In reference of recent "Jammu and Kashmir Flood"-
As modern R.C.C. Construction is dangerous for Hill area and regions near and on Himalayas it is in range of "Young mountains" and "Earthquake prone zone"
Old system of "wooden made houses" like in Switzerland is better i guess !! R.C.C. Constructed houses are more prone to earthquakes in respect of vulnerability specially in high mountain ranges where earthquake prone zone as houses made in wood is safe against these weak and fragile land compare to R.C.C houses.
please share your valuable views and ideas
Thank you all here!
Dear Moharana Choudhary
if we build our buildings to resist earthquake is priority as per BIS provisions
But who will take care a flood of this magnitude which will enter even in earthquake resisting structure
Excluding this kind of natural calamity locally available materials should be used for building
with appropriate technologies
According to my life experience, old system of wooden made houses like in Sweden, Norway, and Canada are more safe.
Hilly regions usually have a pyramidal top Wooden roof unlike the heavy concreted and steel reinforcements, so that the damage to LIFE and THINGS are less in event of a calamity.
Dear All,
It seems that almost all of you agree with the wooden construction. I note in Japan where earthquakes are frequent wooden houses were traditionally preferred but these days they built some modern constructions.
We need some Japanese opinions!
Wooden top structure help in calamities as well as adjusting with the cool temperature in winter season.
Wooden are better of course, but not everywhere you will find forest thus like Mr Prakash Mallappa Munnoli said local communities have to use available materials in high-mountain environment. In snow desert areas (e.g. western part of trans-himalaya, high-himalaya) you will find box-type mud-built houses with flat roofs excellent for storage of hay or for drying cow dung cakes (basrang).
In Miyar Valley (HP, India) - where I do my research - there is a Sucto Village where is only one house in with tipical swiss-style type but owner is not very happy with that.
I read a great book by dr O.C. Handa (2009) about himalayan houses and the process of settlement: "Himalayan tradicional architecture" maybe it will help you a bit.
With best wishes,
Michal
Walls taller than 20 feet, situated on slopes, or on soils weaker than 20 blows per foot should be looked at more closely. In general, place walls on any slope steeper than 4:1 only with a careful review of both short and long-term stability. Of particular concern are walls placed on freshly cut slopes, where the soil data may indicate high strengths at the excavation level. Freshly exposed material will soften with time, and an assessment of long-term strengths must be made when analyzing walls in this situation. Local districts may want to modify these guidelines based on their experience with specific projects and local conditions.
http://theconstructor.org/geotechnical/retaining-wall-types-planning-stability-failures-recommendations/330/
In my opinion, it depends on in-depth study of the site-specific information, local wisdom and expertise. Please have a look on attached files; you will find useful information.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10518-016-9870-2
http://www.preventionweb.net/files/10591_HESITokyoPapers.pdf