DEVELOPMENT IN ALTERNATIVE

BUILDING TECHNOLOGY

Dr.G.S.Suresh
Professor
Civil Engineering Department
The National Institute of Engineering
Mysore

One Day Workshop on

“Recent Developments in Civil Engineering and
Future Challenges-RDCEFC-2013”
(UNDER TEQIP-II)
On Thursday, May 9, 2013

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 1. ALTERNATIVE BUILDING MATERIALS

Introduction:
Construction/Building material is any material which is used for a
construction purpose. Just about every type of available material has been
used at one time or another for creating homes, structures, and
technologies. Living spaces and their related structures have been created
using myriad materials, from mud to metal, and from plastic to grass.

Building materials and technologies have evolved through ages. Housing

and building conditions reflect the living standards of a society. Stones,
mud, thatch and timber represent the earliest building materials used for
the construction of dwellings. Hardly any energy is spent in
manufacturing and use of these natural materials for construction. Brick
burning represents one of the earliest examples of using energy to
manufacture durable building materials from the soil/earth. Firewood was
the main source of energy for burning bricks. Use of metal products
represents the next energy consuming, manufactured material for the
construction, after bricks. Burnt bricks, metal products and lime are the
manufactured materials (using external energy sources) commonly used
for construction for a very long period of time.

Bricks, cement, steel, aluminium, plastic products, paints, polished stone,

ceramic products, etc. are the commonly used materials of construction
today. These materials are energy intensive and are transported over large
distances before being used for construction.

The issues related to energy expenditure, recycling, biodegradable,

environmental and sustainability with respect to future demand need to be
addressed during the manufacture and use of any new building material

With the advent of modern civilization and development of scientific

knowledge, there has been an upsurge in demand for developing newer
materials for novel applications. In fact, with the technological leaps in
recent times, the materials required to perform in stringent conditions -
high temperature & pressure, highly corrosive environment, higher
strength but without much weight implications etc. which the
conventional materials failed to service. The innovation was not limited to
developing materials with new properties alone but it also addressed the
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method of manufacturing - improved processing techniques, effective use
of energy while processing and more importantly with the least
environmental impact.

Types of Construction Material

Mud and Clay

The amount of each material used leads to different styles of buildings.
The deciding factor is usually connected with the quality of the soil being
used. Larger amounts of clay usually mean using the cob/adobe style,
while low clay soil is usually associated with sod building. The other main
ingredients include more or less sand/gravel.
Soil and especially clay is good thermal mass; it is very good at keeping
temperatures at a constant level. Homes built with earth tend to be
naturally cool in the summer heat and warm in cold weather.

Rock
It is the longest lasting building material available and is usually readily
available. There are many types of rock throughout the world all with
differing attributes that make them better or worse for particular uses.
Rock is a very dense material so it gives a lot of protection too, its main
draw-back as a material is its weight and awkwardness. Its energy density
is also considered a big draw-back,

Brush
Brush structures are built entirely from plant parts and are generally
found in tropical areas, such as rainforests, where very large leaves can be
used in the building. Native Americans often built brush structures for
resting and living in, too. These are built mostly with branches, twigs and
leaves, and bark.

Wood
Wood is a product of trees, and sometimes other fibrous plants, used for
construction purposes when cut or pressed into lumber and timber, such as
boards, planks and similar materials. It is a generic building material and
is used in building just about any type of structure in most climates. Wood
can be very flexible under loads, keeping strength while bending, and is

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incredibly strong when compressed vertically. There are many differing
qualities to the different types of wood, even among same tree species.

Brick and Block

A brick is a block made of kiln-fired material, usually clay, but also may be
of lower quality mud, etc. Clay bricks are formed in a moulding, or in
commercial manufacture more frequently by extruding clay through a die
and then wire-cutting them to the proper size.

Concrete
Concrete is a composite building material made from the combination of
aggregate and a binder such as cement. The most common form of concrete
consists of gravel, sand, cement and water. After mixing, the cement
hydrates and eventually hardens into a stone-like material. When used in
the generic sense, this is the material referred to by the term concrete.

Metal
Metal is used as structural framework for larger buildings such as
skyscrapers or as an external surface covering. There are many types of
metals used for building. Steel is a metal alloy whose major component is
iron, and is the usual choice for metal structural building materials. It is
strong, flexible, and if refined well and treated lasts a long time.

The lower density and better corrosion resistance of aluminium alloys and
tin sometimes overcome their greater cost. Brass was more common in the
past, but is usually restricted to specific uses or specialty items today.
Other metals used include titanium, chrome, gold, silver. These are used
as decoration because they are too soft to provide any structural support.
Corrosion is metal's prime enemy when it comes to longevity.

Glass
Glass is generally made from mixtures of sand and silicates, and is very
brittle. Modern glass "curtain walls" can be used to cover the entire facade
of a building. Glass can also be used to span over a wide roof structure in a
"space frame".
Ceramics
Ceramics are such things as tiles, fixtures, etc. Ceramics are mostly used

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as fixtures or coverings in buildings. Ceramics are used for floors, walls,
counter-tops & even ceilings. Even ceramic roofing tiles are used to cover
many buildings. It is used to be just a specialized form of clay-pottery
firing in kilns, but it has evolved into more technical areas.

Plastic
The term plastics covers a range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic
condensation or polymerization products that can be moulded or extruded
into objects or films or fibers. Their name is derived from the fact that in
their semi-liquid state they have the property of plasticity. Plastics vary
immensely in heat tolerance, hardness, and resiliency. Combined with this
adaptability, the general uniformity of composition and lightness of
plastics ensures their use in almost all industrial applications today.

Composites as Building Material

The construction area holds priority for the induction of composites in
place of conventional materials being used in doors & windows, paneling,
furniture and other interiors. Components made of composite materials
find extensive applications in shuttering supports, special architectural
structures imparting aesthetic appearance etc. with the advantages like
longer life, low maintenance and ease in workability, fire retardancy etc.
The key restricting factors in the application of composites are initial costs
due to raw materials and also inefficient conventional moulding processes.
Industry & design experts are of the view that with the adoption of
advanced technologies and some extent of standardization, these problems
could be easily taken care of.

The composite is an ideal material for the manufacture of prefabricated,

portable and modular buildings as well as for exterior cladding panels,
which can simulate masonry or stone. The translucent roof sheeting is
supplied in a variety of colours and profiles to suit both commercial and
domestic building needs. In interior applications, composites are used in
the manufacture of shower enclosures and trays, baths, sinks, troughs and
spas. Cast composite products are widely used for the production of vanity
units, bench tops and basins. Realistic simulation of marble in various
colours, onyx and granite can now be achieved with cast composites using
resin, filler and proper processing technology. The availability of highly

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fire resistant phenolic composites opens up the opportunity for new, safer
and cost effective building techniques.

FRP Doors & Door Frames

With the scarcity of wood for building products, the alternative, FRP
building materials to meet the demands of the housing & building sectors.
The doors made of FRP skins, sandwiched with core materials such as
rigid polyurethane foam, expanded polystyrene, paper honeycomb,
jute/coir felt etc. can have potential usage in residential buildings, offices,
schools, hospitals, laboratories etc. As structural sandwich construction
has attained broad acceptance & usage for primary load bearing
structures, the FRP doors can be manufactured in various sizes & designs.
The rapid expansion of the use of sandwich construction in many fields has
yielded a more precise knowledge of design methods, test procedures &
manufacturing techniques of cost-effective composite products. A low-
density core made of honeycomb or foam materials provides a structural
performance with minimum weight. Other considerations such as sound
insulation, heat resistance, vibration-damping etc. dictate the particular
choice of material used as core material.

Jute-Coir Composites
Jute-coir composites provide an economic alternative to wood for the
construction industry. It involves the production of coir-ply boards with
oriented jute as face veneer and coir plus waste rubber wood inside. A very
thin layer of jute fibres impregnated with phenolic resin is used as the face
veneer for improved aesthetics and to give a wood like finish.
The orientation & uniformity of jute fibre improve with carding and this
also helps in better penetration of resin into the fibre. The coir fibre
contains 45.84% lignin as against 39% in teakwood. Therefore, it is more
resistant than teakwood against rotting under wet and dry conditions and
has better tensile strength. The composite boards namely, coir-ply boards
(jute + rubber wood + coir) as plywood substitute and natural fibre
reinforced boards (jute + coir) as MDF substitute can be used in place of
wood or MDF boards for partitioning, false ceiling, surface paneling,
roofing, furniture, cupboards, wardrobes etc. These boards have been
employed as doors & door frames as an alternate to conventional material
like wood, steel etc.

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 Bamboo Composite Boards & Laminates
Bamboo is one of the fastest renewable plant with a maturity cycle of 3-4
years, thus making it a highly attractive natural resource compared to
forest hardwoods. Bamboo offers good potential for processing it into
composites as a wood substitute. Bamboo laminates could replace timber
in many applications such as furniture, doors & windows and their frames,
partitions, wardrobes, cabinets, flooring etc.
Bamboo laminates are made from slivers milled out from the bamboo
culm. After primary processing comprising cross cutting, splitting and 2-
side planing, the slivers are treated for starch removal and prevention of
termite/borer attack. The slivers are then subjected to hot air drying
followed by 4-side planing for attaining uniform thickness. These slivers
are coated with glue on the surface and are arranged systematically. They
are subjected to a curing in a hot press at temp. ~ 70 0C using steam &
pressure ~ 17 Kg/cm2. The pressed laminate (panels/tiles) is then put
through trimming, sanding & grooving machines to give a pre-finish
shape.

Features:
 Value-added products from Bamboo
 Cost-effective compared to good solid wood sections for furniture
 Diversification from traditional plywood to bamboo based products
 Complete range of bamboo composite laminates for furniture, flooring
tiles, boards, door & window frames to replace the use of timber for
domestic as well as international market

Benefits
 Bamboo composite based flooring tiles, boards (used for partitions,
cupboards, racks, door & window panels) and blocks (used for furniture,
rails & styles for doors & windows etc.) as wood substitute would help
develop & promote high value-added products from bamboo
 Bamboo composite laminates with a low-temperature curing resin system
for reduced energy requirement
 Promotion of eco-friendly use of bamboo while building a sustainable
infrastructure for plant multiplication, propagation and cultivation
 Boosting the usage of bamboo based products in India towards generating
good employment & income opportunities at rural level

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Fire Resistant Materials
A fire resistant material is one that is designed to resist burning and
withstand heat. Fire-retardant materials are designed to burn slowly, in
contrast to fire-resistant materials, which are designed not to burn at all.

Fire-resistant materials used in buildings

rock wool
gypsum boards
asbestos cement
perlite boards
calcium silicate boards
treated lumber plywood
Treated vegetable fiber (e.g. Cotton, Jute, Kenaf, Hemp, Flax, etc)

Rock wool:
Mineral wool are fibers made from natural or
synthetic minerals or metal oxides. The applications of mineral wool
include thermal insulation, filtration and sound proofing.
Though the individual fibres conduct heat very well, when pressed into
rolls and sheets their ability to partition air makes them excellent heat
insulators and sound absorbers. Though not immune to the effects of a
sufficiently hot fire, the fire resistance of fiberglass, stone wool
and ceramic fibres makes them common building materials when passive
fire protection is required, being used as spray fireproofing, in stud
cavities in drywall assemblies and as packing materials in fire stops.
Mineral wools are unattractive to rodents but will
provide a structure for bacterial growth if allowed to
become wet.

Asbestos
Asbestos is popular, because of its sound absorption,
average tensile strength, and its resistance to heat,
electrical and chemical damage. When asbestos is used
for its resistance to fire or heat, the fibers are often
mixed with cement or woven into fabric or mats. Asbestos was used in
buildings for its flame-retardant and insulating properties, tensile
strength, flexibility, and resistance to chemicals.

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Perlite
Perlite is an amorphous volcanic glass that has relatively
high water content, typically formed by the hydration
of obsidian. It occurs naturally and has the unusual
property of greatly expanding when heated sufficiently. It is
an industrial mineral useful for its light weight after
processing.

Calcium silicate
Calcium silicate is commonly used as a safe
alternative to asbestos for high temperature
insulation materials. Industrial grade piping and
equipment insulation is often fabricated from
calcium silicate. Its fabrication is a routine part of
the curriculum for insulation apprentices. Calcium
silicate competes in these realms against rock wool as well as
proprietary insulation solids, such as perlite mixture
and vermiculite bonded with sodium silicate. Although it is popularly
considered an asbestos substitute, early uses of calcium silicate for
insulation still made use of asbestos fibers.

Fire retardant Treated lumber plywood

This treated wood utilizes a fire retardant chemical that remains stable in
high temperature environments. The fire retardant is applied under
pressure at a wood treating plant like the preservatives described above,
or applied as a surface coating.
Treatment provides a physical barrier to flame spread. The treated wood
chars but does not oxidize. Effectively this creates a convective layer that
transfers flame heat to the wood in a uniform way which significantly
slows the progress of fire to the material. There are several commercially
available wood-based construction materials using pressure-treatment
Specialized treatments also exist for wood used in weather-exposed
applications.

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 2. New Construction Technologies

a) Fast Track Housing Project Using Pre-Engineered Formwork

(Courtesy: P G Setty Construction Technology Private Limited, Mysore)
Introduction:
With large demand of housing, primarily in the Government Sector for
providing houses for the underprivileged it has become necessary to go for
construction of housing complexes faster than the normal method of
construction. With continuous depletion of natural resources it has also
become necessary to use factory made re-cycle able pre-engineered
formwork to ensure this task.

General description of structures:

In fast-track construction of the houses the speed in construction can
primarily be achieved by eliminating all masonry works as it takes most of
the time in construction & contribute to more cost in a traditional RCC
framed house. Masonry also needs accuracy in construction & elaborate
plastering work to make the surfaces ready to receive finishing work.
Nominally reinforced RCC walls replace the masonry in fast track
housing. All walls of the house with the slab on the top are cast
monolithically at one pour. The monolithic structure provides stability
against imposed loads from earthquake & wind. This type of construction
ensures thinner walls thereby contributing to lesser cost. The smooth
finish of the exposed RCC elements can take the painting directly & thus
eliminates the necessity for plastering. Thinner concrete elements &
elimination of plastering contributes to saving in cost & construction time.

Why pre-engineered formwork system:

With the availability of ready-mixed concrete supplied by reputed
manufacturers of RMC at the worksite, the quality of concrete is ensured.
The concrete mix can be designed by the qualified concrete technologists of
the manufacturers as per requirements of strength & workability. Now the
quality of finished concrete elements is left to ensuring accuracy & quality
of proper formwork. The formwork need be such that all segments of the
formwork when joined together ensure leak proof joints. It is also
necessary that when the segments are fitted this would ensure correct
alignment, level & plumb so that human errors are eliminated. A factory
made pre-engineered formwork system is designed & manufactured as per
the structural drawing so that when all segments are fitted with each

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other it takes the correct shape of the concrete element. Since light
materials are used in manufacture of the formwork it is possible to
manufacture large formwork segments to minimize joints. These segments
can be handled manually therefore no mechanization is necessary.

Advantages of pre-engineered formwork system vis-à-vis the fast

track housing:
Since the formwork system is pre-engineered these can be designed to be
joined by simple joining mechanism, self-supporting & requiring least
supports. This allows fast erection & removal of the system including
preferential removal as per construction requirement. Erection,
dismantling & handling of the system do not require mechanical
equipments and are light enough to be manually handled. It is customary
in certain countries to get a construction cycle time of a house per day
however it is usual to get one house in two days’ cycle time in India. The
period of completion of the project decides the number of sets of this
formwork system to be procured for a particular project.
As stated earlier the formwork is erected for the walls & roof at the same
time and these are cast monolithically in single pour of concrete. The
formwork from the wall is removed in 24 hours after casting & erected in
the next house. The formwork from the slab can be removed at the same
time leaving the central support in position and ensuring that no
construction activity is taken up on the slab except the curing. This is
possible by proper designing of the concrete mix. However in normal
circumstances de-shuttering can be done after 72 hours.
The cost of this type of houses is usually lower than the traditional RC
framed masonry-panelled houses by 15% (fifteen percent), which is
achieved by the structural design & excellent finishes of the concrete
elements & higher speed of construction, which is faster by 1.25 (one &
quarter) times than the traditional method of construction.

Disadvantages of pre-engineered formwork system:

The major disadvantage of the system is it’s high initial cost & also that it
can be economically used if all the houses are of same dimension.
Therefore the system requires a large number of houses of same dimension
for optimal use. Usually minimum number of houses in a housing complex
need be 1000 (one thousand only) numbers for economical use.

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The other disadvantage is the mindset for strict adherence to the
traditional method of construction as per the guidelines in the books & not
opening up to the possibilities offered by modern technologies. Even if
modern technology permits achieving high grade of concrete to make it
possible to de-shutter faster or of achieving soil stabilization for lower
depth of foundation, Engineers are yet to accept these methodologies.

Natural resources consumption by a conventional building & a

monolithic building

Component Conventional Monolit Savings in

hic Monolithic

Foundatio Wall 450mm 200mm 7 cum

n thickness
(Min.) in
mm

Volume 13 6
in cum

Superstruc Wall 175mm 110mm 9 cum

ture thickness
(Min.) in
mm

Volume 24 15
in cum

Wastage 2 0.2 1.8 cum

Total saving in volume 17.8 cum

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 Human Resource
(Considering a building of G+3 floors with 8 houses in
each floor having a built up area of about 37.5 Sqm per
house, the man power requirement per house is as given
below)

Component Conventio Monolit Savings in

nal hic Monolithic

Foundation Man 6 6
power in
man-
days

Superstruc Man 71 20 51 man

ture power in days
man-
days

Total Savings 51 man

days

Dependability on Skilled Labours

Conventional Monolithic
Method Structures
Skilled Labour - Skilled Labour –
60% 20%
Unskilled Labour- Unskilled Labour –
40% 80%

Fast Track Housing Project Using Pre-Engineered Formwork- A

Case Study

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Project Features : KSCB 1000 Houses-Mass Housing, Mysore
Location : Mysore
Area :11acres

Project Description
KSCB 1000 houses is a DBT of low cost,Mass housing project for the urban
poor initiated by the Govt of karnataka.The project consists of 448 houses
to be built across an area of 5 acres in Satagalli consisting of 14 blocks of
32 G+3 Houses & 552 houses to be built across an area of 5.62 acres in
Rajivnagar.Consisting of 15 blocks of 32 g+3 houses & 3 blocks 24 of g+3
houses.

Specification
The principle of this project is monolithic concrete construction, I,e.casting
all the elements of a building, such as beams,slab,staircase & wall
together which makes the structure economical and stronger than the
traditional way of construction.The most efficient technology introduced
for the first time in INDIA in this project. The form work technology
designed by us and imported from USA.We have achieved an unbelivable
floor to floor cycle time of 48hrs , unmatched Quality,needs no
plastering,no lintels and low manpower resulting in a over all 16-20%
reduction in cost of construction vs
traditionally construction method

(Courtesy :P G Setty Construction Technology Private Limited, Mysore)

b) Pre-Fabricated Steel Buildings

Introduction

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Prefabs are composite materials, manufactured by combination of
materials of different properties such as plastics, concrete and steel. These
are specifically designed for longer practical period of applications or
usage. Prefabs Homes are extremely durable, as well as water proof,
termite proof and borer proof. Due to their longer life of utility and
affordable cost, prefabs can be used for permanent, semi permanent or
temporary applications. Prefabricated steel buildings provide speed in
delivery and erection, flexibility in expansion and withstand severest
weather conditions.

Advantages:

 No welding is required at site and hence it can be erected at difficult

site where electricity is not available.
 These sheds can be resold if required and hence 100% cost of the shed
may be recovered.
 Dismentable and relocatable
 Aesthetically superior to any other conventional sheds with low
maintenance cost.

Application:

Schools, Residential Units, Shopping Center, Telephone Booths, Toilets &

Bathroom, Police Station, Factory Sheds, Godown, Poultry Sheds, Green
House, Vehicle Stand, Community Halls, Canopy Etc

Features:

 Highly Durable
 Water proof
 Termite proof
 Most reasonable
 High Impact Strength

c) Differently abled Building- Design Principles

Introduction

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To plan Differently abled -accessible home, the majority of features that
make a house safe and usable for people with disabilities also benefit
residents of all ages and stages of life, from small children to the elderly.

Entries and Exits

The most essential feature of entryways and exits
is safety. For disabilities that decrease mobility
ramps are usually the best option to use
wheelchairs, crutches or canes, along with vision
impairments. The slope of a concrete, aluminum
or wooden ramp should not be greater than a one-
inch rise to each foot of run, landings should be
place at the top of the ramp and at every turn the ramp must take, and
handrails need to be smooth, about 34 inches from the floor, and easy to
grasp.
All exterior and interior doorways should be at
least 36 inches wide, and doors should swing in or
out easily. Installing lever-style handles instead
of conventional doorknobs will help both the
mobility-impaired and the homemaker with
armloads of laundry. If even more door-opening
assistance is needed, a remote-control button may
be added on either side of the door.

Kitchens and Bathrooms

Plans for these heavily used areas should also revolve around safety and
usability. Flooring should be smooth, level and continuous, without rising
or dropping from one area to another. Place cupboards, sinks, towel racks,
paper towel or toilet paper dispensers within easy reach, and install grab
bars, spacious showers with low or no thresholds, and baths that can be
easily and safely entered and exited.
Assistive Technology
Include assistive devices in your plans for a handicapped-accessible home.
Assess the specific needs of the disabled resident and
introduce elements that will help make living in the
home easier. This might include audible driveway alerts
so the vision-impaired will know when someone comes

Braille language near the house, along with side windows at entryways
written on the
railings to guide
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the way to blind
low enough for wheelchair users to see who is at the door. Residents with
impaired hearing may require visual alerts instead of doorbells and
telephones that ring for the same purposes. Grab bars in showers, tubs
and entryways help everyone stay safe.

Doors
Doors can be widened for wheelchair and walker
access. We remove the existing door unit, relocate
the light switch, widen the framed opening, install
a new wider door unit and repair the finished
flooring. A swing away door hinge is also an option
and will increase the door width by 2".

Bathtubs
Bathtubs can be very hazardous. Transferring from a wheelchair to the
tub can be difficult. The tub area must be carefully designed to provide
maximum safety. Bathtub and shower grab bars can be installed to
provide support. Tub transfer seats allow persons to sit in the tub and take
a bath or shower without having to lower themselves to the tub floor.
Many people find it difficult to use a tub. Bath tubs can be replaced with
showers.
Differently abled Building- an example

Name of the Building : JSS Polytechnic for Differently abled

Location : Mysore

The PDA Buildings have been designed by an Architect as per WHO

guidelines to provide complete accessibility for the Differently Abled in all
the Departments including Hostels.

The design of the buildings was also vetted by a Canadian Architect who is
a specialist in designing the buildings for Differently Abled. The total bulit
up area is about 11800 Sqm and the cost is Rs.90 Million.

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 3. Alternative/Sustainable Building Technologies

1 Foundation
1a Boulder Block Foundation
Undressed stones are directly used for this type
of masonry. Uncoursed rubble masonry are the
cheapest form of stone masonry construction,
saves cement reduces thickness of stone walls
and results in overall saving by eliminating
plastering on internal/external wall surface.

1b. Arch Foundation

Construction of arches is an age old technology. Such type of foundation is
of much use where the bearing capacity of soil
is good and there exist some loose/filled up soil
pockets in between. Stones and concrete blocks
can be used for construction of this type. By
adopting arch foundation the cost of foundation
can be reduced by 30% to 50% compared to the
conventional type of spread foundations.

2. WALLING
2a. Stabilized Mud Blocks (SMB)
SMB are made of red soil stabilized
with 7% cement/lime and compacted
in manual block making machine and
avoids burning. It is much stronger
and more water resistant than an
ordinary burnt brick. These blocks can
be produced at site and hence transportation cost and
damages is reduced.
These Block are dense solid blocks compacted using a machine with a
mixture of soil, sand, stabilizer (cement/lime) and water. After 28 days
curing, the stabilized mud blocks (SMB) are used for wall construction.
These blocks are 2.5 to 2.8 times bigger in volume when compared with
conventional burnt clay bricks. Compressive strength of the block greatly
depends upon the soil composition, density of the block and percentage of
stabilizer (cement/lime). Sandy soils with 7% cement can yield blocks

18
having wet compressive strength of 3–4 MPa. Higher strength for the
block can be obtained by increasing the quantity of stabilizer.

Major advantages of SMB are:

 Energy efficient, do not require burning, 70% energy saving when
compared to burnt bricks, (b) economical, 20–40% savings in cost when
compared to brick masonry,
 Plastering can be eliminated, and
 Better block finish and aesthetically pleasing appearance. Figure 6
shows production of smb using a manual
press.
 Uniform size
 High strength
 Thermal insulation
 Versatile
 Cost effective

Applications
The Stabilized Mud Block system can be used in a variety of ways to
construct buildings that are aesthetic, efficient and easy to build.
The basic design principles of a good SMB building are
• Strong foundation with sufficient plinth height.
• Sufficient roof overhang and a strong wall finish.
• Careful detailing of joints and use of concrete elements where tensile
stresses are active.

In India more than 5 million stabilised Mud Blocks (SMB) have been used
to build residential and community buildings in both urban and rural
areas.

2b. Rat-Trap Bond

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Rat Trap Bond is an alternate brick bonding technique for English and
Flemish bond. It is simple to built, has better insulation properties and is
strong as the ordinary solid 9’’ thick brick wall.

In the Rat-Trap Bond, bricks are placed on edge. With this

technique there is reduction in cost of the wall by 25% as with
conventional English bond (9’’thk wall) 350 bricks are required per cu. m
whereas in Rat-trap bond only 280 bricks are required and also the
reduced number of joints reduces the mortar consumption. No plastering
of the outside face is required and the wall usually is quite aesthetically
pleasing and the air gaps created within the wall help make the house
thermally comfortable. In summer the temperature inside the house is
usually atleast 5 degrees lower that the outside ambient temperature and
vice versa in winter.
The main advantages of using Rat trap bond are:
 Reduction in cost of the wall by 25%.
 The reduction in number of joints, reduces mortar. · 25% less dead
weight, 18% savings in bricks and 54% savings in cement mortar
 Thermally comfortable & Aesthetically pleasing.

3. ROOFING
3a. Vaults
These kind of roofs can be executed by using templates of
required span and rise.

3b. Domes
An economic and ideal structure suitable for dwelling
units, rural health centre, etc. and are built with mud
bricks or compresses and stabilized mud bricks. It can
be constructed without any centering.

3c. Filler Slabs

Filler slabs are replacement for normal RCC slabs
where unnecessary concrete in tension zone is replaced
by light weight filler material like bricks, Mangalore
tiles, cellular concrete blocks, Hourly blocks, thermocol,
mud pots, etc. This will reduce the cost of the slab by about 15% to 20%.

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3d. Jack Arch Panel Roof
It is a flat roofing system with segmental arches
build over RCC precast beams and avoids the
necessary centering, results in saving of time for
completion of time.

3e. Ferro Cement Roofing Channel

Ferro cement roofing channels are prefabricated shells of circular
segmental profiles of uniform thickness 25mm. It is a
single or several layers of wire mesh encapsulated in a
rich cement mortar. This technology is alternate for
RCC roof. It reduces quantity of steel, the self weight
and subsequent load on wall, the cost by 15-20% if used
as a floor, upto 30% if used as a roof avoids plastering.

3f. Pre cast Bricks Panel

This type of roof is an improved form of Madras
roof. This system provides value addition to the
regular burnt bricks and avoids centering and
supported by precast beams. These panels are
used for floors and roofs of low cost buildings.

4. Roofing Under structure

4a. Ferro cement Trusses
It provides a cost effective option for understructure for
roofs like MCR. AC sheets, GI sheets for a large variety of
roofing applications. it is water resistant, durable and rot
protective.
4b. Steel & iron truss

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Mild steel is much stronger and long life than timber. It is more fire
resisting and its section can be readily assembled to form comparatively
simple connections.
5 DOORS & WINDOWS
5a. Ferro cement door & window frames
It is a Precast RCC frame for door or window openings. It is made
up of cement, sand and aggregate mixed together in definite
proportions and reinforced with steel to obtain the desired
strength. These frames are 30-40% cheaper than ordinary sal
wood chaukhats and 10-15% cheaper than MS angle iron frames.
These are stronger, fire resistant, termite proof and rot free.

5b. Jaali walls

Jaali work is made by leaving openings in the wall creating
aesthetic patterns and ventilation holes replacing windows at
low cost.

6. Lintels
6a. Granite Stones
Chapadi stones were extensively used in traditional building
practices. These can be used for a span of about 5’ to 6’. It
avoids steel and concrete, is reusable material in future.

6b. Arch lintel

Arches are economical than reinforced concrete lintels.
These are strong and aesthetic to look. Very nominal
framework is required as compared to RCC lintels. Arches can be
constructed using bricks, stones, CEB and PCC.

6c. Corbelling
It is one of inexpensive ways of spanning an opening in a wall, the
process does not require any centering.

6d. Precast Lintel

These lintels are cast in factory or on ground insists, cured and placed in
position when required. This saves the time of further construction.
Alternative Building Technologies – case study

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Project : Demonstration Housing Project
Location : Laggere, Bangalore, Karnataka
No. of Units : 252 (Ground + 2)
Built-up area of a unit : 275 sq.ft.

TECHNOLOGIES adopted
Foundation
d) Random Rubble Stone masonry
Walling
e) Solid Concrete Blocks for 200 mm thick walls
f) Clay bricks for partition walls
g) RCC plinth band for earthquake resistance.
Roof/Floor
• RC Filler Slab using clay bricks as fillers in ground and
• first floors
• RC Slab for second floor
• IPS flooring
Doors & Windows
• Pre-cast RCC door frames
• Coir Polymer Door Shutters
• Steel Sheet Window shutters
• Clay jalli in Ventilators
Others
• White wash in internal walls
• Waterproof cement paint on external walls
• Precast ferrocement lofts, shelves, chajjas
(Courtecy: BMTPC, Bangalore.)

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 4. GREEN BUILDING / SUSTAINABLE BUILDING

Need for Green / Sustainable Alternatives

Steel, cement, glass, aluminium, plastics, bricks, etc. are energy-intensive
materials, commonly used for building construction. Generally these
materials are transported over great distances. Extensive use of these
materials can drain the energy resources and adversely affect the
environment. On the other hand, it is difficult to meet the ever-growing
demand for buildings by adopting only energy efficient traditional
materials like mud, thatch, timber, etc. and construction methods. Hence,
there is a need for optimum utilization of available energy resources and
raw materials to produce simple, energy efficient, environment friendly
and sustainable building alternatives and techniques to satisfy the
increasing demand for buildings.

Green Building

A green building is one which uses less water, optimises energy efficiency,
conserves natural resources, generates less waste and provides healthier
spaces for occupants, as compared to a conventional building , through
better site, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal (i.e)
the complete Building life cycle.

Green building Principles

 Minimize demand for electricity , water and other natural resources (In
construction, operation and demolition)
 Generate all its electricity on site through renewable means
 Cater to all its water demands through sustainable processes such as
rain water harvesting
 Grow its own food on site
 Recycle and reuse all its waste on site and load the environment to the
minimum
 It is designed using and integrated approach
 It provides it users with an “optional” level of comfort catering to local
needs
 It uses minimum energy and water
 It generates minimum waste, processed locally

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 During its construction, operation and demolition (i.e. is over its entire
life cycle)

Green Building at Madhapur, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

Points to be considered while designing Green Buildings

 House shall be oriented so that the south wall faces to within 30 degree
of true (not magnetic) south.
 In rooms on the south side of the house, windows should equal between
8% and 12% of the adjacent floor area.
 Windows shall be shaded on the south wall of the house from the
summer sun, with either roof overhangs or awnings.
 Find out the direction of the prevailing winds and specify casement
windows on walls facing those directions. They do a better job of
scooping up air for natural ventilation.
 Rooms shall be located so they take advantage of natural light and heat
at the time of day when they are more commonly used.
 Decisions made early in the design process have a huge impact on how
the house will perform over its lifetime - not only how much energy will
be required to operate it, but also how comfortable it will be to live in.

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Green Building Materials

Building and construction activities worldwide consume 3 billion tons of

raw materials each year or 40% of total global use.
Conventional building technologies like burnt bricks, steel and cement are
high in cost, utilize large amount of non-renewable natural resources like
energy, minerals, top-soil, forest cover etc. Brick burning represents one of
the earliest examples of using energy to manufacture durable building
materials from the soil/earth. Firewood was the main source of energy for
burning bricks.

Burnt bricks, metal products and lime are the manufactured materials
commonly used for construction for a very long period of time. These
increase dependence on external materials and manpower, harm the local
economy and are generally pollute the nature.
Using green building materials promotes conservation of dwindling non
renewable resources. In addition, integrating green building materials into
building projects can help to reduce the environmental impacts. Green
building materials are composed of renewable, rather than non renewable
resources.

The materials and technologies chosen for construction must fulfill some of
the following criteria for the cause of sustainability and a better quality
environment.
 Use products that minimize waste and are nontoxic
 reuse materials onsite or collect suitable materials for offsite
recycling
 Utilize renewable energy sources
 self-sustaining and promote self-reliance
 Recycle polluting waste into usable materials
 Utilize locally available materials, local skills, manpower etc.
 Be accessible to the people

Benefits
 Reduced maintenance/replacement costs over the life of the building.
 Energy conservation.
 Improved occupant health and productivity.
 Lower costs associated with changing space configurations.

26
  Greater design flexibility.

Selection criteria
 Resource efficiency
 Indoor air quality
 Energy efficiency
 Water conservation
 Affordability

Resource Efficiency can be accomplished by utilizing materials that meet

the following criteria:
 Recycled Content: Products with identifiable recycled content,
including postindustrial content with a preference for post consumer
content.
 Natural, plentiful or renewable: Materials harvested from
sustainably managed sources and preferably have an independent
certification (e.g., certified wood) and are certified by an independent
third party.
 Resource efficient manufacturing process: Products manufactured
with resource-efficient processes including reducing energy
consumption, minimizing waste (recycled, recyclable and or source
reduced product packaging), and reducing greenhouse gases.
 Locally available: Building materials, components, and systems
found locally or regionally saving energy and resources in
transportation to the project site.
 Salvaged, refurbished, or remanufactured: Includes saving a
material from disposal and renovating, repairing, restoring, or
generally improving the appearance, performance, quality,
functionality, or value of a product.
 Reusable or recyclable: Select materials that can be easily
dismantled and reused or recycled at the end of their useful life.
 Recycled or recyclable product packaging: Products enclosed in
recycled content or recyclable packaging.
 Durable: Materials that are longer lasting or are comparable to
conventional products with long life expectancies.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is enhanced by utilizing materials that

meet the following criteria:

27
 Low or non-toxic: Materials that emit few or no carcinogens,
reproductive toxicants, or irritants as demonstrated by the
manufacturer through appropriate testing.
 Minimal chemical emissions: Products that have minimal emissions
of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Products that also maximize
resource and energy efficiency while reducing chemical emissions.
 Low-VOC assembly: Materials installed with minimal VOC-producing
compounds, or no-VOC mechanical attachment methods and minimal
hazards.
 Moisture resistant: Products and systems that resist moisture or
inhibit the growth of biological contaminants in buildings.
 Healthfully maintained: Materials, components, and systems that
require only simple, non-toxic, or low-VOC methods of cleaning.
 Systems or equipment: Products that promote healthy IAQ by
identifying indoor air pollutants or enhancing the air quality.

Green Building Case Study- I

Building Name : Indian Institute of Technologies,

Location : Kanpur
Water consumption reduction : 70%
Built up Area : 4240 M2
Air-conditioned Area : 1912 M+2+
Non Air-conditioned Area : 2328 M2
Energy consumption reduction : 41% per year
The following strategies were adopted to reduce the building
impact on the natural environment
 Dust screen around construction area to prevent air pollution
 Top soil excavated, stored and preserved for later use, trees on site
protected
To minimize the water consumption
 62% reduction in building water demand by adopting low-flow
plumbing fixtures
 50% reduction in irrigation water demand by minimizing grass / lawn
area & maximizing native trees & vegetation cover.
 17% paved area only for water percolation & reduced heat island effect
 Rain water harvesting system deigned for reuse & not only recharge
 Waste water treated and reused for irrigation

28
To minimize energy consumption for achieving visual comfort
 40% window to wall ration for optimal natural lighting
 External shading & efficient glazing to reuse solar heat & have glare-
fre-day-light
 Energy efficient artificial lighting design complaint with ECBC
 VFD (variable Frequency Drives ) installed in AHUs (Air Handling
Units)
 Low energy strategies include integration of external water body to cool
condenser water loop, integration of thermal energy storage & earth air
tunnels to reduce chiller capacity
To integrate renewable energy sources in the building:
 30% of internal lighting annual energy requirements met through solar
panels
 Sustainable buildings include design, building materials, and
construction techniques.

29
 Solar orientation of the house has a powerful effect on comfort and
energy use.
 Site conditions, such as natural vegetation, patterns of water runoff
and seasonal water tables and the direction of prevailing winds at
different times of the year, have an important bearing on how the house
should be sited and built.
 Room layouts that take into account how and when different rooms are
used will be easier to heat and cool, and they'll be more comfortable.
Courtesy: MNRE, Bangalore.

Green Building Case study- II

Building Name : West Bengal Renewable

Energy Development Agency
Location : Kolkata
Built in the year : 2000

Introduction
The office building of the West Bengal Renewable Energy Development
Agency at Kolkata built in 2000 is one of the first consolidated attempts at
green building practices in the eastern part of the country.
Kolkata lies in the Hot & Humid climatic zone and induced ventilation to
counter the high humidity is essential here. Simple energy efficient
measures taken at the design stage have resulted in a micro-climate quite
suitable for day–to-day office work.
The WBREDA building shows how simple design features can increase the
energy efficiency of an office building.

30
Location, Orientation & Climate

 The office building of WBREDA is located on a rectangular plot of land

with the longer sides facing the North and the South.
 Windows on the north and south sides provide for day-lighting in all the
office areas.
 Ventilation required in the prevailing hot and humid climate is also
provided for.

Architectural Design

 The building has been designed such that all air conditioned spaces are
located on the northern side so as to cut down on the air-conditioning
load.

31
 A combination of deep sunshades, recessed windows and vertical and
horizontal louvers modulates the sun-light coming in from the south
allowing only diffused light to enter during the summers. The
horizontal louvers act as light shades. The windows provide natural
ventilation at the same time.
 To reduce heat gain from the west, the western façade is a blank wall
with the stair-well and lift-lobby acting as an immediate buffer inside.
 Trees on the southern and south-western sides of the plot shade the
building from the afternoon sun.
 A water body on the south-western corner of the ground floor helps
regulate the micro-climate of the site.

32
 On the western side, a blank wall with the staircase and lift lobby
behind it acts as a major heat buffer.
Materials & Appliances
 All masonry work has been done with locally available bricks.
 WBREDA encourages the use of pollution free
vehicles by staff for commuting.

Daylighting
 Daylight penetrates the building through the
openings that run along the northern and southern
sides of the building.
 Unlike, the southern side, there are no horizontal
louvers on the northern side so as to maximize
natural light inside.

Ventilation
Breeze coming from the south blows over the water-body and is taken into
the building through a small cut-out that divides the building into two
through its length. This vents out the hot air from the non air-conditioned
areas. The cut-out also acts as a light shaft.

Renewable Energy
 The building has a grid-interactive solar photo-voltaic system with a
maximum capacity of 25 Kilo Watts and is supported by a 100 Ampere
battery bank.
 The building transfers to the grid all excess solar electricity generated
and switches over to the grid supply when adequate electricity cannot
33
 be generated by the system, mainly at night and during day cloudy
days.

Solar Photovoltaic panels on the roof generate electricity

Post Construction

 Regular maintenance checks have ensured a good life-time for the

solar photovoltaic system put in place in the WBREDA building.
 The battery bank used has been replaced for the first time after 9
years of functioning.
 Revenue generated by the solar electricity produced is more than the
electricity bill of the building.
(Courtesy: MNRE, Bangalore)
Green Building Case study- III

Building Name : The Energy and Resources Institute

Location : Bangalore

Introduction
The Energy and Resources Institute, Bangalore is among South India’s
first energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable campuses. It houses
work spaces for the staff, conference rooms, a library, a laboratory and a
guest house. Dining and recreation facilities are shared between the offices
and the guest house. It has the potential to serve as a model for future
development in similar geographical and climatic conditions.

34
 TERI campus at Bangalore

Location, Orientation & Climate

 The site is located at Domlur, about 3 km from the Bangalore airport.
 It is a long and narrow site with roads on the eastern and northern
sides, the former being the major road.
 The western side has an open ground and on the southern side is an
open drain about 9 m wide.
 The buildings are aligned along the east-west axis and entry into the
site is from the road on the northern side which is relatively less busier.
 The office block is kept towards the east, close to the main road for high
visibility and the guest house is located towards the quieter western
side.
 In a moderate climatic zone like Bangalore where temperatures are not
very high, a good ventilation system can easily provide comfortable
living conditions.

Natural Features
 The drain on the southern side is a major feature which influences the
design.
 Wind coming from the south over the drain brings in the foul smell into
the site.
Architectural Design
 This energy - efficient complex is designed to provide all round comfort
for the users.

35
 Comfort requirements are met through dexterous use of the five basic
natural elements – sun, air, earth, water and sky to ensure natural
lighting, ventilation and space conditioning.
 The building opens to the north to take maximum advantage of glare-
free light. Continuations of skylit spaces carry natural light into the
building.

Abundant natural light is available in the work spaces

 Adequate natural lighting and ventilation is provided through an

optimized combination of solar passive design, energy-efficient
equipment, renewable sources of energy and materials with low
embodied energy.
 The condition of the drain is proposed to be improved into a pleasant
landscaped element by using plants that absorb impurities as well as
with the help of basic filtration and aeration. This being an ideal long-
term solution would be a major civic project.
 The architecture responds to the present site conditions but the
building can eventually open up towards the drain when it turns clean

36
 A fresh environment is maintained inside the building

 A cavity wall on the southern side insulates the building from solar
heat gain.
 The ground disturbed due to the building is replaced on the rooftop to
form terrace gardens at various levels. These gardens along with earth
berms provides good heat insulation and moderates fluctuations in
temperature.

Trombe walls help in insulating the hostels

Materials & Appliances

 As use of local materials reduces the energy consumed in their
transportation, local materials and materials with low-embodied energy
have been used wherever possible
 The southern wall, for instance, is clad in local ‘kadappa’ stone.
 Energy-efficient lighting devices like CFL lights have also been used.

37
 Locally available ‘kadappa’ stone used to clad the southern wall

Daylighting
 Openings have been designed such that requirement of artificial
lighting is minimal throughout the day when the building is under
maximum usage.

Abundant natural light inside due to intelligently designed fenestrations

 By creating atrium spaces with skylights, the section of the building is
such that natural light enters into the interiors of the building,
considerably reducing the dependence on artificial lighting.

Section showing natural light penetrating deep into the building through
skylights and fenestrations

Ventilation
 A blank wall towards the south (facing the drain) allows the breeze to
flow over the building. This creates a negative pressure which pulls
fresh air from the north into the building.
 The sections are designed such that hot air rises to the top and make
the building breathe.
 Air in the cavity in the south wall on the south creates negative
pressure, thereby enhancing the convection currents in the building.

38
Renewable Energy
 A 5-kW peak solar photovoltaic system integrated with the roof
skylights provides day-light and also generates electricity.

Solar Photovoltaics integrated with the roof provide natural light and electricity

 A solar water heating system meets the hot water requirements of the
kitchen and the guest rooms.
 Other energy conservation systems include an effective waste and
water management system, a centralized uninterrupted power supply,
and a kitchen that reduces internal heat.

Water Management
 An efficient rainwater harvesting system preserves water to the
maximum possible extent.
 Water run-off from the roofs and from the paved area is collected and
stored in a collection sump below the amphitheatre.
 This water is used for various purposes including landscaping and
flushing toilets.

Schematic section of the building showing the rain water harvesting system

39
Post Construction
 The monthly energy consumption is about Rs. 30,000 for the entire
complex.
 This works out to be around Rs. 1.12 per square foot which is about
one-tenth of a conventional building with air conditioning in Bangalore,
thus proving the energy-efficiency of the complex.
 As and when the drain to the south gets cleaned, the complex can also
open out towards it. This would provide the complex with its own
water-front.
(Courtesy: MNRE, Bangalore)

40
Note:
X axis: Types of Buildings
Y axis: No.of Buildings

41
LEED RATING FOR BUILDINGS

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green

Building Rating System™ encourages and accelerates global adoption of
sustainable green building and development practices through the creation
and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and
performance criteria.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED-INDIA) is a
Green Building Rating System is a nationally accepted benchmark for the
design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
There are 150 LEED registered green buildings and 23 LEED certified
green buildings in India.

GRIHA

GRIHA, an acronym for Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment,

is the National Rating System of India. GRIHA has been conceived by
TERI and developed jointly with the Ministry of New and Renewable
Energy, Government of India. It is a green building 'design evaluation
system', and is suitable for all kinds of buildings in different climatic zones
of the country.

ADaRSH, Association for Development and Research of Sustainable

Habitats, is mandated to promote development of buildings and habitats
in India through GRIHA. ADaRSH an independent platform for the
interaction on scientific and administrative issues related to sustainable
habitats in the Indian subcontinent. It was founded jointly by TERI (The
Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi) and MNRE (Ministry of New
and Renewable Energy, Government of India) along with a handful of
experts in the sustainability of built environment from across the country.

Rating System
GRIHA rating system consists of 34 criteria categorized under various
sections such as Site Selection and Site Planning, Conservation and
efficient utilization of resources, Building operation and maintenance, and
Innovation points. Eight of these 34 criteria are mandatory, four are partly
mandatory, while the rest are optional. Each criterion has a number of
points assigned to it. It means that a project intending to meet the

42
criterion would qualify for the points. Different levels of certification (one
star to five stars) are awarded based on the number of points earned. The
minimum points required for certification is 50.

Evaluation procedure for GRIHA

Criteria
Landscape architect
Criteria 1 Site Selection
Preserve and protect landscape during
Criteria 2
construction
Criteria 3 Soil conservation (Post construction)
Criteria 10 Reduce landscape water requirement
Architect with expertise in passive design/energy
efficiency
Criteria 4 Design to include existing site features
Criteria 7 Plan utilities efficiently and optimise on site
circulation efficiency
Criteria 12 Efficient water use during construction
Criteria 15 Utilization of flyash in building structure
Criteria 16 Adopt energy efficient technology in
construction
Energy analyst
Criteria 13 Optimise building design to reduce
conventional energy demand
Criteria 14 Optimise energy performance of building
Criteria Renewable energy utilization
18&19
Criteria 33 O&M protocol for electrical and mechanical
equipment
Public health engineer
Criteria 8 Minimum sanitation and safety facilities for
construction workers
Criteria 9 Reduce air pollution during construction

43
Criteria 29 Acceptable outdoor and indoor noise levels
Criteria 30 Tobacco and smoke control
Criteria 22 Reduction in waste during construction
Criteria 23 Efficient waste segregation
Criteria 24 Utilization of flyash in building structure
Criteria 25 Adopt energy efficient technology in
construction
Plumbing engineer/MEP consultant
Criteria 11 Reduce building water use
Criteria 20 Waste water treatment
Criteria 21 Water recycle and reuse

44