Cross Laminated Timber furniture providing shelter during earthquakes. Lifeshell public domain release.

Abstract

Earthquakes are an unpredictable potentially deadly phenomena. Buildings anti-seismictechnology can effectively reduce the risk of injuries, however the anti-seismic performancesof many buildings are still weak. Lack of funds, logistics and bureaucracy are still delaying theadoption of this technology on a large scale. As a result citizens spend hours everyday in privateand public buildings (including schools) which are still a dangerous place.A wooden based furniture that can be used as an anti-seismic shelter is here released under theCreative Commons licence: a low-cost, natural-based, open-source, copyright-free solution.The so-called Lifeshell concept has been independently funded by former wood researchers andit is presented in its engineering characteristics. “Life in Shell” depicts an alive human beingprotected by wood during an earthquake.Lifeshell is a furniture in the shape of school desk, wardrobe, table or bed realized using CrossLaminated Timber panels. The design foresees as many closed sides as possible and theassembly uses metal connections and screws for wooden constructions. A 1300 x 700 x 500mm school desk prototype has been successfully tested, resisting to a total impact energy of40.000 Joule without major damages.Lifeshell is foreseen in various types, sizes, weights, finishing and accessories. A very low costversion is thought for being assembled and finished by the final user, while a top-range versioncan include a surviving kit or even topped with fancy technology (oxygen masks, avalanchebeacon, radio and so on).Authors release this potential life-saving technology using the Creative Commons CC BY 4.0License (public domain), which allows the production and selling of these furniture without anyroyalty fee for the authors.

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