Dissertation on

REDEFINING THE BOUNDRIES OF SUBMERGED LANDMASSES IN URBAN CONTEXT

Dissertation Mentor- Ar. Tauseef Rahi

Dissertation Author- Shreya Mishra
(BARN1AR13067)
Table of Contents
1. Theoretical Framework and overview
1.1 Relationship between Citys morphology and Water Bodies
1.2 Relationship between flood and settlement
1.3 Importance and relation of water with urban

2. HISTORY/ BACKGROUND
2.1 Introduction
2.2 History of city
2.3 History of river Ganga
2.4 Typologies of the city
2.4.1 Evolution during 18th century
2.4.2 Existing pattern

2. CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITION

3.1 Cosmic order od the city

3.2 Climatic and Geographical condition

3.2.1 Initial stage

 3.2.2 Second stage
3.3.3 Third stage
3.2.4 Fourth stage
3.3 Growth pattern
3.3.1 Old city
3.3.2 Central city
3.3.3 Central city
3.3.4 Peripheral areas
3.4 Growth trend

4. STATISTICS AND GOVERNMENT DATA

4.1 Introduction
4.2 The holy curve
4.3 Uttar Pradesh jal nigam report
4.4 Uttar Pradesh State Ganga River Conservation Agency
(UPSGRCA)
4.5 Treatment plants
4.5.1 Performance of these 3 Sewage Treatment Plants
5. FLOOD ACTION AND CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM
5.1 Flood Actions
5.2 Floor Height Requirements
5.3 Footing System Requirements
5.4 Requirements for Enclosures below the Flood Hazard Level (FHL)
5.5 Requirements for Structural Attachments
5.6 Material Requirements
5.7 Requirements for Utilities
5.8 Requirements for Egress
ABSTRACT

Waterways are a vital and productive resource to our environment. Rivers provide a variety of
amenities and services to communities across the world such as drinking water, food, travel,
recreation, wildlife habitat, connection to place, aesthetic appeal, economic development, etc.
This dissertation topic examines the importance of the Ganga River to its urban community and
how riverfront design can function as a unifying element for the city center and its ecosystem.
Over half of the worlds future population will be living in urban environments by 2030, which
will dramatically increase the stress on a vulnerable network of water systems. Redefining the
boundaries of a river can bring awareness to people while improving physical and ecological
corridor connections.
AIM
To study how to use an unused & flood-prone land in terms of development & betterment of the surrounding.

OBJECTIVE

The study focuses on the physical and spatial transformation of settlements along riversides in Varanasi city where,
the cultural backdrop, the forcing conditions to settlers, conditions of the building stock, advantages and
disadvantages of the transformation, public reference of such areas over elsewhere, the existing condition of the
river and future prospects as public recreation destination are closely investigated. The major objective of the study
is:

To understand of nature of the land (sand & soil).

To understand the effect of the river Ganga, in terms of physical, social, economic, cultural & religious aspects.
To understand the effect of flood in the area.
METHODOLOGY

BRAINSTORMING ON THE
TOPIC

AIM FORMULATION

OBJECTIVE FORMULATION

BACKGROUND STUDY /
LITREATURE

LIVE CASE STUDY

CASE STUDIES
LITREATURE CASE STUDY

DATA COLLECTION

DATA ANALYSIS

INFERENCES
 Theoretical Framework and overview

Relationship between Citys morphology and Water Bodies

Relationship between flood and settlement

Importance and relation of water with urban fabric

Cultural landscape patterns resulting from the adaptation to the characteristics of the watershed (source.
Stockman, 2008)
INTRODUCTION
The city of Varanasi -sacred city of India and it is
recognized as the most ancient continuously living city
of the world.
The city is unique in the architectural, artistic and
religious expressions of traditional Indian culture and is,
even
today a living example of this culture.
As fast as continuity of cultural tradition is concerned
banaras surpasses all civilization centers.

ACCESS TO THE CITY:

By Air: The airport is at Babatpur, 23 km from the city
centre and is about 30 km from the ghats.
CLIMATE:
By Rail: Varanasi is linked to all major cities of the
The city enjoys sub-tropical monsoon
country and is the focal point for the Northern and
climate. The temperature varying
North-Eastern Railways in India. Varanasi Cantt. is the
between 5c 45 c in a year. The
main railway station of the city and is located on the
relative humidity is high during
Grand trunk Road.
monsoon reaching up to 82-85%.
By Road: Varanasi is situated at the junction of three
Annual rainfall in varanasi is around
national highways -NH2 from Kolkata to Delhi, NH7 to
1000 mm.
Kanyakumari and NH29 to Gorakhpur and undoubtedly
it is one of the busiest
roads of India.
Growth trend Pattern
Floating Houses

Floating term in the foundation

engineering is used when the soil
beneath the footing does not experience
any extra load, as the load of the
structure is equal or less than the soil
displaced.

Floating houses are similar in concept

and normally defined those houses
which are constructed on water in a way
that the load of the structure is equal or
less than the uplift force of the water
which helps in floating the house on
water.
Types of Floating Houses

There are two types of floating houses, one

which permanently float and

other that float only during flood waters else

get placed on ground, particularly during dry
season if there is no water.
Principle of floating houses

Floating houses do not require foundation and are based on the principle of buoyancy thus are
also called buoyant homes. Thus the base of the structure should be such that it helps in floating
as well is able to take the dead load of the house, live load and other loads to be encountered by
the house.

The houses may be constructed on boats, hollow pipes, light weight pads and similar materials
which help in the floating as well taking up loads.
Floating Systems

Flotation Systems being used include log floats, solid Styrofoam encased in rubber, foam filled steel
pontoons, concrete pontoons, concrete and foam, wood and foam, polyethylene shell with solid core
polystyrene block molded inside, fiberglass etc.

Floating house on concrete tubes (www.niftyhomestead.com)

 Principle of Vertically moving Floating Houses

A steel frame that holds the flotation blocks is attached to the underside of the house. There are
four 'vertical guidance' poles not far from the corners of the house. The tops of the poles are attached
to the steel frame. The poles telescope out of the ground, allowing the house to move up and down.

MEGAN WILLETT, OCT 28, 2014, 3:44 AM

https://www.businessinsider.com.au/baca-architects-amphibious house-2014-10
 Materials

EPS (Expanded Polystyrene)

Polystyrene is a synthetic aromatic polymer made from
the monomer styrene, a liquid petrochemical. Polystyrene
can be rigid or foamed. General purpose polystyrene is
clear, hard and brittle. It is a very inexpensive resin per
unit weight.
Density: 1.05 g/cm
Melting point: 240 C
Formula: (C8H8)n
IUPAC ID: poly(1-phenylethene-1,2-diyl)
Rexwall Composite panel
The developed sandwich plate is laminated on both sides by
special process with different core`s. A flame retardant has
been added to ensure that the material can complies with
Fire Safety Standards. The plates can be bonded together to
produce a tightly closed seal that is maintained even after
decades of continuous building- physical stresses.

A carefully coordinated process gives the plates a high

measure of strength to produce a strong, insulating wall that
is resistant to dynamic stresses (low energy manner of
construction) with a surface that has the final structure of a
facade. The enormous strength is the result of the sandwich
construction in conjunction with the tear-resistant glass-fibre
fabric. The technically defined dew point, combined with the
outstandingly adjusted transverse diffusion of room air,
exclude the formation of condensate. The material does not
absorb any moisture so that condensation water can not
form.
Concrete Pontoons 2400, 3000

The All-Concrete represents the latest know-how and

design of the Marinetek pontoon portfolio. It is light and
inexpensive but still gives a very long service life. Its
innovative end-to-end connection box, mooring wells and
lifting system are all rust- proof.

Internal cable ducts are available for water and electricity.

The Pontoon has been designed for economic freight,
easy installation and for modern
marinas. Pontoon length can be chosen in 3 m intervals
because of the 9 m long float. Mooring is by piles, chain or
Sea flex.
TECHNICAL DATA
Concrete strength: 45 N/mm2
watertight, steel reinforced plastic fibre
concrete. Exposure class according to
European EN 206-1 standard.

Core: Expanded polystyrene, density

15 kg/m3

Reinforcement: Partly or fully hot dip

galvanized or stainless steel

Optional accessories: Concrete

coatings, wooden deck, fixing rails,
cable ducts and fenders (timber or
plastic)
RELOCATION

There are two main methods for a building to be moved:

I. disassembling and then reassembling it.
II. transporting it as a whole.

Transporting the building as a whole involves lifting a

building off its foundation, placing it on a heavy- duty
flatbed trailer, hauling it to a new site outside the flood
hazard area and lowering it onto a new foundation.
The process requires careful planning. This method
has its limitations, which should be considered carefully
before use.
 CASE STUDY
FLOAT House
Location: New Orleans
House Type: Amphibious* Buoyancy
Materials: GFRC Coated EPS Blocks Size: 940 ft
Advantages: Maintains neighborhood character, high-
performance systems
Disadvantages: Residents cannot remain in house
during flooding

*Amphibious (adjective) : relating to, living in, or suited for both land and water.
Maasbommel Waterdwellings
Location: Netherlands
House Type: Amphibious
Buoyancy Materials: Concrete with Rebar
Size: 2,865 ft
Advantages: Attached houses become more
stable, low erosion, utilization of river
embankment for infrastructure
Disadvantages: Close proximity to neighbors
Waterdwellings Ijburg
Location: IJ Lake between Zeeburgereiland
and Haveneiland
House Type: Amphibious
Buoyancy Materials: Concrete with Rebar
Size: 3,024 ft
Advantages: Large amounts of interior space,
private jetty system for residents
Disadvantages: Height of house causes minor
sway, no nearby land for outdoor activities,
higher corrosion rate
Conclusion

India has islands, coastal areas and areas highly prone

to floods. Therefore, there is a need to construct
floating houses and have expertise in this type of
construction.

There is a need to develop technology for moving

houses which can be transported and constructed early
particularly during disasters or when required to be
shifted due to other considerations.
Need for floating houses

The sea level is said to have risen by 20 centimeters in the

last century and is expected to rise by three times that
amount in the 21st century. Therefore floating houses will
not just be a fashionable lifestyle but a necessity.

Safe in flood prone areas during floods

Moving houses

Envelope of the houses can be fabricated, shown to the

customer and towed to the site. The whole structure
will require to be anchored to the foundation. In future, if
house owner wants to shift it, it can be dismantled and re-
installed at other place. Interiors can be placed as per the
requirements through modular parts like kitchen, baths etc.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://hausmanllc.wordpress.com/tag/floating-homes,
buoyantfoundation.org,
www.mos-office.net,
http://www.floating-homes.co.uk/guides/floating_home_life.php,waterstudio.nl.,
inspirationgreen.com/floating-homes.html
www.kashmirhouseboats.com,
www.rohmer.nl, http://www.ecoboot.nl/artikelen/floating_houses.php, www.vc-
arch.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houseboat, powellriverbooks.blogspot.com,
buoyantfoundation.org,
+31ARCHITECTS: Specialist in Constructing Floating Water House, MGS
Architecture January - February 2011
Soni, K M and Soni, Piyush (2013). Floating and Moving Houses, Journal of Indian
Buildings Congress, XX (2), 17-22.
Do it yourself book - Ferrocement Floating House. International Ferrocement
Information centre Asian Instt. of Technology Bangkok (Thailand