A Technical Seminar Report on

ALTERNATE BUILDING MATERIALS

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of
BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
In

CIVIL ENGINEERING
Under
JNTU Hyderabad
By

MOHAMMED ABDUL QUAYYUM

18N61A0132

>

Department of Civil Engineering

Vivekananda institute of Technology & Science Karimnagar
(Approved by AICTE New Delhi & Affiliated to JNTU Hyderabad.)
2021-2022

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 Vivekananda Institute of Technology & Science: Karimnagar
Department of Civil Engineering

Certificate
This is to certify that the Technical Seminar Report entitled: ALTERNATE

BUILDING MATERIALS is a bonafide record of the Technical seminar report

done by MOHAMMED ABDUL QUAYYUM (18N61A0132) fulfillment of the requirements
for the award of the Degree of Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering.
Date:

Mr.M.A.HALEEM Dr TVV SUDHAKAR

Head of the Department Principal

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It is customary for a student to thank all those who have helped him to
successfully we a technical seminar particularly a different one, but we are doing so not
because of the monotonous tradition but because they are genuinely entitled to our heart
full thanks.
We are greatly obliged to our head of the department. Mr. M.A. HALEEM of
civil Engineering for creating an excellent academic which made this endeavor possible.
We are also thankful to our principal DR TVV SUDHAKAR and Management of
Vivekananda Institute of Technology and Science, Karimnagar, for providing congenial
atmosphere and encouragement.
Last but far from least, I wish to acknowledge my parents and friends for giving
strength and constant encouragement.

MOHAMMED ABDUL QUAYYUM (18N61A0132)

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 APPROVAL SHEET

This dissertation report entitled “ALTERNATE BUILDING MATERIALS” by

Mohammed Abdul Quayyum is approved for the degree of Civil Engineering and has
been verified

Examiners

1.…………………………

2.…………………………

Supervisor

1. …………………………

2. …………………………

Date:

Place:

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 ABSTRACT
In building construction industry, it has been seen that materials, which were being used
about a century back, are still very popular. Variety of alternative building materials are
available which provide better, efficient, durable and cost effective construction and also
ensure judicious utilization of available limited resources with least possible degradation of
environment.

Building materials and technologies, and building practices have evolved through ages.
Housing and building conditions reflect the living standards of a society. Stones, mud,
thatch/leaves 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. Durability of the materials, directly derived from natural materials like soil,
thatch/leaves, timber, etc. is questionable.

Quest for durable building materials is an ongoing phenomenon ever since man started
construction activity. Brick burning represents one of the earliest examples of using energy
(other than animate 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. Then comes the manufacture of lime and lime-based products. Burnt bricks, metal
products and lime are the manufactured materials (using external energy sources) commonly
used for construction by our ancestors for a very long period of time.

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 CONTENTS PAGE NUMBERS
CERTIFICATE 1

APPROVAL SHEET 2

ABSTRACT 3

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 6

ISSUES ON ENERGY ENVIRONMENT,SUSTAINABILITY 7

CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING

NEEDS FOR SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES 8

INTRODUCTION 1

ALTERNATIVE BUILDING MATERIALS 9

ADVANTAGES OF ALTERNATIVE BUILDING MATERIALS 9

ECOFRIENDLY MATERIALS 10

FEATURES OF ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS 10

LIST

LIST OF ALTERNATIVE BUILDING MATERIALS 11

STABILIZED MUD BLOCKS 12

CONCRETE BLOCKS 13

ADVANTAGES OF CONCRETE BLOCKS 13

BAGASSE CEMENT BUILDING MATERIALS 14

COIR CNSL BOARD 15

STEAM CURED BLOCKS 16

CAUSES

CAUSES OF POOR ACCEPTABILITY OF ALTERNATIVE BUILDING 17

MATERIALS

CONCLUSION 18

REFERENCES 19

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 LIST OF FIGURES

List of figures Page numbers

1. ALTERNATE BUILDING 9
MATERIAL

2. STABILIZED MUD BLOCKS-1 13

3. STABILIZED MUD BLOCK 13

4. CONCRETE BLOCK 14

5. BAGGASE CEMENT 15
BUILDING BOARDS

6. COIR CNSL BOARR 16

7. STEAM CURED BLOCKS 18

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 INTRODUCTION

Discovery of natural inorganic binders like pozzolanic materials lead to the use of lime-
pozzolana (LP) cement for construction purposes. Experience of using LP cement paved the
way for the invention of Portland cement in 1824. Portland cement and steel brought
revolutionary changes in the construction practices from early part of 20th century. Then
plastics and plastic products entered the construction industry.
Thus, the new materials, which are available for use in construction, have many advantages
over conventional materials being used presently.

The demand for building materials has been continuously rising with the increasing need for
housing both in rural and urban areas. Commercial exploitation of traditional building materials
by various industries has aggravated the situation.
It has, therefore, become necessary to think over this problem seriously and to provide some
sustainable solution to make the alternative materials available to solve the housing problem.

The government of India is committed to the cause of bringing about rapid and sustainable
development in rural as well as urban areas.
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 following points require attention, regarding the use of modern building materials: Energy
consumed in the manufacturing processes – energy intensity; Problems of long distance
transportation; Natural resources and raw materials consumed; Recycling and safe disposal;
Impact on environment, and Long-term sustainability.
Thus 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.

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 ISSUES ON ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABLE

CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDINGS

Indian construction industry is one of the largest in terms of economic expenditure, volume
of raw materials/natural resources consumed, volume of materials and products
manufactured, employment generated, environmental impacts, etc. Large variety of
materials are manufactured and consumed in the construction industry. It has been estimated
that 22% of green house gas (ghg) emissions is contributed by the construction sector in
india. There is an ever-increasing demand for building materials.

For example demand for houses has doubled in about two decades from 1980. Compounded
growth rates of 2.5%, 5% and 5% has been assumed for bricks, steel and cement respectively
to compute the projected demand. In case of brick-making activity, at present topsoil
equivalent of 300 mm from 100,000 hectares (1000 sq km) of fertile land, 22 × 106 tonne of
coal and 10 × 106 tonnes of biomass are consumed annually. We have an arable land area of
1.62 × 106 sq km comprising alluvial soils, black soil, red soil, laterite soil and desert soil.
Alluvial, laterite and red soils are suitable for brick making. Area under the soils suitable for
brick making may not exceed 50% of the arable land. Brick-making activity to meet the
present and future demand can result in consuming the 300 mm depth fertile topsoil of arable
land in about 90 years (assuming 2.5% compounded growth rate). Similarly the pressure on
raw materials like limestone to manufacture cement and energy requirements to produce
these materials has to be addressed.

Production of building materials has slowly and steadily moved from highly decentralized
and labor-intensive methods and processes to centralized, machine-dependent industry
mode. Centralized mode of production necessitates hauling of raw materials and distribution
of finished materials over great distances. These activities again require expenditure of fossil
fuels for transportation. Transportation of raw and finished building materials is another key
issue that can contribute to cost of materials, increased energy requirements and
environmental issues. Sustainability of the present mode of production, consumption and
distribution of building materials and currently adopted construction practices is
questionable

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 Need For 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. Some of the guiding principles
in developing the sustainable alternative building technologies can be summarized as follows:
Energy conservation; Minimize the use of high energy materials; Concern for environment,
environment-friendly technologies; Minimize transportation and maximize the use of local
materials and resources;
Decentralized production and maximum use of local skills; Utilization of industrial and mine
wastes for the production of building materials; Recycling of building wastes, and Use of
renewable energy sources.

Building technologies manufactured by meeting these principles could become sustainable

and facilitate sharing the resources especially energy resources more efficiently, causing
minimum damage to the environment.

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 Alternate Building Materials
A large number of viable alternative building technologies have been developed and
disseminated over a period of 2.5 decades. Some of these building technologies are: Stabilized
mud blocks, Steam cured blocks, Fine concrete blocks, Rammed earth blocks, Mud concrete
blocks, Lime–Pozzolana cements, Soil-lime plaster, Composite mortars for masonry,
Composite beam and panel roofs, Reinforced brickwork/tile-work roof, Ferro cement and
ferroconcrete roofing systems, Unreinforced masonry vaults and domes, Ribbed slab
construction, Filler slab roofs, Rammed earth foundations, Reinforced block-work lintels and
precast chejjas, Solar passive cooling techniques and Containment reinforcement for
earthquake-resistant masonry.

Advantages
Besides being eco-friendly, the other advantages of using these materials for construction are:

• Better functional efficiency.

• Cost effectiveness.

• Better durability.

• Ease of construction.

• Better finish.

• Minimum waste.

• Less maintenance cost.

• Minimum defects.

• Less energy intensive.

One of the major component of Eco-housing practices using ‘Alternate Building

Materials’ is Sustainable Construction Practices.

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 Eco-friendly materials

Dictionary: Describes a product that has been designed to do the least possible damage to the
environment.

Or

“Products or services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment
when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose.”

The use of Eco-friendly Materials became a necessity because of the following reasons;

• Phenomenal growth in the construction industry that depends upon depletable sources.

• Production of building materials leads to irreversible environmental impacts

Features of Eco-friendly materials

 Renewable Source.

 Reuse of Waste product

 Low Embodied Energy.

 Local Availability

 Reduction in air, land and water pollution.

 Durability & Life s

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 LIST OF ALTERNATE BUILDING
MATERIALS

 Stabilized Mud Blocks

 Concrete Block
 Synthetic Fiber
 Fly Ash Bricks
 Recycled Agg.
 Rice Husk Ash
 Fly Ash
 Ferro Cement
 Tire Veneer
 Bamboo
 Plastic Wood
 Bagasse – Cement Building Boards
 Arhar Stalk – Cement Board
 Coir – Cnsl Board
 Lightweight Sandwich Panels
 Fine Concrete Blocks
 Steam Cured Blocks

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 STABILIZED MUD BLOCKS

The most amazing thing about building with stabilized mud blocks has been the
awareness that the building is built from the very soil that it is sited on, almost as if it
has grown out of the earth.
The Compressed Stabilized Earth Block is formed from a mix of mud, sand and cement
using a manual machine operated by an individual. In practice, we found that the ability
to monitor quality of production as well as logistics on site made it easily scalable for
extensive use.
Experimenting with additives for better colour and strength was like an exercise in
baking; the correct ingredients in the right combination were needed for the desired
results.
These 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. Two block sizes (305 × 143 × 100 mm and 230
× 190 × 100 mm) have been standardized. These blocks are 2.5 to 2.8 times bigger in
volume when compared with locally available 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 soil with 7% cement can
yield blocks having wet compressive strength of 3–4 MPa. High strength for the block
can be obtained by increasing the quantity of stabilizer. Major advantages of SMB are:
(a) 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, (c)
plastering can be eliminated, and (d) better block finish and aesthetically

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 Concrete Block

Concrete blocks are nowadays replacing bricks in masonry construction, notably in

many multi-storeyed buildings. They are available in three types namely solid, hollow
and cellular, widely used for the construction of filler walls and boundary walls in RC
framework.
Concrete blocks are usually made in large sizes to make blockwork faster and consume
less cement in joints than the brickwork. If the percentage of the voids is more than
25%, then they are hollow blocks and blocks with voids less than 25% are only
perforated blocks.

Advantages:
Low Maintenance, Color and brilliance of masonry withstands outdoor elements.
Load Bearing, strength can be specified as per the requirement.
Fire Resistant
Provide thermal and sound insulation: The air in hollow of the block, does not allow
outside heat or cold in the house. So it keeps house cool in summer and warm in winter.
Economical.

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 Bagasse – Cement Building Boards
Bagasse is abundantly available in many countries as a by-product from sugar mills and is
being mostly used as fuel or disposed of by incineration. An attempt has been made to convert
this byproduct into useful eco-friendly cement-bonded composites, which can be used for
various internal and external applications in buildings.
Numerous composites (Medium Density Reconstituted Boards) have already been developed
using different natural and synthetic and man-made fibers in polymer matrix. Most of the
boards are being used for replacing wood and other conventional reconstituted wood products.
Some of these fibers have also been used for making high density fiber-board using cement
(inorganic) as binder. The development is aimed to develop building boards and door shutter
using Bagasse fiber. Building board is suitable for partitioning, paneling etc.

The developed product and process are prototype and laboratory level respectively. The
physical-mechanical behavior of the developed building board (prototype) passes most of the
requirements of general purposes high density board and is cost effective too.

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 COIR– CNSL BOARD

The Coir-CNSL Board is a wood alternative which can be used for surfacing,
door and window shutters, partitioning, false ceiling, paneling, furniture, cabinets, packaging
etc. It is a single layer flat pressed class Medium Density Fiber (MDF) Board. It has low water
absorption, negligible change in dimensions due to water absorption, workable with normal
wood working tools, paintable, pre-laminable, nailable and screwable, passes IS-3087. The
board is eco-friendly and can replace wood or re-constituted wood by 100%.

Salient features of Coir-CNSL Board are as under;

Both the starting materials i.e. coconut fiber and cashew nut shell liquid are available
substantially in coastal areas and are renewable agro-wastes.

Technology is developed at pilot level and ready for transfer.

The technology and product both are patented.

The Technology is techno-economically viable as per pre-estimates.

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 STEAM CURED BLOCKS

A mixture of lime, industrial waste products like fly ash or expansive soils like black cotton
soil and sand can be compacted into a high-density block. Lime reacts with fly ash/clay
minerals forming water insoluble bonds imparting strength to the block. These reactions are
slow at ambient temperatures (~ 30°C) and hence steam curing for about 10 h at 80°C can
accelerate these reactions leading to high strength for the block.

The process involves:

Mixing of raw materials like lime, cement, fly ash or black cotton soil, sand and water in a
mixer,
Converting the mixture into a dense block using soil block press, Stacking the blocks in a steam
chamber and steam curing for 10–12 h.

Blocks of any convenient size can be manufactured. Compressive strength of the block
depends upon the composition of the mix, density of the block and percentage of stabilizer
(cement/lime). A combination like 25% fly ash, 6% lime and 2% cement can yield blocks
having wet compressive strength of > 6 MPa. This kind of strength will be sufficient to
construct 3–4 storey load-bearing buildings with spans in the range of 3–4 m. Blocks of higher
strength can be easily achieved by adjusting the mix proportions. It should be noted here that
the block quality is much superior when compared to local burnt bricks and SMB. Advantages
of using these blocks are: (i) Ideal process for a small-scale or cottage industry, (ii) utilization
of industrial waste products like fly ash and problematic soils like black cotton soil and high
clay soils, (iii) energy efficient and environment friendly, and (iv) higher strength for the blocks

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Causes of Poor Acceptability of Alternative Building
Materials

 Lack Of Knowledge About New Materials.

 Non-Inclusion In Various National Codes And Specifications.
 In-Appropriate Environment For Research And Development.
 Non-Availability Of Proper Forum For Promoting New Materials.
 Ineffective And Improper Publicity.
 Unawareness Among Users.
 Poor Competition Among New Material Manufacturers.
 Higher Price Structure Of New Materials.
 Lower Emphasis On Research On Eco-Friendly Materials.
 Negative Attitude Of Engineers/ Architects Towards Non-Scheduled Items.
 Lower Confidence On Quality.
 Negligible Technological Thrust For Wider Acceptance And Adoption.

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 CONCLUSION

Alternative eco-friendly building materials and technologies at various levels will not only
reduce the cost of construction but will also ensure no depreciation of world’s natural wealth.
Now there is a need to put in organized efforts in the direction of using eco-friendly materials
by replacing traditional materials. It is desired a positive role to be played by various
government agencies, leading engineers and technologists, major users and entrepreneurs to
bring sustainable development process in construction industry.

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 REFERENCES
OTI, J.E., KINUTHIA, J.M and BAI, J., 2009c. Unfired clay bricks: from laboratory to industrial production,

Proceedings of ICE, Journal of Engineering sustainability (in press)

OTI J.E, KINUTHIA, J.M and BAI J., 2008b. Developing unfired stabilized building materials in the UK,

Proceedings of ICE, Journal of Engineering Sustainability, 161(ES4), pp.211-218, DOI:

10.1680/ensu.2008.161.4.211.

JAYASINGHE C and KAMALADASA N., 2007. Compressive strength characteristics of cement stabilized

rammed earth walls. Construction and Building Materials, 21(1), pp.1971-1976. OTI J.E, KINUTHIA J.M

and BAI J., 2008a. Using Slag for Unfired-clay Masonry Bricks, Proceedings of ICE, Journal of Construction

materials, 161(CM4), pp.147-155, DOI: 10.1680/coma.2008.161.4.147.

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