Mobile steel profile factory, by Veerhuis

In many contexts affected by disaster there is no steel industry, or it has been interrupted by the disaster itself. In terms of distribution of profit and participation in sheltering projects, this leads agencies not to choose for steel. This producer offers mobile steel factories - container size - that allow making steel profiles, to the required sizes, on the location where reconstruction efforts are ongoing. The cost in comparison to the quantity and speed of delivery were discussed during the presentation, as was one possible shelter design.

Steel netting for wall construction, by JK Structure

JK Structure presented its experience of building lower middle income housing in India using steel netting filled in with a concrete mix on site. The design of the ‘net’, a type of pre-fabricated box reinforcement of small section wires and bars, allowed the walls to reach sufficient load bearing strength for the housing design presented. The ease of construction, required skill, and the potential to use this technology for foundations were the main points of discussion during the display session.

Steel reinforced wood fiber composites, by Deltawood

Deltawood presented prototype elements made out of a mix of steel and wood fibres. Light weight combined with greater strength could make these elements relevant for use in the humanitarian sector. During the display session it was discussed whether these elements would be more relevant, in sheltering, when combined with other materials. One consideration to make in that respect is cost, use of local materials and skills.

Using steel slag for blocks, by ArcelorMittal

Steel slag is usually a quite useless by-product of steel processing. ArcelorMittal presented at the conference how it re-uses its slag for the production of blocks that can be used for masonry or soil stabilisation. The blocks are light, resistant and cheap. In countries that have an active steel industry they can be easily produced and made available.

Tried and tested family shelters, by Steel Elements International

Steel Elements International presented some of its shelter projects completed in collaboration with operational sheltering agencies on the ground. Having a producer working with the implementing agencies has certain advantaged for both. Leading times for procurement and delivery of shelter products are possibly less unpredictable. The collaboration can also be enhanced by increased awareness of the producers about the complexity of planning a suitable sheltering disaster response.  

Steel and aluminum reinforced textiles, by Sioen

The most commonly used textile in the humanitarian sheltering world is simple tarpaulin of a certain strength and thickness. There is a great diversity of technical textiles that may be relevant for the diversity of needs in humanitarian sheltering. Textiles could be used that cater more to a specific climate or usage. Also, technical textiles with higher tensile strength, higher insulation properties, lighter weight, higher or lesser degrees of transparency could be introduced to mediate some other recurring problems faced during sheltering operations. Not only the performance of the textile itself plays a role in this, also the fixing modalities are of importance. During this display session, Sioen presented some of its latest product developments.

An aluminum transitional shelter, by Losberger

Losberger presented a prototype it developed in the context of a transitional sheltering R&D project under the umbrella of the Shelter Centre. The result, a light transitional shelter – or an improved tent -, out of aluminium frames and tarpaulin, was put on display and discussed. Some of the difficulties encountered during the development, and the strategic choices made subsequently, were highlighted. The transitional shelter standards were the guideline for this prototype.