Abstract

Hey Everyone,

Here is my abstract for my research project. This is only the abstract part of it, the final hard copy will contain a graphic and references cited page. If you would like to view my references so far, they have been updated on the right side of my blog.

Artifical Islands from Reclaimed Land

This report is to help determine how to design an artificial island off the coast of Vancouver, B.C., from reclaimed land that is structurally stable enough for residential homes. With global warming increasing, the water levels in the oceans and seas are continually rising, resulting in the loss of land and homes on the shore lines of the world's oceans and seas. With the help of advances in building technology associated with reclaiming land, these losses of real estate can be avoided, and can even create more valuable real estate for over populated areas.

Reclaimed land sites can be accomplished by methods such as diking and filling. This report will look at these methods. In order to make sure the land is structurally stable enough for a residential house, there are many factors to consider which include the type of fill and the actual site of the project. The site of the project is important as no two sites in the world will be completely identical, resulting in different wave conditions, currents, tides, water depths and land characteristics. All these factors will have a significant impact on the type of sand fill that can be used on the site, the protection of the site from the elements and the type of project that can be constructed. Some types of fill and sites will be more structurally stable and allow for larger forces on the land.

Reclaimed fill is usually done with sand fill. As with the location of the site, the sand fill also has many factors that contribute to its structural stability. The characteristics of the sand, grain size, particle size distribution, source of the sand, and the method in which the sand is placed all have significant impacts on the relative density of the sand fill. The relative density of the reclaimed sand fill is the most important factor for a reclaimed land site. It has a direct correlation of the design of the foundation that can be constructed on the fill, which in return has a direct correlation to the size and height of the home that can be constructed on the site.

This report will focus mainly on the structural characteristics of the sand fill and the resulting design of a home on the land. The report will determine the strongest structurally stable fill that can be constructed using data for Vancouver, B.C., and with specific attention paid to the factors discussed earlier. Using that information, and with the help of the British Columbia Building Code 2006, a foundation will be designed that is applicable to the site. From the foundation size, the resulting size and height of a home will be determined such that the home will meet and exceed the requirements of the B.C.B.C. 2006.

Original Graphic

Some of you have been wondering how reclaimed land is used to create an island. Here is a simple graphic that hopefully helps you out a bit. Basically, sand fill is brought in and is built up until it extends beyond the suface of the water, creating an island.

Pictures

I have added some pictures to the side bar of some artificial islands so you can get an idea of what they are, and maybe recognize some of the more famous ones. From top to bottom, the pictures are of:

1. Kansai International Airport in Japan
2. Ile Notre-Dame in Montreal, constructed for Expo 67
3. The World Islands in Dubai
4. The Palm Islands in Duba

More Info on the Placement Method of Hydraulic Sand Fill

Here is a little more information I have found regarding the density of sand fill used in reclaimed land projects.

• As i discussed in my last post, the method of placing the sand fill has a direct impact on the relative density of the sand fill. In fact, the placement method is the most important characteristic in the relative density of a fill.
• There are two catagories of hydraulic sand fill - above water, or below water fill.
• Below water fill tends to be looser than above water fill.

More info to come soon! I have found some good sources, just in the process of reading through them. Stay tuned! Also, an updated list of sources will be up soon.

Interesting Initial Findings

Hey everyone,

Here is an update on some of my initial research. Although it is still very early in the research process, I have found some things that appear to be promising for my research project.

First, I found some information on how an artificial island is formed.

• Sand can be brought up (dredged) from the seabed to build up the island.
• GPS is used to comfirm the sand is being placed in the correct location.
• Inbetween the layers of sand, there are usually layers of rock. These layers of rock provide stability and prevent erosion.

Artificial islands can also be formed by reclaimed land, such as diking, filling and sinking rigid legs known as gravity caissons.

Last, I found some interesting information on the density of reclaimed sand fill. I won't get into too much detail, but here are a few points about the topic

• The relative density of reclaimed sand fill is a measure of compactness, strength and compressibility characteristics of the fill. This is important because it has a direct impact on the design of the foundation.
• The relative density is affected by the basic characteristics of the sand and the method of sand placement. Some characteristics taken into acount are particle size distribution and dominant grain size. These characteristics are affected by the method that the sand is placed.
• Some methods of placement include direct-dumped fill and hydraulic pumping.

Thesis

I know I have been jumping around with my topic, but it turns out someone has done a report on dome structures a couple years so, so I am resorting back to my original topic. As our exercise in class, I will write my thesis statement that I have come up with, and I encourage you all to give your thought and ideas how to expand on my topic and how to better apply it. So here it is.

Topic: Man made islands from land reclemation.

Thesis: How do we build man made islands from land reclemation that will be structurally stable enough for residential housing off the coast of Vancouver, B.C.

Application: Vancouver, B.C., residential housing

Topic Update

Hey everyone,

My research has not been going as planned. I have not been happy where its been going and what I am finding, so therefore, I have decided to choose a new topic. I am currently in the process of making a decision. I have found some interesting ideas of building green with the use of a dome. I think I am leaning towards studying a dome house and the factors and attributes that make it more green than a typical home, but have not ruled out any options. I will apply my research on how to make a dome green compared to that of a typical home, as well as the costs of constructing one, and see if it is a realistic building design in our community. As always, thought and comments are always welcome.

Narrowing Topic

Hey everyone,

I am in the process of narrowing my topic but I am not too sure what direction to go in. Anyone have any thoughts or ideas of where to go with it? Let me know, Thanks.

Proposal

Here is my research proposal. It will explain my topic of choice and give you an idea of where I want to go with my research.

Summary statement of proposed project

Water levels in the oceans and seas are continuing to rise, leading to many countries around the world losing valuable real estate along the shore line. This land can be saved by land reclamation. My project will focus on how do we best design housing on reclaimed land for countries that will be hardest hit by rising sea levels?

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to examine different types of projects around the world that have been build on reclaimed land and determine the best way to design housing on reclaimed land, as well as looking at the best way to reclaim the land so it is able to withstand the forces resulting from building houses, and forces resulting from ground water and settlement of the soils.

Goals and Objectives of the project

As issues of global warming continue to arise, reclamation of land is becoming more common. My goals are to examine the pros and cons of reclaimed land projects around the world and determine the best way to develop the land and buildings on the land. My goals and objectives include determining the best and most structurally stable land from reclamation, as well as how to design the buildings and housing on the land, with attention paid to the foundations.

Methodology and analytical approach

I will begin the project by looking at what exactly reclaimed land is, the types of reclaimed land such as land reclaimed from the ocean or an artificial island, followed by a brief history of projects and cities that have been designed on reclaimed land. Then, I will look at some reasons why land reclamation is necessary in different countries around the world, and how they have different strategies of developing the land. Next, I will take a more in-depth look at the land and the different components that make it up, and how these apply to the structural stability of the land. If they are not structurally sound, I will look at how the land can be developed so it is able to be built on, and the best way to do so. Last, I will look at how to design buildings and housing on reclaimed land, looking at such things as foundations, whether or not caissons or piles are needed, and settlement of the buildings on the land. I will conclude the best and most economical way to design housing on reclaimed land.

Previous studies

There have been many previous studies and projects around the world in the context of my proposed research project. With better technology, and problems of over population, projects on reclaimed land are booming in the Middle East and Japan. I plan on advancing the field by taking the most affective techniques from the many projects around the world and coming up with a new more effective way of designing on reclaimed land.
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Plans for dissemination of work

I plan to disseminate my work mainly through my colleagues and faculty members in class. I will give an oral presentation of my work to my classmates and faculty members which will aid in spreading my ideas and thoughts on the subject. The largest part in the dissemination of my work, however, will be in the form of a web blog. This will mainly spread my work to my classmates as they will be participating and giving ideas and advice on the project in the blog, but also has the opportunity to be read and reviewed by anyone in the world who is searching the world wide web for information on the topic of my work.

Hello

Hello Everyone,

I want to welcome you to my blog for the ARET Research Project. This blog is to help share ideas and information about my research topic. Please feel welcome to comment or share any thoughts or ideas you may have at any time, they will be greatly appreciated.