A Green Solution to All Forms of Disasters: Paper Log Houses

I wrote this essay about a certain product that helped change the world. I hope you will continue to read my blog, and enjoy my essay; thank you.

A Green Solution to All Forms of Disasters: Paper Log Houses

Since disasters take many forms, relief item used for earthquake and mining accident may not be applicable for tsunamis and wild fires. It is hard to locate one relief item that can be virtually used in all forms of disasters. Disaster relief items are mainly used for rescue, water, food, and shelter. After researching all possible disaster relief items, the paper log house stands out on my research because it can virtually address the immediate shelter needs for victims in all possible disaster events. More importantly unlike most relief items used in disaster events, their remains doesn’t cause pollution to the environment and create another possible disaster to victims.

Paper log houses can be recycled and uses the most environmental friendly materials you can ever use in the relief of disaster. Though the idea of using log houses made of only recycled paper may sound exotic the civic engineering designs make the log houses as strong as regular houses. 

The original purpose of the paper log house was to make a house that was easy to build and cost less than regular houses, but stronger than shabby tents used for earthquake victims. The cardboard paper log houses have structures that are all different shapes and sizes. Not only is all furniture made of cardboard paper but also the lights are put into paper lanterns. At first paper houses were used only for the relief of earthquakes, but when different disasters strike all over the world, it doesn’t take long for people helping the victims to find out there was an easy; cost efficient way to build shelter, they started to make paper log houses. 

People helping the victims made it by molding paper into load-bearing columns. It was designed that way to make it more secure. Then they made the entire frame of the house by using more recycled tubes. The ceiling was made by the same paper material but flattened out.

For each house to be built they had to hire construction, earthquake, environmental, material, and structural engineers. The construction, earthquake, and structural engineers needed to work together to analyze the strength and stability of the housing structure. A precise estimation of these parameters can ensure that the log house can subject to the constant loading of static relief items, such as furniture, as well as movement of dynamic relief items  Energy use has the single, lasting environmental impact on the production of the building and during its operation Environmental and material engineers could build a final product and the entire infrastructure by addressing green material use issues, such as recyclability, waste minimization and indoor air and temperature controls. As the disaster site is devastated, the less energy consumed in building and using the relief item it is a more feasible solution.  

 Although the paper log houses are a preference choice for immediate disaster relief item, they are still not as sustainable as the real houses in bricks and stones that can be used more than a decade. Along with the house use can envelop the insulation level and increase the use of technical equipment .Once old paper log houses will eventually become poor in conditions.  All civil engineers need to work together to continuously innovate more durable, and sustainable materials for the building of log houses.

          Not only does the paper house help people survive physically but also mentally. The paper houses were made into many different things such as churches, playgrounds, and schools. The final product of the paper house is safe, strong, and comfortable. Moreover, paper log houses are durable and light and can mentally relieve victims from the psychological impact of aftershocks that occur constantly after the main shock.

          They are now are used for any disaster that destroys human shelter. Also many places that can’t afford brick schools or hospitals make paper houses. Paper houses now are more improved. They are just as great as any normal house. They can last for many years, and when they get to old you can just recycle the paper and make another one. The paper log house’s structure is designed to be so easy to build almost anyone can build it.

References

Kohler, N. (1991). Life cycle costs of building. European Forum on Buildings and Environment. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

Winther, B.N., and Hestnes, A.G. (1999). Solar versus green: The Analysis of a Norwegian Row Houses, Solar Energy, 66(6), 387-393.