Reconstruction and durability study of the old living hut built in 1969 at Syowa Station, Antarctica

Abstract

The living hut was built by the 10th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE-10) at Syowa Station in 1969. The living hut, which had been used over 29 years at Syowa Station, was demolished and the prefabricated building elements of the hut were brought back to Japan in 1998. The building elements were reconstructed for the durability test and the present conditions of the reconstructed living hut were investigated. The reconstruction work of the hut was finished within 5 days and with a total of 22 workers. The elements and devices were usable on the whole. The building can be reused if damaged parts are restored and external facing and interior finish are renewed.