Timber-frame walls construction as alternative to masonry brick walls construction for reconstruction and development programme houses; an analytic effectiveness of timber

[摘要] The imbalance and diversities in the housing problem have to be addressed in SouthAfrica. Attention should be given to investigating the basic needs and means of thosewho need shelter.This document is a study on timber-frame wall construction as an alternative tomasonry brick-wall construction for the Reconstruction and Development Programme(ROP) houses; an analytic effectiveness of timber.A study was carried out comprising on-site and literature investigations in addition tointerviews with key persons such as engineers, contractors and the general public.Although this study attempts to cover most of the factors influencing the use andadvantages of timber-frames, the purpose is to investigate timber-frame walling as apossible replacement to traditional masonry brick walling on ROP houses. Theobjective is to speed up housing delivery and to save money, as well as to analysethe effectiveness of timber.The investigation indicates that timber-frame material is as competitive as any otherconventional building material. A house built with timber is not a cabin or a temporarybuilding. It is a permanent structure which is as durable, effective and resilient as anyother accepted construction material and comes with a number of benefits.

[发布机构] University of the Free State