GANDHI INSTITUTE OF TECHOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT

BHUBANESWAR

A Technical Seminar Report On

LOW COST HOUSING

Submitted in the partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the
Degree of
Bachelor of Engineering
In
Civil Engineering
Submitted by
Pranati,Satyabrata,Ananya,Banani
Under guidance of
Sanghamitra Mam
Assistant Professor, Department Of Civil Engineering

GITAM
 GANDHI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
Department Of Civil Engineering

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the Technical seminar entitled LOW COST HOUSING
is a bonafide work carried out by Pranati,Satyabrata,Ananya,Banani in
partial fulfilment for the award of BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING in
CIVIL ENGINEERING of Bijupattnaik University and Technology,
Rourkela during the year 2015 -2018 . The technical seminar report has been
approved as it satisfies the academic requirement in respect of work prescribed
for bachelor of engineering.

GUIDE: HOD

Assistant Professor Head of Department

Department Of Civil Engineering Department Of Civil Engineering

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 STUDENTS DECLARATION

I, student of GANDHI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND

MANAGEMENT , hereby declare that the seminar entitled "LOW COST
HOUSING , is an original work carried out by me under the guidance of
MISS.Sanghamitra, assistant professor, is submitted in the partial fulfilment of
the requirements for the civil engineering of the BIJUPATTNAIK
UNIVERSITY AND TECHNOLOGY. This is a bonafide work carried out by
me. The results embodied in this project report have not been submitted to any
other university or institution for the award of any other degree or diploma
certificate.

NAME:
SIGNATURE

CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

GITAM, BHUBANESWAR

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The satisfaction and euphoria that accompany the successful completion of any
task would be incomplete without the mention of people who made it possible
and whose constant guidance and encouragement crowned our effort with
success.

I consider myself proud to be a part of gitam family, the institution that stood
by my way in all my endeavours.

I would like to express my gratitude to Mr.Singh Sir, principal, the GITAM

college of engineering for providing me a congenial environment and
surrounding to work in.

I profoundly thank Archana Mam, Head of the Department of CIVIL

Engineering who has been an excellent guide and also a great source of
inspiration to my work.

I would like to thank Sanghamitra Mam, assistant professor, civil engineering

department for his technical guidance, constant encouragement and support

The satisfaction and excitement that accompany the successful completion of

the task would be great but incomplete without the mention of the people who
made it possible with their constant guidance and encouragement crowns all the
efforts with success. In this context, we would like thank all the other staff
members, both teaching and non-teaching, who have extended their timely help
and eased my task.

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 INDEX
SL. CONTENTS PAGE REMARKS
NO. NO.
1 Abstract 1
2 Introduction 2
3 Housing shortage statistics 3
4 Traditional construction methods 7
5 Low cost construction technologies 9
4 MATERIALS 11
1. characteristics
2. materials
1. hollow bricks
2. load bearing wall
3. precast beams and slabs
4. precast stairs

5. Construction process 16
6 Cost effectiveness of using low cost 17
housing technologies
14 Advantages And Disadvantages 19

15 Conclusion 20
16 References 21

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 ABSTRACT

Adequate shelter for all people is one of the pressing challenges faced by
the developing countries. India is currently facing a shortage of about
17.6 million houses. The dream of owning a house particularly for low-
income and middle-income families is becoming a difficult reality. Hence,
it has become a necessity to adopt cost effective, innovative and
environment-friendly housing technologies for the construction of houses
and buildings for enabling the common people to construct houses at
affordable cost. This paper compares construction cost for the traditional
and low cost housing technologies. Case studies in India are used for the
investigation. Construction methods of foundation, walling, roofing and
lintel are compared. Strength and durability of the structure, stability,
safety and mental satisfaction are factors that assume top priority during
cost reduction. It is found that about 26.11% and 22.68% of the
construction cost can be saved by using low cost housing technologies in
comparison with the traditional construction methods in the case studies
for walling and roofing respectively. This proves that using low cost
housing technologies is a cost effective construction approach for the
industry.

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 INTRODUCTION:
Low cost housing can be considered affordable for low- and moderate-
income earners if household can acquire a housing unit (owned or rented)
for an amount up to 30 percent of its household income. In developing
countries such as India, only 20% of the population are high-income
earners, who are able to afford normal housing units. The low-income
groups in developing countries are generally unable to access the housing
market. Cost effective housing is a relative concept and has more to do
with budgeting and seeks to reduce construction cost through better
management, appropriate use of local materials, skills and technology but
without sacrificing the performance and structure life. It should be noted
that low cost housings are not houses which constructed by cheap building
materials of substandard quality. A low cost house is designed and
constructed as any other house with regard to foundation, structure and
strength. The reduction in cost is achieved through effective utilization of
locally available building materials and techniques that are durable,
economical, accepted by users and not requiring costly maintenance.
Economy is also achieved by postponing finishing and implementing low
cost housing technologies in phases. High efficiency of workers, minimize
waste in design and apply good management practices, can also be
achieved.

Low cost housing technologies aim to cut down construction cost by using
alternatives to the conventional methods and inputs. It is about the usage
of local and indigenous building materials, local skills, energy saver and
environment-friendly options.

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HOUSING SCENARIO IN INDIA:

India is a populous country where approximately 70% of the people

reside in rural areas. These people are migrating to urban settlements in
search of jobs and better living standards. The exhibit 1 below shows the
state-wise and category-wise housing shortage in India. It can be seen that
99% of the housing requirement is in the Economically Weaker Section
(EWS) and the Low Income Housing (LIG) space

Estimation of Urban Housing Shortage:

About nineteen million (18.78 million) households grapple with housing

shortage in Urban India (2012) as per the estimate of the Technical Group
on Urban Housing Shortage. The estimate is based on Census & NSS

65th Round results on Housing conditions and Urban Slums with usual
inputs like obsolescence factor, congestion factor & homeless households.

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Distribution of Housing shortage state wise:

Taking into account the fact that the shortage in housing is significant in lower
income group, for 2012, TG-12 distributed the shortage on the basis of States
contribution to the total, on the basis of average of total number of households
below poverty line in urban areas & households with katcha houses in urban
areas. In the past national level housing shortage was distributed among the
states in proportion to number of urban households.

Distribution of Housing shortage across major States

Housing shortage across Economic categories:

Three fourths of the shortage is in the EWS (Economically Weaker Section-

income up to Rs 5000 per month) category a n d another quarter of the shortage
is in LIG (Lower Income Group- Income between Rs 5001- 10,000 per month)
category. In the latter, a significant proportion of shortage is on account of
congestion in living conditions.

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International scenario:

The figure for estimated housing shortage across the world according to the
internationally recommended standards, (PPD: people per dwelling 3.5) is
428,700,000 units. However this figure is more than the double if it is calculated
using Dutch standards (PPD 2.4); 1,088,219,000 units.

Key statistics:

By the year 2030, an additional 3 billion people, about 40 percent of the

worlds population, will need access to housing. This translates into a demand
for 96,150 new affordable units every day and 4,000 every hour.

One out of every three city dwellers nearly a billion people lives in a
slum and that number is expected to double in the next 25 years. (Slum
indicators include: lack of water, lack of sanitation, overcrowding, non-durable
structures and insecure tenure.)

As much as 70 percent of the urban housing stock in sub-Saharan Africa, 50

percent in South Asia, and 25 percent in Latin America and the Caribbean is of
poor quality and not in compliance with local regulations.

Access to land is fundamental to adequate shelter. Having legal title to that

land encourages families to invest and improve their homes and allows

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them to access credit and other public services such as water and electricity.
Nearly one sixth of the worlds population is living without secure tenure .

The quality of housing stock & amenities directly affect health & quality
of life Ones health is directly linked to housing and housing related basics
such as water and sanitation. In Mexico, researchers at the World Bank
and University of California, Berkeley, found that replacing dirt floors with
concrete floors improved the health of children.

2.6 billion people or 39 per cent of the worlds population live without
access to improved sanitation and 751 million people share their sanitation
facilities with other households or only use public facilities. (World Health
Organization, 2009)

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 TRADITIONAL CONSTRUCTION METHODS:

The traditional construction methods are used in the case study. The
detail procedures of each step used for the case study are as follow:

Foundation: Foundation is the lowest part of the structure which is

provided to distribute loads to the soil thus providing base for the super-
structure. Excavation work is first carried out, then earth-work is filled with
available earth and ends with watering and compaction in a 6 thick layer.

Cement concrete: Plain cement concrete is used to form a levelled surface

on the excavated soil. The volumetric concrete mix proportion of 1:4:8
(cement: sand: aggregate), with a 6 thick layer for masonry foundation
and column footings is used. Plain cement concrete is finished on the
excavated soil strata and mixed by manual process.

Wall construction: Size stone masonry for foundation is constructed for

outer walls and burnt brick masonry of a 9 thick layer for main walls and
a 4 thick layer for all internal walls. Good quality table-moulded bricks
are used for the construction.

Reinforced cement concrete slab and beam: The normal procedure

to cast reinforced cement concrete slab is to make shuttering and
provide reinforcement and concreting. Good steel or plywood formwork
is used, with proper cover blocks between bars. Both aggregate and sand
used are clean, with aggregate being graded. After the concrete is
poured, it is properly consolidated.

Plastering: Plastering is used for the ceiling, inside and outside walls.
Joints are raked before plastering and proper curing is ensured.

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Flooring: For the flooring purpose, the earth is properly filled and
consolidated in the ratio of 1:4:8 (cement: sand: aggregate) concrete.

Plumbing: Good quality plumbing materials are used and passed hydraulic
test before using it.

Painting and finishing: Before the painting process, surface is prepared

with putty and primer and readymade paint is used.

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 LOW COST CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGIES:

It is found that cost-effective and alternative construction technologies,

which apart from reducing construction cost by the reduction of quantity
of building materials through improved and innovative techniques, can
play a great role in providing better housing methods and protecting the
environment. It should be noted that cost-effective construction
technologies do not compromise with safety and security of the buildings
and mostly follow the prevailing building codes. The detail procedures of
each step used for the case study are as follow:

Foundation: Arch foundation is used in which walls are supported on

the brick or stone masonry. For the construction of the foundation, the
use of available materials such as brick or concrete blocks can be made
to resist lateral forces buttresses at the corner.

Walling: Rat trap bond technology is used in the case study. It is an

alternative brick bonding system for English and Flemish Bond. The
reduced number of joints can reduce mortar consumption. No plastering of
the outside face is required and the wall usually is quite aesthetically
pleasing and air gaps created within the wall help making the house
thermally comfortable. In summer, the temperature inside the house is
usually at least 5 degrees lower that the outside ambient temperature and
vice versa in winter.

Roofing: A filler slab roofing system is used which based on the principle
that for roofs which are simply supported, the upper part of the slab is
subjected to compressive forces and the lower part of the slab experience
tensile forces. Concrete is very good in withstanding compressive forces
and steel bears the load due to tensile forces. Thus the low tensile region

9
of the slab does not need any concrete except for holding steel
reinforcements together.

Flooring: Flooring is generally made of terracotta tiles or color oxides.

Bedding is made out of broken brick bats. Various patterns and designs
are used, depending on shape, size of tiles, span of flooring, and clients
personal preference.

Plastering: Plastering can be avoided on the walls, frequent

expenditure on finishes and its maintenance is avoided. Properly
protected brick wall will never loose its colour or finish.

Doors and windows: As door and window frames are responsible for
almost half the cost of timber used, avoiding frames can considerably
reduce timber cost. Door planks are screwed together with strap iron hinges
to form doors, and this can be carried by holdfast carried into the wall.
The simplest and cost effective door can be made of vertical planks held
together with horizontal or diagonal battens. A simplest frameless window
consists of a vertical plank of about 9 wide set into two holes, one at the
top and one at the bottom. This forms a simple pivotal window. Wide span
windows can be partially framed and fixed to walls or can have rows of
pivotal planks

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 MATERIALS:

CHARACTERISTICS OF LOW COST HOUSING MATERIALS:

ENERGY EFFICIENT

Simple machines saves energy in production

Raw Materials derived from agro-industrial wastes and
natural fibers, requires less energy in production
Products when used in house, buildings provide better
thermal comfort that results in conservation of operational
energy

ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY

Converts agro-industrial waste into alternative material for

low cost housing, thus improving waste management &
environmental protection
Utilizes local resources , Substitutes wood preserving forest
cover
Substitutes top soil preserving soil for agriculture

EMPLOYMENT GENERATING:

Simple machines with manual handling, increases

employment for unskilled and semi-skilled workers
Small enterprises can be set up at decentralized locations
Production of components involves local people after short
training

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS:
1. Easy to manufacture ,Easy affordability
2. Easy Erection/commissioning ,Faster & cheaper construction
3. Effective Waste utilization ,Energy efficient and Environment
friendly
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LIST OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS FOR LOW COST
HOUSING:

hollow bricks
load bearing wall
precast beams
precast slabs
precast stairs

Hollow blocks substitute for normal bricks:

These types of blocks can be manufactured in situ or can be precast

in manufacturing factories.
1 standard hollow block = more than 12 bricks with mortar
Cost of 1 hollow brick Rs 17 vs cost of 1 brick Rs 3
Cost saved in using single block
9 wall - Rs 20 vs Rs 50 Rs 30
4 wall - Rs 15 vs Rs 25 Rs 10

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 LOAD BEARING WALLS:

vs

Load bearing structure are cheaper for normal low rise building as it
requires lesser concrete and steel rods as use of structural compounds
like columns are reduced unless required exceptionally.
As wall is thick, it provides thermal insulation.
Easier and requires less time to construction
Flexibility & strength is low though and it is advantage for frame
structure

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 PRECAST BEAMS AND SLABS :

Cast in situ is expensive as more iron rods and skilled

manpower is required.
Partial pre cast system uses combination of both pre cast and
cast in situ.
Use of pre cast element reduces cost
Small production factory is enough.
No heavy lifting equipment are required.
No need of cement plaster.
Partial pre cast system is up to 40% cheaper than conventional
cast in situ RCC floor

By using precast building materials there will be saving of:

Cement consumption 45%

Mild steel rod consumption 18%

Formwork required 75%

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 PRECAST STAIRS

Conventional cast in situ is expensive for low cost

constructions

So, precast stairs are used,

Riser used wil be of 8 inch and tread wil be of 9 inch.

Cheaper and quicker to construct
No form work required
Can be cantilever or simply supported
Cantilever suitable for low cost construction but simply supported
more durable

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Construction process of low cost houses:

FOUNDATION
SOLID MASONRY BLOCKS STRIP FOUNDATION
HOLLOW BLOCKS ON CORNER TO ALLOW REINFORCEMENT

PLINTH LEVEL
U BLOCKS WITH HORIZONTAL REINFORCEMENT

POLYTHENE DAMP PROOF COURSE

1.5 CEMENT CONCRETE FLOORING

REINFORCEMENT AT CORNER AND AROUND OPENING

PRE CAST BEAMS

PRE-CAST SLAB WITH TEMPERATURE RODS

1 CAST IN SITU CONCRETE FLOORING

CGI SHEET OVER CIRCULATION AREA

FINISHED LOW COST SHELTER

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COST EFFECTIVENESS OF USING LOW COST HOUSING
TECHNOLOGIES:

The construction methods of walling and roofing are selected for the detail
cost analysis based on available resources from the interviews. Table 1 and
Table 2 summarise the cost analysis of the traditional construction methods
and the low cost housing technologies in the case studies for walling and
roofing respectively. It is found that about 26.11% and 22.68% of the
construction cost, including material and labour cost, can be saved by using
the low cost housing technologies in comparison with the traditional
construction methods for walling and roofing respectively.. However, it is
necessary that good planning and design methods shall be adopted by
utilizing the services of an experienced engineer or an architect for
supervising the work, thereby achieving overall cost effectiveness.

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18
 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES:
According to analysis and real estate experts, low cost housing projects
endures much risk but not less attracted. Currently, there are many
organizations as well as companies investing their fund into this segment
both inside and outside country. CapitaLand- one of the largest real estate
Singapore companies has also established Capital Value Homes to develop
cheap houses in China and Vietnam. There are also many other big projects
have been and are running to adapt the rising demand of customer. The
increase in urbanization has led to the increase in the number of urban
population. While the average income of citizen is still low, this has created
a huge demand for low cost houses. VIPCs experts expect that this will be
an attracted segment for investors in the future. Besides this advantage,
cheap houses project still face up many difficulties. The biggest challenge
comes from the unstable mechanism and the complicated procedures. The
mechanism for social houses has still not attracted enough. Before the
projects can be carried out, investors must consume a lot of time to prepare
papers relating to the policies and planning from relevant authorities.
Complicated construction approval process and the difficulties in ensuring
the high quality but low price of these cheap apartments will cause so much
trouble for investors. Based on these advantage as well as disadvantage,

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 CONCLUSION
The dream of owning a house particularly for low-income and middle-
income families is becoming a difficult reality. It is necessary to adopt cost
effective, innovative and environment-friendly housing technologies for the
construction. This paper examined the cost effectiveness of using low cost
housing technologies in comparison with the traditional construction
methods. Two case studies in India were conducted. It was found that about
26.11% and 22.68% of the construction cost, including material and labour
cost, can be saved by using the low cost housing technologies in comparison
with the traditional construction methods for walling and roofing
respectively. This proves the benefits and the trends for implementing low
cost housing technologies in the industry.

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 REFERENCES:
Report of The Technician Group on Urban Housing Shortage (TG-12)
2012-17, National Buildings Organization, Ministry of Housing & Urban
Websites of National Housing Bank & National Buildings Organization.
Report on Government Initiatives and Programme for Affordable
Housing, presented in National Workshop on Pro-Poor Housing Finance
October 29, 2008, New Delhi conducted by Ministry of Housing & Urban
Poverty Alleviation.
Civil Engineering Portal (2008). Cuore concrete - Nano silica, Civil
Engineering Portal. Kumar A (1999).
Sustainable building technology for mass application, Development
Alternatives Newsletter. 9(11), pp. 1-4. [3]
Works Department (2002). Revised schedules of rates 2000 works
department and analysis of rates, Works Department, India
Bmptc.org
Google.com
Wikipedia.com
http://www.engineeringcivil.com

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