Abstract

A reevaluation of the role played by timber is valid from a global environmental perspective. Maintained forests grown by reproductive and sustainable methods through appropriate forest management help to prevent global warming by fixing or sequestering atmosphere carbon in the period of tree growth and continuing to store it after the conversion of timber to lumber. In additions timber material consumes comparatively less energy than steel and concrete materials at the time of manufacturing, processing and dismantling.

Realizing the importance of timber in construction the Japanese people have came forward with a new system of construction, that is j.Pod units which uses timber as the major building material

j.POD UNITS - AN ALTERNATIVE ARCHITECTURE FOR SUSTAINABILITY

From the stand point of sustainable environment, it would appear that a much more central role should be allocated to timber structure in terms of national building priorities.

The j. pod unit is a new type or timber building system that uses a semi-monocoque structure composed of mainly timber rib frames and several steel connectors. Semi monocoque structures operate on a similar principle to the single shell construction of air craft and boat designs, and are self supporting or structurally independent. This means j.Pod units are light but extremely strong and rigid with sufficient resistant against earthquake load. They can also be combined in many different ways as required. The j.Pod units is ideally suited for use in cellular type buildings such as houses, apartments and hotels. By lengthening the unit's dimensions they may be easily manufactured and assembled

The j.Pod unit uses a semi monocoque structure composed of mainly rib framed timbers and several steel connectors. A monocoque is a structure in which al loads are carried by skin. In a semi monocoque structure the loads are shared between the skin and a frame wok that provides local reinforcement form openings mountings etc. The j.Pod unit is based on a kind of semi monocoque structure, containing timber rib frames held in place by steel angles and stiffened by structural plywood panels. The plywood can be replaced by other suitable skins or by steel cross bracings.

Vertical loads such as or wind are carried by the frame work along the width direction of the units façade gravity or floor weight capacity are carried by framework and transmitted to the steel corner angles, lateral loads such as earthquake and by cladding panels or cross bracings in depth direction, where they are also transmitted to the steel corner angles. Units are joined together at each end of the steel angles. This structural principle secures the structural independence of the unit which can be assembled in many different combinations, staked high and linked freely. By looking or connecting basic units together, the j.Pod design becomes applicable to some cellular type buildings such as housing, apartment buildings and hotels. It can also be applied to larger spaces that require larger scale constructions, in this case the unit's dimensions must be developed with a longer span

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