Let’s talk about Conventional / Traditional Construction…

Knowledge Hub…

We at OxyGreen believe in sharing knowledge as well learning anything and everything that is innovative & helpful to the field of Construction as well a hand to save our Mother Earth.

Conventional / Traditional Construction

Bricks and mortar is a phrase that readily springs to mind when it comes to house building - and with it connotations of a solid, secure structure. From the wooden building blocks and Lego of childhood to talk of 'investing in bricks and mortar', or 'the building blocks of life', there's something very safe and familiar about bricks.

A masonry build is something that lasts, too - you only have to walk down a street in any city to see that. In fact, brick-and-block construction is the cornerstone of the self-build market, with around 70 per cent of self-builders opting for this method.

You only have to look at the Egyptian pyramids or Greek temples still standing to realize the permanence and enduring beauty of masonry construction. Building with concrete is not new—this construction method has been used for residential construction throughout the world, for centuries because of its strength and durability.

Traditional masonry construction refers to houses built in block and brick. Although brick is used countrywide as an outer skin or 'facing material', it is often substituted with local quarried stone or a reconstituted replica.

Despite the use of the term 'traditional', masonry construction has incorporated many modern developments and has come a long way since the days of solid stone walls. Improvements in technical design, materials and accessory products have enhanced the performance of these structures significantly in terms of structural integrity, thermal efficiency and moisture protection. Progress has led to developments such as thin joint systems with Aircrete blocks.

"Concrete masonry construction offers many advantages in terms of termite resistance, thermal mass, sound attenuation, and fire resistance."

The Conventional Construction Process

Following excavation and installation of foundations, bricklayers erect cavity walls that consist of an inner and outer skin.

The inner skin is the main structural element, which supports internal floors and the roof structure. It is constructed using concrete blocks laid on beds of sand and cement mortar.

The outer skin is the first line of protection against the elements and provides the aesthetic element to the structure. It is constructed using brick, stone or block work, which can take a number of finishes. The two skins are connected by steel wall ties and separated by a cavity that is partially or fully filled with insulation.

The Conventional Construction Process Contd…

Internal floors can be constructed using timber joists, composite timber I beams, or one of the precast concrete systems available. The roof is usually traditional cut timber or prefabricated truss construction.

Once the roof is completed and the windows and doors are fitted, the building is watertight the internal trades can get underway. The internal face of the block work can take a range of finishes including 'dot and dab' plasterboard and wet plaster.

Various details are required around openings and other parts of the structure in order to maintain structural integrity and to prevent water penetration and heat loss.

We'll have a look at masonry construction and the advantages and disadvantages of choosing it as the method of construction for your dwelling.

 

What is brick-and-block in Conventional Construction

Brick-and-block involves working entirely on site - unlike build techniques such as timber-frame. The build starts with concrete foundations and finishes with the roof. Walls consist of a block-built inner skin, a cavity, and a brick-built outer skin. The two skins are held together with wall ties to add strength, while the cavity is filled with insulation. Internal load-bearing walls are built in block. All walls are built to first-floor level at which point timber floor joists or pre-cast concrete floors are added before the build is completed to roof height. Once, watertight, internal block walls are finished using board or wet plaster.

Conventional Construction – Advantages

•It is a flexible system in both design and construction.

•Depending on your house design and the materials specified, masonry

construction can be one of the most cost effective of all the build methods.

•As the most common form of house construction, there are plenty of tradesmen

and specialist knowledge available to complete your project.

•A proven track record means it is accepted and understood from designers and

builders to lenders, insurers & warranty providers.

•Materials are readily available from local builders merchants.

•Materials are often manufactured and sourced locally (Traditional Housing

Bureau).

•Easy to modify or extend.

•Good levels of sound insulation are achieved, which can be improved by using

precast concrete floors.

•Masonry provides good fire protection.

•Masonry materials are strong, durable and long lasting, spreading their impact

(Traditional Housing Bureau).

Conventional Construction – Advantages Contd…

• Good thermal performance. Masonry materials have a high thermal mass, which is their ability to absorb and store heat. In the summer this keeps the building cool and in the winter the heat stored during the day is slowly released back into the house at night leading to a more constant, comfortable environment. This effect is improved if plaster is applied directly to blockwork in lieu of dot and dab plasterboard.

• When the building has reached the end of its useful lifespan, bricks and blocks are 100% recyclable (Traditional Housing Bureau).

• Resistance to hurricanes, tornadoes and other weather-related phenomena since the entire structure is tied together from the footings to the roof assembly with steel reinforcement, achieving a a natural strength of 400 pounds per running foot compared to just 80 pounds for wood framing

Conventional Construction Disadvantages

• On-site construction means that progress and your program of work can be affected by adverse weather conditions.

• Materials need to be stored on site and protected from the weather before they are incorporated into the building structure.

• New work needs to be protected from the elements.

• On site construction is labour intensive.

Quality Issues in Conventional Methods & Materials

Conventional designs that compromise beams, columns, brick/block infills & plastering have inherent inefficiencies during construction. Brick/block wall infills are labour- intensive & cement-sand plastering, a wet process, is often messy & requires more preparatory work. There are also constraints in concealing & routing M&E services. Apart from using more intensive manpower & longer construction duration, there are some inherent difficulties in achieving high quality. Please find given below, information on the challenges posed by such conventional design & materials.

Consequences in choice if internal finishes - Choice of methods & material affect workmanship quality

 

Traditional formwork system: More joints & poor surface finish

Traditional formwork system has more connections & joints & it requires more manpower to erect, maintain & dismantle. During erection, close monitoring & supervision is needed to achieve the desired workmanship quality of the finished concrete. If the formwork is not erected properly, the end product would not be satisfactory. Often this means another layer of thick plaster is required to cover the uneven concrete surface.

Poor concrete surfaces: Thicker plaster is requiredTraditional formwork system: More housekeeping.

Restricted M & E services run

Many services in a building e.g. electrical, ACMV & sanitary plumbing, etc are concealed under slabs or covered by false ceiling. If there are too many beams, especially non-shallow beams, it may be difficult to locate such services under floor slabs. This may restrict the height of false ceilings or the floor storey height may need to be increased to accommodate such services.

More columns & beams: Limit M&E services run Internal beams restrict height of false ceiling

More turns & corners

The width of RC column may be different from the width of the brick wall laid against it, especially in internal partitions, e.g. a 200mm wide column & 100mm thick brick wall. In such situations, an offset of 100mm will appear wherever an RC column adjoins brickwork resulting in a non-flush surface with many corners & returns. There will be greater difficulty in completing the architectural finishing works like plastering, skirting, architraves, etc.

The offset of RC & brickwork creates more turns & corners More precise work required for turns & corners

Additional treatment to joint between two different materials

At the joint interface between different materials e.g. RC & brickwork, special treatment like metal lathing is required to ensure there is proper bond and to prevent cracking of plaster wall at the joint. The additional number of joints increase the time and cost of construction.Providing metal lath

on each RC & brick joint

Brick and RC Joints need additional treatment Bulged RC surface requires thick plaster

Scaffolding: More housekeeping & longer construction period Thick plaster: Possible waviness

Consequences in choice of external finishes

Common issues in conventional methods

Scaffolding tieback holesTo carry out plastering, scaffolding is necessary. The tie back holes used for securing scaffolding can be patched and re-painted only after the scaffold is dismantled. This is to be carried out via gondolas. Due to the different stages of operation, patchiness or uneven finishing on the surface is inevitable on the external wall surfaces.

Scaffolding tie-back holes on façade plastering

Possible cracks & hollow plasteringDepending on the background substrate, plastering operations are usually 2 or 3 coats work & may compromise a spatter-dash, base or scratch coat & final skim-coat. Proper curing is also required between coats. This affects the overall progress. Besides, if the plaster thickness exceeds the allowable thickness, there is possibility of defects like cracks & hollowness appearing on the surface due to shrinkage of mortar.

Surface cracks & hollowness appear when plaster is too thick

Additional waterproofing treatment on jointsFor external surface at RC & brick joints, besides laying metal lath, a layer of waterproofing treatment is required to ensure water tightness. Failure to execute these measures properly may result in defects such as cracks & seepages. All these measures are needed to ensure quality in construction & will add to construction time & cost.

External joints require waterproofing treatment Potential water seepage if joints are not treated properlyHousekeeping & longer construction period

Scaffolding & wet trades like brickwork & plastering evidently require more housekeeping effort. More time is required to erect & dismantle scaffolding. This may hinder other concurrent activities & lead to longer construction period. More housekeeping is required for scaffolding

& wet trades.Although adopting conventional methods and materials may lead to lower construction costs in some cases, the majority of wet trades pose inherent difficulties in achieving quality construction compared to buildable dry construction. In its place, good buildable design systems that facilitate ease of construction, depend less on-site labour, improve productivity & quality should be considered.

Conventional Eco-Friendly Material•Bamboo, Bamboo Based Particle Board & Ply Board, Bamboo Matting.•Bricks Sun dried.•Precast cement concrete blocks, lintels, slab. Structural & non-structural modular elements.•Calcined Phospho Gypsum Wall Panels•Calcium silicate boards & tiles.•Cellular Light Weight Concrete Blocks.•Cement Paint•Clay roofing tiles•Water, polyurethane & acrylic based chemical admixtures for corrosion removal, rust prevention, water proofing•Epoxy Resin System, Flooring, sealants, adhesives & admixtures•Ferro-cement boards for door & window shutters•Ferro-cement Roofing Channels•Fly-ash Sand Lime Bricks & Paver Blocks•Gypsum Board, Tiles, Plaster Blocks, Gypsum plaster fibre, jute / sisal & glass fibre composites•Laminated Wood Plastic Components•Marble Concrete Roofing Tiles•MDF Boards & Mouldings•Micro Concrete Roofing Tiles•Partical Boards•Polymerised water proof compound•Portland Pozzolana Cement Flyash / Calcined Clay Based•Portland Slag Cement•RCC Door Frames•Ready Mix Cement Concrete•Rubber Wood Finger Joint Board•Stone Dust•Water proof compound, adhesive, Polymer Powder.

How is it beneficial? The environment friendly building materials are composed of renewable, rather than non-renewable resources. These materials are environmentally viable as their impacts are considered over the life of the material. Use of these materials provides the following benefits.

1. Resource Efficiency - benefits like high recycled content, naturally available, efficient manufacturing processes, locally available, high salvage potential, reusable and highly durable.

2. Indoor Air Quality - Selection of the materials with benefits like low/ non-toxic, minimum emissions, low VOC content, moisture resistant and healthfully maintained.

3. Energy Efficiency - Selection of the materials with benefits like reduction in energy consumption in buildings and facilities etc. Further elaborated in Energy related EBGH.

4. Water conservation - Selection of materials with benefits like reduction in water use in buildings and conserve water in landscape areas. Further elaborated in Water related EBGH.

5. Affordability - Is considered to compare the eco-friendly building materials to conventional materials within a defined percentage of the overall budget of the building.

Apart from the above benefits, using these materials have the following advantages

Have similar or low price compared to conventional building materials when total life cycle cost is assessed Do not exhaust the existing supplies of finite materials Save energy and reduce harmful emissions Helps in reducing environmental degradation Encouraged by building promotion council, so planning/ building permissions are easy to get Since they are less harmful to occupants, they make healthier and safer buildings

Sr.No

Conventional Material

Sustainable Alternative Material

01 Cement / Concrete

Fly ash lightweight aerated concrete blocks Pre-cast hollow concrete blocks Pre-cast concrete blocks Precise aerated cellular concrete walling blocks & roofing

slabs02 Metals Steel with verified recycled content

Aluminum with verified recycled content Scrap / salvaged steel & aluminum sections Antique iron & brass fixtures

03 Masonry Units Fly ash lime gypsum products (bricks, aerated concrete blocks, stabilized mud blocks)

Pre-cast materials (stone blocks, concrete blocks, hollow concrete blocks, cellular concrete units)

Stabilized compressed earth blocks04 Mortar &

plasters Lime, pozzolanic materials, rice husk ash to replace part of

cement inn cement based mortars Fly ash (replacing 25% of cement)

05 Wood Medium density fiber boards Particle boards Rice husk boards Cement bounded composite panels

06 Plastics Recycled plastic panels

Sustainable material options for conventional Building Materials

Sustainable material options for conventional Building Materials Contd…

07 Glass Recycled content glass (fiber glass, glass wool) High performance glazing

08 Finishes (Walls & ceilings) Gypsum plaster boards Ceramic tiles

09 Finishes (Flooring) Terrazzo (crushed stone, glass, flinters, etc)

10 Finishes (Paints) Water based paints & acrylics (Low VOC)

11 Finishes (Sealants & adhesives)

Sealants: Acrylics / Silicones / Siliconized acrylics Adhesives: Acrylics / phenol resins

12 Finishes (Furnishings) Recycled content materials (steel, glass, solid wood)

Powder coated finishes for metals Water based finishes like EOC varnishes for

wooden components

13 Doors & Windows Natural fiber reinforced polymer composite panels

UPVC / PVC panels

Advantages of Sustainable building materials used in various construction phases

Sr.No Alternative Material AdvantagesStructural Materials01 Pozzolanic materials Upto 35% of flyash can directly be substituted for cement as blending

material Saves energy upto 20% Superior microstructure leading to lower permeability Higher electrical resistance leading to lesser chances of reinforcement

corrosion

02 Flyash for concrete & mortar Substitutes stone chips in concrete reducing dead weight Promotes fuel efficiency & carbon in ash provides sufficient heat Possess 28-day comprehensive strengths of the order of 40 MN/m2 &

densities 1100 to 1800 kg/m3 Better thermal & acoustic insulation & high fire resistance

03 Ferro cement & precast components

Are 85% recyclable & energy efficient No plastering required on inner side & no curing required Saves reinforcement & stronger than cast-in-citu structures High fire resistance & better insulation

04 Precast RCC & Ferro cement frames

Are 1/3rd in cost compared to 2nd grade timber Higher strength to weight ration than RCC 20% saving on material cost Suitable for precasting, flexible in cutting, drilling & jointing

05 Recycled steel sections Can be made entirely of recycled scrap iron High strength & non combustible Available forms permit efficient & uniform application Resistant to weathering, erosion & termite infestation

06 Ready Mix concrete Water reducer & workability enhancer High strength, resistance to thermal cracking & durable Quantities & ratios of mix managed better Little wastage & less man power required

Advantages of Sustainable building materials used in various construction phases Contd…

Sr.No

Alternative Material Advantages

Bricks & Blocks01 Flyash sand-lime bricks /

blocks Available in several load bearing grades Saves in mortar plastering Low water absorption, only sprinkling of water sufficient 20-30% less thermal conductivity than concrete blocks High compressive strength than clay bricks

02 Flyash lime gypsum bricks Give highest strength among various bricks Most suitable for mechanized operations Fine finish & energy efficient Lower requirement of mortar in construction

03 Aerated light weight concrete blocks

Reduces dead loads on super structure Raw material contains 70% recycled power plant waste Good thermal insulation (upto 26% power savings) Requires very less water in construction Manufacturing process is 100% recyclable

04 Flyash cellular lightweight concrete blocks

Substitutes stone chips in concrete, reduces dead weight Has a density of app. 1/5th of concrete Are substitutes for conventional bricks & concrete blocks

with densities from 800 kg/m3 to 1800 kg/m3

05 Building blocks from mine & industrial waste

Utilizes waste from mining (iron ore) industries Reduces air, water & land pollution Is energy efficient & cost effective

06 Stabilized compressed earth blocks

Highly suitable for speedy & mortar less construction Can be used for all application of burnt clay bricks Are sun dried & use cement for gaining required strength

Advantages of Sustainable building materials used in various construction phases Contd…

Sr.No

Alternative Material Advantages

Plasters01 Fibre reinforced clay

plaster

Reduce plastic shrinkage & permeability Plant fibres act as reinforcement & controls cracking Provide increased impact & abrasion resistance

02 Phospho gypsum plaster

Waste utilization prevents water & soil pollution Is energy efficient & cost effective Has a very high setting time & comprehensive strength

03 Calcium silicate plaster

Are economic, produces less waste Smart finish & less energy consuming Non-emission of VOC & other toxic fumes No skilled manpower required, durable & less water

consumption

Roofing01 Micro concrete

roofing tiles

Highly cost effective, durable & lighter than other tiles Validated & certified by BMTPC (Building Materials &

Technology Promotion council0 Easily installed, colored to interest & reduce heat gain

02 Clay tiles Uniform in size & more durable Cost effective, fire resistant & energy efficient Low self weight, reduces loading on super structure

03 Bamboo matt corrugated sheets

Resistant to water, fire, decay, termites etc Light, possess high resilience & better thermal comfort Bearing strength comparable with GI sheet, ACCS etc.

Advantages of Sustainable building materials used in various construction phases Contd…

Sr.No Alternative Material AdvantagesFlooring01 Terrazzo / Marble mosaic flooring Made using waste & recycled material

Forms a good waterproofing layer on exposed surfaces Is very cost effective

02 Phospho gypsum tiles Manufactured from waste gypsum Light, fire resistant & good acoustic effects

03 Bamboo board flooring Good alternative to wooden flooring Is tough, easy to install & water resistant Cost effective

Wood Substitutes01 Salvaged wood Use of waste / recyclable timber

Can be reused by converting into chips / particles for particle boards

02 Recycled laminated boards Use of recycled waste (toothpaste containers) Sound proof, termite resistant & expansion resistant

03 Bamboo matt boards & veneer composites

Economical compared to bamboo matt board for thickness more than 6mm

Higher strength than veneer plywood Superior physical, mechanical properties compared to bamboo

matt board

04 Fibre reinforced polymer boards Made from plastic components, low installed & maintenance costs

Light in weight, high strength Good resistance to weathering & fire

05 Flyash jute polymer composites Cost effective as compared to conventional materials Stronger, more durable & resistant to corrosion Developed using Flyash as filler & jute cloth as reinforcement

Advantages of Sustainable building materials used in various construction phases Contd…

Sr.No Alternative Material AdvantagesBoards & Panels01 Calcinated Phospho gypsum

wall panels Durable, cost effective, water & pest resistant Smooth, easy installation & no need of plastering Ability to take add-on’s like wall paper, decorative laminates, painting etc… Take paint directly, is fire resistant & easy laying of electrical conduits

02 Fibre Flyash cement boards Made of recyclable materials like Flyash, agro waste etc Are stronger & more cost effective Used for roofing, partitions & panels

03 Gypsum Plaster boards Light weight, fire resistant & good thermal & sound properties Used as lightweight partition panels, false ceiling lining, decoration paneling,

boxing, cladding etc…

04 Composite door shutters Low water absorption value (6-7%) Density nearly 50% of timber shutters Easy installation & maintenance Can be painted, polished or laminated

Paints01 Cement Paints Has very low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)

Easy to apply & highly economic Has good water resistant properties Has good covering capacity, easy mixing character, better resistance to crazing &

microbial growth

02 Water based compounds Have same performance and durability as conventional solvent based paints Has very low VOC Have no cost variations compared to conventional ones

Sealants & Adhesives01 Waste based compounds Has very low VOC

Have no cost variations compared to conventional ones Have same performance and durability as conventional solvent based paints

02 Epoxy resins Are eco-friendly, consume lower energies during their life cycles Easily disposable or recyclable Lower occupational hazards & emission levels Initial cost high but justified by overall life cycle performance