Commercial Services > International > Shelter using timber poles

Project aims

To demonstrate and promote the use of forestry thinnings (poles) as a cost-effective, nature friendly, primary construction material

Survey of timber plantations, including availability of thinnings
Determination of physical and mechanical properties of selected species
Evaluation of pole joint strengths
Investigations and treatment trials to establish effectiveness of different preservative treatment technique
Development of engineering designs for demonstration buildings

Design and construction of demonstration house (with the NGO Christian Service Committee), a school building (as part of the UK DFID Community Schools Project) and a community building in Zimbabwe using treated timber poles
Arrangement of training programmes for counterpart personnel
Organisation of an in-country seminar to disseminate the project findings
Production of construction manuals, posters and a video illustrating the activities of the projectThe project demonstrates an integrated approach to building, involving the use of timber in conjunction with other appropriate materials such as stabilised soil blocks and micro-concrete tiles