Volunteer Work in Africa
Volunteer Work in Africa
(OP)
I am considering volunteering to help design small classrooms and churches in very small villages in Africa. The areas where they will be constructed are very poor and they don't have the money/materials to construct to the codes/standards we have here in the States. Has anyone had experience with this type of work? What standards are used in designing these structures?






RE: Volunteer Work in Africa
RE: Volunteer Work in Africa
RE: Volunteer Work in Africa
Based on what I have seen in Africa and similar locations, you will have to use your engineering background on what materials are currently used and available. Looking at already constructed buildings will give you insight into the short term performance. Do not expect to get any meaningful test reports on the materials.
Much of the needed construction is low rise without great loads due to ability of the available flooring/roofing systems to span large areas or carry heavy loads. You will find many traditional construction methods that have been made more effective because of excellent "local engineering".
The range of construction is very broad. You will find a great deal of masonry construction because of the historic development and local availablity. Poured concrete can be extremely variable because of the raw materials and limited batching facilities. Delivery in portions of the country limit the size of pours. Masonry units can range from rammed earth block to low quality concrete brick to very high quality colored concrete.
If you are going to be in somes countries (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, etc.) you will find a tradition of good construction based on some British standards, but mainly German (dating back about 50 years or more). As you go out of the cities, your selection of materials will decrease. In a large portion of South Africa, there are some very fine low cost homes built using basic 6" block and readily available materials. I have also seen some very good construction in Ghana, where quality masonry is common and many floor systems are a traditional beam with block fillers and a concrete topping/fill.
Do not understimate the local professionals. - When I saw construction techniques that amazed me in South America, I asked the engineer what code he used and his answer was "We use your codes, but we use them better".
RE: Volunteer Work in Africa
Im a Tanzanian and we are using British standard codes for designing and we are doing great.
Dont panic Lazzaron, just go in that part of Africa and try to look on existing structures and try to relate your design with those structures, I think you shall succeed. Bear in mind also we dont encounter harsh climatic conditions in Africa, no big earthquakes like in middle east and also no strong winds as in other part of the world.
Just help the needy ones!!!!!!!!!
GOD bless u.
RE: Volunteer Work in Africa
I have spent several years in Africa on design and construction projects and could help with any specific questions/help you need. On bigger projects, designs were to normal codes and standards (european or US) but these were generally oveseas funded. On "local" projects, again designs would obviously need to be safe irrespective of what code is used.
More important than codes however is knowledge of local conditions and availability of materials and skills. It would not be sensible for example to design a steel/concrete building in an area where the only realistic materials that would be used would be timber/local bricks and corrugated roofing sheets. Design is therefore dictacted by the materials and their local characteristics.
Greetings to Florahaule:) (Many happy memories of Tanzania:)
RE: Volunteer Work in Africa
There are a lot of alternative materials being used in 'trials' developing countries - polystyrene blocks, straw bales etc. because they are cheaper and/or locally available.
Many of these materials would not be accepted in richer, developed coutries because they may not give the desired long term finish.
In any case the design should strong, stable & robust, but you may have to accept deviations from 'normal' servicibility standards.
RE: Volunteer Work in Africa
Are you a member of an engineering association? Many of these associations have societies that specialise in disaster relief e.t.c. and may be able to put you in contact with someone experienced at this.
A mentor will be very useful.
RE: Volunteer Work in Africa
RE: Volunteer Work in Africa
I am a Nigerian and having practiced structural engineering for close to two decades, I can tell you that the engineering is the same as what you'ld have anywhere else in the world as per analysis & design is okay to be done using teh British standard or European codes
Only consider carefully safety in your design, the prevailing method of construction that will be used, the materials available for construction and I guess you will be the quality and supervising engineer.
The only challenge you may have is the foundation design and this is largely dependent on the type of soil encountered in the area that you are going to be construting and as well as your experience in foundation design. ( you may not haev any sub-soil investigation test except for visual and feel of soil type)
Good Luck in your endeavor.
RE: Volunteer Work in Africa