DESIGNED PRIMARILY FOR EARTHQUAKES IN TOWNS AND CITIES
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THIS SHELTER HAS DISTINCT ADVANTAGES FOR BOTH DISASTER RESPONDERS AND SHELTER RECIPIENTS
1. STRUCTURAL ADVANTAGES
THE SHELTER IS FREESTANDING ON CONCRETE.
​When the two reciprocal frame roof panels are inclined against each other and lashed to a support frame, the arrangement is stable and self-supporting. ​The 4 earth bags on top of the base corners and the attachment of guy ropes to the top of the support poles provide additional support.
Urban RSK
PLEASE NOTE:
THIS SKETCH OF AN URBAN RSK IS FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY.
THE ROOF SUPPORTS ADDITIONAL LOADING.
In an emergency, where no tarpaulins are available, salvaged wooden planks and CGI sheets can be attached to the roof of this shelter (load test results available).​
2. COST ADVANTAGES
​​ THE SHELTER USES 33% LESS BAMBOO
than any equivalent span shelter. This is due to the efficiency of span of the reciprocal frame roof and not using bamboo lattice roofs.
​TRANSPORTATION COSTS ARE REDUCED BY UP TO ONE THIRD
resulting in less bamboo needing to be transported by trucks to the site of a disaster.​​​​​​​​
3. BUILDING ADVANTAGES
TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION
are used throughout building that are familiar to communities in countries with bamboo resources.​​
ROOF FRAMES ARE ASSEMBLED ON THE GROUND.
​This empowers all family members, to assist with lashing the poles together.
​SHELTERS CAN BE BUILT VERY RAPIDLY
poles are simply cross- lashed together requiring minimal skills . No tools are required. Families can erect and be inside their urban RSK shelter in less than two hours.
SHELTERS CAN BE MASS PRODUCED ON SITE
In large scale disasters the roof frames can be mass produced, stacked and then carried by families to where needed.
MODULAR SHELTER
For larger families additional units can be added on. Also much larger units can be use for reception rooms and medical support units.
SIZE OPTIONS
The shelter is designed to use 6m x 4m standard relief tarpaulins. Increasing the 4 reciprocal frame poles length by 50 cms results in floor space increasing from 13.3 to 19.1 square metres and inside roof height to 2.2 metres. This larger shelter requires an 8m x 4m tarpaulin.
ALL MATERIALS CAN BE SOURCED LOCALLY
This can include fresh cut green bamboo in an emergency.
THE SHELTER CAN BE EASILY UPGRADED
to the standard or double RSK as it uses the exact same roof frame.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR MUCH EASIER
Frame members are interchangeable and damaged bamboo poles can easily be replaced without having to disassemble the roof frame.
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4. HEALTH AND SAFETY ADVANTAGES
HEALTH BENEFITS
Psychological health benefits this shelter can provide, especially after the trauma of an earthquake, are profound. Physical health benefits are from improved ventilation and improved surface hygiene
FIRE SAFETY IMPROVED
The highly combustible split bamboo and cane lattice roofs of conventional shelters are replaced in this shelter with the reduced combustibility of using only complete bamboo poles.
5. ENVIRONMENT ADVANTAGES
A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT IMPACT​
Saving the limited and valuable resources of bamboo due to the highly efficient reciprocal frame.
RECYCLING AND REDUCED WASTAGE OF BAMBOO
Unlike the split bamboo used for conventional shelters the bamboo poles can be recycled for other practical purposes.
6. HIGH STANDARDS
SPHERE STANDARDS​​
From initial development right through to deploying, monitoring and evaluating its humanitarian benefits the Urban RSK shelter is designed to meet Sphere standards.
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ADDENDUM:
AN INDICATION OF THE LOAD BEARING STRENGTH OF URBAN RSK
A team member grasps the horizontal rafter and loads it with their full suspended weight.
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The two vertical posts and the central ridge pole are mainly supporting this suspended weight.
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However, we have also observed that, when two RSK roof panels are inclined against each other and tied together, that the structure achieves an additional degree of rotational stability on loading.
It is worth pointing out that, ​unlike the canvas roof of an "A" frame tent, this roof can also support additional heavy loading to improve overall shelter stability.
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Please note that when this photo was taken there were no guy ropes or earth bags attached to the frame for anchoring .​​​​​​​​​​
Urban RSK