Alternative Technologies Chapter 9

Chapter 9 ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

9.1 INTRODUCTION

In the current scenario of pollution caused by construction Industry in India, a

need arises to cater the market demand with energy efficient materials and techniques.
Use of Environmental friendly techniques is one of the option been explored to
minimize the use of high energy materials; Concern for environment, minimize
transportation and maximize the use of local materials and resources [18]. Innovation in
design can also accolade towards maximum of 5 points under LEED rating [18, 21].
Thus in this present scenario, Centre for Sustainable technologies was formed in 1974
at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, to cater to developing technologies for
sustainable development [18]. Some of the alternate technologies which can be utilized
for the components of a housing unit using RAC and TRC are studied herewith.

9.2 COMPOSITE BEAM AND PANEL ROOFS

This concept is based on the efficiency of beam and slab construction. The
roofing consists of partially precast or cast-in-situ ribs/beams at certain spacing covered
with panels. A typical composite reinforced tile-work panel roof is shown in fig 9.1.

Fig. 9.1: Composite reinforced tile-work panel roof. [17]

The panels (curved, folded or flat) and beams are connected through shear
connectors to achieve composite action. Beams of precast reinforced concrete, rolled
steel sections, trussed steel members, timber, steel, concrete composite, etc. are
available and panels of precast concrete, reinforced brickwork, stone slabs, reinforced
SMB panel, etc. Use of curved shape panels results in a composite jack-arch roof. The
beam cross section can also be adjusted to minimize the material consumption. The
major advantages of this type of roofing system are: Possibility of prefabrication and

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quick erection, Better quality assurance due to prefabrication, Savings in volume of

materials and hence cost effectiveness, and possibility of using hollow panels to
increase thermal comfort [17,18].

9.3 FILLER SLAB ROOFS

Filler slab roofs are solid reinforced concrete slabs with filler material in the
tension zone. The filler material could be cheaper and/or lighter. A number of
alternative materials can be thought of: (a) brick or brick panel, (b) Mangalore tile, (c)
stabilized mud block, (d) Concrete Waste etc. Figure 9.2 below shows ceiling of a
typical filler slab roof using SMB filler. Depending on thickness of slab the tension
zone of the slab can be replaced by filler material [17,18].

Fig. 9.2: Ceiling of a typical filler slab roof using stabilized mud block filler [17].

9.3.1 Design parameters

Filler slab can be designed like a conventional RCC slab, however the dead load
reduction due to the filler material and the spacing of reinforcement as per the size of
the filler material should be considered [111]. The thickness of filler material should not
exceed the depth of the neutral axis. e.g. for a slab thickness of 125mm, the filler
material depth should not exceed 60mm.The size and shape of the filler material
selected should comply to the design requirements. Shape and size of filler material
governs the quantity of concrete to be replaced in tension zone. Form cost
consideration, effective compaction and ease in pouring concrete at least 25% of the
concrete should be replaced by filler material.

9.3.2 Construction of filler slabs

Important construction steps for filler slab are as discussed below.

1. The filler material to be used must be waste materials which are available locally
and lighter than concrete. Refer fig 9.3.

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2. The shuttering for slab is erected as for a conventional RCC slab.

Fig. 9.3: Laying of Mangalore tiles for filler slabs.

3. A minimum bottom cover of 15 mm is kept after erecting the shuttering which

forms a grid and filler material can be placed centrally in each space of the grid.
No filler material is provided in bands of concrete along the edge of the slab. The
width of these concrete bands is normally minimum 300 mm. The reinforcement
spacing in these bands is smaller than spacing around the filler materials.
4. After all the filler materials have been placed any concealed electrical work etc.,
should be placed in the spaces between the filler material and then concrete is
placed between the filler materials and top of it to achieve slab thickness.
5. Concrete vibrators must be avoided in bottom portion of slab as they may disturb
the placement of the filler materials. Manual tamping is advised.

Fig. 9.4: Reinforcement layout for filler slab [18]

Reinforcement layout for a filler slab using compressed earth blocks as

filler material of size 230mm x 190mm x 50mm.(Refer fig. 9.4) [17-19].

9.4 RAT TRAP BOND FOR WALLS

A Rat-Trap Bond is a type of wall brick masonry bond in which bricks are
laid on edge (i.e. the height of each course in case of a brick size 230x110x75 mm, will

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be 110 mm plus mortar thickness) such that the shinner and rowlock are visible on the
face of masonry as in fig.9.5.

Fig. 9.5: Rat Trap bond for walls [156].

A cavity is formed and bridged in the wall through the rowlock. The cavity adds
an added advantage as it adds a Green building feature of help maintain improved
thermal comfort and keep the interiors colder than outside and vice versa. Being a
modular construction care must be taken for designing the wall lengths and heights. The
openings and wall dimensions to be in multiples of the module. Also the course below
sill and lintel to be a solid course by placing bricks on edge. The masonry on the sides
of the openings also to be solid as will help in fixing of the opening frame [17,20]. The
RFCA bricks made in the project (discussed earlier) can be used for a 1 or 2 storey
housing unit with Rat-trap bond for walls.

9.4.1 Materials selection as per need and design

Fly ash bricks and/or RFCA bricks can be used as compared to traditional
bricks. Lime mortar can be used as it is locally available in many parts of the country
and helps reduce the consumption of cement.

9.4.2 Advantages of using rat trap bond technology

Rat-trap bond can save approx. 20-35% less bricks and 30-50% less mortar; also
this reduces the cost of a 9 inch wall by 20-30 % and productivity of work enhances.
For 1 m3 of Rat trap bond, 470 bricks are required compared to conventional brick wall
where a total of 550 bricks are required. Rat trap bond wall is a cavity wall construction
with added advantage of thermal comfort. The interiors remain cooler in summer and
warmer in winters. When kept exposed, create aesthetically pleasing wall suRFCAce
and cost of plastering and painting also may be avoided. It can be used for load bearing

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as well as thick partition walls with other components concealed. The walls have
approx. 20% less dead weight and foundations and other supporting structural members
can suitably be designed, this gives an added advantage of cost saving for foundation.
In case of structural safety, reinforcement bars can be inserted through the cavity till the
foundation. Cost saving of approx. 20% can be achieved with Rat-Trap bond
construction for walls per m3 [17,18, 20].

9.5 ENERGY IN ALTERNATIVE BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES

Energy consumption in buildings can take place in two ways: (i) energy capital
that goes into production and transportation of building materials and assembling of the
building (embodied energy), and (ii) energy for the maintenance/ servicing of a building
during its useful life. The second one greatly depends on the climatic variations in a
particular region. The first one is a one-time investment, which can vary over wide
limits depending upon choice of building materials and techniques. Energy in
conventional (common) and alternative building technologies and buildings, their
implications on sustainable building construction practices are discussed in the
following sections. Table 9.1 below gives the details of energy content in various types
of common and alternative walling and roofing systems [19].
Table 9.1: Embodied energy in various walling and roofing systems [19]

The table 9.1 indicates that: (a) Alternative roofing systems like SMB filler slab,
composite panel roof, ribbed slab roof, etc. can be used in place of conventional
reinforced concrete roof saving about 2040% of energy, and (c) Ferroconcrete tile roof
consumes 30% less energy when compared to conventional mangalore tile roof. Thus it
is clear that use of alternative building technologies results in reduction of considerable
amount of embodied energy. Embodied energy was computed based on the actual
measurements of quantities during constructing these buildings. Energy per 100 m2 of

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built-up area of the buildings is considered for the purposes of comparison. A multi-
storeyed reinforced concrete framed structure building is most commonly used for
building flats in urban areas. Also, it is very common to find 23-storeyed load-bearing
brick and concrete slab roof buildings. The multi-storied building consumes highest
amount of energy at 4.21 GJ per m2 of built-up area, whereas the energy consumed by
the load bearing conventional 2-storeyed brickwork building is 2.92 GJ/m2 (30% less
than that used by multi-storeyed framed structure building). Two-storeyed building
using alternative building materials like SMB walls, SMB filler slab roof, etc. is highly
energy efficient. The energy consumed by this building is 1.61 GJ/m2, which is about
40% and 55% of that consumed by multi-storeyed building and conventional brick wall
building respectively. This clearly indicates that use of alternative building technologies
results in considerable amount of reduction (50%) in embodied energy, thus paving the
way for efficient utilization of energy resources and simultaneously reducing GHG
emissions, thereby protecting the environment. Major features/impacts of the alternative
building technologies discussed in the previous sections can be highlighted as follows:

1. Energy efficient, consuming less than half of the energy required for
conventional building methods leading to energy conservation.
2. Techniques are simple and employ maximum local resources and skills
3. Reduce cost and energy involved in transportation of building products.

Recycled aggregate brick was the concept taken and tested in the current project.

9.6 CLOSURE

Study of Filler roof pattern, unreinforced masonry vaulted roofs and Rat trap
bond can help in using these techniques in components of a housing unit using RAC
and TRC. Housing unit along with concrete made using RA and SR and CR and these
alternative techniques can be adopted for saving in energy and cost.

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