Biochar Concrete Roofing Sheets
for Nicaragua
Design Review 1
Agenda
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Team Introduction
Project Background
Problem Statement
Additional Deliverables
Use Scenarios
Customer Requirements
Benchmarking
Engineering Requirements
HOQ
Risks
Project Plan
Concerns
Next Steps
Team Intro and Roles
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Peter Chynoweth - Mechanical Design Lead
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Jamiya Cook - External Project Manager
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Adrian Izbicki - Materials Design Lead
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Cindy Widergren - Internal Project Manager
Project Background: Nicaragua and 4 Walls
 El Sauce, Nicaragua
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Largest country of South America
Rural “cowboy” small-town atmosphere
High unemployment, primarily agricultural, has growing
opportunities for economic development
 4 Walls
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Help families obtain their homes
Build a potential small business for some people in
Nicaragua
Project Background: Biochar
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Made from many types of biomass including agricultural wastes
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Being tested as a component in building materials and are starting to test biochar amended with
concrete
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Used to improve humidity control and could potentially have many other benefits
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Ithaka Institute - non-profit foundation that researches biochar
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teamed up with 4 Walls to see if roofs could be made from biochar
Project Background: Biochar
http://www.terralogix.net/biochar
Problem Statement
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Current State
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Desired State
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Create roofs that are less expensive, made of local products, quieter in the rain and do not create a large
solar gain by utilizing biochar
Project Goals
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4 Walls builds homes in Nicaragua but the roof construction is not optimal
Analyze current roofing design
Design a biochar roofing that can be made and repaired locally
Constraints
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Roof must be able to be built with local materials and tools for less than $400
Deliverables
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Working Roof Prototype
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Test Documentation
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Molds for Manufacturing
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Material Mix (Biochar/Concrete)
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Instructions for Installation
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Schematics/Design Models
Use Scenario: Construction of the Roof
Customer Requirements / Interview Insights
Benchmarking
Cost
($/sqft)
Weight (lbs)
Installed Cost per
sqft ($)
Lifespan
(years)
Modularity
(sqft)
Wind Resistance
(mph)
Metal Sheets
1
1.5
7
50
42
140
Tar Tiles
1
2
1.20
20
3
110
Clay Tiles
2.50
10
4
45
1.5
110
*Benchmarks are in America
Engineering Requirements
House of Quality
● Compared customer
requirements to
engineering
requirements
HOQ Insights
Most important ER:
Total Cost
Takeaways:
Keep cost down
Number of Skilled operators
Keep installation simple
Time to install roof
Tradeoffs:
Add more desired features, increase cost
Keep in mind roof weight, dimensions, ability to hold a person, decreases install time
Risks
Current Project Plan and WBS
Concerns
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Having our first meeting with one of our main customers today
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Will have to ensure that all of the previous work aligns with their
requirements
Future Plan
 As a team, where do you want to be in three weeks at your next review?
a.
Developing Alternatives
b.
Concept Selection
c.
Functional Analysis
d.
Feasibility Analysis
e.
Risk Assessment
f.
Test Plan
 Each individual team member has certain action items before the next review
Questions?