fast-growing and have the potentials of becoming fishing hubs.

The design strategy is to locate and identify the settlements mentioned above and discourse a new way of inhabiting the delicate shoreline. The Volta River Development Act strictly prohibits structures with foundations within the 280ft contour line.

Taking sedimentation and the VRD Act into consideration, the intervention floats on the blurred border of land and The afforestation of the riparian prevents wind and water erosion, therefore, reducing sedimentation.

CONCEPT

water, hence allowing a voluntary afforestation scheme to take effect concurrently.

The intervention attempts to lessen the percentage of marine catch spoilage. The identical platforms are modified to preserve fish catch within 24-48 hours are grouped into aeolian, solar and salt preservation methods.

The intervention could open up the hinterland of the riparian landscape to fishing hubs connected but a national road/ lake network. When agricultural possibilities are pursued, and the spatial relation is strengthened, this will improve access and trade, stimulating a dormant part of inland fishing in Ghana.

Eventually preventing the Volta Lake from drying up similar to that of Lake Urmia and Lake Chad.

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CONCEPT

SITE - DZEMENI, VOLTA

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PROPOSAL ISOMETRIC

CONCEPT

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STRUCTURE

Research Development Proposal Technical Drawings

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TIMBER DEMOUNTABLE STRUCTURES THE NATIONAL TRUST PAVILION CONCEPT - ROBIN SNELL AND PARTNERS Demountable Architecture 1

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The efficiency in the use of materials and expression of engineering as an integral part of the architecture was crucial in the design of this pavilion.The clients sought for an architecture that was demountable, transportable, inexpensive, and yet would make a statement about the values of their organisation.

The Pavilion Concept, a project for the National Trust, developed a flexible building system that could be used as a standard product across their estate, often in sensitive locations, to improve visitor facilities through the provision of new ticket offices, guest receptions, cafes, retail outlets etc.

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STRUCTURE

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The National Trust Pavilion Concept.

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The National Trust Pavilion Concept – Demountable, expandable and economical

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Prefabricating the oak frame in the workshop

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Prototype single pavilion module on site

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An adjustable foundation detail enables placement on a variety of sites

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Corner detail of the prototype pavilion module

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Universal bolted connection (in-line version) – Used for main steel triangulated roof trusses, which are made in three modular sections to facilitate transportation

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Universal bolt connection (folded version) – A standardised bolted connection detail used throughout the steel framework with split pin fastening to allow rapid erection and dismantling

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TIMBER CONSTRUCTION JAPANESE DEMOUNTABLE TIMBER JOINERY An important part of the intervention is for it to be assembled and demountable quickly and easily.

Because the Volta Lake is a fresh water body and contains little salt content, the use of steel elements has been reduced to a minimum. Water resistant kusia and hardwood is preferred.

95% of the joints employ Japanese joinery techniques which can be taken apart for reassembly

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Japanese 3-way miter joint allows for modularity in 3 axes.

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3 angled tenon and groove joint

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TIMBER FRAME AND CONSTRUCTION DOWELS In the last ten years, their popularity has increased, being widely used for residential living in the USA, Canada, and to STRUCTURE

some extent in the United Kingdom and Germany.

The significance and function of the fasteners in of timber frame joinery known as dowels, pegs, pins, trunnels, and treenails.

Use of dowels Dowels should not be used as a primary load-bearing member except in rare cases of dowels in which they are specially designed and sized for shear load (gambrel roof rafters). For the most part, these pegs behave like cotter pins, doing nothing other than holding joints together. The geometry of the joint should transfer all major forces to the timbers.

Dowels are usually sized about 25 mm (1") in diameter.

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Application Pegs are driven into predrilled holes by blows from a mallet weighing from 6.8 to 9 kg (15 ~ 25 lb). When driving the peg in a friction develops between the timber and the peg, and this is what holds the pegs inside. There have been several different types of dowels developed towards increasing this frictional force.

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Timber angled joints with anchored with timber dowels

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A combination of kneebrace joinery and Mortise & Tennon Joinery fastened with timber dowels

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Various sections and profiles of timber pegs

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Timber dowel driven into angles joint by a timber hammer.

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RAMMED EARTH CONSTRUCTION USING THE EARTH TO BUILD Benefits and qualities There are many reasons for choosing to use rammed earth construction. Some of the most significant of these are as follows. ● Sustainable construction and low cost As a natural material, without processed additives, rammed earth can have significantly lower embodied carbon dioxide and energy than conventional manufactured building materials, as well as reduced toxic chemical content and fewer

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emissions from industrial processes. Sub-soils, without binder stabilisation, can also be readily re-used, recycled or disposed of without risk of contamination to the environment.

• Architectural quality and flexibility Rammed earth can be a particularly beautiful finished building material, sometimes likened to sedimentary rock deposits, and offers a very wide variety of textures and colour finishes. A variety of textural and colour finishes can be achieved through careful selection and preparation of materials. ● Contribution to building health and performance Clays within rammed earth soils are hygroscopic, releasing or absorbing moisture in response to changing local atmospheric conditions. Studies have proven that earth walls are very effective in regulating the internal relative humidity to between 40 and 60%. This property of unstabilised earth walls reduces stress on the building fabric and improves STRUCTURE

indoor air quality.

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Despite its many advantages, rammed earth has limitations in the following, Durability of the rammed earth, excessive wall thickness, not all soils are viable for rammed earth construction, must be built in-situ.

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Windhover Contempative Centre, USA, Rammed Earth, Timber, Glass

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The formwork used in constructing the walls will be applied in creating the Aerated Rammed Earth Panels for easy replication

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Wall plate details show how steel, and timber may be attached during rammed earth construction, this knowledge will be applied in the inteventions roofs and floors

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Relationship between compaction moisture and dry density

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Grading limits for rammed earth soils

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Base details for rammed earth wall construction. Even though a solid wall construction may not be used in the design, lessons on water holding capacity, edge control and the need for a dpc / dpm (damp proof course / membrane) must be considered.

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RAMMED EARTH ARCHITECTURE TRADITIONAL COURTYARD AND EARTH ARCHITECTURE The Volta Riparian Symbiosis incorporates elements of traditional vernacular architecture.

In spatiality and materiality, the intervention borrows the use of readily available materials - Rammed Earth and Timber, coupled with readily available unskilled labour in its implementation processes.

The flaws of the old Ghanaian architecture have been addressed by making the rammed earth panels as well as the timber elements weather and termite resistant.

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The Aerated Rammed Earth Panels (AREPS) are weather resistant, possess the ability to float and still maintain the sustainable qualities of natural rammed earth construction.

STRUCTURE

Timber is used as the structural and skeletal frame while the AREPS is used in the facade, roof and floor construction.

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Stabilised Mud/ Earth with timber structural formwork, roofed with thatch. The setback of this indigenous architecture is that it is not weather/termite proof and requires regular maintenance.

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Traditional courtyard housing predominant in many parts of Ghana as well as along the Volta Lake where the clayey soil is an available abundant building material.

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Timber species including odum, wawa, oak, mahogany and kusia (wood resistant timber used for canoes on the lake) are primary building material in the tropics, particularly around the riparian region. Wood is lightweight and sustainable with important aesthetic qualities when constructed well. Timber is heavily explored in this intervention because of its proximity, cost and ease of work by the settlers - some of which are carpenters and artisans.

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FLOATING ARCHITECTURE WATER WAY / EKA SISEARHITEKTUUR Floating structure Veetee (Water Way) was created in 2016 during a ten-day summer school titled 5th Season: Wilderness, organised by Estonian Academy of Arts interior architecture department and bringing together students from Estonia, Iceland, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, etc. With its biggest wetlands in Estonia and changing water levels, Soomaa was the inspiration for creating a structure that could inhabit different functions: a shelter, a fireplace to meet the needs of a traveller or a local, either by land or by a boat. Floating was conceived as a way to adapt to the ever changing conditions of the Soomaa context, especially the extensive flooding of the so-called “5th season�, which happens in the area every year, during two weeks in springtime.

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STRUCTURE

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Floating pavilion on the Soomaa which is a mixture of boglands and meandering rivers that flood over seasonally, mostly in spring, when the water raises several meters higher for weeks

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Architectural drawings of floating structure with barrels

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Triangular floating structure which is self supporting and incorporates lightweight timber

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STRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT SKETCHES

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To prevent the bending of the timber beam at its centre, it is extended to cantilever at both ends by 1m. It is also held by a slanted edge beam, which holds the entire structure ridigly.

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The strong wind loads have the potential to distort the structure and its position, breaking the facade into vertical timber posts allow maximum airflow through the structure without distortion.

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Timber members hold all the beams together acting as a facade, screen and ladder for vertical access.

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Timber roof panel for semi-open structures. iIt comprised a Woven cane mesh, sandwiched between two 10mm oak boards.

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Galvanised Steel footing detail

STRUCTURE

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CONCEPT The form of the floating platforms is shaped by solar ingress from western sun, prevailing south west winds, proximity and availability of timber and earth soils, and modularity.

The timber fins allow for the penetration of light and air which aid in the natural preservation of fish.

The truncated tetrahedra form faces the fish towards the sun which the triangular base allows for the addition of platforms to one another enabling them to be used as one structure or as a group.

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A facade of the platform opened up for pedestrian access and circulation.

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Cube platform cut into a tetrahedron for modularity in 3 axes.

Yellow arrows show solar harsh solar ingress (Max - 40ยบC) from 1200hrs to 1430hrs GMT. Orange lines show mitigated solar ingress (Max - 33ยบC) from 1430hrs to 1700hrs GMT hence roof has been truncated at a 20ยบ pitch to align and take advantage of the sun.

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Vertical columns braced by horizontal beams for structural rigidity and hanging of fish for solar/aeolian preservation.

Facade split into vertical fins to allow maximum prevailing winds through the structure.

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Triangular floor and roof beams together tie the entire structure in a rigid form.

Square based platform, height - 2.1m.

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STRUCTURAL STRATEGY STRUCTURAL STRATEGY The structural system of the sheds is designed and constructed to support and transmit applied gravity and lateral loads safely to the water (lake) without exceeding the allowable stresses in its members.

The system is based on a framework of timber sections which work in conjunction with custom steel footings and wood pegs to form stiff 30ยบ, 60ยบ and 90ยบ angle joints.

The horizontal beams transfer dead loads, rain loads and live loads from above to the vertical timber sections into the triangular floor beam network. The octagonal horizontal wood sections prevent lateral movements of the post and beam structure while the edge beam of the roof and floor tie the entire shed in rigidity.

Dead Loads Weight of Kusia / African Mahogany / Oak Density of wood species x Volume of timber members

STRUCTURE

Occupancy loads Humans - Max.7 people x Average weight Fish + Miscellaneous load Volume of Drums 9 Drums x 55Gallon Tight Head Drum = 9 x 0.2082m3 = 495m3 To achieve buoyancy, the Uplift Force of Water must be greater than the Density of Structure

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Dead loads acting vertically downward on the structure are transferred through horizontal beams through to the vertical columns.

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Dynamic loads exerted by the kinetic energy of moving wind and water currents are transferred through the vertical timber fins into the floor beam network.

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Floor beam system supports the Rammed Earth floor material and transfers occupancy loads of maximum 7 people + max weight of fish unto the barrels underneath.

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Archimedes principle of buoyancy enables the pavilion to float as the estimated weight of the shed is significantly less than the uplift force of the body of water (Volta Lake).

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STRUCTURAL STRATEGY

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STRUCTURAL BUOYANCY CALCULATIONS For a structure to achieve the desired buoyancy, the Archimedes Principle of Floatation must be applied; Archimedes Principle = Uplift Force of Water must be > Downward Weight of Structure

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1 Overhang beams make the beam bend in an upward motion while the fish load counter acts in loading the beam in an opposite downward motion. The two countering

3 Total weight of structure acting downwards through the timber members into the barrels

forces keep the beam in equilibrium.

4 Occupancy loads, rain loads, dynamic loads are transferred safely into the water. The uplift force of the water body must be more than the weight of the structure to

B The horizontal timber bracing acts double as a ladder for vertical access as well as bracing between the timber columns preventing lateral distortion.

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enable floatation. (see calculation) TECHNICAL STUDIES JOURNAL

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BUOYANCY CALCULATION

Archimedes Principle = Uplift Force of Water must be > Downward Weight of Structure Uplift Force of Water

Downward Weight of Structure

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UF of Water = Surface Area of Object X

Weight of Structure = X Density of Materials

Desire Depth of Immersion

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Volume of Members of Structure

Specific Weight of Water (9.81kN/m ) 3

Surface Area = 10.825m2 Desired Immersion = 0.7m Constant = 9.81kN/m

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=10.825m3 x 0.7m x 9.81kN/m3

= 74.335kN

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Density of African Mahogany / Kusia ≈10.0kN/m3v X Volume of Structure

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=10.0kN/m3 x 3.19m3

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= 31.9kN

Therefore buoyancy will be achieved

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NOTE 2

Humans are going to be using the structure (i.e, standing, offloading fish etc and their loads must be supported by

However, changing the desired depth of immersion from 0.7m to 0.85m will allow the structure to float at that

the structure. This is to say that the weight of the structure plus occupancy loads must together be less than the

depth while there are maximum occupancy loads of humans and fish

uplift force of water. i.e

Added weight of 10 people; 1 person = (5kN/m2) x surface area of shed 5kN/m2 x 10.825m2 = 52.12kN

Therefore total downward weight = 31.9kN + 54.12kN = 86.02kN

UF of water = 10.825m2 x 0.85m x 9.81kN/m3 = 90.26kN DW of Structure & People = 10kN/m3 x 3.19m3 + 5kN/m2 x 10.825m2 = 86.02kN

74.33kN < 86.02kN

Therefore UF of water > DW of Structure & People 90.26kN > 86.02kN Thus the structure will float at a depth of 0.85m with maximum occupancy loads.

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SUPER STRUCTURE TIMBER POST DETAIL The 665mm x 665mm x 665mm equilateral trianguler grid is applies across the surface of the floor. At the edge of the 5m x 5mx 5m platform is a beam that ties the entire substructure to the floor system. There exist a trianglular network of smaller timber beams that create pockets for the rammed earth panels to slot into –– allowing for modularity and platform expansion in 3 directions.

Hardwood tropical timber column

STRUCTURE

Custom glavanised steel footing

Hardwood tropical timber edge beam coated with marine paint

1:5 Detail on next page

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1:5 FOOTING AND TIMBER POST DETAIL

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STRUCTURE

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5 1 Hardwood Opepe “Kusia” timber post, machine cut, 100mm triangular section.

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2 ø6mm octagonal grooves at 150mm intervals to recieve 500mm wide oak treads.

3 ø20mm timber pegs.

4 Galvanised steel footing.

5 Timber foundation hole.

6 100mm by 200mm Hardwood Opepe floor beam coated with marine paint.

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SUPER STRUCTURE FACADE DETAIL To reduce the overall weight of the platforms, the primary structure doubles as a force transfering system as well as a support for the facade. The octagonal oak sections brace the frames of the platform together in ridgity and allow for vertical movement when it becomes a ladder.

The octagonal sections enable for the anchorage of the perforated “Agbadze Sieve” facade

STRUCTURE

Timber column

Octagonal timber section

1:5 Detail on next page

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1:5 FACADE DETAIL

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STRUCTURE

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1 Hardwood Opepe “Kusia” timber post, machine cut, 100mm triangular section.

2 ø6mm octagonal grooves at 150mm intervals to recieve 500mm wide oak treads.

3 ø6mm octagonal cut section brace members (various dimensions) FAROUK KWANING

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SUPER STRUCTURE ROOF DETAIL The roof of the sheds are grouped into 2 categories.

1.The closed shed, with the rammed earth tile as the roof material 2. The opened shed for solar and aeolian fish preservation is designed with little or no roof material. In sheds where the sun needs to be mitigated, the Aerated Rammed Earth Panels are swapped for the cane-woven cover â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which allow the sun rays and wind currents to penetrate.

Aerated Rammed Earth Panel

STRUCTURE

Agbadze Cane-Woven Panel

Timber rafter

Timber Edge Beam

1:5 Detail on next page

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1:5 ROOF DETAIL 1

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STRUCTURE

4 1 Aerated Rammed Earth Panel / Agbadze Cane-Woven Panel 2 Timber dowels 3 200 mm x 100mm timber edge beam 4 Hardwood Opepe “Kusia” timber post, machine cut, 100mm triangular section.

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ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE

Research Development Climate Diagrams

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ENVIRONMENTAL APPROACH The intervention incorprates passive and natural techniques in the preservation of fish. i.e Wind Drying, Sun Drying and Salting The materials used are timber, earth and glavanised steel in a small number of sections.

These materials are readily available, are sustainable and ecologically friendly.

Timber and earth can also be reused a number of times. Hence the platforms and sheds meet some LEED Green certification criteria for sustanable building.

The 55gallon Drums are an attempt to recylce the use of barrels by the community in which they currently

ENERGY

store fuel and rain water.

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WIND DIAGRAM Due to the instability of structures on water, any block or non-porous facade when subject to strong winds may drift out of place on the surface of the water.

Breaking the facades of the platform into fins means the airflow around the shore of the lake moves through the structures uninterrupted.

The passive movement of air aids in faster fish preservation.

ENERGY

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SOLAR DIAGRAM With intervention aligned with the longer sides oriented towards the east and west, maximum solar ingress is experienced for prolonged exposure of fish to drying temperatures.

ENERGY

It is also observed that the

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CLIMATE CHARTS The diagrams below show the monthly changes in weather around the closest station to the Dzemeni location.

Data is obtained from Climate Consultant 2016.

ENERGY

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ONE TO ONE

Research Development Proposal

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1 : 1 RESEARCH The aim of the 1:1 is to use the local materials and technology to create an innovative material that redefines the architectural and socio-economic dispostion of the chosen fishing community.

Pavilion of Reflections Studio Tom Emerson 2016

Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre Hotson Bakker Boniface Haden architects + urbanistes 1:1

Pavilion of Reflections Studio Tom Emerson 2016 Fish Rack Structures, Norway Beach, Rintala Eggertsson Architects, 2014

Fund Floating Sauna, Seattle goCstudio

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AERATED RAMMED EARTH PANEL DETAIL The aim of the 1:1 is to use the local materials and technology to create an innovative material that redefines the architectural and socio-economic dispostion of the chosen fishing community.

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1 Aerated Rammed Earth Block 2 10mm thick timber piece 3 Damp-proof membrane 36

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AERATED RAMMED EARTH PANEL CONSTRUCTION To create weatherproof Rammed Earth Panels which are lightweight and possess the ability to float on water. They would be used in floor planels, roof finishes and facades (sun screens and walls)

TEST TWO - RAMMED EARTH PANEL

TEST ONE - PULVERISED CLAY PANEL

Earth Soils Cement Water

Red Clay 50% Buff Powdered Clay 20% Ball Clay 16% Cement 14%

75% 15% 10%

Test two was a little successful. Materials bound together well, due to intense ramming process.

End result, panel held together faily well.

Problem with the Rammed Earth Panel is the weight due to the increased density hence its inability to float.

Also not weatherproof / termite proof

Test one failed because of the very low percentage of binding agent (cement) which had to be reduced to for sustainable reasons.

Panel broke into many splinters and could not float.

Also not weather / termite proof.

1:1

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AERATED RAMMED EARTH PANEL CONSTRUCTION

TEST THREE - AERATED RAMMED EARTH PANEL Rammed Earth Soils Cement Bio-foam

70% 10% 20%

Test three was successful. Materials bound together well, very little cement was needed to hold the rammed earth together.

Instead, the bio-foam mix made the mixture light and hence gave it the ability to float.

1:1

Product was immersed in water for a week and still managed to float.

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It still needs testing against harsh tropical weather and termites as well.

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AGBADZE CANE-WOVEN PANEL This panel mimics the seive on which the fishmongers and market women dry their fish and other food stuff.

The panel will be used in shading semi-open areas, facade skin design and as shelves for the drying of fish in the sheds

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1 10mm thick timber piece 2 7mm long wood screw 3 Agbadze Cane-Weave

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1:1

AGBADZE CANE-WOVEN PANEL

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