Task Force - Group 1: Appropriate Technology and Systems for Rehabilitation

In view of the urgent needs to help Sichuan Earthquake survivors resume their lives, a rehabilitation plan is underway to rebuild housing, schools and community buildings in Sichuan and surrounding provinces. EWB-HK has sent an assessment team to the affected regions and liaises with local government bodies and community organizations to understand their needs at the affected regions.

Meanwhile, working Group 1’s task is to carry out the design and research to develop a building prototype, including the construction method and services system to cater the local needs by adopting the appropriate technology and materials. The prototype should fulfil the seismic structure standards, as well as local cultural and economic conditions. This is expecting the standards will also be applicable for standalone use or combined use.

Three task groups is divided:

Task A – Adobe/ Earth Structure
Research and develop the feasibility of using earth materials such as soil, sand as the building materials for the earthquake resistant housing. This prototype is benefit to the rural area where living style is primitive.

Task B – Gabion Structure
Investigate the possibility of using the collapsed building materials as part of the redevelopment building materials, such as the gabion wall structure. This task is to rebuild the community and at the same time deal with the debris management.

Task C – Dome Structure
Develop a prototype which taking advantage of the monolithic domes inherent strength, with its shape able to withstand the force of nature. The materials are usually concrete and similar materials, which is budget and energy efficient.

Task Force - Group 2: Quality Assurance and Enhancement on Construction

After the “512” earthquake, one of the major concerns with respect to the defective buildings is the construction quality. Therefore, we see an opportunity to bring an approach to (re)construction in the disaster-affected areas. To address this opportunity, we decide to use our expertise to identify and promote good practice criteria for the local NGOs, charitable organizations, companies, etc and make them more readily available to (re)construction efforts around China, especially the disaster-affected areas.

Objective

• Group 2 aims to bring a multi-disciplinary working group to promote good practice criteria for a range of (re)construction projects as expect by the community in respect of higher quality public facilities after the "512" Sichuan earthquake

Scope

• To establish a practice guidance on quality assurance and enhancement on (re)construction projects, especially schools, in the disaster-affected areas
• To provide technical support and managerial advisory services to local NGOs, charitable organization, companies, etc, with respect to quality assurance and enhancement on (re)construction projects
• To gather workforce for supervision of construction and post-disaster re-construction works

This group needs the following professionals:

Disciplines of Expertise

• Structural Engineer
• Civil Engineer
• Geotechnical Engineer
• Building Services Engineer
• Architect
• Planner
• Building Surveyor
• Quantity Surveyor

Experience and Knowledge

• Familiar with the relevant regulations, design and technical standards of mainland China or overseas
• Familiar with the relevant design and technical specification works etc.
• Familiar with the tendering procedure, mainland project supervision and project supervision on behalf of the client
• Familiar with the sub-contracting, operating(manufacturing), conformance inspection, testing & commissioning and maintenance works etc.

Task Force - Group 3: Public Health Infrastructure

Many people become homeless after occurrence of a natural disaster event. They will loss their water supply and waste disposal facilities. Widespread of disease is common and victim's health condition becomes vulnerable, even causing death. If the disease is contagious, people who made contact with the carrier will be affected.

To avoid spreading of disease, it is vital to make available of public health facilities quickly after the disaster. The core objective of Engineers Without Borders Group 3 is to facilitate the building of public health infrastructure including water supply, sewage and solid waste disposal at victim’s camp site in the shortest time possible.

Rebuilding after such calamity is a long and tough road, EWB-HK need your expertise, besides engineers in different discipline, architects, quantity surveyors, interior designer, builders, and even purchasers, suppliers are invited to join our group to help those suffered and disadvantaged communities.

Please visit www.ewb.hk or email to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  for registration.