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| Projects Introduction House boats is a popular way of living in many Western Countries, probably most know for their House Boat is Netherlands, but also in Denmark and USA you will find lots of people who is living in House Boats. Many indigenous people around the world are living in houseboats or on converted vessels; you will find them on the rivers in Thailand and in the Northern parts of India. It has become fashionable a bohemia to live in a house boat. In Denmark a new House boat will cost quite a bit more per Sqm than a similar ordinary flat. The concept This project sets out to investigate the possibilities of introducing a new kind of House boat. Criteria’s:
Market The intention is to introduce the House Boat in the tropical parts of the Asian markets. It will first of all be presented as a pretty expensive and interesting way of living, either as a second home or for young rich people, who are attracted to an alternative lifestyle. Later, it will be investigated how to make very cheap House boats, based on recycled materials. The possibilities of leases and rental to tourist must also be investigated. Design concept The House Boat (HB) must be conceived in a way where the client will have the greatest influence on the appearance, technical complexity, flexibility and price. The structure will be made out of modules in all areas. Buoyancy system In order for the floating base to be as light as possible we think that it might be possible to use PE or PVC pipes with a diameter of 600mm. These pipes will be sealed in the ends, hence making a floating volume. Each section will be 3 m long in order to be light enough for two persons to handle, they will be assembled lengthwise with inserted connections tubes. Some of the sections will be adapted for technical purposes, like water tanks, fuel tanks, sewage tanks. SOME CONSIDERATIONS: FIREPROOF Modern residential, and commercial uses, as well as marinas, demand a non-combustible and explosion-proof system. MAINTENANCE-FREE The floating platforms never require expensive haul-out for painting or scraping below the water-line. ONE PIECE CONSTRUCTION Floating foundation platforms must be one piece to allow construction to meet local building codes. Typical infrastructure and marina sections are one piece, 60' long. MASS or WEIGHT To provide a safe, gentle ride, a quality floating platform must be heavy, with a low centre of gravity. DURABLE The floating platform must last longer than the structure built on it. RIGID The floating platform is built on land with the rigidity to withstand launching stresses, particularly when
INSULATED The floating platform is completely insulated for variations in water temperature, including ice conditions. INSURABLE International Marine Floatation Systems Inc. floats qualify for standard insurance as they are permanent, fireproof and unsinkable. PORTABLE The IMF system is engineered to allow production of floating platforms and marina systems in remote and foreign locations without expensive facilities. Furthermore, these floating systems are designed with delivery options of trucking or towing. To date, IMF floating platforms have been towed over 400km on the North American coastline, and trucked across the United States. FLEXIBLE Services such as waste-water drainage, tankage, storage, electrical, etc. are incorporated within the float to accommodate local building codes. In-slab heating systems are another popular option. buildings are included. ENVIROMENTALY SAFE All materials in the IMF floating system are non-toxic. CONNECTOR IMF's structural concrete design and patented "Danbuoy" connector eliminate dependance on structural wooden whalers and through-rods. Cabin
Electrical
Plumbing
Mechanical
Production Construction Process How long does it take to build a complete floating home? To build a complete houseboat of approximately 1200 sq. ft. takes about four months, given standard construction. The addition of specialty items, curved work, elaborate plumbing and tile work can add considerably to the time, especially long lead-time items. Concrete Barges Do concrete barges float? Concrete barges float because of the sheer volume of water displaced by the barge. Acting in accordance with the laws of physics, the weight of water displaced equals the weight of the barge. What kind of reinforcing steel does a barge have? In a 16 x 36 barge, there is approximately 4000 lbs. of reinforcing, comprising #4 bars at 12” centers both ways in the walls and floor slab; #5 bars at 6” centers in the floor slab and #6 bars at the top and bottom of the walls. How long will a concrete barge last? Some concrete barges built by the military during WWII are being used as houseboat hulls, and with better concrete and two coats of cold tar epoxy, today’s barges can be expected to last at least 50 years. Costs What does it cost to build a concrete barge? As of 11/19/04, the price for a barge is $41.00 per square foot; a 16x40x6 barge would be $26,240, including sales tax, and there is a minimum pricing size of 16x32x6 and a maximum pricing size of 20x46x6. Sizes range from 112x26, 32x65, down to 12x20. Barges larger than 20x46x6 can be priced upon request. Sales and Marketing
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