UNITED NATIONS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION

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UNITED NATIONS
UNITED NATIONS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION
Vienna

: UNITED NAT,lONS
New York, 1985
 Abstract
---.

The -Popular Manual for Wooden House Construction- presents a construction

system aimed at helping low-income families solve their housing needs. The
system can be used in regions that have ample timber. The Manual is written
in simple language and has many sketches to facilitate its use.

The first part of the Manual discusses the:

Design of the house

Quantities of materials needed

Pre-fabrication and pre-cutting of components

Construction of the house

Finishing

Adaptations and modifications

The major part of the Manual

-- is devoted to the actual construction of the
house :

Layout and putting up piles

Laying the floor frame and floorboards

Erecting the panels

Erecting the roof frame and putting on the roof

Windows and doors

Although the construction system was conceived and implemented in the

Amazon region of Brazil, information on wood species found in Africa and Asia
is also included, as are data on the required physical and mechanical charac-
teristics of the wood used in the various parts of the house. Thus, the
Manual can be of use in many regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America.
 Preface
--e-m

The Popular Manual for Wooden House Construction was originally prepared
by the Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnologicas (IPT), S%o Paulo, Brazil, for a
self-help community building project at Coroados, Manaus, under a contract
with the Housing Society for the Amazon State (SHAM). (Phorographs 1 to 4
show the project at various stages, including a view of completed houses.)

An experimental group of 40 houses was built during the period

November 1981March 1982. The average cost was $US 49.70 to $US 59.50 per
square metre (as of March 1982) * depending on the area, which averaged
40 square metres, and the type of foundation used (stone or ceramic blocks and
a cement or wooden floor). All houses were equipped with bathrooms built with
concrete blocks. The cost included the materials delivered at the construc-
tion site and the labour for manufacture and assembly and for masonry, elec-
trical and pipe work. It did not include materials and labour for painting;
electrical) water and sewerage installations; nails and tools; and land acqui-
sition and infrastructure.

The purpose of this -- Hanual is to provide direct and simple assistance to

people and communities that want to build their own houses either individually
or on a co-operative basis. Complicated design calculations have been omitted
and instructions are straightforward and easy to follow. The format used
enables interested parties to reproduce the Manual
--- in their own language by
translating the captions and inserting them in the appropriate places. The
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is willing to make
available good originals for this purpose to Governments, national bodies or
groups. The only requirements are that full acknowledgement and credit must
be given to UNIDO and to IPT for the original work and that UNIDOmust receive
two complimentary copies of any such reproduction.
Photo 1. Partial view of the IPT/SHAM houses under construction
in Coroados, Manaus, Brazil

Photo 2. The houses being painted with PVA-based paint

 In the foreground,
Photo 3. View of houses nearing completion.
house with ceramic block foundation and cement fioor

Photo 4. View of finished houses, already occupied

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 Table 1. Wood species that can be used in wooden house construction

Name and species Where found Common local names

AFRICA

1. Piles and beams

Afzelia - West, Middle and Lingue (Ivory Coast, Senegal);

Afzelia bipindensis East Africa Papao (Ghana); Apa, Aligna
(also A. pachyloba, (Nigeria); M’Banga, Doussie
A. africana and (Cameroon); N’Kokongo, Doussie
A. quanzensis) (Angola, Congo); Bolengu
(Zaire) ; Pau Conta (Guinea-
Bissau); Mkora, Mbembakaft
(United Republic of Tanzania);
Chanfuta, Mussacossa
(Mozambique); Beyo, Meli, Azza
(Uganda)

Danta - Nesogordonia East Africa, from Otutu (Nigeria); Kotibe <Ivory

papaverifera Sierra Leone to Coast) ; 0~06 (Cameroon); Arbor-
Cameroon and bora (Gabon); Kondo findo
northern Gabon (Zaire) ; Naouya (Angola);
Abumana, Ajumaba, Epro (Ghana).

Ekki - Lophira alata West Africa Bongossi, Bakunda (Cameroon);

Azobe (West Africa); Kabu (Ghana);
Eba, Ekki, Aba (Nigeria); Esore
(Ivory Coast); Endwei (Sierra
Leone 1; Akoga (Gabon); Boukole
(Congo)

Opepe - Nauclea From Sierra Leone Jusia, Kusiaba (Ghana); Badi

diderrichii to the Congo and, (Ivory Coast); Bilinga, Akondoc
in the Yast to (Cameroon); N’Gou, Masa (Angola,
Uganda Congo, Zaire); Kilingi (Uganda);
Aloma (Equatorial Guinea, Gabon)

2. Floor frame and platform

Idigbo - Terminalia From Guinea to Black afara (Nigeria); Framire

ivorensis a/ Cameroon (France, Ivory Coast); Emeri
(Ghana)

Guarea - Guarea cedrata Ghana, ivory Coast, Boss6 (France, Ivory Coast); Kwabo
G. Thompsonii southern Nigeria Koro (Ghana); Obobo (Nigeria),
Edoucid (Cameroon)

a/ Only for floors.

88
-1- .II. _
Name and species Where found Common local names

FSakor6 - Tieghemella From Sierra Leone to Baku (Ghana); Douka, Ukola

heckelii Cameroon, Gabon and (Gabon); Flakore (Ivory Coast)
southern Cabinda

3. Panels, roof frames and finishinrs

Abura - Mitragyna West Africa, from Bahia (Ivory Coast); Subaha,

ciliata b/ Sierra Leone tc the Baya (Ghana); M’Boy (Sierra
Congo and Angola Leone); M’Boy (Liberia); Elolom
(Cameroon) ; Elelon (Gabon) , Vuku ,
M’Voukou (Zaire); Nzingu (Uganda,
Zambia)

Agba - West Africa, southern Achi, Egba, Emongi, Ayinre

Gossweilerodendron Nigeria to the Congo (Nigeria) ; Tola blanc (Congo);
balsamiferum basin Tola branca (Angola), N’Tola
(Zaire)

Limba - Terminalia West Africa, from Ofram (Ghana) ; Akom (Cameroon);

superba Sierra Leone to Angola Limbo, ChBne-Limbo, Frake, Noyer
and Zaire du Hayombe, Korina (West Africa);
Afara (Nigeria); Limba (Angola,
(Zaire) ; N’ganga (Central African
Republic)

Niangon - Tarrietia From Sierra Leone to Niankom (Ghana); Ogoue (Cameroon)

utilis Ghana, Cameroon and De-Orh (Liberia); Yawe (Sierra
Gabon Leone 1

ASIA

1. Piles and beams

Kapur - Dryobalanops Borneo, Sumatra, Keladan, Kapur (Malaysia);

aromatica, D. lanceolata, Malaysia Kapoer (Indonesia); Kapor
D. beccarii ISabah)

Kempas - Koompassia Malaysia, Sumatra, Impas (Sabah); Mengaris

malaccens is Borneo, Indonesia (Sarawak)

Keruing - Dipterocarpus Indo-Malaysian region Keruing (Indonesia, Malaysia,

SPP Sabah, Sarawak); Gurjun (Burma,
India); Yang (Thailand), Apitong
(Philippines); Eng Or In (Burma);
(Langan, Keroeing (Indonesia); Dau
(Democratic Kampuchea, Viet Nam)

b/ A preservation treatment is advisable.

89
__-__---___ -__- ----- - -._- ---..--.----- ----_

Name and species Where found Common local names

_ ------_ ----.--1-------------------

Kerbau - Intsia Indo-Malaysian region, Tat--Talum (Burma); Lumpha.

palembanica, I. bijuga Indonesia, Philippines Lumpho (Thailand); Kwila
Australia and western (New Guinea); Vesi (Fiji
Pacific Islands Islands) ; Ipil (Philippines);
Merbau (Malaysia)

2. Floor frame and platform_

Dark red meranti - Peninsular Halasia, Saya (Thailand); Red seraya

Shorea Spp Sabah and Sarawak, (Malaysia); Meranti, Merah
Indonesia and (Indonesia); White lauan,
Philippines Almon, Mayapis (Philippines)

Kohko - Albizzia lebbek South and South.-Eas t Siris, Siris tree, East Indian
Asia, Burma, India, walnut
Indo-China,
Malaysia and
the Philippines

Mengkulang - Heritiera India, from Malaysia Kembang (Malaysia); Kanze

simplicifolia to Indonesia, (Burma) ; Chuprak (Theilandi ;
Philippines and other Lumsayan, Lumbayau
Pacific islands (Philippines); Huyah
(Democratic Kampuchea)

Ramin - Gonystylus Malaysia, Indonesia Helawis (Malaysia); Garu-Buaja

bancanus b/ and Philippines (Indonesia); Janutan-Bagio

3. Panels,
--- roof frame and finishings

Geronggang - Cratoxylon South-East Asia, Serungan (Sabah, Sarawak,

arborescens h/ Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam)
Brunei

Krabak - Anisoptera Spp Burma, Indonesia, Mersawa (Brunei Darussalam,

Malaysia, New Guinea, Malaysia); Kanghmu Palosapis
Philippines, Thailand (Philippines); Phdiek
(Democratic Kampuchea);
Ven-Ven (Viet Nam)

Light red meranti - Indonesia, Halaysia Light red seraya, red seraya
Shorea Spp and Philippines (Malaysia); Saya (Thailand);
Meranti merah (Indonesia); Whit
lauan , Almon , Mayapi s
(Philippines)

White seraya - Brunei Darussalam, Bagtikan (Philippines); Urak Ma

Parashorea plicata Malaysia and (Malaysia)
Philippines

90
Name and species Where found Common local names

LATIN AMERICA

1. Piles and beams

Balata - Manilkara West Indies, Central Chicozapote (Mexico); Ausubo

bidentata America and northern (Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic);
part of South America Nispero (Panama); Beefwood
(Guyana) ; Bolletri (Suriname);
Balate rouge (French Guyana);
Maqaranduba (Brazil)

Courbaril - Iiymenaea South of Mexico, Cuapinol, Guapinol (Mexico);

courbaril Central America, West Guapinol (Central America);
Indies, Bolivia, Locust, Kawanari (Guyana);
northern part of Rode lokus (Suriname);
Brazil and Peru Algarrobol (Spanish-speaking
Latin America); Jutai, Jatobi,
Jatai (Brazil 1

Manbarklak - Amazon basin, Costa Oxito, Olleto (Panama); Coca de

Eschweilera longipes Rica, Guyanas and mono, Moutangero (Venezuela!;
Trinidad Coca cristal, Tete congo
(Colombia); Haudan, Kakeralli
(Guyana)

Tonka - Dipteryr Brazilian Amazon Almendro (Costa Rica, Panama);

odorata Region, Colombia, Serrapia (Colombia, Venezuela);
Guyanas and Venezuela Cumaru (Brazil); Charapilla,
Cumarut (Peru)

Wallaba - Eperua bijuga Brazilian Amazon Palo machete (Venezuela);

region, Guyanas and Wallaba, Bijlhout (Suriname);
Venezuela Wapa (French Guyana); Apb,
Apazeiro , JQbaro (Brazil 1

2. Floor frame and platform

Angelin - Andira inermis From south of Mexico Hoca (Cuba, Puerto Rico);
through Central Cuilimbuco, Plaquilla (Mexico);
America and northern Barbosquillo, Arenillo
part of South America (Panama) ; Rodes kabbes
(Brazil and Peru). (Suriname); Acapurana (Brazil)
Also occurs in Guyana
and Trinidad

Gronfoloe - Qualea Tropical America, from Florencillo (Venezuela); Kouali,

albif lora south of Mexico to Gringnongou (French Guyana);
Peru. Abundant in Gronfoloe (Suriname); Quaruba,
Brazil and Guyanas Mandioqueira (Brazil)
Name and species Where found Common local names

Kopie - Goupia glabra Amazon, Colombia and Saino, Sapino (Colombia);

Guyana Kopi (Suriname); Kabukalli
(Guyana) ; Groupie (French
Guyana 1; Cupiriba (Brazil)

Mahoe - Hibscus elatus Brazil, Cuba, Jamaica, Emajagua excelsa (Puerto

Mexico, Peru and West Rico) ; Maj agua , Maj agua
Indies azul (Cuba) ; Mountain mahoe
(Jamaica)

Manni - Symphonia West Indies, Central Barillo (Guatemala, Honduras);

globulifera America and northern Cerillo (Costa Rica, Panama);
part of South America Machare (Colombia); Mani,
Paramin (Venezuela); Matalci
(Suriname) ; Manni (Guyana) ;
Breacaspi (Peru); Anani (Brazil)

Nargusta - Terminailia From south of Mexico Almendro (Honduras); Canshan

amazon i a to Central America (Mexico) ; Amarillo carabazuelo
and northern part of t Panama) ; Guayabo lean (Colombia) .
,
South America. Also Pardillo negro (Venezuela); Pau,
occurs in Guyana and Mulato brancc (Brazil)
?dest Indies

3. Panels. rc>,jf fsse and finishing

Determa - Ocotaa rubra Brazil’s lower -Amazon Louro vermelho (Brazil); Determa
region, Guyana and (Guyana) ; Wana, Wane (Suriname) ;
Trinidad Grignon rouge (French Guyana)

Crabwood - Carapa West Indies, from Cuba Cedro-macho (Venezuela); Kapra

guianensis to Trinidad, from (Suriname); Figueiro, Tangare
south Honduras, (Ecuador); Andiroba (Brazil,
through Central Peru)
America to Guyanas
and Brazil, Colombia
and Peru and high
countries of the
Orinoco in Venezuela

Santa Maria -
Calophyllum brasiliense
West Indies and from Bari, Leche de Maria (Mexico);
south of Mexico, Calaba (Panama); Aceite Maria
through Central America (Colombia); Edaballi kurahara.
to northern part of (Guyana) ; Balsa Maria (Bolivia);
South America Guanandi , Jacareuba (Brazil)

Roble - Tabebuia rosea, West Indies, south of Roble (Spanish-speaking Latin

T. heterophylla Mexico to Ecuador America); Amapa, Roble blanco
and Venezuela (Mexico) ; Roble blanco, Roble de
sabana (Costa Rica); Roble do1
rio (Colombia); Apamate
(Venezuela)
 Table 2. Characteristics of woods from Acariguara
(Minquartia guianensis) and Jacareuba (Calophyllum brasiliense)

Properties Acariquara Jacareuba

-

Specific mass (density)

at 12% humidity 912 kg/m2 624 kg/m2

Volumetric shrinkage,
green-dry 14% 12.3%

Static bending strength I-

at 12% humidity
- Rupture modulus (MOR) 135 MPa 101 MPa
- Elastic modulus (MOE) 16,840 MPa 12,630 MPa

Compression strength along

the grain at 12% humidity,
maximum strength 69 MPa 48 MPa

Natural durability for fungus

and termite attack Very durable Moderately durable

Preservability Not treatable Sapwood treatable;

heartwood not
treatable

Easiness of mechanical
fixing Regular Good

Other observations Difficult to work Tendency to split

and to warp

Source : Tropical Woods, No. 94 (1954) and No. 103 (1955).

Note : You can compare the characteristics of these types of wood with
those of wood found in your area.
 Table 3. Requisites for each type of use

Use Requisites

Piles High specific mass 700 kg/m3

Beams High to very high mechanical properties:

Bending strengh
Rupture modulus 121 MPa
Elastic modulus 15,000 MPa

Parallel compression
maximum strength 56 MPa

Durability: high, resistant to more

than
12 years in contact with ground

Preservability: easy; permeable

Mechanical fixation: easy

Floor frame Medium to high specific mass

500 kg/m3

Medium to very high mechanical

properties:
Bending strength
Rupture modulus 86 MPa
Elastic modulus 12,000 FlPa

Parallel compression
maximum strength 56 MPa

Durability: high, resistant to more than

12 years in contact with ground

Preservability: easy/permeable

Mechanical fixation: easy

Joists, windows and doors, Medium to low specific mass

joists’ header boards, 700 kg/m3
inter-panel finishing boards,
inter-panel studs, facias, Volumetric shrinkage (percentage of the
purlins, beams, rafters dimension of green wood): 13.5 x
and posts
Medium mechanical properties
Bending strength
Rupture modulus 86 MPa
Elastic modulus 12,000 MPa
-

Use Requisites

Durability: high, resistant to more

than
12 years in contact with ground

Preservability: easy/permeable

Mechanical fixation: easy

Workability: moderate to very easy

Source : Grupamento de Madeira da Amazbnia por similaridade de

caracteristicas e usos (Sudam, Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnologicas, 1981).
Printed in Austria
V.84-94020-March 1985-3.500 I D/330