Investigating the Construction of a Post-earthquake Shelter Using the Super Adobe Method in Herat, Afghanistan

Abstract

Earthquakes, as one of the most destructive natural disasters, have always posed significant challenges to humanity. The construction of temporary housing in post-earthquake conditions is very necessary and should be considered as a life-saving measure. To ensure the safety and health of the people affected by the earthquake, it is necessary to provide solutions for cheap, fast, and safe housing. Construction solutions for cheap and fast housing in times of crisis require the use of earthquake-resistant technologies. Among the types of post-earthquake temporary housing, housing construction using Super Adobe is one of the solutions that speed up the construction process and reduce costs. The purpose of this article is to investigate the need and construction of an emergency shelter using the Super Adobe method after the deadly earthquake in Herat, Afghanistan in 2023. The research paradigm is qualitative and comparative methods and logical analysis have been used in it. In the first part, the types of emergency shelters were compared and the construction of emergency shelters using the Super Adobe method in Herat was evaluated. Then 38 samples made in the Sanjab village of Herat were examined. The results of the research show that according to the geographical, economic, social, physical, and rural conditions of the region, the problems and challenges in the preparation of materials, and the construction of earthquake-resistant shelters, the Super Adobe method is the most suitable option for the construction of emergency shelters in this region. The ability to implement in a short time, the use of local materials, compatibility with the rural context, resistance to cold, heat, and climatic conditions of the region, resistance to earthquakes, low cost, and compatibility with sustainable rural development are the main reasons for the compatibility of this plan with the existing post-earthquake conditions.