Development of sustainable prefabricated housing system by small-scale experimental model

Abstract

Utilisation of unused industrial wastes and need for rapid volumetric construction led to the evolution of sustainable prefabricated housing elements, particularly for urban slums. An agro-industrial by-product as raw material and waste expanded polystyrene beads as the insulation material are chosen to develop a lightweight prefabricated construction element. This bio-ash is used as a partial replacement, 20% and 10% for the fine aggregates to prepare concrete and lightweight mix respectively. A small-scale model of one-third scale is conceptualised as per standards that include precast columns and beams as framed structure, and prefab panels as walling and roofing elements. These elements are developed as per the desired mix proportions of the identified raw materials. The respective laboratory specimens are evaluated for the physico-mechanical, durability, and thermal properties. The developed walling end-product is found to be 27% lighter, 8% stronger, 24% less water-absorbent, and 62% less conductive when compared with the properties of commercially available fly-ash brick. A solar photovoltaic panel is embedded into the model’s pitch roof that accommodates 71% of its generated energy to necessary electrical appliances. The material properties are found to be satisfactory for its on-site application and its final erection being 20% faster than conventional method.

Life Cycle Assessment of a Sustainable Prefabricated Housing System: A Cradle-to-Site Approach Based on a Small-Scale Experimental Model

“…The unused ash was acquired and tested for its suitability as a construction material. Various characterization tests have proved its applicability as fine aggregate and was partially replaced [15,33].…”

“…Buildings 2023, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 4 of 17 material. Various characterization tests have proved its applicability as fine aggregate and was partially replaced [15,33].…”

“…A sustainable prefabricated system was designed with an energy-efficiency approach. The end products were evaluated for their properties and functionality with the help of a small-scale experimental model [33,34]. This system involves sustainable alternates as raw materials, and hence, there is a need to find out its contribution towards the emissions.…”

Performance Evaluation of a Sustainable Prefabricated System Using Small-Scale Experimental Model Technique

“…Several trials of CFA-based end products were designed as per the Codal standards. The optimal mix trials were concluded for both concrete (Table 1) and LW mix (Table 2) [41], with a target of being superior to traditional construction products. Their respective physico-mechanical along with functional properties were compared to conventional products, as shown in Table 3.…”

“…The prefabrication technique was selected for the building of the model house, and the housing plan was scaled down to one-third of its original size. Precast structural elements (Figure 6) and prefabricated walling panels (Figure 7) were cast and cured as per the Codal standards [41]. The model house (Figure 8) was assembled with these elements in a shadow-free region at the Civil Engineering Department, Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur, India.…”