Sustainable Materials-

Conventional and Latest

- Used in Foundation

Submitted by
- Chirag garg
- Shreya sharma
- Prakriti Goyal
Sustainable materials ??
Sustainable materials are materials that are obtained from renewable resources and which have
minimal impact on the environment during their production and recycling are considered
favourably.
Sustainable building materials are related to the following criteria:
❏ resource efficiency;
❏ energy efficiency (including initial and recurrent embodied energy, and GHG emissions);
and
❏ pollution prevention (including indoor air quality).
Wood as sustainable material
Plain old wood still retains many
advantages over more industrial
building materials like concrete or
steel. Not only do trees absorb CO2
as they grow, they require much
less energy-intensive methods to
process into construction
products. Properly managed
forests are also renewable and can
ensure a biodiverse habitat.
About
Permanent Wood Foundation (PWF)
Brief background

Pressure-treated wood was developed in the 1960s,

it became possible for wood to be used in foundation
walls without being prohibitively vulnerable to
damage from insects and moisture, and by the
1970s, PWFs gained acceptance.
Brief Description
❏ Complete engineered system of support and drainage.
❏ A lumber framed foundation wall sheathed with plywood that is load-bearing to support the
home above. All lumber and plywood components are pressure treated to withstand any decay
that could come from termites and moisture within the surrounding ground.
❏ Southern Pine is the preferred wood species used with PWFs because of its unique cellular
structure that allows deep, uniform penetration of the preservations applied.
Advantages of wooden foundation over masonry-
1—Livability: Comfort & Warmth
PWFs provide a warm and comfortable living space, unlike other foundations
which give a cool and damp feeling. With this foundation system walls don’t use a
great deal of space which allows for more interior finished space. PWFs use
superior drainage features to prevent typical moisture problems.

2—Energy Savings & Eco-Friendliness

Wood is a natural insulator and with the space allowed within the wood studs of
walls insulation can be installed to increase the energy efficiency of the home.
This added insulation keeps warm air inside the home in the winter and cool air
inside in the summer. This conservation of the desired air temperature leads to
lower heating and cooling costs.
Manufacturing treated wood products uses a great deal less energy than it does to
produce masonry type products. In fact, the PWF is considered a renewable
resource so it won't exhaust the earth's non-renewable natural resources and
often referred to as "green technology" for its admirable sustaining qualities.
3—Ease of Finishing & Remodeling
An additional wall around the foundation walls interior is
not needed. Once PWF is installed, the interior is very
economical and easy to finish since the wall studs are
already in place. Plumbing and electrical wiring fits nicely
into the wood frame of the wall. Finishing the walls are as
easy to do as any interior wall.
Modifications can easily be accomplished to
accommodate future desires for the space. In addition,
simply hanging pictures & shelves is easy since no special
tools are needed.

4—Drainage
Granular fill against the foundation walls, as well as under
the foundation floor, allows water to drain into the full
floor drainage system and be pumped out and away from
the home.

5—Design Flexibility
PWFs can be utilized as a solid foundation system for all
styles and sizes of homes. This foundation system can
easily be adapted to adhere to different sites and soils.
Materials used
Plywood and lumber pressure treated with a preservative.
This treatment protects the wood foundation from decay
and termites. The preservatives are forced into the wood
under pressure where the chemicals bond with the
cellulose in the wood.

There are several components used with this foundation

system—
➢ sheeting,
➢ pea rock,
➢ gravel fill & footings,
➢ Drains etc., —to support the home and control
moisture.
Construction technique

Grillage Foundation

Type of foundation often used at the base of a column.

Timber grillage footing is used for masonry wall. Construction details of

the grillages in such a case include planks and beams of wood placed
one above the other. This will help avoid differential settlement. If your
stuck in a situation where piles can not be provided and soil
characterization of the sites doesn’t allow other type of shallow footing,
we can use grillage footing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USvCZlwe-D0
After 3.50 min
Timber pile foundation
Timber pile is a trunk of a tree, trimmed of branches. A timber pile is usually designed for a maximum load of 15 to 25
tons/pile. Additional strength can be obtained by bolting fish plates to its side. These piles last for about 30 years. The
breadth of these piles ranges from 12 to 16 inches.

Advantages of timber piles

1. The cost per running length of the pile is low. Hence these piles are economical.
2. Timber being a resilient material, timber piles are suitable for impact absorption.
3. Timber piles are easy to install.

4. If necessary, it is easy to uninstall a timber pile.

5.
Disadvantages of timber pile

1. Timber piles have small bearing capacity.

2. Untreated timber piles above groundwater may last more than 25 years but are not permanent.
3. Timber piles are prone to damage by hard driving.
4. Timber piles cannot be driven through hard stratum or boulders.

5. Piles of longer length may not always be available.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jnq7E6GGqn0
Details
Wooden post foundation
Example
U Bein Bridge, Myanmar
The world's longest wooden
bridge has stood since around
1850, providing a passage
about 15 feet above mud flats
and Taungthaman Lake.
Made nearly exclusively from
teakwood—legend has it the
wood was taken from a
former palace—this
3,960-foot bridge remains in
use by both locals and
tourists.
Bamboo
The use of bamboo for foundation is rather restricted. This is mainly due to the fact that like timber when in contact with damp ground,
they deteriorate and decay very quickly unless treated with some very effective preservatives. However, in spite of their short life
considerable use of bamboos is made as foundation or supporting posts in case of houses built on raised platforms.

The types of bamboo foundations identified are:

a)Bamboo in direct ground contact: Bamboo is placed either on the surface or buried. For strength and stability, large diameter and
thick walled sections of bamboo with closely spaced nodes should be used. Where these are not available, smaller sections can be
tied together. It can decay within six months to two years, and hence preservative treatment is recommended.

b)Bamboo on rock or preformed concrete footings:where bamboo is being used for bearings, it should be placed out of ground contact
on footings of either rock or preformed concrete. The largest and stiffest sections of bamboo should be used.

c)Composite bamboo/concrete columns:a concrete extension is given to a bamboo post using a plastic tube of the same diameter.

The result is a bamboo post with an integral durable foundation.

d)Bamboo piles:it is used to stabilize soft soils and reduce building settlement. The treated split bamboo piles were filled with
coconut coir strands wrapped with jute. The sections were then tied with wire. After installation of the piles the area was covered with a
sandy material.
Why as piles?

the use of bamboo as a soil reinforcement can

1. increase the value of unconfined compressive strength, due to the friction between the ground and the rough surface of the
bamboo.
2. In addition to the increased compressive strength value.
3. The use of bamboo grids on peat soils shows an increase in bearing capacity. The bamboo grid has been used as a
reinforcement on a shallow foundation .
About -
Where ?

Bamboo Piling is the best Economical method to prevent Soil Erosion in Riverside .

The piling can be seen on both side of Water distributing Nalla in large strength of Paddy field ( Wet Land ) in Bihar,UP, Odisa, AP ,
Tamil Nadu, Krnataka & Kerala.

So Bamboo Piling only is economical in this field. Bamboo Piling can be used as a Retaining Wall in Wet Land area.

Coconut tree and Supari Tree can also be used for Piling . All Bridge construction companies in our country is using these
piling as support in flowing water for bridge construction.
How ?

Bamboo of more shell thickness up to 20mm to 30mm and 100mm to 150mm dia can be used for Pile Foundation.

It is widely used more than 200years ago.

Straight Bamboo will be drived in to the BC soil/ Paddy field with water stagnation up to the Hard Strata of Soil. Green Bamboo
immediately after cutting will be used for this . Wooden Hammer will be used for inserting the bamboo in soil .

Distance between two Bamboo PIle will be 200mm to 350mm according to the load coming on the foundation. If this Bamboo Piles are
for the construction of foundation of a Building, we have to insert Bamboo in the foundation Trench. Once Piling is completed top level
of all bamboo will be made equal by Hammering . Bamboo of same dia and less dia will be cut Vericaly in to two pieces and by
using this we have to make a thick layer above bamboo Piles .
Split-bamboo piles filled up with loosely wound coconut
coir strands of about 6 mm diameter each tied up with
spirally wound jute thread along its length and wrapped
with a layer of thickly knit jute burlap have been
successfully used. Treated split-bamboo steps were holed
at random points and tied up together at regular intervals
with galvanized iron wire after putting the coconut coir
wicks inside along its entire length.
Detail -
ESCS Material
ESCS is produced by expanding and vitrifying select shale, clay, or slate in a rotary kiln. This process creates a high quality ceramic
lightweight aggregate that is structurally strong, durable, environmentally inert, non-toxic, highly insulative, and will not degrade over
time. Several ESCS Lightweight aggregate producers certify that their ESCS excess fines meet the LEED and ISO criteria for
pre-consumer recycled content. ESCS is environmentally friendly product with several benefits that contribute to projects becoming
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. ESCS material can contribute to at least 33 of the points available in
LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations.
Sustainable Benefits of Using ESCS Over Conventional Normal weight Sand,
Stone and Gravel Aggregates
In Concrete and Concrete Masonry

● Less weight (reduced dead load)

● Less overall material used (thinner walls and floors use less material themselves and allow smaller foundations, beams and
columns)
● Reduced seismic inertia (more economical design, less materials)
● Longer spans increasing design flexibility
● Reduced number of trucks (more building products per load)
● Easier placement (all products are lighter)
● Improved workforce sustainability (masons have fewer injuries and safer jobsites)
● Increased mason productivity
● Better fire ratings (thinner walls and floors)
● Improved energy performance with thermal mass, higher thermal inertia and lower thermal bridging
● Increased durability and service life with improved concrete properties
● Improved concrete properties through internal curing
● Improved contact zone between aggregate and cementitious matrix
● Better elastic compatibility between aggregate and cementitious matrix
● Fewer overall micro-cracks and macro-cracks
● Reduced autogenous shrinkage
● Reduced chloride ion permeability
MANUFACTURING-

ESCS is a ceramic material produced by expanding and vitrifying

select shales, clays, and slates in a rotary kiln. The process
produces a high quality ceramic aggregate that is structurally
strong, durable, environmentally inert, low in density and highly
insulative. It is a natural, non-toxic, absorptive aggregate that is
dimensionally stable and will not degrade over time.
Performance
Structural lightweight aggregate has been used successfully for well over two millennia with some of the Roman structures still in use.
The economic benefits that have driven the growth of the ESCS industry for nearly 100 years are the same characteristics that are now
being called “sustainable”.

ESCS has been used successfully around the world in more than 50 different applications. The most notable among these are concrete
masonry, high-rise buildings, concrete bridges, precast concrete, asphalt chip seal, soil amendment, green roofs, geotechnical fills, and
storm water management with on site treatment.

This track record of proven performance demonstrates how ESCS helps designers and owners optimize sustainable development by
conserving energy, saving material, labor and transportation costs, improving performance, maximizing structural efficiency, addressing
heat-island effects, and increasing service life.

Any additional upfront energy or cost required to manufacture ESCS is paid back during initial construction and/or over the product’s
service life. Thinner structural sections lower the overall embodied energy in construction and improved thermal performance produces
energy savings for the life of the structure.
From a sustainability Perspective
The first step toward designing sustainable structures is product evaluation and selection. This includes manufacturing, raw material,
product uses, performance and its recycle potential.

The ceramic nature of the aggregate insures that the product is inert and highly resistant to degradation, thereby providing concrete
and other uses with a key component that has stood the test of time. These same properties also render the product environmentally
friendly in that it can be recycled and reused in other applications. Additional information is available in the Sustainability Without
Compromise section of this website

ESCSI products have lower transportation requirements and use raw materials that have limited structural applications in their natural
state. This reduces demands on finite resources of quality natural sand, stone and gravel.
Timbercrete
Timbercrete is a blend of sawmill waste, cement, sand, binders and a non-toxic deflocculating additive, which is cured using the
renewable resources of sun and wind into a unique building block.
How durable is Timbercrete?

Evidence from ancient cement stabilized blocks blended

with straw (that lasted more than 1000 years) indicate
that this modern-day counterpart will endure for
generations. The cellulose used in Timbercrete is far less
susceptible to breaking down than straw and is
encapsulated in a cementitious tomb which basically
mummifies and preserves the organic material. It’s also
not susceptible to the “concrete cancer” that affects
steel-enforced concrete, so it’s expected to have a
long-life.
Timbercrete is also far less porous than most concrete
blocks and won’t wash away or erode when exposed to
the elements like mud bricks. Having said that, it’s by no
means waterproof, and water will start to penetrate
through the surface over prolonged exposure to rain if
the external walls are not sealed.
STONE as sustainable material
Natural stone has many structural, design and environmental advantages over other building
materials. Natural stone is typically one of these materials. ... It reduces the energy consumption and
the emissions of CO2 to the atmosphere, increasing the quality of life.
About
Why stone is sustainable
1. Stone is a natural material. Stone is a natural product of the Earth, the original green building
material. It does not require other materials or resources to create it. There is an abundant supply
with different veining, textures, colors, shapes and technical characteristics that make it possible
for stone to be used in a wide range of applications. Natural stone contains no harmful chemicals
or toxins. Stone is also available regionally and locally. Regionally manufactured and extracted
materials reduce environmental impacts by reducing greenhouse gas emissions during
transportation.
2. Stone is durable. Stone stands the test of time, which means the choice to use natural stone will
only enhance the value of your home while reducing the need to replace materials over a longer
period of time. Stones such as slate, limestone, travertine and granite will all age beautifully and
gracefully, providing years of use and enjoyment. Stone can easily stand up to high traffic in
areas such as courtyards, foyers, kitchens and baths and may be designed to last for 50 or even
100 years.
1. Stone offers ease of care and maintenance. If maintained properly, stone will last for years.
There are a wide range of fabrication options and finishes that can be applied to natural stone
that will also enhance its performance, including extending its life, resisting weather and wear
and tear, or making the stone more slip resistant. Most stones can simply be cleaned with a mild
dish soap and water.
2. Stone is recyclable. Stone is recyclable and has the potential to serve many different uses and
purposes over its lifetime. Salvaging and recycling stone is a viable option and a sustainable way
to ensure that the useful life of the material will be lived out to its fullest. Environmentally,
utilizing recycled stone can eliminate the energy, water, and other resources needed to generate
new products from virgin or raw material sources, ultimately reducing or avoiding impacts to
ecosystems and resource supplies.
3. Stone is quarried and manufactured sustainably. Advancements in technology, including
improved methods of quarrying, extraction, and fabrication have led to increased options and
reduced costs of stone products, making natural stone easier to use and more desirable than ever
before. Conserving resources, preventing pollution, and minimizing waste are some ways the
stone industry is working to be eco-friendly through practices that support sustainable design
requirements.
Advantages of stone foundation
● Masonry is non-combustible, so improves fire protection for the building and its occupants.
Fireplaces are commonly made of masonry for the same reason.
● Masonry offers a high resistance against rotting, pests, weather, and natural disasters such as
hurricanes and tornadoes.
● Masonry structures provide an attractive rustic or elegant look for a home or building,
depending on the material used and the workers’ expertise.
● Being durable and resistant, mansory can withstand large amounts of compressive weight
loads.
● Masonry units increase the thermal mass of a building.
● Masonry buildings have longer lifespans than any other building type.
Steps of construction of stone foundation
1. Site Preparation

● Clear a level pad for your building. Make it at least 3 feet bigger than the size of your building
on all sides so that you have room to maneuver about the site.
● Set up batter boards. These allow you to run string lines for the outside and inside of your
foundation trench. Always use a line level to level these strings.
● Make sure that your foundation is “square” by using the Pythagorean theorem.
● Dig your foundation trench down to the frost line (depends on where you are). Make the sides of
your trench vertical, square on the sides, and tamp down the bottom.
● Determine your drainage point, and make the bottom of your trench slope down to where the
water will drain out. Standard good practice is to have it slope down ¼ inch per foot (1 inch per
4 feet). This is pretty slight. Use either a transit or a water level to do this part. The Egyptians
used water levels to level the pyramids so don’t be turned off by this ancient tool. It works just as well
as a transit for this job. Just make sure that there are no bubbles in it.
2. Rubble Trench and Drainage Pipe
There are a couple different ways to create a rubble trench for your foundation. I have a more detailed
guide in my eBook “Build a Cob House: A Step-By-Step Guide.”
Here are the basics though:
● Lay down a few inches of gravel on the bottom of your trench and tamp it down. Use
drain-grade gravel.
● Use landscaping fabric to cover the bottom and the sides of the rest of the trench surfaces. Leave
enough on top so that you can wrap it back over the top when you’re done.
● You typically want to start your stone foundation or stem wall about 6” below grade. So measure
down from the top of your trench about 6”. This will be where your rubble trench ends.
● Fill about 1/3 of your trench with drainage gravel again. Now filling over the top of your
landscaping fabric.
3. Stone Laying
● Grade your stone – sort out the stones by size. The larger rocks will go on the bottom of your
foundation. Also pick out corner stones with a nice 90 degree angle, and mark these with a big
X.
● Set up your next set of tapered batter boards. You need to build these according to your structure.
The top surface of rock foundation walls should be NO LESS than 16 inches wide. The
minimum height of a stem wall above grade should also be 18 inches. Our batters moved in 2”
per each foot upward in height.
● Lay your corner stones for the first layer and start from there.
● Lay the exterior layer first. You will probably have one interior and exterior layer of stones for
your foundation.
● Always lay your stones lengthwise into the wall! This is important in order for your foundation
to last a long time.
4. Mortaring
● If you’re mortaring your stones together, lift up the stones and place them aside. Keep them in
the same direction so that you know how they should go back in place.
● Lay your mortar down where your stone will sit.
● Place your stones back in place on top of the mortar.
● Re-insert your hearting, and add new hearting inside of the mortar if needed.
● We used Natural Hydraulic Lime mortar on this structure. You can also use cement mortar if you
choose. NHL is best for mortaring stones underground as it sets in water. It is harder to come by
than cement mortar and costs a lot more though. If you’re on the East coast, you can get NHL
and lime putty through Virginia Lime Works.
Details
Example of stone foundation
COB HOUSE: Cob is a mixture of clay,
sand, straw, and water. To build a cob
house you will essentially need three
main components: foundation, walls,
and a roof. Here are some of the different
styles and systems for building a cob or
a hybrid cob home.