Guianese timber in construction : an example of an individual dwelling

The state of affairs established by the CIRADForêt Guyane Wood Programme during on site quality control operations as part of the SPIOM (Overseas Pilot Innovation Sector) scheme between 1990 and 1995 has prompted the authors to put forward a better suited use of Guianese timber in construction, by way of a building project. This project is the culmination of an approach whose primary targets were: - to encourage the use of locally available construction material, - to develop the timber sector and the local economy, - to encourage timber processing as end products to use quality wood, - to offer people in the trade better knowledge about Guianese timber. Characteristics of the main species selected: Using the example of a building made with a system of posts and beams, based on traditional Guianese architecture, it is possible to highlight the characteristics peculiar to the different types of Guianese wood. Depending on the technique in question, the construction system proposed helps builders to apply "the right species in the right place" - there being eight selected species and several economic and technological criteria. The availability of the species is a major criterion. In French Guiana, just three species represent 65% of current production. Certain species which are sometimes plentiful in forests, such as the Wapa (20% of the volume inventoried), are little used, and should be used for specific purposes (roof shingles); other less common species should find a slot based on available quantities. The mechanical features of the different types of wood and the performance of each Guianese species are described and compared to two major families of metropolitan species frequently used for structural purposes: oak and "the softwood". The species selected for the project all have mechanical properties greatly superior to those soft metropolitan wood. This "advantage" should help architects to optimize their geometric calculations and produce more accurately dimensioned structural pieces. Implementation limitations: The application of wood in the natural climatic environment of French Guiana can only be planned on a year-in-year out basis if certain elementary rules governing the construction plan are laid down. Examples include : the choice of orientation of the building in relation to prevailing winds, protection of façades, insulating or protection of the building against the risk of "termites", architectural design doing away with any "water trap" risk which might lead to deterioration by rot-causing fungi, and so on. The natural durability of the species proposed is a crucial factor in the Guianese context, and makes it possible to offer an initial solution to these risks. The concept of biological risk classes is determined by the situation of each constructional element in use. Many Guianese species have a place in construction as a results of their natural durability. The aesthetic look of some species also helps to lend a decorative role to structural pieces and to certain filling elements (frames, visible structure, clapboards, cladding). The architecture proposed retains certain fundamental configurátions which help to combine the material with functionality and comfort (steep wooden roofing, height beneath ceilings, natural ventilation), while at the same time stressing the "long-lived" aspect of the structure. This project highlights the possible uses of one of French Guiana's main resources, wood, in a context of eco-materials for construction, where the main being sought is that the buildings constructed should last a long time. (Texte intégral)

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Vernay, Michel, Beauchêne, Jacques
Format:	conference_item biblioteca
Language:	eng
Published:	IUFRO
Subjects:	K50 - Technologie des produits forestiers,
Online Access:	http://agritrop.cirad.fr/539982/
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