Kaliwungu Kendal – Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of earthquake-resistant houses between Diponegoro University and PT. Terryham Proplas Indonesia (TPI) and Mataram University were held on Thursday, November 26, 2020. This signing was witnessed by the Minister of Research and Technology / Head of National Agency for Research and Innovation Prof. Bambang Brojonegoro, accompanied by Deputy for Strengthening Research and Development of the Ministry of Research and Technology / National Agency for Research and Technology Muhammad Dimyati, Director of Industrial Technology Development of the Ministry of Research and Technology / National Agency for Research and Technology Hotmatua Daulay, Special Staff to the Minister for Communication, Danang Rizki Ginanjar, Special Staff to the Minister for Funding and Investment for Ekoputro Adijayanto.
At the signing, UNDIP was represented by Vice Rector for Research and Innovation Prof. Dr. Ir. Ambariyanto, MSc., and UNRAM was represented by Vice Rector IV Yusron Saadi, ST., M.Sc., Ph.D. and Director of PT. TPI Syamsunar, SH. On that occasion, Vice Rector for Research and Innovation UNDIP was also accompanied by Director and Deputy Director of Research and Industrial Cooperation, Dr. Ir. Bambang Purwanggono, Prof. Dr. Ir. Syafrudin, Dr-Ing. Wisnu Pradoto and Deputy Director of Research Result Development Dr. Agus Subagio. The Earthquake Friendly House Research Team was represented by Dr. Ir. Agung Dwiyanto and Prof. Dr. Sri Tudjono.
This earthquake-resistant house product is the result of an innovation between Undip, PT. TPI and BPPT, which has been developed since 2019. A house made from UPVC (Unplasticized Poly Vinyl Chloride) can be built in just a few hours, so it will really help people who are affected by natural disasters. The use of UPVC is functioned as a substitute for wood for making walls, doors, and frames. Meanwhile, the poles and roof use mild steel so that apart from being earthquake resistant, this house is also heat resistant up to 220° C. The UPVC used for earthquake-friendly houses has been researched and tested by UNDIP and BPPT. A house made from UPVC can be an alternative for earthquake-friendly housing that is strong, representative, climate-friendly, fast-constructed and relatively cheap. UPVC material itself has the characteristics of environmentally friendly, fire protection, maintenance free, termite-proof, energy efficient, reduces noise, corrosion resistance.
In this collaboration, earthquake-friendly houses will be installed in Lombok area to meet the housing needs of people affected by the earthquake. The need for earthquake-friendly houses in earthquake-prone areas, especially in Lombok, Palu, Maluku is quite high, up to tens of thousands of units. Therefore, the production of innovative products from research collaboration in the form of earthquake-friendly houses made of UPVC is expected to bring impactful contribution to society. The innovation of earthquake-resistant houses made from UPVC and utilization in disaster areas is in accordance with several targets of Sustainable Development Goals, including the 1st goal (no poverty) to help disaster victims, the 9th goal (innovation and infrastructure) where earthquake-friendly house products are the result of infrastructure innovation, and the 11th goal (sustainable cities and communities) where the use of UPVC greatly reduced the use of wood.
On this occasion, Minister of Research and Technology / Head of National Agency for Research and Innovation expressed his appreciation to the parties involved in the research and development of earthquake-friendly houses. The next development will be followed up by UNDIP with other innovative UPVC products such as prototypes of floating houses and fishing boats.
