Portable Homeless Shelter Introduction to Engineering Dr. Khalil Sharif Presented by: Phyllis Sluyter, Cari Jackson, Berenice Martinez, Luis Rodriquez
Introduction In 2014 the National Alliance to End Homelessness predicted a homeless population of 578,424 individuals. With a limited number of emergency shelters and transitional homes, such a large population would find it difficult for all the individuals to find shelter. Therefore, many of the people do not have access to any shelter, leaving them outside in the elements and in inclement weather. The National Coalition for the Homeless predicted that approximately 700 people die from hypothermia annually. With such a large number of preventable deaths, something must be done. As one can see from those projected numbers, there is a great need for homeless shelters. This proposal is for a portable homeless shelter that is light weight, mobile, and has the ability to protect the individuals from inclement weather. Being mobile will increase the versatility of the shelter. It will allow the individuals to move around as needed, possibly for jobs or other means
of living. This proposed portable shelter will possibly have the ability to save hundreds of lives each year. Community How will this project serve out community? In 2015 the University of Arkansas conducted a study regarding the population of homeless individuals located in Benton and Washington Counties located within Northwest Arkansas. It was estimated that there were approximately 2500 homeless individuals, with 1200 of those individuals being children under the age of 18 (Fitzpatrick 8). Contacts Dr. Khalil Sharif- Engineering Proposed Tools (for 2/3 scale model) Software Microsoft PowerPoint for Mac Version 15.16 Microsoft Word for Mac Version 15.12.3 AutoCAD Hardware Everbilt 1/2 in. -13 tpi x 3 in Zinc-Plated Coarse Thread Carriage Bolt
Crown Bolt 1/2 in. Zinc-Plated Flat Washer (25-Pack) Everbilt 1/2 in. -13 tpi x 3 in Coarse Zinc-Plated Steel Jam Nut (4-Pack) Everbilt 1/2 in. -13 tpi x 5 in Zinc-Plated Coarse Thread Carriage Bolt Everbilt 3 in. Zinc-Plated Double Hinge Safety Hasp Everbilt 1 in. Steel Zinc-Plated Corner Brace (4-Pack) Keeper 1 in. D-Ring with Bracket HDX 10in. Mini Bungee Cords (8-Pack) WeatherSheild 1in. X 2 in. x 8 ft. Pressure-Treated Board Crown Bolt 3 lb. x 5/8 in. Brass-Plated Cup Hooks (100-Pack) 1/4 in. x 4 ft. x 8ft BC Sanded Pine Plywood Grabber #6 x 1-1/4 in. Gold Screw 1 lb. per Box Everbilt 3 in. Soft Rubber Swivel Plate Caster with 175 lb. Load Rating and Brake Everbilt 3 in. Soft Rubber Rigid Caster with 175 lb. Load Rating Tent Sleeping bag Weather resistant fabric Velcro Hinges 2in x 4in board Reciprocating saw Skill Saw Table Saw Drill
Various drill bits Hammer Tape Measure Pencil Methodology i. Initial sketch proposal was submitted to the professor, pending approval. ii. The team then started with research and knowledge of past designs concerning homeless shelters. iii. iv. Several drawings of other potential designs were sketched. The team analyzed each sketch for feasibility, and also determined if the design was able to fit within the team s constraints. v. Once a design was settled on, the team continued to improve upon that design, trouble shooting when necessary, trying to discover the best approach. Example: Trying to decide what kind of stabilizing leg was most efficient. vi. A final sketch was completed; with the premises that it may need to be slightly altered to fit within the constraints.
Proposed Build Methodology i. 5 pieces of plywood for the base and the sides would be measured and cut according to specifications, using a range of different saws. ii. iii. 2 pieces of plywood would also be cut for support legs. The 1in x 2 in board would be measured and cut to the correct specifications, those would be used for base support and wagon handle.
iv. 2 in x 4 in board(s) would be measured and cut to specifications, it will be used for base support and the wagon handle assembly. v. The plywood would be painted/coated to make it more weather resistant before assembly. vi. vii. viii. The plywood and boards would be pre-drilled with a 1/8 drill bit prior to assembly. The base would be assembled using plywood, 1in x 2 in, and 2 in x 4 in boards. The front assembly for the wagon handle a. Would be drilled with a 5/8 in wood drill bit. b. Would be pre-drilled with 1/2 in drill bit for attaching to base. i. This will be done using the 1/2 in x 3 in carriage bolts, washers, and nuts. c. The assembly would then be bolted into place and i. A handle will be made using 1 in x 2 in board and round handle attachment. ii. The end of the handle will be pre-drilled to allow the carriage bolt to pass through it attaching it to the handle assembly. d. The 1/2 in x 5 in carriage bolt would be fitted through the handle assembly and the handle and a washer would be placed over the bolt and a nut would then hold it in place. ix. The casters/wheels would be put into place on the base a. The two 360 degree casters with breaks would be place on the base in the front of the wagon. b. The two stationary casters would be place on the base in the back of the wagon. x. The front of the wagon would then be put in place, as it is stationary and would be supported by a pre-drilled 1in x 2 in base board held in place by screws and brackets.
xi. The sides will then be attached using hinges a. The sides would be pre-drilled with (2) 1 in holes in the upper corners in order to allow for the tent to be attached when the shelter/wagon is folded out i. There will be (2) D-rings attached to each side of the wagon for the tent pole supports to be attached to. They will be attached through the 1 in holes on the outside corners of the sides, and also serve the purpose of holding the roll out cover in place. b. The stabilizing legs (1 for each side) would then be attached to the sides via hinges. i. The hinges would be place on the underside to allow them to swing out on their own when folding out the sides of the wagon. xii. The back of the wagon would then be attached using hinges. a. 2 D-Rings would also be attached to the back to hold the roll out cover in place. xiii. The roll up cover would then be attached to the front of the wagon via a 1in x 2 in support board, pre drilled and screwed into place. a. The weather resistant fabric would then be rolled up and a Velcro strap would be placed above and below the roll in 2 locations (one on each side of the roll), allowing it to be secured when not in use. b. When the weather resistant fabric is rolled out over the wagon it will cover the wagon entirely and will be held in place by bungee cords, or snaps connectable to the D-rings, allowing for complete coverage. xiv. Safety hasp will then be attached to the wagon s 4 corners, allowing the wagon to be closed securely.
xv. A pop-up/fold-out tent will then be placed inside the wagon. a. The tent should be weather resistant and be able to maintain heat for cold nights and inclement weather times. b. Its projected there will be enough room for a sleeping bag and a few personal effects to be kept inside the wagon when it is in its mobile state, allowing for them to be completely covered and out of the elements. Projected Results The proposed portable homeless shelter will hopefully continue to move forward into a non-profit organization, or possibly become part of community project(s) that would allow funds for building units. Those units would then be dispersed to the homeless at little to no cost. Each unit that is dispersed to the homeless community has the ability to save that individual s life. Furthermore, in Northwest Arkansas there is a large portion of the homeless that is actually children. The children could possibly stay with their parents inside these shelters, also protecting them from the elements. Skills Gained Time management The ability to work through the design process Leadership and team building Problem solving
Searching for solutions Research Analytical Organization Logical thinking Working within constraints Communication Communication is the the most important of all these developed skills. Clear communication is necessary to complete any of the tasks that was set before the team. When the individuals of the team move into their specialized industry, communications will continue to be their foundation.
Appendix Fitzpatrick, Kevin M., Ph.D., Stephanie Collier, M.A., and Gail O'Conner, M.A. "Community and Family Institute Homeless Report." A Comprehensive Examination of Homelessness in Washington and Benton Counties(2015): 1-94. 2015 Homeless Report. Web. 3 May 2016. http://fulbright.uark.edu/departments/sociology/_resources/pdf/2015-homeless-report.pdf "National Coalition for the Homeless." National Coalition for the Homeless. N.p., 10 Jan. 2010. Web. 03 May 2016. http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/winter_weather/report.html "The State of Homelessness in America 2015." National Alliance to End Homelessness:. N.p., 1 Apr. 2015. Web. 24 Apr. 2016. http://www.endhomelessness.org/library/entry/the-stateof-homelessness-in-america-2015