In foundation engineering, the term "floating" is used when the load on the structure is equal to or lesser than the soil displaced by the footing so that the soil is not subjected to any additional load. A floating building is a permanent structure that can only be seen in one location and cannot be moved.
Floating buildings are considered environmentally friendly since they don't affect the sea floor or other marine life.
Because floating buildings demand a more expensive variety of raw materials and advanced construction techniques, they also require more expensive, high-tech machinery. Additionally, it takes skilled labor, which is more expensive, and since the whole system is relatively new to our culture, there needs to be a higher demand for it.Â
Floating homes are similar to conventional buildings and are often characterized as buildings built on water in such a manner that the structure's load is equal to or lesser than the uplift force of the water, allowing the house to stay afloat in water.
Floating Architecture Examples
- SayBoat -Â Located in Nelahozeves, Czech Republic, this houseboat was designed by Milan Ridky with stainless-steel beams and wood paneling to control the atmosphere inside while still providing stunning views without letting in too much sunlight.
- Archipelago Cinema - This is the theatre that can be found on Thailand's Kudu Island. It is among the top cinema theatres in the whole world. The whole framework of the building was created by Ole Scheeren.
- Wa Sauna - This building is situated in the center of the lake. Such a structure is located in Lake Union in Seattle, US.
- Floating Lake Cabin - It was made by MOS architecture and is at the center of the lake. Usually made of cedar wood, it is a guest house. It is readily accessible from the house's second floor, and the tidal effects are resisted using modern technology.
- Floating House by Morphosis - Morphosis designed the net-zero 945-square-foot house for Brad Pitt's Make it Right Foundation in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward, and it provides a solution for flood-prone areas throughout the world.
- Drie Streken -Â It is a floating structure that can be seen in the Northern Netherlands, and people travel from all over the world to experience the breathtaking splendor of the sunrise and sunset.
Types of Floating Houses
There are generally two types of floating houses:
1. Houses that permanently float
The construction of these floating houses requires a system that guarantees the building will continue to float even without any support. It is a relatively new method, and as such, it results in increased expenses for the construction of the building.
2. Houses that float during floods
These houses can only float when there is flood water nearby; otherwise, they stay on the ground, especially during the summers when there is no water. Kerala in India is where you'll mostly find these types of houses.
The side walls of the buildings are made of wood and steel. The steel pistons are used here to prevent the whole structure from floating and sinking away. The whole building will stay afloat during a flood.
An amphibious home located on the River Thames in south Buckinghamshire is an example of a house that rests on the ground when the river is dry but rises up in its dock and floats during floods.
Principles of a Floating House
- The buoyancy concept behind floating houses allows for their construction without needing a foundation. Because of this, they are also known as buoyant houses.
- The base of the building should be designed to facilitate floating and be capable of bearing dead load, live load, and any other load that the house may impose.
- The houses might be built on a boat, a hollow pipe, lightweight pads, or other similar elements that aid in floating and taking up the load.
Advantages of Floating Buildings
The advantages of floating buildings are:
1. Easy and Affordable to Transport
It is very easy and inexpensive to move floating buildings from one location on a water body to another location on the same water body.
2. Quick Construction
Most of the floating structures' components are assembled using prefabricated technology in addition to steel and wood. This expedites the building process significantly. Compared to conventional construction methods, floating building construction takes about half as long.
3. Cost-effective
It is possible to bring down the overall cost of building by just doing away with certain components and elements, such as foundations.
Floating structures are about 20 to 30 percent less expensive than traditional ones.
4. Reduction in Deforestation
The use of water space rather than land space results in a reduction in the overall rate of deforestation.
5. Less disruption to the ecosystem
Floating structures indirectly safeguard trees, wildlife, and birds. Thus, maintaining the natural ecosystem.
6. Pleasant Appearance
When compared to the look of typical structures, floating buildings have a highly appealing visual appearance.
7. Not Vulnerable to earthquakes
The water underneath the floating buildings functions as a seismic damper, making these structures immune to the effects of earthquakes.Â
Disadvantages of Floating Buildings
The cons of floating buildings are:
1. Risky in places where weather changes quickly
Constructing floating structures in regions with unpredictable weather is not wise.
The depth of water bodies may substantially grow or decrease due to climate change, leading to grave issues.
2. High maintenance costs
The maintenance required for floating buildings is much more than for traditional ones.
Before the start of the rainy season, most of the maintenance work should be completed.
3. Shorter service life
The lifespan of floating houses is much shorter when compared to that of land-based structures
4. High water pollution risk
The fact that wastes are immediately disposed of in water bodies is the primary disadvantage of floating structures, which contributes to water contamination.
5. High risk from Tsunamis
One of the most significant challenges that floating structures face is exposure to high waves and tsunamis.
6. Need for Skilled Labor
It is difficult to keep the center of gravity and maintain buoyancy simultaneously. Therefore, the personnel needed to create floating structures must be highly trained.
FAQs
Floating houses are similar to conventional buildings and are often characterized as buildings built on water in such a manner that the structure's load is equal to or lesser than the uplift force of the water, allowing the house to float on water.
There are generally two types of floating houses:
1. Houses that float permanently
2. Houses that float during floods
1. The buoyancy concept behind floating houses allows for their construction without needing a foundation. Because of this, they are also known as buoyant houses.
2. The base of the building should be designed to facilitate floating and be capable of bearing dead load, living load, and any other load that the home may impose.
3. The homes might be built on a boat, a hollow pipe, lightweight pads, or other similar elements that aid in floating and taking up the load.
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Flood Damage-Resistant Building Materials