Appropriate

Building Technologies

Cost-effective and energy efficient construction technologies

THE NEED FOR APPROPRIATE HOUSING TECHNOLOGIES
Orissa is one of the poorest states in India where housing is a major problem. After the Super Cyclone the housing shortage increased to an all time high, where there were almost 2 million homeless. This was further aggravated by the flash floods in 2001 which damaged 2,75,000 houses widening the housing shortage to 60%.

Orissa is a disaster prone state with a risk of multiple natural hazards. Most of the loss of lives and property happens due to poor structural stability of the locally made traditional buildings. Every cyclone that comes destroys these ‘ kutcha ' houses and leaves the people shelter less. Hence, safe shelter is an important parameter for development. Each disaster carries within itself an opportunity to enable the community to rebuild their houses with disaster resistant technologies.

A lot of construction activity in the rural areas happens with the help of grants received by way of the housing schemes initiated by the government and other organizations. These grants are often very small and inadequate for building the house with the help of a contractor and using the conventional technologies.

Inadequate transport systems make the procurement of building materials form outside the villages either impossible or very expensive.

THE CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF TECHNOLOGIES
A wide range of technologies is available, but many of the key stakeholders in the entire process are not aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the various options. Hence, the choices made for construction are the ones that are conventional.

Most importantly the method of construction adopted should be one that gives a stable structure that can stand the ravages of nature and thus protect the life and possessions of the owner in the time of a natural disaster.
Secondly, it should be cost effective so that the building can be completed using the available grant.
Moreover, the technology should be easily transferable. Training of the technologies should be simple and easy.
Additionally the technology along with the design of the building should be climate responsive and comfortable for human occupation.
The materials used for construction should be locally available and should be able to generate local economies by way of manufacture and trade.

OVERVIEW OF THE SELECTED TECHNOLOGIES
The chief materials of construction are:
•  Burnt bricks or fly ash bricks for walling.
•  Mangalore tiles for the filler slab.
It was realized that bricks are moulded and baked in the backyards of the village houses. Similarly, tiles for roofing are also made at the local level. Hence, using these materials would generate livelihood options for the villagers.

The technologies promoted are:

•  Step footing in bricks for foundations >

•  Cone, well and I-beam techniques for foundations.

•  Rat-trap bonded brickwork for walling > (2) >

•  Arches and chajjas to span openings > (2) >

•  Reinforced brick lintel.

•  Filler Slab concreting for roofing.

•  Planks and joists for roofing.

•  Ferro-cement doors and windows.