KEY EARLY RECOVERY SHELTER DOCUMENTS

2012

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

Strategy

2012 Early Recovery Shelter Response Strategy

EARLYRECOVERYSHELTERCLUSTERSTRATEGY(FINALDRAFT)

OVERALLOBJECTIVE
Provide lowcost shelter support to the most vulnerable families whose houses have become uninhabitable after the 2012
floods,inawaythatimprovestheirresiliencetofuturenaturaldisasters.

SITUATIONOVERVIEW
In September 2012, flash floods due to heavy rains caused widespread damage in 15 districts of northern Sindh, southern
Punjab and eastern Balochistan. Results from a rollout of the Multiagency Initial Rapid Assessment (MIRA) in September
2012 indicated that 5 million people were affected and 386,172 houses damaged or destroyed. Of the houses affected,
approximately60percentwerepartiallydamaged,withtheremaining40percentfullydestroyed.

Living conditions in affected provinces up to the 31st December

Housesdamagedanddestroyed
2012

386,172

InOctoberandNovember2012,theShelterClustersTemporarySettlementSupportUnit(TSSU)conducteditsfirstphaseof
assessments, reporting that the majority of IDPs counted in the MIRA had already left displacement sites.This finding was
supported by the second phase of TSSU assessments in December 2012, which demonstrated a consistent trend of return
from temporary settlements to areas of origin, with acute humanitarian needs in remaining displacement sites as well as
returneeareas.
More than 6,000 families remained in displacement sites in Sindh and Balochistan as of December 2012, with 82 per cent
citing inaccessible place of origin as the main obstacle to return. In temporary settlements, 47 per cent of families were
withoutshelterorlivinginmakeshiftshelters.Inalldistricts,familieswhohadreturnedtovillagesreportedsimilarconditions
overall, with 38 per cent of families living in makeshift shelters and 4 per cent without shelter of any kind. (TSSU Phase 2
Assessment)

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

EMERGENCYSHELTERASSISTANCECOVERAGEANDGAPANALYSIS
TheShelter/NFIClusterinitiallyrequested33millionUSDtorespondtotheimmediateemergencyshelterneedsoffamilies
affected by the floods, but only 11 million USD in funding was secured. As of March 2013, only 33 per cent of emergency
shelterneedshadbeenmet,with258,181familiesstillinneedofshelterassistance.

(Above)Partiallyandfullydamaged(PD/FD)houses,emergencysheltercoverageandgapasofMarch2013

EARLYRECOVERYSHELTERSTRATEGY
TheShelterClusterexpectsthatemergencyshelter distributionsforthe2012floods will diminishafterMarch2013,withthe
focusshiftingtoearlyrecovery(ER)shelterinterventions.Giventhefrequencyofdisastersintheaffectedprovincesandlessons
learnt from 2010 and 2011 flood responses, the overall objective of the ER Shelter Strategy is to provide lowcost shelter
supporttothemostvulnerablefamilieswhosehouseshavebecomeuninhabitableafterthe2012floods,inawaythatimproves
their resilience to future natural disasters. At present, funding commitments for the ER phase are low, and agencies are
thereforeencouragedtofocusonachievingmaximumimpactandcoveragewithminimuminputs.
TheShelterClusterhasestablishedatargetof173,777ERshelters,representing50percentofaffectedhouses.Thistargettakes
into account the selfrecovery potential of affected families as measured by the ACCCRA (Assessment of Community Coping
Capacity in Return Areas, 2012), as well as the assistance capacity of humanitarian organizations. ER shelter assistance may
consistofOneRoomShelters(ORS)orroofingkits,pertheconditionsoutlinedbelow.
AsreportedintherevisedMonsoonHumanitarianOperationsPlan(MHOP),anestimated87millionUSDarerequiredtomeet
ERshelterneeds.Thisisbasedonanaveragecostof500USDpershelterinmaterialorcashsupport,accountingforvariationsin
costdependingonsheltertype(pucca,mud,lohkat).Thetechnicalguidelinesprovidemoredetailsonsheltercosts.
Inviewofthelimitedavailableresources andwidespreadneeds,it isimportanttostrategicallytargetassistancetothemost
vulnerable families and adapt ER practices to achieve the broadest coverage possible. Inputs from humanitarian and
governmentactorsshouldsupportbeneficiariesownselfhelpeffortstomaximisetheimpactofassistanceprovided.Withthis
inmind,theShelterClusteradvocatesforthefollowingERprioritiesforthe2012floods:
1.

Avoiding double coverage: Roofing kits and ORS should not be implemented in the same UC unless both are being
provided by one agency. When one agency provides both, there should be a clear strategy to indicate which
beneficiariesaretargetedforeachtypeofassistance.Inordertoavoidcreatinggaps,theserecommendationsshould
be adapted in coordination with the Shelter Cluster as appropriate to support the situation in each UC, including
considerationofthetypeofdamagesandupcomingORScommitments.Forexample,ifroofingkitsweredistributed
withlimitedcoverageinalargeUCduringtheearlystagesofaresponse,thisshouldnotnecessarilydisqualifytheUC
forORSprojectsduringearlyrecovery.
3

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

2.

RoofingkitsasERassistance:Distributionofroofingkitsshouldnotberestrictedtoemergencyshelteractivities.Given
limitedresourcesfor2012ERneeds,theShelterClusterrecommendsprovidingroofingkitstopeoplewithpartiallyand
fully damaged houses in order to ensure that people with fully damaged houses are not excluded from this type of
assistance.Allroofingkitdistributionsshouldbeaccompaniedwithrecommendationstobeneficiariesonhowtouse
thekitsfortemporaryshelteraswellasforreconstructionefforts.Practicaldemonstrationsareencouragedtoensure
thatbeneficiariesareengagedandawareofvariousroofingkituses.

Effective coordination is essential to ensure the strategic targeting of assistance to the most vulnerable families. The Shelter
Clusterrecommendsthefollowingprinciples:

1. UCranking:TheShelterClusterAssessmentUnitiscurrentlyconductingaUCrankingexerciseusingexistingdatafrom
MIRA and Temporary Settlement Support Unit (TSSU) assessments to prioritise areas with the greatest ER shelter
needs.ThisexercisewillformthebasisforUCallocation.

2. OneagencyperUC:IdeallyeachUCshouldbeassistedbyadesignatedagencysothatinputsaredistributedacrossas
manyUCsaspossibleratherthanconcentratedinasinglearea.IftheneedsofaUCgreatlyexceedthecapacityofone
agency,itmaybepossibleforanotheragencytoassist.Inthiscase,agenciesshouldcloselycoordinatetheirassistance
andavoidworkingincloseproximitytominimisetensionsamongbeneficiariesreceivingvaryingstandardsofassistance
(e.g.roofingkitsversusORS).

3. Targetingthemostvulnerable:AgenciesshouldtargettheirassistancetothemostvulnerablefamilieswithinaUC.This
entails applying strategic beneficiary selection criteria, paired with strong social mobilisation to clarify the selection
process,inordertoachievecoverageofthemostacuteneedsacrosstheUC.

4. PrioritisationofagenciesinUCselection:PriorityinUCselectionshouldbegiventoagencieswithconfirmedfunding.
Exceptionsmaybemadeforagenciesplanningtoassistbeneficiariesfromtheir2010projects,providedthatagencies
demonstrate serious plans and eligibility to obtain funding. Organizations whose 2010 shelter projects have been
destroyed in subsequent floods are recommended to seek funding to recover damages for the same beneficiaries.
Agencieswhointendtoincorporateasheltercomponentintoexistingprojects(WASH,livelihoods,etc.)inaparticular
UCwillalsobegivenpriority,providedthattheagencieshaveapastrecordofshelterimplementationandreasonable
potentialtoobtainfundingforshelterprojects.

5. FlexibilityinUCpreferences:AgenciesshouldmaintainflexibilityintheirplanningwithrelationtoparticularUCsincase
otheragencieshavealreadyconfirmedfundingandcommencedworkinthesameUCs.Agenciesshouldberealisticin
flagging the UCs in which they intend to work, in order to avoid gaps created by agencies claiming UCs and then
changingplans.

ThefollowingkeyconceptsarehighlightedtoguidetheplanningandimplementationofERshelteractivities:
1.

2.

3.

Shelterisaprocessratherthanaproduct1.Thefocusoftheshelterprogramsshouldnotbeondeliveringafinished
product,butratherontheprocessofengagingwith beneficiaries,transferringknowledgeonsafer construction, and
improvingthecapacityandresilienceofcommunitiestorespondtofuturedisasters.Beneficiariesshouldbesupported
with skills and knowledge that will enable them to make incremental upgrades to their shelters over time as their
capacityandresourcesincrease.

Agenciesareencouragedtominimisedirectinputsintermsofmaterial/financialsupport,buttomaximisetheimpact
of projects by ensuring the direct involvement of communities in the construction process. The low cost shelter
approachsupportstheconstructionofonebasicshelterthatcanbeupgradedinthefuture.

Assistanceshouldcatalyseselfhelpeffortsthroughthesharingofkeyskillsforconstruction,maintenance,repairsand
upgradesofshelters.Inthisway,immediateassistancecansustain longtermimpactsbybuildingtheresilienceand
selfhelp capacity of communities. Knowledge transfer on safer construction techniques should be incorporated
throughtechnicalguidanceandtrainings.Trainingsshouldbepractical,providedonsite,andopentofamiliesthatare
notreceivingdirectsheltersupporttoensuremaximumcoverageandbroaderpotentialforreplication.

Davis, I: Shelter After Disaster Oxford Polytechnic Press 1978

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

4.

5.

Assistance should be beneficiarydriven, informed by a flexible approach and offering a variety of shelter solutions
tailoredtotheneedsandcapacitiesofbeneficiaries.Ratherthanintroducingcommunitiestoentirelynewmaterials
andmethods,agenciesareencouragedtosupporttheadaptationofvernaculardesignsandtheimprovementofthe
traditional techniques to facilitate the construction of safer and more resilient shelters. These techniques can be
improvedbyincorporatingDisasterRiskReduction(DRR)measures,suchasstrengthenedroof,extendedroofeaves,
andwallstructuresandelevatedflooring,asdetailedintheShelterClustersTechnicalGuidelines.

Agencies should strategically select sites according to level of needs and target limited resources to the most
vulnerable persons in each site. Assistance should be guided by the beneficiary selection criteria developed in
coordination with NDMA and the Protection Cluster2, which identifies most vulnerable households as those with at
leastoneofthefollowingcharacteristics:

Withacompletelydestroyedhouse
Withnosalvagedmaterialsandnomeanstoprovideconstructionmaterialsand/orlabour
Withnopossibilitytoreturntotheirplaceoforiginandthusfaceextendeddisplacementforatleastfor6months
Whoselivesareendangeredbyweatherconditions

Combinedwithatleastoneofthevulnerabilitycriteriasuchas:

Femaleheadedhouseholds
Childheadedhouseholds
Olderpersonheadedhouseholds
Householdsheadedbypersonwithdisabilities(physical,intellectual,sensory)
Householdsheadedbypersonwithachronicdisease

HoldingtheIdentitycardshouldnotbeafactofdiscriminationneitheracriteriaofprioritization.Pakistaninationalsmighthave
losttheirIDduringoccurrenceofanaturalormadmadedisastereitherduringthemigrationfromtheoriginalplaces

6. Agencies should provide guidance to communities on safer location for shelter construction, keeping in mind the
limitationsoflandtenure.Agenciescanalsoadvocatefortheconstructionofelevatedplatformsinvillagestomitigate
theimpactoffloods.

***
TheShelterClusterhighlightsthat,inconjunctionwithERshelterprojects,itisimportanttoliaisewithgovernmentauthorities
to advocate for the repair of damaged infrastructure.Consecutive floods and limited repair of infrastructure undermine the
effortsofsafershelterconstructionandthepromotionofcommunitiesresiliencetofuturefloodevents.

***
TheShelterClusteralsoadvocatesforanintegratedresponseandstronglyrecommendstheintersectorcoordinationinorder
toprovidecomplementaryassistancetotheaffectedpopulation.Agenciesareencouragedtoseekcomplementaryactivities
eitherinternallyorexternallywithotherpartnersworkinginothersectorssuchasWASH,Health,livelihoods,Foodsecurityand
Education.

For more information consult Beneficiary Selection and Targeting Inter-Sectoral Guidelines for Pakistan Endorsed Version August 2011

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

Early

Recovery Shelter

Earlyrecoveryapproachestheneedtobeginsupportingrestorationofbasicservices,livelihoods,shelter,governance,security
andtheruleoflawassoonaspossible3.

ONEROOMSHELTER

Description
One Room Shelter starts with the complete construction of one room of the permanent
house,offeringshelteruntiltherestofthehouseisfinished.OneRoomShelterisaflexible
beneficiarydriven approach, which leads to the final product of a safer shelter. ORS uses
familiar vernacular construction practices improved with DRR measures, to ensure the
construction of safershelterand itsmaintenance with the participation of beneficiaries.The
ORSisaprocessthat:
a) Promotes the transferring of knowledge on safer construction techniques to vulnerable
groups,asawaytoimprovecommunitiesresiliencetodisasters;
b) Is a first step towards reconstruction and beneficiaries can upgrade it according to the
evolutionoftheircapacitiesandresources.
Estimatedduration
5to10years

IFRC2012,ShelterCoordinationinNaturalDisasters
6

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

Design Principles

The technical guidelines provide detailed information about One Room Shelter construction in Pakistan, however there are
numberofoverarchingprinciplesthatshouldtoberegardedwhenplanningashelterprogram.Theseprinciplesaimtopromote
amoresocial,culturalandeconomicadequateshelterassistanceandimprovetheresilienceoftheaffectedpopulation.

DesignPrinciples:
Indicators
Criteria:
Climate
Suitability

Ventilation
Winterisation

Social
Suitability/
Protection

Participation
Vulnerability
GenderBalance

Social/
economical
Suitability

Adequatematerials
Locallyavailableand
familiartechniques
Optionsforfurther
upgrading
Accessibility

Cultural
suitability

Typology/layout
Integrationof

beneficiaries

options/capacitiesof
reconstruction.

Resource
effectiveness

Usesalvaged
materials.
Allowfuturereuseof
materials.
Minimizeimpacton
naturalresources

Appropriate
Location

Location
Safelocation
Landtenure

RiskMitigation

NaturalHazards
FireHazards

Designofthesheltertoallowadequateventilationtoreduceinternaltemperatures
(especiallyinthehotareas)
Wherenecessary,duetoclimateconditions,winterisationofsheltersistobeapplied.
Thedesignshouldallowastepbystepimprovementoftheclimatesuitability(e.g.
optiontoincludefurtheropenings/toaddfurtherisolation)
(FordetailedinformationrefertoreferShelterConstructionTechnicalGuidelinesand
Guidelinesforwinterization)
Theparticipationofcommunitythroughouttheimplementationofprograms,
promotesownershipandfacilitatesculturalandsocialsuitabilityoftheshelters.
Shelterprogramsshouldseektotargetthemostvulnerablemembersofthe
beneficiarycommunities(refertoShelterResponseStrategyandVulnerabilityCriteria
forShelterSupport)
Gendersensitiveprogrammingisstronglyrecommendedandwomenshouldbe
consultedaboutarangeofissues.(refertoVulnerabilityCriteriaforShelterSupport)
Preferablymaterialshouldbepurchaseinlocalmarkets;itinvolveslocaleconomyand
reducestransportationcosts.
Useofwellknownmaterialsandtechniqueswillpromotetheparticipationofthe
beneficiariesintheconstructionprocessanditsmaintenance
Optionsforstepbystepimprovementaccordingtorisingincomegenerationneedsof
beneficiaries.
Sheltersshouldallowtheaccessofdisabledpeople.
Designshelterstomeetlocalneeds,householdactivities,distribution,aswellasthe
localculturalrequirements.
Thedesignofthesheltershouldconsideraflexibleusespace.
Considerdesignandtechniquesadoptedbybeneficiarieswhen(re)buildingtheirown
shelter.
Theuseofsalvagedmaterialsisencouragedwheningoodcondition(bricks,
door/windowframes,roofbeamsetc.)
Consideroptionstoreusetheconstructionmaterialsoftransitionalsheltersforfurther
durablesolutions.
Consideroptionstodismantlematerialsforreuse.
Thechoiceofmaterialsshouldavoidincreasedpressureonnaturalresources.
Whenpossible,sheltersshouldbeconstructedat,orneartotheexistinghomestead
withoutinhibitingpermanenthousing
Transitionalshelternottoprevent(re)constructionofpermanenthousing.
Minimiseexposuretohazard:avoidhazardouslocations
andapplyDDRrecommendations
Takeaccountofaccesstolivelihoods.
Whenpossibleensureproperlandrightsbylegaldocumentsoragreementwith
landlordorneighborsconfirmation.
RefertoShelterConstructionTechnicalGuidelines
Disseminate information on appropriate safe use of shelter (for reference see annex
onFireSafetyforemergencyshelter).

2012
Technical

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

2012 One Room Shelter Construction Technical Guidelines

The One Room Shelter technical guidelines provide detailed technical guidance on practical implementation of the Shelter
ClusterEarlyRecoverystrategy.Itishopedthatthiswillbeausefultoolforimplementingpartners,helpingtostandardizeand
ensurecoherenceamongresponseeffortstoimprovetheresilienceofthefloodaffectedcommunitiestofuturedisasters.
Theseguidelinesweredevelopedbasedonpreviousshelterclustertechnicalguidelines(2010and2011Flood)andthevaluable
inputfromclustermemberswhichsharedtheresultsoftheirhousingdamageassessments,andprovidedkeyinformationabout
theeffectivenessofusedDisasterRiskReductionmeasuresinshelterconstruction.

Eachchaptergivesdetailedinformationabouttheconstructionofthe5maintypologiesofsheltersfoundinsouthernPakistan:
LohKat,Mud,Adobe,BurnBrickandConcreteBrick.Theinformationisdisplayedasastepbystepconstructionguidanceand
detailed recommendations are given to each component of the shelter construction. Each typology is named after the main
materialusedintheshelterconstruction:

Mud
Adobe
BurnBrick
ConcreteBrick
LohKat

ObservationsonHousingDamage
The2012floodhitsomeareasthatwerepreviouslyaffectedbythe2010floodandwheremayshelteragenciesimplemented
shelter programs. In the aftermath of the 2012 flood some shelter members undertook damage assessments of the shelters
built in 2010 and shared the findings with the Shelter Cluster TWIG and were incorporated in the present guidelines. In
summary:
Itwasobservedthatseriousdamageswerecausedmostlybythecombinedactionofthewindandrainthaterodedthelayersof
roofsandtheexternalsurfacesofwalls,penetratinginthecoreofthemasonrymeltingthemudmortarandthusweakeningthe
walls.Moreover,itwasobservedthatthefloodexceededthesilllevel,reachingthelintelinseveralareas.
Thestructuresandinfrastructures,weakenedbytherainflashandstandinginthestagnantwaterformonths,wereslowlyand
progressivelyerodedwiththefinalresultofthetotalcollapse.
ThelastfloodshowedthattheDRRmeasureshavetoberevisedontheseevidences,raisingtheprotectionuptothelintellevelat
leastandimprovingthewaterproofingoftheroofing.
.
***
Further to these guidelines, the Shelter Cluster, within the TWIG, developed the illustrated guidelines which aim to provide
visualandsimpleguidancetotheshelterpractitionersinPakistan.Theillustratedguidelinesaredistributedseparatelyandwill
beaccessibleontheshelterclusterwebsite.

Notes:
TheserecommendationsarenotcompulsoryandtheShelterClusterisnotliableforanyfutureproblemthatmightoccurdueto
badexecutionoftheseguidelinesandlackofmonitoringduringtheprocessoftheimplementation.
TheShelterClusterstronglyencouragesorganizationsengagedinshelteractivitiestoincludeanengineerand/oranarchitectin
theirteams,toensureastrongertechnicalmonitoringofshelterconstruction.

ConsiderationshouldbegiventoPakistanBuildingCodeRequirements:Earthquakes;CyclonesandotherlikelyEnvironmental
DesignConsiderationsforallconstructionmethodologies.

FormoreinformationpleasecontacttheShelterClusterteam:scpakistan.coord2@gmail.com

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

TheLOHKATshelterisbuiltwithasupportingskeletonmadeoftimerpoles,bambooorsteel.The
skeleton is covered with matting and then filled and plastered with mud. Commonly the roof is
madeofthatchorotherstructuralsystem,plasticsheetingwithamudplasterlayer,protectedwith
afinalwaterproofinglayer.

LohKat

Mud

Adobe

BurnBrick

ConcreteBrick

GenericGuidance

BEARINGFOUNDATIONSANDFOUNDATIONS
Foundationsandplatformsspecification,depth andheight,dependentonthesitecharacteristics(soil,
elevation)andsuperstructure,materialsandloads,thustheirdepthandwidthhavetobedesignedona
casebycasebasis.
Theexcavationdepthmaybemorethan23innotcompactedsoils.
Generallythewidthoftheplatformshouldbealmostonethirdforeachside=1.62timesthethickness
ofthewalls.
Increasingthewidthofwallsatthebasewillimproveresilienceandhelpkeeplongerthefloodwater
awayfromthebaseofthewallswhichwillextendorpreventthetimeofdisintegration(dependingon
thetimeofstagnancy)
Thefoundationsneedtohaveasealedbarrieratthebasetopreventthatthewaterpenetratesintothe
structurebothfromtheground(dampness)eitherfromstagnancy.Reinforcingthewallsatgroundlevel
byaddingconcreteplaster/pointinglayerormud/lime
SpecificGuidance
Excavationdepthminimum18belowundisturbedgroundorcompactedsoil.
Thewallstructureorskeleton(wall columns)needstopenetrateto aminimumof18"intheground
reachingthesolidlayerandbeingreinforcedwithcementorlime/mudposts,toensurestabilityofthe
shelter
Notesand
Reed, timber, bamboo or other grass structures will have less mass and may have less bulky
recommendations
foundations
Theinfilltrellisorreedmaterialshouldpenetratetoaminimumof6".
Ataperedfoundations(continuousplint)betterdistributetheloadtotheground.Itcanbeobtainedby
ramminginframeworkwellcompacted
itissuggesttoaddlimeinthemudplinttowaterproofingthestructure
Appropriateanchoringdetailsforthefoundationshouldbeconsidered
theendofpoleshouldbetreatedwithbitumenofotherwaterresistanttreatment
Bambooandtimberaresusceptibletotermites.Adequatetreatmentshouldbeprovidedtotimberand
bamboomaterialsintheseareas
LohKat
RAISEDPLINTHFLOOR
GenericGuidance
Thefloorlevelshouldberaisedtoatleast16upto3abovetheNaturalSurfaceLevel(NSL)adoptinga
continuousplint.
Generalrecommendationistoprotectfurthermorethefoundationsbelowfloorlevelbyraisinganearth
platform 3 wide at the top and tapering to NSL over 6. (i.e 1 in 2 slope minimum.) The top of this
platformshouldbe6belowfloorlevel.
A damp proof course (DPC) at plinth level is compulsory in order to prevent moisture rising into the
walls.ADPCiseitherathinlayerofconcreteatplinthlevelwithplasticononesurfaceorsimplyastrong
plasticlayer
DRRimprovements itissuggesttoaddlimeandcementinthemudplinttowaterproofingthestructure
(Floodand
theendofpoleshouldbetreatedwithbitumenofotherwaterresistanttreatment
earthquake)
at the top of the plinth are proposed horizontal reinforcement with bamboos or timber joins well
connectedwiththeverticalpoles,overlapandtiethematthecorners.
Alsoareinforcedconcretebandisadvisable
Maintenance
replaster with lime mud mortar (1:4) the raised plinth at least once an year, before the monsoon

season,andwhenevernecessary
verifythegoodconnectionofthepoletothebasement
retreatthebaseofpoleswhenevernecessary
acknowledgetheownersregardingperiodictermitetreatment
LohKat
SUPERSTRUCTURE
Walls
Loh Kat walls need to have a supporting skeleton of timber, bamboo, steel or other materials. This
Core materials and skeletonwillprovidethestructuralframeforthetrellismaterial.
9

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

techniques

LohKat/Reed/Trellisorsimilarwallsneedtobeskilfullywoven,securedortiedtoensurelongterm
durabilityofwalls.
Theskeletoniscoveredwithmattingandthenfilledandplasteredwithmudmortar.
The durability of the walls can be improved by using wattle and daub or quincha instead of simple
matting.
Inordertohavewaterproofingresistanceofthecoreitissuggestedtoaddlimetothemortar.

Noteand
Theverticalreedstructureorskeletonneedstohaveverystrongfasteningwithanencirclingreedrope.
recommendations
Thereedtrellismaterialneedstopenetratetoaminimumof6"inthegroundreachingthesolidlayer

andbeingreinforcedwithcementorlimemudposts
Itisimportanttotreatatleastthebaseofthestructureandwallmaterialwithtermitetreatmentand
to protect the base of the wall from moisture using bitumen paint, plastic sheeting or other
methodologies
Some simple local treatments for termites may include the use of lime slurries, kerosene or used
engineoil
Environmentalandhealthandsafetyissuesshouldbetakenintoaccountwhenusingtheseproducts
DRR for earthquake Alljunctions(verticalandhorizontal)needtobeindividuallytied.
resistance:
Crossbracingshouldbeprovidedinlightweightwallpanelstoimprovewindresistanceandstabilityof
Jointandbinding theframe.
Reinforcedbands minimumbracingisatcornerpanels,bracingallthepanelsispreferable
minimumdiagonalbracing,crossbracingispreferable

at the base of the vertical skeleton (top of the plinth) a horizontal reinforcement with bamboos or
timberjoinswellconnectedwiththeverticalpoles,overlapandtiethematthecorners.
Alsoareinforcedconcretebandmaybeadvisable.
DRRfloodresistance Alimemudmix(1:3)forplastermayprovidesomewaterproofresistancetotheinnerstructure.
(plasterasprotective Manyoptionsareavailablee.g.amixtureoflime,mudandbhoosa(straw)wellmixedandfermentedfor
andexpendable
24hours.
surface)
Amudtoemayfurtherprotectthebottomofthewallsfromdisintegration
Maintenance
replasterwithlimemudmortar(1:3mix)thewallsatleastonceanyearorwhenevernecessary

verifythegoodconnectionoftheelementsofthestructures(poleandbracing)
retreatthebaseofpolesatleastonceanyearwhenevernecessary
informtheownersregardingperiodictreatments
Openings
Openingswithinthewallspaceshouldnottakeupanareagreaterthan50%ofthewall.
Doorsandwindows Openingsshouldbehigherthanwider
Windowsanddoorsshouldbekeptaminimumof2ftfromcornersandfromeachother.
Thedoorsshouldopenoutwardsforfiresafetypurpose
Lintels
Inordertobearanddistributetheloadofthewallabovetheopenings,lintelsshouldtobeinstalled.
Lintelsshouldbeminimum2thickand6longerthantheopeningoneachside.
Lintelsshouldbedesignedbasedontheloadbeingcarriedoverhead.
Beingthisstructureinwood,themoreappropriatelintelsmaybeasolutionwith23tiedbamboosor
timberplate
Ventilation
Theventilationisveryimportantmainlyduringthesummerthatisveryhotinseveralarea.
Two windows may ensure ventilation. Alternatively one or two ventilators, executed on the opposite
sideofthewindow(generallyonthebackwall)mayensureagoodventilation.Thedimensionsdepend
onthesizeoftheshelter,itmaybeoneof2x1ortwo1x1
Insomeareas,wherethesummerisveryhot,itmaybesuggestedtoincreasetheheightoftheshelter
to improve the internal ventilation (in this case the entire structure of the shelter has to be re
calculated)notethiswillincreasethecostoftheshelter
LohKat
ROOF
GenericGuidance
Roofdesignshouldallowforliveanddeadloads.Liveloadsareappliedloadssuchasrain,wind,snow
orusageforgrainorlivestock.Deadloadsarethoseincludingthemakeupoftheroofstructuresuchas
beams,straw,mud,cementetc.
Abambooorotherlightweightroofcanbeusedforallconstructionmethodologies,whilesteelgirder
rooforsimilarheavyroofrequiresastrongbearingstructure,thereforeitisonlysuitableforfiredbrick,
concreteblock,engineeredsteelframeshelters
Athickmudlayerwilladdalotofloadtotheroofandmaycausesevere,damagingstraintotheroof
structureandloadbearingwalls.
Timberelementsmayinsomecasesbelargerloadsthansteelorotheralternatives.
Bambooandtimberaresusceptibletotermites.Adequatetreatmentshouldbeprovidedtotimberand
bamboomaterials
10

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

Mainstructure

Noteand
recommendations
DRRforearthquake
resistance

Coveringpackage
Genericguidance

Coveringpackage
Specificguidance

DRRwaterproofing
anddrainage

Timber,bambooorstrawroofsarenotsuitableforindoorcookingorheatingfires.
A conical or foursided pitched roof is preferable in areas where wind loads are a consideration,
particularlycyclonevulnerableareas.
Gableendsorflatsurfacesmaybemorestressbyresistingtothewindforce
The pitch of a roof will vary based on the wind conditions in the area, however a maximum pitch is
advisedof30forsimplepitchedroofs.
Amonopitchedroofmayhaveapitchofupto10toallowadequatedrainageofrainwater.
Intheflatroofaminimumslopeshouldbe3/8"perfoot.
Generallydoublepitchedroofwithgables.
The main structures may be in bamboos or timber. The design has to consider the loads. Timber of
inadequatedimensionscanbeveryheavy.
Itissuggestedtoassembletrussesinsteadofrafters,sincethehorizontalbottomchordtiestheinclined
topchordsconstrainingtheirpushingoutwardforces.
Anyelementsoftheroofstructureshouldbetiedtoeachother.
Alljoistsorbeamsintheroofstructureneedtobeindividuallytiedtopurlins.
Theroofmustalsobesecurelytiedtothewallstructure.
The trusses may be simple, with rafters and collar tie, for span of 910 length, for span over 10 it
wouldbesuggestedatrusseswithwindbrace.
Allloadbearingelementsoftheroofstructure,columns,beamsandjoistshavetobenotplacedabove
doororwindowopenings.Anyopeningsprovideweaknessesinthewalls,becausereducetheportionof
bearingwalls,thusplacingtheloadbearingelementsrightabovetheopeningsmaycausefailureinthe
wallswithcracksandevencollapseoftheportioninterested.
Any elements of the roof structure should be tied to each other. All joists or beams in the roof
structure need to be individually tied to purlins. The roof must also be securely tied to the wall
structure. Well fastening ensure a good resistance to the strong wind and is a kind of DRR against
earthquake
Roofs have different load distribution arrangements, as the concentration of loads underneath the
beams, thus in order to distribute equally the roof loads a top plateband or ring beam should be
provided at the top of the walls. It should be continuous encircling the walls, this provides a way of
fastening the walls together at the top to prevent pushing outward forces of the roof and in case of
horizontalseismicforces
In case of pitched roof with two gables, placing platesbands at the top of the wall (without gables)
distributetheloadsandconstrainsthepushingforcesoftheraftersoutwards.
Itissuggestedtoassembletrussesinsteadofrafters,sincethehorizontalbottomchordtiestheinclined
topchordsconstrainingtheirpushingoutwardforces.
Rooftoppingcanbemadewithmanydifferentmaterialsaslongastheitemsarelightweight,strong,
durable,secured,waterproof,insulatingandmaintainable.
Anymaterialthatsoakwaterormeltshouldbeavoided
Acommonpracticeistheuseofathatchorotherstructuralsystem,plasticsheetingwithamudplaster
layer,protectedwithafinalwaterproofinglayer.
Lime plaster or a bitumen mixture may provide a waterresistant finish to the roof that should be
reappliedpriorandafterannualrains.
Abovethesemistructuralmatofstraworthatch,apolythenesheet,alayerofstabilizedmudhaveto
beappliedin2coats,thethicknessmaybe2,or1forpitchedroof.
Note:themudlayershouldnotbeapplieddirectlyontheplasticsheet.
Thelastcoatshouldbeawaterproofingone.Limemudplastermayimprovethewaterresistance.
Bitumen mixed with stabilized mud mortar is an effective treatment, it is waterproofing and fire
resistant.Itshouldbepreparedbymixingbitumenwithkeroseneoil(5:1)andmud(1.5kgofbitumen
for30kgofmud).
Anoverhangoftheroof,oreaves,of15"minimumwillpreventrainwaterfromrunningdownmudor
plaster of the walls and soaking into the structure and plash the plinth. This will aid the structures
resilience.
Forflatroofitisimportantarightslopetoallowtherainwatertowashawayquickly,thestagnancy
upontheroofallowtherainwatersoakingthetoplayersandpenetrateinthecoreofwalls.
Wherethereisaparapetiscompulsorytoprovide1or2waterspouts,theslopeshavetobearranged
accordingly(minimum1%).
Thewaterspoutsshouldbeminimum2.5andprojectminimum8.
The waterspouts have to be well sealed with bitumen without any discontinuity in order to prevent
waterraintopenetrateinthestructureofroofandwallsabove.
AnotheroptionmaybeCGIspoutinUshape.
11

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

Maintenance

LohKat
Notes

EstimatedUnitCost

Theuseofguttersforcatchrainwatermaybeconsidered;obviouslytheslopehastobeadequatein
caseofflatroof
replasterwithlimemudorbitumenmudmortartheroofatleastonceanyearorwhenevernecessary
periodiccleaningofthewaterspouts
verifythegoodconnectionoftheelementofthestructures(pole,rafter,purlinandbracing)
retreatagainsttermitethebamboosandwoodenelementsonceanyearorwhenevernecessary
informtheownersregardingperiodictreatmentastermitetreatment,annualreplasteringoftheroof,
periodiccleaningofthewaterspouts

COSTESTIMATE
The costs of materials may sensitively increase after any catastrophic events due to the scarcity of
materialsavailableonthelocalmarketsandthedifficultyorimpossibilityoffrequenttransportation.In
additionofthatithastobenotedthecostsvaryfromdistricttodistricteverysemester.Thereforeitis
suggestedtoupgradethecostestimateaccordinglytothelastofficialquotationsofthepriceanalysisby
districtwise.
XXXUSD

TheMUDshelterisbuiltwithunreinforcedlayersofamixtureofmudandstraw.Thewallsneedto
be at least18 thickand should be plastered. Careneed tobe put inthe choice of beamsand its
placement.Commonlytheroofismadeofthatchorotherstructuralsystem,plasticsheetingwitha
mudplasterlayer,protectedwithafinalwaterproofinglayer.

LokKhat

Mud

Adobe

BurnBrick

ConcreteBrick

Mud
GenericGuidance

BEARINGFOUNDATIONSANDFOUNDATIONS
Excavationdepthminimum18belowundisturbedgroundorcompactedsoil.
thebearingfoundations(underfoundations)shouldbeinstones
Thewallstructureneedstopenetratetoaminimumof18"inthegroundreachingthesolidlayerand
beingreinforcedwithcementorlime/mudposts,toensurestabilityoftheshelter
minimum dimension for the foundations are 2.5wide footings founded 2 below the natural surface
level(NSL)dimensionmayincreasewithmudmortar
SpecificGuidance
Excavationdepthminimum18belowundisturbedgroundorcompactedsoil.
Ifthereisaskeleton(wallcolumns),thewallstructureorneedstopenetratetoaminimumof18"inthe
groundreachingthesolidlayerandbeingreinforcedwithcementorlime/mudposts,toensurestability
oftheshelter
Notesand
Ataperedfoundations(continuousplint)betterdistributetheloadtotheground.Itcanbeobtainedby
recommendations ramminginframeworkwellcompacted
Thefoundationscanbeinstones,infiredbricks,inconcrete;cementsandmortarshouldbeused
taperingorrammingframeworkmudmaybeimprovedbyaddingcementandlimeforwaterproofing
Wallcolumnsinwoodenpoleorbricksmayreinforcethestructure(DRRagainstearthquake)
When the mud shelter has a skeleton, appropriate anchoring details for the foundation should be
considered
Mud
RAISEDPLINTHFLOOR
GenericGuidance
Thefloorlevelshouldberaisedtoatleast16upto3abovetheNaturalSurfaceLevel(NSL)adoptinga
continuousplint.
Generalrecommendationistoprotectfurthermorethefoundationsbelowfloorlevelbyraisinganearth
platform 3 wide at the top and tapering to NSL over 6. (i.e 1 in 2 slope minimum.) The top of this
platformshouldbe6belowfloorlevel.
Adampproofcourse(DPC)atplinthleveliscompulsoryinordertopreventmoisturerisingintothewalls.
ADPCiseitherathinlayerofconcreteatplinthlevelwithplasticononesurfaceorsimplyastrongplastic
layer
DRRimprovements taperedorrammingframeworkmudmaybeimprovedbyaddingcementandlimeforwaterproofing
(Floodand
theplinthmaybeinstones,infiredbricksinconcrete,cement/sandmortarhastobeused.
earthquake)
at the top of the plinth is proposed an horizontal reinforcement , with bamboos or timber, well
12

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

connectedwiththeverticalpoles,overlapandtiethematthecorners
replaster with lime/mud/cement mortar the raised plinth at least once yearly, before the monson
season,andwhenevernecessary
SUPERSTRUCTURE
Mud walls (mixture of mud and straw) unreinforced with any other materials should be minimum 18
thickatthebase(22.5preferred).Wallsshouldnottapertolessthan13"atthetop.(1.5ispreferred)
Thethicknesswillprovideresilienceanddistributionoftheloadfromrooftoground.
Theresistanceandthedurabilityofthewalldependonthecompaction.
Thecompactioncanbeimprovedbyrammingthewalls.
Unreinforced mud walls should be built upin layers of notgreater than 12" thicknessper day. These
layershavetobecuredorhardenedpriortoapplicationofsubsequentlayers.Timeoffermentationof
mudwillvaryaccordingtoweatherconditionsatthetimeofconstruction.Anestimateof3to4daysper
layerissuggested.Localknowledgeshouldbesoughtregardingappropriatelengthoftimeforcuring.
therightwidthplinthandtheplumbofthewallsthemselvesensurethestability
Notesand
Themudusedforthewallshastobecarefullyselected.
recommendations Sand,limeandcementmaybeaddedindifferentproportions.
DRR
for Themudwallsareheavyandwillperformbadlyinearthquake
earthquake
Mudwallslongerthan14shouldhaveintermediatecrosspartitionwall.
resistance:
Theuseofbuttressesmaysupportthestabilityoflongwallandcorner.
Jointandbinding Buttressescanbefullorpartialheight,straightorinclined
Reinforcedbands DRRearthquakeresistanceofmudwallsmaybeimprovedbyverticalandhorizontalreinforcementand
stichesatcornerandintersectionofpartitionwalls.

verticalelementsasbamboosortimberprovideconfinementtothewallsanddirectlysupporttheroof
thehorizontalreinforcementsavoidtheseparationofthewall,theymaybedonewithsteel,wiremesh,
timber,bambooandsevenjutarolls.
thebandatrooflevelshouldbealwaysexecuted
alsostitchesascuttimberorcanemaybeinsertedineachcornerandjunction.theyshouldextend3
fromeachsideandverticallyprovidedatevery2
DRRflood
A limemud mix (1 : 3 mixture) for plaster may provide some waterproof resistance to the inner
resistance(plaster structure.
asprotectiveand
Alsobitumenstabilizedmudmortarisaneffectivetreatment,itmakeswaterproofingandfireresistant
expendable
thewalls.Itshouldbepreparedbymixingbitumenwithkeroseneoil(5:1)andmud(1.5kgofbitumenfor
30kgofmud)
surface)
Amudtoemayfurtherprotectthebottomofthewallsfromdisintegration
Thewallshavetobeplasteredtilltherooflevelwith2/3coats
Maintenance
replaster with lime/mud/cement mortar the walls at least yearly or whenever necessary (wornout

plaster)
reapplythefilmofbitumenyearlybeforethemonsoonseason
Openings
Openingswithinthewallspaceshouldnottakeupanareagreaterthan50%ofthewall.
Doorsandwindows Openingsshouldbehigherthanwider
Windows and doors should be kept a minimum of 2 ft from corners and from each other and open
outwards.
Thedoorsshouldopenoutwardsforfiresafetypurpose
Lintels
Inordertobearanddistributetheloadofthewallabovetheopenings,lintelsshouldtobeinstalled.

Lintelsshouldbeminimum2thickand6longerthantheopeningoneachside.
Lintelsshouldbedesignedbasedontheloadbeingcarriedoverhead
Forshortspanstimberplateortiedbamboos(23)maybeanoption,whichsoundsmoreappropriateto
themudstructure.
Theprecastconcretelintelmaybeagoodoption
Thelintelmaybeexecutedwithbrickssystemusingn.2steels#3andcementmortar.
Ventilation
Theventilationisveryimportantmainlyduringthesummerthatisveryhotinseveralarea.
Twowindowsmayensureventilation.Alternativelyoneortwoventilators,executedontheoppositeside
ofthewindow(generallyonthebackwall)mayensureagoodventilation.
Thedimensionsdependonthesizeoftheshelter,itmaybeoneof2x1ortwo1x1
Insomeareas,wherethesummerisveryhot,itmaybesuggestedtoincreasetheheightoftheshelterto
improvetheinternalventilation(inthiscasetheentirestructureoftheshelterhastoberecalculated)
notethiswillincreasethecostoftheshelter

Mud
ROOF
Genericguidance
Roofdesignshouldallowforliveanddeadloads.Liveloads areappliedloadssuchasrain,wind,snowor
Maintenance

Mud
Walls
Corematerialsand
techniques

13

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

Mainstructure

Noteand
recommendations
DRRfor
earthquake
resistance

Coveringpackage
Genericguidance

Coveringpackage
Specificguidance

usage for grain or livestock. Dead loads are those including the makeup of the roof structure such as
beams,straw,mud,cementetc.
Abamboo orother lightweightroofcan be usedforallconstructionmethodologies, while steelgirder
rooforsimilarheavyroofrequiresastrongbearingstructure,thereforeitisonlysuitableforfiredbrick,
concreteblock,engineeredsteelframeshelters
Athickmudlayerwilladdalotofloadtotheroofandmaycausesevere,damagingstraintotheroof
structureandloadbearingwalls.
Timberelementsmayinsomecasesbelargerloadsthansteelorotheralternatives.
Bambooandtimberaresusceptibletotermites.Adequatetreatmentshouldbeprovidedtotimberand
bamboomaterials
Timber,bambooorstrawroofsarenotsuitableforindoorcookingorheatingfires.
A conical or foursided pitched roof is preferable in areas where wind loads are a consideration,
particularlycyclonevulnerableareas.
Gableendsorflatsurfacesmaybemorestressbyresistingtothewindforce
The pitch of a roof will vary based on the wind conditions in the area, however a maximum pitch is
advisedof30forsimplepitchedroofs.
Amonopitchedroofmayhaveapitchofupto10toallowadequatedrainageofrainwater.
Intheflatroofaminimumslopeshouldbe3/8"perfoot.
Abambooorotherlightweightroofcanbeusedforallconstructionmethodologies.
As main beams threefour bamboos tied together may work. The number of main bamboos beams
shouldbetwo.
Timberofadequatesectionandweightmaybeanoption;abearingpadshouldbeplacedunderneath.
Steelgirderarenotadvisable,incaseabearingplatehastobeinsertunderneaththegirderinorderto
distributeitsload
The secondary structure of purlin may made by bamboos well sized. The distance between bamboos
shouldbenotmorethan1(1brick),theirlengthhastobeenoughtooverlapthethicknessofwalls
Abovethebamboosamatofchick,straw,thatchandplasticsheetisgenerallyused.Strawandplastic
sheethavetobeincorporateinthetopofthewallsbythefinalplastering.
Bamboos,timberandstrawshouldbetreatedagainsttermites.
Tironandtilesareforbiddenformudwalls
Allloadbearingelementsoftheroofstructure,columns,beamsandjoistshavetobenotplacedabove
doororwindowopenings.Anyopeningsprovideweaknessesinthewalls,becausereducetheportionof
bearingwalls, thus placingtheloadbearingelementsrightabovetheopeningsmay causefailureinthe
wallswithcracksandevencollapseoftheportioninterested.
Anyelementsoftheroofstructureshouldbetiedtoeachother.Alljoistsorbeamsintheroofstructure
need to be individually tied to purlins. The roof must also be securely tied to the wall structure. Well
fasteningensureagoodresistancetothestrongwindandisakindofDRRagainstearthquake
Roofs have different load distribution arrangements, as the concentration of loads underneath the
beams, thus in order to distribute equally the roof loads a top plate/band or ring beam should be
provided at the top of the walls. It should be continuous encircling the walls, this provides a way of
fastening the walls together at the top to prevent pushing outward forces of the roof and in case of
horizontalseismicforces.
In case of pitched roof with two gables placing plates/bands at the top of the wall (without gables)
distributetheloadsandconstrainsthepushingforcesoftherafters.
Itissuggestedtoassembletrussesinsteadofrafters,sincethehorizontalbottomchordtiestheinclined
topchordsconstrainingtheirpushingoutwardforces.
Roof topping can be made with many different materials as long as the items are lightweight, strong,
durable,secured,waterproof,insulatingandmaintainable.
Anymaterialthatsoakwaterormeltshouldbeavoided
Acommonpracticeistheuseofathatchorotherstructuralsystem,plasticsheetingwithamudplaster
layer,protectedwithafinalwaterproofinglayer.
Lime plaster or a bitumen mixture may provide a waterresistant finish to the roof that should be
reappliedpriorandafterannualrains.
Abovethesemistructuralmatofstraworthatch,apolythenesheet,alayerofstabilizedmudhavetobe
appliedin23coats,thethicknessmaybe3maximum.Themudlayermaymakeheavythestructure.
Thelastcoatshouldbeawaterproofing.Lime/mudplastermayimprovethewaterresistance.
Bitumen mixed with stabilized mud mortar is an effective treatment, it is waterproofing and fire
resistant.Itshouldbepreparedbymixing(5:1)bitumenwithkeroseneoilandmud(1.5kgofbitumenfor
30kgofmud).
Alsotheanimaldump,mixedwithmud,maybeakindofwaterproofingasanecofriendlyoption
14

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

In case of flat roof, the coats of plaster have to incorporate the top of the walls and the parapet,
protecting the matting of plastic sheet and straw and the structure of roof, as a kind of waterproofing
capping.ThisisaDRRthatwillavoidtherainwatertopenetrateintheconnectionroof/walls.
DRRwaterproofing Anoverhangoftheroof,oreaves,of15"minimumwillpreventrainwaterfromrunningdownmudor
anddrainage
plaster of the walls and soaking into the structure and plash the plinth. This will aid the structures
resilience.
For flat roof it is important a right slope to allow the rain water to wash away quickly, the stagnancy
upontheroofallowtherainwatersoakingthetoplayersandpenetrateinthecoreofwalls.
Wherethereisaparapetiscompulsorytoprovide1or2waterspouts,theslopeshavetobearranged
accordingly(minimum1%).
Thewaterspoutsshouldbeminimum2.5andprojectminimum8.
The waterspouts have to be well sealed with bitumen without any discontinuity in order to prevent
waterraintopenetrateinthestructureofroofandwallsabove.
AnotheroptionmaybeCGIspoutinUshape.
The use ofguttersfor catch rain water may beconsidered; obviously the slope has to beadequate in
caseofflatroof
Maintenance
replasterwithlimemudorbitumenmudmortartheroofatleastonceanyearorwhenevernecessary

periodiccleaningofthewaterspouts
reapplythefilmofbitumenyearlybeforethemonsoonseason
verifythegoodconnectionoftheelementofthestructures(beamsandpurlin)
retreatagainsttermitethebamboosandwoodenelementsonceanyearorwhenevernecessary
informtheownersregardingperiodictreatmentastermitetreatment,annualreplasteringoftheroof,
periodiccleaningofthewaterspouts
Mud
COSTESTIMATE
Notes
The costs of materials may sensitively increase after any catastrophic events due to the scarcity of
materialsavailableonthelocalmarketsandthedifficultyorimpossibilityoffrequenttransportation.In
additionofthatithastobenotedthecostsvaryfromdistricttodistricteverysemester.Thereforeitis
suggestedtoupgradethecostestimateaccordinglytothelastofficialquotationsofthepriceanalysisby
districtwise.
EstimatedUnitCost XXXUSD

TheADOBEshelterisbuiltwithsundriedmudbricks.Thewallsneedtobeatleast13.5thick
and should be plastered. Care needs to be put in the choice of beams and its placement.
Commonlytheroofismadeofthatchorotherstructuralsystem,plasticsheetingwithamud
plasterlayer,protectedwithafinalwaterproofinglayer.

BurnBrick

ConcreteBrick

LohKat

Mud

Adobe
GenericGuidance

BEARINGFOUNDATIONSANDFOUNDATIONS
Foundations and platforms specification, depth and height, dependent on the site characteristics (soil,
elevation)andsuperstructure,materialsandloads,thustheirdepthandwidthhavetobedesignedona
casebycasebasis.
Theexcavationdepthmaybemorethan23innotcompactedsoils.
Generallythewidthoftheplatformshouldbealmostonethirdforeachside=1.62timesthethicknessof
thewalls.
Increasing the widthof wallsat the base will improve resilience andhelp keep longer the flood water
awayfromthebaseofthewallswhichwillextendorpreventthetimeofdisintegration(dependingon
thetimeofstagnancy)
Thefoundationsneedtohaveasealedbarrieratthebasetopreventthatthewaterpenetratesintothe
structurebothfromtheground(dampness)eitherfromstagnancy.Reinforcingthewallsatgroundlevel
byaddingconcreteplaster/pointinglayerormud/lime
Excavationdepthminimum18belowundisturbedgroundorcompactedsoil.
Ifthereisaskeleton(wallcolumns),thewallstructureorneedstopenetratetoaminimumof18"inthe
groundreachingthesolidlayerandbeingreinforcedwithcementorlime/mudposts,toensurestability
oftheshelter

SpecificGuidance

Adobe

15

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

Minimumdimensionforthefoundationsare2.5widefootingsfounded2belowthenaturalsurfacelevel
(NSL)dimensionmayincreasewithmudmortar
Notesand
Ataperedfoundationsmaybetterdistributetheloadtotheground,theyarealsoaneconomicoption.
recommendations Thefoundationscanbeinstones,infiredbricksinconcrete,cement/sandmortarhasbeused
Adobebrickarenotsuggestedforthefoundations,butincasecementmortarhastobeusedandthey
havetobeplasteredwithcement/sand/limetoimprovethewaterproofing
Wallcolumnsinwoodenpoleorbricksmayreinforcethestructure(DRRagainstearthquake)
Whentheadobehasaskeleton,appropriateanchoringdetailsforthefoundationshouldbeconsidered
Adobe
RAISEDPLINTHFLOOR
GenericGuidance
Thefloorlevelshouldberaisedtoatleast16upto3abovetheNaturalSurfaceLevel(NSL)adoptinga
continuousplint.
Generalrecommendationistoprotectfurthermorethefoundationsbelowfloorlevelbyraisinganearth
platform 3 wide at the top and tapering to NSL over 6. (i.e 1 in 2 slope minimum.) The top of this
platformshouldbe6belowfloorlevel.
Adampproofcourse(DPC)atplinthleveliscompulsoryinordertopreventmoisturerisingintothewalls.
ADPCiseitherathinlayerofconcreteatplinthlevelwithplasticononesurfaceorsimplyastrongplastic
layer
DRRimprovements theplinthmaybeinstones,infiredbricksinconcrete,cement/sandmortarhasbeenused.
(Floodand
at the top the plinth a reinforce band with 2 bars can ensure the earthquake resistance, in case of
earthquake)
concreteplinthitmaybereinforcedwith4bars
Maintenance
replaster with lime/mud/cement mortar the raised plinth at least once yearly, before the monson

season,andwhenevernecessary
incaseofreinforcedband:verifythatthebarsarenotexposeandcorroded,paintthemwithredoxidant
varnish.

Adobe
SUPERSTRUCTURE
Walls
Adobe brick construction should not be built less than 13.5" thick, in order to provide resilience and
Corematerialsand distributionoftheloadfromrooftoground.
techniques
itisimportantgoodexecutiontoreducetheweaknesses,starttobuildthewallsfromthecorners,and
getthebondcorrect,sinceweakcornersmakethesheltervulnerable.
lime and cement should be added to the mud mortar to increase the bonding capacity and the
waterproofing
Notesand
Inordertoimprovethedurabilityitmaybeused firedbricksfortheexternalfaceofwallsonlytillthesill
recommendations level,andtheabodebrickfortheinternal.Thethicknesswillbeminimum13.5aswell.

Anothersolutionmaybetousedfiredbrickswalls(fullwall)tillthesilllevelandabovewiththeadobe.
Thisincreasesthebearingcapacityandwaterproofresistance.
Ifonlyadobebrickareavailable,inordertoimprovethestabilityanddurabilityoftheshelter,itmaybe
increasedthethicknessatthebaseofwalls,tillsilllevel,upto18
Cementlimesandmortarispreferredtothemudmortar,althoughthewallshavetobeplastered.
DRR
for Suitable interlocking of adobe brick should be provided to ensure stability and durability of walls and
earthquake
provideearthquakeresistance.
resistance:
in order to reinforce the corners, the wall rows may be overlapped and projected at the corners, this
Jointandbinding providessuchabuttress.Alsoincreasingthethicknessatthecornersprovidesbuttresses
Reinforcedbands Itisalsorecommendedtousefiredbricksascolumnsforthecornersandopeningsofanadobestructure
Steelbarsmaybeusedasverticalreinforcementsatthecornersandjunctions

DRRflood
theAdobehaspoorwaterresistancethustheexternalwallshavetobeprotected.
resistance(plaster theadobeshelterhastobecompletelyplasteredexternally,whileinternallyatleasttillthesilllevel.
asprotectiveand
Aprotectivelayeriscompulsoryfortheexternalwallsandsuggestedfortheinternal.
Aprotectivelayerhastobeappliedatleasttill3abovethegroundlevel(bettersilllevel).
expendable
Theprotectivelayermaybeaecofriendlyoneaslimemudmixture,oranimaldungmixedwithmud,or
surface)
inalternativeafilmofbitumenmixedwithkeroseneoil.
bitumenwithstabilizedmudmortarisaneffectivetreatment,itmakeswaterproofingandfireresistant
thewalls.Itshouldbepreparedbymixingbitumenwithkeroseneoil(5:1)andmud(1.5kgofbitumenfor
30kgofmud)
Itissuggesttouselime/cementplastertillsilllevelforwaterproofresistance(appliedonthebitumen
film).
Abovethesillleveltheuseoflimemudplaster(1:3mixture)mayimprovethewaterproofresistanceto
theinneroftheupperstructure
Thecoatshavetobe23appliedbycuringandinsequencetilltherooflevel
Maintenance
replaster with lime/mud/cement mortar the raised plinth at least once an year before the monsoon
16

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

Openingdoor
window

Lintels

Ventilation

Adobe
Genericguidance

Mainstructure

Noteand
recommendations
DRRfor
earthquake

season,andwhenevernecessary(wornoutplaster)
reapplytheprotectivefilm(mixturewithlime,oranimaldung,orbitumen)atleastonceanyearbefore
themonsoonseasonorwhenwornout
incaseofreinforcedband:verifythatthebarsarenotexposeandcorroded,paintthemwithredoxidant
varnish
Openingswithinthewallspaceshouldnottakeupanareagreaterthan50%ofthewall.
Openingsshouldbehigherthanwider
Windows and doors should be kept a minimum of 2 ft from corners and from each other and open
outwards.
Thedoorsshouldopenoutwardsforfiresafetypurpose
Inordertobearanddistributetheloadofthewallabovetheopenings,lintelsshouldtobeinstalled.
Lintelsshouldbeminimum2thickand6longerthantheopeningoneachside.
Lintelsshouldbedesignedbasedontheloadbeingcarriedoverhead
Forshortspanstimberplateortiedbamboos(23)maybeanoption,whichsoundsmoreappropriateto
theadobestructure.
Theprecastconcretelintelmaybeagoodoption
Thelintelmaybeexecutedwithbrickssystemusingn.2steels#3andcementmortar.
Theventilationisveryimportantmainlyduringthesummerthatisveryhotinseveralareas.
Two windows may ensure ventilation. Alternatively one or two ventilators, executed on the opposite
sideofthewindow(generallyonthebackwall)mayensuregoodventilation.
Thedimensionsdependonthesizeoftheshelter,itmaybeoneof2x1ortwo1x1
Insomeareas,wherethesummerisveryhot,itmaybesuggestedtoincreasetheheightoftheshelterto
improvetheinternalventilation(inthiscasetheentirestructureoftheshelterhastoberecalculated)
notethiswillincreasethecostoftheshelter
ROOF
Roofdesignshouldallowforliveanddeadloads.Liveloadsareappliedloadssuchasrain,wind,snowor
usage for grain or livestock. Dead loads are those including the makeup of the roof structure such as
beams,straw,mud,cementetc.
Abamboo orother lightweightroofcan be usedforallconstructionmethodologies, while steelgirder
rooforsimilarheavyroofrequiresastrongbearingstructure,thereforeitisonlysuitableforfiredbrick,
concreteblock,engineeredsteelframeshelters
Athickmudlayerwilladdalotofloadtotheroofandmaycausesevere,damagingstraintotheroof
structureandloadbearingwalls.
Timberelementsmayinsomecasesbelargerloadsthansteelorotheralternatives.
Bambooandtimberaresusceptibletotermites.Adequatetreatmentshouldbeprovidedtotimberand
bamboomaterials
Timber,bambooorstrawroofsarenotsuitableforindoorcookingorheatingfires.
A conical or foursided pitched roof is preferable in areas where wind loads are a consideration,
particularlycyclonevulnerableareas.
Gableendsorflatsurfacesmaybemorestressbyresistingtothewindforce
The pitch of a roof will vary based on the wind conditions in the area, however a maximum pitch is
advisedof30forsimplepitchedroofs.
Amonopitchedroofmayhaveapitchofupto10toallowadequatedrainageofrainwater.
Intheflatroofaminimumslopeshouldbe3/8"perfoot.
Abambooorotherlightweightroofcanbeusedforallconstructionmethodologies.
As main beams threefour bamboos tied together may work. The number of main bamboos beams
shouldbetwo.
Timberofadequatesectionandweightmaybeanoption;abearingpadshouldbeplacedunderneath.
Steelgirderarenotadvisable,incaseabearingplatehastobeinsertunderneaththegirderinorderto
distributeitsload
The secondary structure of purlin may made by bamboos well sized. The distance between bamboos
shouldbenotmorethan1(1brick),theirlengthhastobeenoughtooverlapthethicknessofwalls
Abovethebamboosamatofchick,straw,thatchandplasticsheetisgenerallyused.Strawandplastic
sheethavetobeincorporateinthetopofthewallsbythefinalplastering.
Bamboos,timberandstrawshouldbetreatedagainsttermites.
Tironandtilesarestronglynotadvisableforadobe.
Allloadbearingelementsoftheroofstructure,columns,beamsandjoistshavetobenotplacedabove
doororwindowopenings.Anyopeningsprovideweaknessesinthewalls,becausereducetheportionof
bearingwalls, thus placingtheloadbearingelementsrightabovetheopeningsmay causefailureinthe
wallswithcracksandevencollapseoftheportioninterested.
17

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

resistance

Coveringpackage
Genericguidance

Coveringpackage
Specificguidance

DRRwaterproofing
anddrainage

Maintenance

Adobe
Notes

EstimatedUnit
Cost

Anyelementsoftheroofstructureshouldbetied toeachother.Alljoistsorbeamsintheroofstructure
need to be individually tied to purlins. The roof must also be securely tied to the wall structure. Well
fasteningensureagoodresistancetothestrongwindandisakindofDRRagainstearthquake
Roofs have different load distribution arrangements, as the concentration of loads underneath the
beams, thus in order to distribute equally the roof loads a top plate/band or ring beam should be
provided at the top of the walls. It should be continuous encircling the walls, this provides a way of
fastening the walls together at the top to prevent pushing outward forces of the roof and in case of
horizontalseismicforces.
In case of pitched roof with two gables placing plates/bands at the top of the wall (without gables)
distributetheloadsandconstrainsthepushingforcesoftherafters.
Itissuggestedtoassembletrussesinsteadofrafters,sincethehorizontalbottomchordtiestheinclined
topchordsconstrainingtheirpushingoutwardforces.
Roof topping can be made with many different materials as long as the items are lightweight, strong,
durable,secured,waterproof,insulatingandmaintainable.
Anymaterialthatsoakwaterormeltshouldbeavoided
Acommonpracticeistheuseofathatchorotherstructuralsystem,plasticsheetingwithamudplaster
layer,protectedwithafinalwaterproofinglayer.
Lime plaster or a bitumen mixture may provide a waterresistant finish to the roof that should be
reappliedpriorandafterannualrains.
Abovethesemistructuralmatofstraworthatch,apolythenesheet,alayerofstabilizedmudhavetobe
appliedin23coats,thethicknessmaybe3maximum.Themudlayermaymakeheavythestructure.
Thelastcoatshouldbeawaterproofing.Lime/mudplastermayimprovethewaterresistance.
Bitumen mixed with stabilized mud mortar is an effective treatment, it is waterproofing and fire
resistant.Itshouldbepreparedbymixing(5:1)bitumenwithkeroseneoilandmud(1.5kgofbitumenfor
30kgofmud).
Alsotheanimaldump,mixedwithmud,maybeakindofwaterproofingasanecofriendlyoption
In case of flat roof, the coats of plaster have to incorporate the top of the walls and the parapet,
protecting the matting of plastic sheet and straw and the structure of roof, as a kind of waterproofing
capping.ThisisaDRRthatwillavoidtherainwatertopenetrateintheconnectionroof/walls.
Anoverhangoftheroof,oreaves,of15"minimumwillpreventrainwaterfromrunningdownmudor
plaster of the walls and soaking into the structure and plash the plinth. This will aid the structures
resilience.
For flat roof it is important a right slope to allow the rain water to wash away quickly, the stagnancy
upontheroofallowtherainwatersoakingthetoplayersandpenetrateinthecoreofwalls.
Wherethereisaparapetiscompulsorytoprovide1or2waterspouts,theslopeshavetobearranged
accordingly(minimum1%).
Thewaterspoutsshouldbeminimum2.5andprojectminimum8.
The waterspouts have to be well sealed with bitumen without any discontinuity in order to prevent
waterraintopenetrateinthestructureofroofandwallsabove.
AnotheroptionmaybeCGIspoutinUshape.
The use ofguttersfor catch rain water may beconsidered; obviously the slope has to beadequate in
caseofflatroof
replasterwithlimemudorbitumenmudmortartheroofatleastonceanyearorwhenevernecessary
periodiccleaningofthewaterspouts
reapplythefilmofbitumenyearlybeforethemonsoonseason
verifythegoodconnectionoftheelementofthestructures(beamsandpurlin)
retreatagainsttermitethebamboosandwoodenelementsonceanyearorwhenevernecessary
informtheownersregardingperiodictreatmentastermitetreatment,annualreplasteringoftheroof,
periodiccleaningofthewaterspouts
COSTESTIMATE
The costs of materials may sensitively increase after any catastrophic events due to the scarcity of
materialsavailableonthelocalmarketsandthedifficultyorimpossibilityoffrequenttransportation.In
additionofthatithastobenotedthecostsvaryfromdistricttodistricteverysemester.Thereforeitis
suggestedtoupgradethecostestimateaccordinglytothelastofficialquotationsofthepriceanalysisby
districtwise.
XXXUSD

18

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

The BURN BRICK shelter is built with fired bricks. The walls need to be at least 9 thick and
shouldbeplastered.Careneedstobeputinthechoiceofbeamsanditsplacement.Commonly
theroofismadeofthatchorotherstructuralsystem,plasticsheetingwithamudplasterlayer,
protectedwithafinalwaterproofinglayer.

LohKat

Mud

Adobe

BurnBrick

Concretebrick

BurnBrick
GenericGuidance

BEARINGFOUNDATIONSANDFOUNDATIONS
Foundations and platforms specification, depth and height, dependent on the site characteristics (soil,
elevation)andsuperstructure,materialsandloads,thustheirdepthandwidthhavetobedesignedona
casebycasebasis.
Theexcavationdepthmaybemorethan23innotcompactedsoils.
Generallythewidthoftheplatformshouldbealmostonethirdforeachside=1.62timesthethicknessof
thewalls.
Increasing the widthof wallsat the base will improve resilience andhelp keep longer the flood water
awayfromthebaseofthewallswhichwillextendorpreventthetimeofdisintegration(dependingon
thetimeofstagnancy)
Thefoundationsneedtohaveasealedbarrieratthebasetopreventthatthewaterpenetratesintothe
structurebothfromtheground(dampness)eitherfromstagnancy.Reinforcingthewallsatgroundlevel
byaddingconcreteplaster/pointinglayerormud/lime
SpecificGuidance
Excavationdepthminimum24belowundisturbedgroundorcompactedsoil.
Thewallstructureorcolumns(reinforcedmasonry)shouldextendtothesamedepthof24"toreachthe
solidlayerandensurestability
Minimumdimensionforthefoundationsare2widefootingsfounded2belowthenaturalsurfacelevel
(NSL)
Notesand
Brickmasonryhasheavyloadandrequireaconcrete,stoneorbrickfoundationtodistributetheloadto
recommendations thegroundandthusensurestabilityofthewall
Appropriateanchoringdetailsforthefoundationshouldbeconsidered
theplinthcanbeplasteredwithcement/sand/limeforimprovethewaterproofing
burntbrickmaybeabetteroptionforfoundationduetotheirwaterproofingcharacteristics
inordertoimprovethestabilityofthetrench,alayerofcement/soilmaybepouredunderfoundation.
Thesuggestedmixture(stabilizedsoil)issand(27%)soil(70%)cement(3%);thethicknessshouldbe6
minimum.
BurnBrick
RAISEDPLINTHFLOOR
GenericGuidance
Thefloorlevelshouldberaisedtoatleast16upto3abovetheNaturalSurfaceLevel(NSL)adoptinga
continuousplint.
Generalrecommendationistoprotectfurthermorethefoundationsbelowfloorlevelbyraisinganearth
platform 3 wide at the top and tapering to NSL over 6. (i.e 1 in 2 slope minimum.) The top of this
platformshouldbe6belowfloorlevel.
Adampproofcourse(DPC)atplinthleveliscompulsoryinordertopreventmoisturerisingintothewalls.
ADPCiseitherathinlayerofconcreteatplinthlevelwithplasticononesurfaceorsimplyastrongplastic
layer
DRRimprovements theplinthmaybewithfiredbricksorinconcrete,cement/sandmortarhasbeused.
(Floodand
theplinthcanbeplasteredwithcement/sand/limeforimprovethewaterproofing
earthquake)
at the top the plinth a reinforce band with 24 bars can ensure the earthquake resistance, in case of
concreteplinthitmaybereinforcedwith4bars
Maintenance
replaster with lime/mud/cement mortar the raised plinth at least once yearly, before the monson

season,andwhenevernecessary
incaseofreinforcedband:verifythatthebarsarenotexposeandcorroded,paintthemwithredoxidant
varnish
BurnBrick
SUPERSTRUCTURE
Walls
Firedbrickwallsmaydifferinsizedependingonstructuraldesign.
Corematerialsand Theminimumrequirementis9,i.e.thelengthofabrick
techniques
Increasingthethicknessprovidestability,durabilityand waterproofing,itmaybe13.5i.e.1.5bricks
length.
19

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

Alternatethedisplacementofthebrickeachrowstoensuretheinterlocking
Constructfromcornerstocenter
Ensuregoodconnectionfromplinthtowallsandinterlockbricksatcorners
Reinforcelongwallsatcentre
Avoidtoowideverticaljoints,andtoothickbeddingjoints
Hollowblockwallsshouldbereinforcedusingsteelorsimilarmaterials
Cementorlimeandsandbasedmortarshouldbeusedforbonding.
CementMortarforGeneralPurposeUse(butthemixcanbeharsh)1Cement:4FineSand
CementLimeMortarforBlockandBricklaying,plastersandRenders:1Cement:1Lime:6Sand
LimeMortarforBlockandBricklaying:1Lime:3Sand
All junctions of the wall at base, top and corners need to be tied, either through interlocking or
Notesand
recommendations reinforcementelementsliketimberorsteel.
Careshouldbetakentoensuresaltinthesandisofverylowlevels,assaltwilldamagethemortar

Itisnotadvisabletobuildmorethe3sheltersinline,sincelongwallshaveanegativeseismicresponse
DRR
for ThicknessandgoodexecutionconsistinDRRthemselves.
earthquake
Reinforcedbandatfloorlevel,silllevel,lintellevelandrooflevelareDRRmeasuresagainstearthquakes.
resistance:
Thebandshavetobecontinuous,interlockingthebarsatcorners.
Jointandbinding Thenumberofbarsmaybe24dependingontheheightoftheband.
Reinforcedbands Thefloorandtopbandsaresuggestedtobe34with4bars#4,whiletheonesatsillandlintelmaybe
2with2bars#3.

ThetopbandshouldbeprovidedinanycaseasabasicDRRagainstearthquake.
Verticalreinforcementswithsteelbarscollaboratetothestabilityandseismicresilienceoftheshelter.
Theverticalbarshavetobeinterlockedwiththehorizontalones.
Columnsinreinforcedconcrete,alongwithreinforcedhorizontalbandsimprovetheseismicresistance.
Thiskindofstructure,namedCONFINEDMASONRYisthemoresuitableinseismicareas,butobviously
itisexpansive.
DRRflood
The external plastering is always a good practice, since it protects the masonry from rain, wind and
resistance(plaster stagnantwater,prolongingitsdurability.
asprotectiveand
Itissuggestedcement/lime/plasteratleasttillthesilllevel.
expendable
Pointingisanoptionfromthesillleveluptotheroof.
Plasteringthewholewallsispreferable.
surface)
Plasteringismandatoryformud/limemortarexecution.
Whilepointingissuggestedanywayincaseofgoodqualityofbricks,cementmortarandgoodexecution
ofthemasonry.
Maintenance
replaster with lime/mud/cement mortar the raised plinth at least once an year before the monsoon

season,andwhenevernecessary(wornoutplaster)
replastertheexternalwallsatleastonceanyearbeforethemonsoonseason,andwhenevernecessary
incaseofreinforcedband:verifythatthebarsarenotexposeandcorroded,paintthemwithredoxidant
varnish
Openingdoor
Openingswithinthewallspaceshouldnottakeupanareagreaterthan50%ofthewall.
window
Openingsshouldbehigherthanwider
Windows and doors should be kept a minimum of 2 ft from corners and from each other and open
outwards.
Thedoorsshouldopenoutwardsforfiresafetypurpose
Lintels
Inordertobearanddistributetheloadofthewallabovetheopenings,lintelsshouldtobeinstalled.

Lintelsshouldbeminimum2thickand6longerthantheopeningoneachside.
Lintelsshouldbedesignedbasedontheloadbeingcarriedoverhead
Forshortspanstimberplateortiedbamboos(23)maybeanoption,whichsoundsmoreappropriateto
theadobestructure.
Theprecastconcretelintelmaybeagoodoption
Thelintelmaybeexecutedwithbrickssystemusingn.2steels#3andcementmortar.
Ventilation
Theventilationisveryimportantmainlyduringthesummerthatisveryhotinseveralareas.
Two windows may ensure ventilation. Alternatively one or two ventilators, executed on the opposite
sideofthewindow(generallyonthebackwall)mayensuregoodventilation.
Thedimensionsdependonthesizeoftheshelter,itmaybeoneof2x1ortwo1x1
Insomeareas,wherethesummerisveryhot,itmaybesuggestedtoincreasetheheightoftheshelterto
improvetheinternalventilation(inthiscasetheentirestructureoftheshelterhastoberecalculated)
notethiswillincreasethecostoftheshelter
BurnBrick
ROOF
Genericguidance
Roofdesignshouldallowforliveanddeadloads.Liveloadsareappliedloadssuchasrain,wind,snowor
20

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

Mainstructure

Noteand
recommendations
DRRfor
earthquake
resistance

Coveringpackage
Genericguidance

Coveringpackage
Specificguidance

usage for grain or livestock. Dead loads are those including the makeup of the roof structure such as
beams,straw,mud,cementetc.
Abamboo orother lightweightroofcan be usedforallconstructionmethodologies, while steelgirder
rooforsimilarheavyroofrequiresastrongbearingstructure,thereforeitisonlysuitableforfiredbrick,
concreteblock,engineeredsteelframeshelters
Athickmudlayerwilladdalotofloadtotheroofandmaycausesevere,damagingstraintotheroof
structureandloadbearingwalls.
Timberelementsmayinsomecasesbelargerloadsthansteelorotheralternatives.
Bambooandtimberaresusceptibletotermites.Adequatetreatmentshouldbeprovidedtotimberand
bamboomaterials
Timber,bambooorstrawroofsarenotsuitableforindoorcookingorheatingfires.
A conical or foursided pitched roof is preferable in areas where wind loads are a consideration,
particularlycyclonevulnerableareas.
Gableendsorflatsurfacesmaybemorestressbyresistingtothewindforce
The pitch of a roof will vary based on the wind conditions in the area, however a maximum pitch is
advisedof30forsimplepitchedroofs.
Amonopitchedroofmayhaveapitchofupto10toallowadequatedrainageofrainwater.
Intheflatroofaminimumslopeshouldbe3/8"perfoot.
Thisstructureissupposedtobemoreresistant,thusthesolutionofthebamboosbeamisnotsuitable,
neitherthelessisnotforbidden.
Timbersofadequatesizeandsteelgirdersaresuitableoptions.
ThegirderIbeamsizeshoulddependsonthenumber(1or2),loadsoftheroofandthicknessofwalls
Suggestedsizesare4x6or4x8,also5.5x2.5maybeused.
Bearingplate,orpad,hastobeinsertedunderneaththegirderinordertodistributeitsload.
Asteelplatemaybe12x8x0.5,aconcretetileorwoodenboardmaybeonoption.
Antioxidetreatmentissuggestedfortheiron/steelelements.
Thesecondarystructureofpurlinmaymadebybambooswellsized.
Thedistancebetweenbamboosshouldbenotmorethan1(1brick),theirlengthhastobeenoughto
overlapthethicknessofwalls
Abovethebamboosamatofchick,straw,thatchandplasticsheetisgenerallyused.Strawandplastic
sheethavetobeincorporateinthetopofthewallsbythefinalplastering.
Bamboos,timberandstrawshouldbetreatedagainsttermites.
AnalternativetotheIgirdermaybeaconcreteprecastbeam.
AnalternativetothebamboosandstrawaretheTbeams(Tiron)andtilesofcementorburnedclay.
Allloadbearingelementsoftheroofstructure,columns,beamsandjoistshavetobenotplacedabove
doororwindowopenings.Anyopeningsprovideweaknessesinthewalls,becausereducetheportionof
bearingwalls, thus placingtheloadbearingelementsrightabovetheopeningsmay causefailureinthe
wallswithcracksandevencollapseoftheportioninterested.
Anyelementsoftheroofstructureshouldbetiedtoeachother.Alljoistsorbeamsintheroofstructure
need to be individually tied to purlins. The roof must also be securely tied to the wall structure. Well
fasteningensureagoodresistancetothestrongwindandisakindofDRRagainstearthquake
Roofs have different load distribution arrangements, as the concentration of loads underneath the
beams, thus in order to distribute equally the roof loads a top plate/band or ring beam should be
provided at the top of the walls. It should be continuous encircling the walls, this provides a way of
fastening the walls together at the top to prevent pushing outward forces of the roof and in case of
horizontalseismicforces.
In case of pitched roof with two gables placing plates/bands at the top of the wall (without gables)
distributetheloadsandconstrainsthepushingforcesoftherafters.
Itissuggestedtoassembletrussesinsteadofrafters,sincethehorizontalbottomchordtiestheinclined
topchordsconstrainingtheirpushingoutwardforces.
Roof topping can be made with many different materials as long as the items are lightweight, strong,
durable,secured,waterproof,insulatingandmaintainable.
Anymaterialthatsoakwaterormeltshouldbeavoided
Acommonpracticeistheuseofathatchorotherstructuralsystem,plasticsheetingwithamudplaster
layer,protectedwithafinalwaterproofinglayer.
Lime plaster or a bitumen mixture may provide a waterresistant finish to the roof that should be
reappliedpriorandafterannualrains.
Abovethesemistructuralmatofstraworthatch,apolythenesheet,alayerofstabilizedmudhavetobe
appliedin23coats,thethicknessmaybe3maximum.Themudlayermaymakeheavythestructure.
Thelastcoatshouldbeawaterproofing.Lime/mudplastermayimprovethewaterresistance.
21

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

DRRwaterproofing
anddrainage

Maintenance

BurnBrick
Notes

EstimatedUnit
Cost

Bitumen mixed with stabilized mud mortar is an effective treatment, it is waterproofing and fire
resistant.Itshouldbepreparedbymixing(5:1)bitumenwithkeroseneoilandmud(1.5kgofbitumenfor
30kgofmud).
Alsotheanimaldump,mixedwithmud,maybeakindofwaterproofingasanecofriendlyoption
In case of flat roof, the coats of plaster have to incorporate the top of the walls and the parapet,
protecting the matting of plastic sheet and straw and the structure of roof, as a kind of waterproofing
capping.ThisisaDRRthatwillavoidtherainwatertopenetrateintheconnectionroof/walls.
Anoverhangoftheroof,oreaves,of15"minimumwillpreventrainwaterfromrunningdownmudor
plaster of the walls and soaking into the structure and plash the plinth. This will aid the structures
resilience.
For flat roof it is important a right slope to allow the rain water to wash away quickly, the stagnancy
upontheroofallowtherainwatersoakingthetoplayersandpenetrateinthecoreofwalls.
Wherethereisaparapetiscompulsorytoprovide1or2waterspouts,theslopeshavetobearranged
accordingly(minimum1%).
Thewaterspoutsshouldbeminimum2.5andprojectminimum8.
The waterspouts have to be well sealed with bitumen without any discontinuity in order to prevent
waterraintopenetrateinthestructureofroofandwallsabove.
AnotheroptionmaybeCGIspoutinUshape.
The use ofguttersfor catch rain water may beconsidered; obviously the slope has to beadequate in
caseofflatroof
replasterwithlimemudorbitumenmudmortartheroofatleastonceanyearorwhenevernecessary
periodiccleaningofthewaterspouts
reapplythefilmofbitumenyearlybeforethemonsoonseason
verifythegoodconnectionoftheelementofthestructures(beamsandpurlin)
retreatagainsttermitethebamboosandwoodenelementsonceanyearorwhenevernecessary
informtheownersregardingperiodictreatmentastermitetreatment,annualreplasteringoftheroof,
periodiccleaningofthewaterspouts
COSTESTIMATE
The costs of materials may sensitively increase after any catastrophic events due to the scarcity of
materialsavailableonthelocalmarketsandthedifficultyorimpossibilityoffrequenttransportation.In
additionofthatithastobenotedthecostsvaryfromdistricttodistricteverysemester.Thereforeitis
suggestedtoupgradethecostestimateaccordinglytothelastofficialquotationsofthepriceanalysisby
districtwise.
XXXUSD

TheCONCRETEBRICKshelterisbuiltwithreinforcedconcreteorcementbricksandplasteredwith
cementmortar.Thewallsneedtobeatleast8thickandshouldbeplastered.Careneedstobeput
inthechoiceofbeamsanditsplacement.Commonlytheroofismadeofthatchorotherstructural
system,plasticsheetingwithamudplasterlayer,protectedwithafinalwaterproofinglayer.

LohKat

Mud

Adobe

BurnBrick

ConcreteBrick
GenericGuidance

BEARINGFOUNDATIONSANDFOUNDATIONS
Foundations and platforms specification, depth and height, dependent on the site characteristics (soil,
elevation)andsuperstructure,materialsandloads,thustheirdepthandwidthhavetobedesignedona
casebycasebasis.
Theexcavationdepthmaybemorethan23innotcompactedsoils.
Generallythewidthoftheplatformshouldbealmostonethirdforeachside=1.62timesthethicknessof
thewalls.
Increasing the widthof wallsat the base will improve resilience andhelp keep longer the flood water
awayfromthebaseofthewallswhichwillextendorpreventthetimeofdisintegration(dependingon
thetimeofstagnancy)

Concrete
Brick

22

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

Thefoundationsneedtohaveasealedbarrieratthebasetopreventthatthewaterpenetratesintothe
structurebothfromtheground(dampness)eitherfromstagnancy.Reinforcingthewallsatgroundlevel
byaddingconcreteplaster/pointinglayerormud/lime
SpecificGuidance
Excavationdepthminimum24belowundisturbedgroundorcompactedsoil.
Thewallstructureorcolumns(reinforcedmasonry)shouldextendtothesamedepthof24"toreachthe
solidlayerandensurestability
Minimumdimensionforthefoundationsare2widefootingsfounded2belowthenaturalsurfacelevel
(NSL)
Notesand
Concretebrickmasonryhasheavy loadandrequireaconcrete,stoneorbrickfoundationtodistribute
recommendations theloadtothegroundandthusensurestabilityofthewall.
Appropriateanchoringdetailsforthefoundationshouldbeconsidered
theplinthcanbeplasteredwithcement/sand/limeforimprovethewaterproofing
burntbrickmaybeabetteroptionforfoundationduetotheirwaterproofingcharacteristics
inordertoimprovethestabilityofthetrench,alayerofcement/soilmaybepouredunderfoundation.
Thesuggestedmixture(stabilizedsoil)issand(27%)soil(70%)cement(3%);thethicknessshouldbe6
minimum
ConcreteBrick
RAISEDPLINTHFLOOR
GenericGuidance
Thefloorlevelshouldberaisedtoatleast16upto3abovetheNaturalSurfaceLevel(NSL)adoptinga
continuousplint.
Generalrecommendationistoprotectfurthermorethefoundationsbelowfloorlevelbyraisinganearth
platform 3 wide at the top and tapering to NSL over 6. (i.e 1 in 2 slope minimum.) The top of this
platformshouldbe6belowfloorlevel.
Adampproofcourse(DPC)atplinthleveliscompulsoryinordertopreventmoisturerisingintothewalls.
ADPCiseitherathinlayerofconcreteatplinthlevelwithplasticononesurfaceorsimplyastrongplastic
layer
DRRimprovements theplinthmaybewithfiredbricksorinconcrete,cement/sandmortarhasbeused.
(Floodand
theplinthcanbeplasteredwithcement/sand/limeforimprovethewaterproofing
earthquake)
at the top the plinth a reinforce band with 24 bars can ensure the earthquake resistance, in case of
concreteplinthitmaybereinforcedwith4bars
Maintenance
replaster with lime/mud/cement mortar the raised plinth at least once yearly, before the monson

season,andwhenevernecessary
incaseofreinforcedband:verifythatthebarsarenotexposeandcorroded,paintthemwithredoxidant
varnish
ConcreteBrick
SUPERSTRUCTURE
Walls
Concretebrickwallsandreinforcedconcretewallsmaydifferinsizedependingonstructuraldesign.
Corematerialsand Concreteblockwallsshouldbeatleast8thick
techniques
Alternatethedisplacementofthebrickeachrowstoensuretheinterlocking
Constructfromcornerstocenter
Ensuregoodconnectionfromplinthtowallsandinterlockbricksatcorners
Reinforcelongwallsatcentre
Avoidtoowideverticaljoints,andtoothickbeddingjoints
Hollowblockwallsshouldbereinforcedusingsteelorsimilarmaterials
Cementorlimeandsandbasedmortarshouldbeusedforbonding.
CementMortarforGeneralPurposeUse(butthemixcanbeharsh)1Cement:4FineSand
CementLimeMortarforBlockandBricklaying,plastersandRenders:1Cement:1Lime:6Sand
LimeMortarforBlockandBricklaying:1Lime:3Sand
Notesand
All junctions of the wall at base, top and corners need to be tied, either through interlocking or
recommendations reinforcementelementsliketimberorsteel.

Careshouldbetakentoensuresaltinthesandisofverylowlevels,assaltwilldamagethemortar
Itisnotadvisabletobuildmorethe3sheltersinline,sincelongwallshaveanegativeseismicresponse
DRR
for Reinforcedbandatfloorlevel,silllevel,lintellevelandrooflevelareDRRmeasuresagainstearthquakes.
earthquake
Thebandshavetobecontinuous,interlockingthebarsatcorners.
resistance:
Thenumberofbarsmaybe24dependingontheheightoftheband.
Jointandbinding Thefloorandtopbandsaresuggestedtobe34with4bars#4,whiletheonesatsillandlintelmaybe
Reinforcedbands 2with2bars#3.
ThetopbandshouldbeprovidedinanycaseasabasicDRRagainstearthquake.

Verticalreinforcementswithsteelbarscollaboratetothestabilityandseismicresilienceoftheshelter.
Theverticalbarshavetobeinterlockedwiththehorizontalones.
DRRflood
Althoughtheblocksareenoughresilienttothewater,theexternalplasteringisalwaysagoodpractice,
resistance(plaster sinceitprotectsthemasonryfromrain,windandstagnantwater,prolongingitsdurability.
23

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

asprotectiveand
expendable
surface)
Maintenance

Openingdoor
window

Lintels

Ventilation

ConcreteBrick
Genericguidance

Mainstructure

replaster with lime/mud/cement mortar the raised plinth at least once an year before the monsoon
season,andwhenevernecessary(wornoutplaster)
replastertheexternalwallsatleastonceanyearbeforethemonsoonseason,andwhenevernecessary
incaseofreinforcedband:verifythatthebarsarenotexposeandcorroded,paintthemwithredoxidant
varnish
Openingswithinthewallspaceshouldnottakeupanareagreaterthan50%ofthewall.
Openingsshouldbehigherthanwider
Windowsanddoorsshouldbekeptaminimumof2ftfromcornersandfromeachother.
Thedoorsshouldopenoutwardsforfiresafetypurpose
Inordertobearanddistributetheloadofthewallabovetheopenings,lintelsshouldtobeinstalled.
Lintelsshouldbeminimum2thickand6longerthantheopeningoneachside.
Lintelsshouldbedesignedbasedontheloadbeingcarriedoverhead
Theprecastconcretelintelmaybeanappropriateoptionforthistypology
Thelintelmaybeexecutedwithbrickssystemusingn.2steels#3andcementmortar.
Theventilationisveryimportantmainlyduringthesummerthatisveryhotinseveralareas.
Two windows may ensure ventilation. Alternatively one or two ventilators, executed on the opposite
sideofthewindow(generallyonthebackwall)mayensuregoodventilation.
Thedimensionsdependonthesizeoftheshelter,itmaybeoneof2x1ortwo1x1
Insomeareas,wherethesummerisveryhot,itmaybesuggestedtoincreasetheheightoftheshelterto
improvetheinternalventilation(inthiscasetheentirestructureoftheshelterhastoberecalculated)
notethiswillincreasethecostoftheshelter
ROOF
Roofdesignshouldallowforliveanddeadloads.Liveloadsareappliedloadssuchasrain,wind,snowor
usage for grain or livestock. Dead loads are those including the makeup of the roof structure such as
beams,straw,mud,cementetc.
Abamboo orother lightweightroofcan be usedforallconstructionmethodologies, while steelgirder
rooforsimilarheavyroofrequiresastrongbearingstructure,thereforeitisonlysuitableforfiredbrick,
concreteblock,engineeredsteelframeshelters
Athickmudlayerwilladdalotofloadtotheroofandmaycausesevere,damagingstraintotheroof
structureandloadbearingwalls.
Timberelementsmayinsomecasesbelargerloadsthansteelorotheralternatives.
Bambooandtimberaresusceptibletotermites.Adequatetreatmentshouldbeprovidedtotimberand
bamboomaterials
Timber,bambooorstrawroofsarenotsuitableforindoorcookingorheatingfires.
A conical or foursided pitched roof is preferable in areas where wind loads are a consideration,
particularlycyclonevulnerableareas.
Gableendsorflatsurfacesmaybemorestressbyresistingtothewindforce
The pitch of a roof will vary based on the wind conditions in the area, however a maximum pitch is
advisedof30forsimplepitchedroofs.
Amonopitchedroofmayhaveapitchofupto10toallowadequatedrainageofrainwater.
Intheflatroofaminimumslopeshouldbe3/8"perfoot.
Thisstructureissupposedtobemoreresistant,thusthesolutionofthebamboosbeamisnotsuitable,
neitherthelessisnotforbidden.
Timbersofadequatesizeandsteelgirdersaresuitableoptions.
ThegirderIbeamsizeshoulddependsonthenumber(1or2),loadsoftheroofandthicknessofwalls
Suggestedsizesare4x6or4x8,also5.5x2.5maybeused.
Bearingplate,orpad,hastobeinsertedunderneaththegirderinordertodistributeitsload.
Asteelplatemaybe12x8x0.5,aconcretetileorwoodenboardmaybeonoption.
Antioxidetreatmentissuggestedfortheiron/steelelements.
Thesecondarystructureofpurlinmaymadebybambooswellsized.
Thedistancebetweenbamboosshouldbenotmorethan1(1brick),theirlengthhastobeenoughto
overlapthethicknessofwalls
Abovethebamboosamatofchick,straw,thatchandplasticsheetisgenerallyused.Strawandplastic
sheethavetobeincorporateinthetopofthewallsbythefinalplastering.
Bamboos,timberandstrawshouldbetreatedagainsttermites.
AnalternativetotheIgirdermaybeaconcreteprecastbeam.
AnalternativetothebamboosandstrawaretheTbeams(Tiron)andtilesofcementorburnedclay.
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SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

Noteand
recommendations
DRRfor
earthquake
resistance

Allloadbearingelementsoftheroofstructure,columns,beamsandjoistshavetobenotplacedabove
doororwindowopenings.Anyopeningsprovideweaknessesinthewalls,becausereducetheportionof
bearingwalls, thus placingtheloadbearingelementsrightabovetheopeningsmay causefailureinthe
wallswithcracksandevencollapseoftheportioninterested.
Anyelementsoftheroofstructureshouldbetiedtoeachother.Alljoistsorbeamsintheroofstructure
need to be individually tied to purlins. The roof must also be securely tied to the wall structure. Well
fasteningensureagoodresistancetothestrongwindandisakindofDRRagainstearthquake
Roofs have different load distribution arrangements, as the concentration of loads underneath the
beams, thus in order to distribute equally the roof loads a top plate/band or ring beam should be
provided at the top of the walls. It should be continuous encircling the walls, this provides a way of
fastening the walls together at the top to prevent pushing outward forces of the roof and in case of
horizontalseismicforces.
In case of pitched roof with two gables placing plates/bands at the top of the wall (without gables)
distributetheloadsandconstrainsthepushingforcesoftherafters.
Itissuggestedtoassembletrussesinsteadofrafters,sincethehorizontalbottomchordtiestheinclined
topchordsconstrainingtheirpushingoutwardforces.
Coveringpackage
Roof topping can be made with many different materials as long as the items are lightweight, strong,
Genericguidance
durable,secured,waterproof,insulatingandmaintainable.
Anymaterialthatsoakwaterormeltshouldbeavoided
Acommonpracticeistheuseofathatchorotherstructuralsystem,plasticsheetingwithamudplaster
layer,protectedwithafinalwaterproofinglayer.
Lime plaster or a bitumen mixture may provide a waterresistant finish to the roof that should be
reappliedpriorandafterannualrains.
Coveringpackage
Abovethesemistructuralmatofstraworthatch,apolythenesheet,alayerofstabilizedmudhavetobe
Specificguidance
appliedin23coats,thethicknessmaybe3maximum.Themudlayermaymakeheavythestructure.
Thelastcoatshouldbeawaterproofing.Lime/mudplastermayimprovethewaterresistance.
Bitumen mixed with stabilized mud mortar is an effective treatment, it is waterproofing and fire
resistant.Itshouldbepreparedbymixing(5:1)bitumenwithkeroseneoilandmud(1.5kgofbitumenfor
30kgofmud).
Alsotheanimaldump,mixedwithmud,maybeakindofwaterproofingasanecofriendlyoption
In case of flat roof, the coats of plaster have to incorporate the top of the walls and the parapet,
protecting the matting of plastic sheet and straw and the structure of roof, as a kind of waterproofing
capping.ThisisaDRRthatwillavoidtherainwatertopenetrateintheconnectionroof/walls.
DRRWaterproofing Anoverhangoftheroof,oreaves,of15"minimumwillpreventrainwaterfromrunningdownmudor
andDrainage
plaster of the walls and soaking into the structure and plash the plinth. This will aid the structures
resilience.
For flat roof it is important a right slope to allow the rain water to wash away quickly, the stagnancy
upontheroofallowtherainwatersoakingthetoplayersandpenetrateinthecoreofwalls.
Wherethereisaparapetiscompulsorytoprovide1or2waterspouts,theslopeshavetobearranged
accordingly(minimum1%).
The waterspouts should be minimum 2.5and project minimum 8. The use of gutters for catch rain
watermaybeconsidered;obviouslytheslopehastobeadequateincaseofflatroof
The waterspouts have to be well sealed with bitumen without any discontinuity in order to prevent
waterraintopenetrateinthestructureofroofandwallsabove.AnotheroptionmaybeCGIspoutinU
shape.
Maintenance
replasterwithlimemudorbitumenmudmortartheroofatleastonceanyearorwhenevernecessary

periodiccleaningofthewaterspouts
reapplythefilmofbitumenyearlybeforethemonsoonseason
verifythegoodconnectionoftheelementofthestructures(beamsandpurlin)
retreatagainsttermitethebamboosandwoodenelementsonceanyearorwhenevernecessary
informtheownersregardingperiodictreatmentastermitetreatment,annualreplasteringoftheroof,
periodiccleaningofthewaterspouts
ConcreteBrick
COSTESTIMATE
Notes
The costs of materials may sensitively increase after any catastrophic events due to the scarcity of
materialsavailableonthelocalmarketsandthedifficultyorimpossibilityoffrequenttransportation.In
additionofthatithastobenotedthecostsvaryfromdistricttodistricteverysemester.Thereforeitis
suggestedtoupgradethecostestimateaccordinglytothelastofficialquotationsofthepriceanalysisby
districtwise.
EstimatedUnit
XXXUSD
Cost
25

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Pakistan
Info Pakistan
Info
Pakistan

SHELTER CLUSTER PAKISTAN KEY DOCUMENTS

Map illustrating flood affected areas in 2010, 2011 and 2012

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