International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies (IJIRAS)

Volume 4 Issue 7, July 2017 ISSN: 2394-4404

Cost Optimization Using Alternative Construction Techniques For

Low Height Buildings

Hans Raj Chaudhary

Technical Officer A (Civil Engineering),
Snow & Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE),
Defence Research and Development Organization

Abstract: House shelter is the one of the primary needs of human next to food and clothing. Cost of building
construction is increasing at very rapid rate. Buildings making materials like cement, steel, brick, etc. and the natural
resources required for their manufacturing have substantial impact on environment and its degradation. These
construction materials exploit limited resources as such their appropriate and optimize utilization for the construction
purpose is very important. To meet these, alternative construction technologies namely; rat-trap bond wall, filler slab,
frameless door & window shutter are highly appreciated to be incorporated in the design/execution. Three different cases
with similar specifications of building are analyzed for cost estimation. The impact of these building making components
i.e. walling, RCC slab, and frame for shutter for door & window on costing of building is evaluated. It is observed that the
savings in cost with the incorporation of these simple construction practices is really significant.

Keywords: Rat-trap bond wall, Filler slab, Frameless door & window shutter

Objectives: This study is conducted with the main objectives

 Cost effectiveness of building construction with the use of alternative construction techniques.
 Saving of natural resources by lesser consumption of construction materials.

I. INTRODUCTION Walling material constitutes approximately 22% of

construction. Walls are commonly constructed of stones and
Approximately, 18 million people are added annually in bricks (load bearing for low height buildings). The extent of
India only. Providing house shelter to all those deprived is a damage of stonework (due to improper vertical bonds,
challenge due to a substantial growth in World’s population. otherwise heavy cost is required for the dressing of stones to
The increasing demand, and subsequently the cost escalation the regular shape and size) in recent earthquakes reveals the
are areas of concern. There will be an acute shortage of natural needs for alternative walling material. Brick is one of the
resources for the manufacturing of construction materials like widely used wall making materials for its suitability and
cement, steel, brick, etc. in near future to fulfill the adaptability. It is also supposed to have better earthquake
construction requirement. The building materials must be used resistance for low rise buildings. Brick masonry is commonly
to its optimized utilization without compromising the constructed in conventional English bond or Flemish bond,
structural stability of the structure. To meet this, alternative which is a solid wall. The alternate bond for wall construction
techniques of construction than conventional, may be explored in brick masonry is Rat-trap bond, which gives a discontinued
and propagated so that the cost of construction is reduced. The cavity wall of equal strength using lesser number of bricks,
three major building making components which are addressed though this bond is not very common pattern of laying bricks
in this paper are; wall, slab and frames for doors & window for wall construction. The overall cost saving on wall
openings. constructed by rat-trap bond compared to the conventional 9”

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 International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies (IJIRAS)
Volume 4 Issue 7, July 2017 ISSN: 2394-4404

wall is about 26% (Marunmale A K and Attar A C, 2014). The alternate course of stretchers and headers. The headers and
technology has not only proved to be useful and economical stretchers are staggered in subsequent layers to give more
but also has resulted in aesthetical housing options (Jain A K strength to the walls. The main advantage of this bond is the
& Paliwal M C, 2012) as the appearance is pleasing as economy in use of bricks, giving a wall of one brick thickness
compare to the other patterns. with fewer bricks than a solid bond. Strength is slight less as
Rattrap bond provides thicker walls with comparatively that of standard 9” (230 mm) brick wall, but consumes 20%
less weight resulting in an increased seismic resistance less bricks. Buildings up to two stories can easily be
(Gokhale V A, 2005). Rat trap bond behave much better in constructed with this technique. The air medium created
terms of indoor thermal comfort thus it has advantages as a between the brick layers helps in maintaining a good thermal
walling material when the thermal comfort and cost of comfort inside the building. Construction is done by aligning
construction are concerned (Jayasinghe C et al, 2008). This is the bricks from both sides with the plain surface facing
due to formation of air gap when the two bricks are laid on outwards, thus plastering is not necessary except in a few
edge (stretcher) for making the bond. Though the compressive places. The finished surface is appealing to the eye. Bricks are
strength is slight lesser than Flemish and English bonds but it laid on edge in rat-trap bond with a cavity between two leaves
can be provided to the constructions upto two storeys and of bricks, having a header after every stretcher. All the frogs
without any doubt as infill walling material in R C or Steel of the bricks are kept towards the cavity. It is required that a
frames. Weight plays an important role in design of masonry brick on edge course is used as a first course and that at roof
system subjected to seismic loads (Sivaraja S et al 2012) thus level. The overall saving on cost of materials used for
the reduced weight of rat-trap masonry may be less vulnerable construction compared to the traditional 9” wall is about 26%.
and destructive to earthquake. Three different patterns (bonds) of brick laying are shown
Secondly, the common slabs are solid reinforced cement below in Figure: 1
concrete slab. Filler slab is a normal RCC slab where the
bottom half (tension) concrete portions are replaced by filler
materials such as bricks, tiles, cellular concrete blocks, etc.
These filler materials are so placed as not to compromise the
structural strength, result in replacing unwanted and non-
functional tension concrete, thus resulting in economy
(Sengupta N, 2008).
Figure: 1 Different Bond in Brickwork
Thirdly, the frames of door and window opening are made
of wood or steel which facilitate the connection of shutters
FILLER SLAB IN ROOF
with the help of hinge. If the shutter is directly attached to the
wall with some detailing, the cost of frames is saved. The
This is a normal RCC slab where the bottom half
fixtures to be used for installation of frameless doors and
(tension) concrete portions are replaced by filler materials
windows may either be pivot type or fork type.
such as bricks, tiles, cellular concrete blocks, etc. These filler
All the mentioned techniques if are incorporated in the
materials are so placed as not to compromise the structural
construction practice, it leads to a significant impact on
strength, result in replacing unwanted and non-functional
reduction of construction cost alongwith a comparatively more
tension concrete, thus resulting in economy. These are safe,
seismic resistant feature. Financially weaker sections of
sound and provide aesthetically pleasing pattern ceilings and
society are directly benefitted due to reduced housing cost.
also need no plaster.
The saving in the construction materials has a positive impact
It consumes less concrete and steel due to reduced dead
on ecology conservation otherwise the additional natural
load of slab by the use of a less heavy, low-cost filler material
resources would have been exploited for their manufacturing.
like two layers of burnt clay tiles. The thermal comfort inside
the building enhances due to heat-resistant qualities of filler
ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES IN CONSTRUCTION;
materials and the gap between two burnt clay tiles. The saving
TECHNICAL BRIEF
on cost of this slab compared to the traditional slab by about
23%. It reduces use of concrete and saves cement and steel by
RAT-TRAP BOND WALL
about 40%. Filler slab are lighter in weight as that of solid
slabs and thereby are less destructive during earthquakes. Less
This housing construction practice is the result of a
consumption of cement and aggregates are favourable for
technology that is developed by the Architect Laurie Baker
preserving the natural resources for prolonged time. Filler slab
and has been tested and proven in India. Rat-trap bond in wall
with detailing like wasteful concrete pockets, filler material,
construction: while laying bricks, the manner in which they
etc. is drawn in Figure: 2.
overlap is called the bond. There are several types of bonds
developed in different countries from time to time. They are
called as stretcher bond (required to construct 125 mm thick
partition walls), English bond (most widely used to construct
walls of thickness 230 mm or more), Flemish bond (decorative
bond, used to construct walls of thickness 230 mm or more)
and rat-trap bond. The rat-trap bond is laid by placing the
bricks on their sides having a cavity of (100 mm), with

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 International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies (IJIRAS)
Volume 4 Issue 7, July 2017 ISSN: 2394-4404

II. COST ESTIMATION

Three different cases of building plan namely Case 1;

First Floor on Existing Storey, Case 2; Ground Floor & First
Floor (two storeyed), and Case 3; Ground Floor (single
storeyed) have been analyzed for cost estimation. The
Standard Schedule of Rates 2009 Building (civil works) of HP
PWD, Government of Himachal Pradesh, INDIA is used for
costing of the structures. The specifications for all the cases
are kept similar with different sizes, opening schedule, leads &
lifts. Cost evaluation is done for all the major items
Figure 2: Filler Slab with Filler Materials constituting about 95%-97% of the building cost. The
percentage cost of the items with alternative technologies are
FRAMELESS SHUTTER FOR DOOR AND WINDOW evaluated and tabulated below at Table: 1 with regard to total
OPENINGS cost of structure for all the mentioned cases.

Frames for door and window shutters facilitate the

connection of shutters by the mean of hinges for their smooth
opening. Common frames of these openings are made of wood
and steel. If the shutters are connected directly to masonry
with some detailing, the cost of frames is saved. The fixtures
to be used for installation of frameless doors and windows are
either pivot type or fork type. Rails and styles of the shutter
are directly attached to the masonry walls by hinges fixed with
sleeves or with pivoted type fixtures in which top socket is
embedded in the lintel either at the time of casting, or, a hole
is left in the lintel of a diameter slightly bigger than that of
socket at the time of casting and the socket embedded later at
the time of fixing the shutter. Similarly, the bottom socket is
also embedded at sill level or floor level for windows and
doors respectively. The mild steel bar of the pivots is inserted
in the respective sockets after putting a steel ball in the lower
socket to ensure frictionless operation of the shutter. The
pivots at the top and bottom of the shutter hold the shutter in
position properly. Detailed description of these types of Table 1: Cost Estimate for Different Cases with %age cost of
fixtures is also mentioned in IS-15345:2003. One of cases items with Alternative Technology
(pivot type) is drawn in Figure: 3, there may be many other
options of fixing the shutter properly for the purpose.

Table 2: Average Percentage of Cost of items with Alternative

Technology
Description of Item Average Saving if %age
%age of alternative saving
Cost technologies are w.r.t cost
incorporated of building
Brick Work 21.95 22% 4.83
Wood work in 11.75 95% 11.16
fames
Cement concrete 13.13 23% 3.02
33.01
Steel reinforcement 19.88 23% 4.57
Total %age 66.72 23.59
Table 3: Net Percentage of Savings with Alternative
Technology

Figure 3: Frameless Shutter for Door/Window

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 International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies (IJIRAS)
Volume 4 Issue 7, July 2017 ISSN: 2394-4404

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Rat-Trap bond is not a very common pattern of laying

bricks for wall construction and it requires initial training of
artisans for proper execution. This bond is not only
economical alternative (it uses approximately 80 bricks
against 100 bricks require in English bond for one square
metre of wall, Figure: 4) but is also faster to construct as with
only eight courses are required for 950 mm high wall as
against eleven courses in conventional English bond. Due to
Figure: 6 Percentage Saving in Cost with Alternative
less weight it is lesser vulnerable to earthquake. It is pleasing
Construction Techniques
to view and thermally insulated solution. Due to a margin in
air-gap inside two bricks laid on edge, irregular sized bricks
can be used effectively.
IV. CONCLUSION

The work presented is considered as a small endeavor on

reducing of construction cost by incorporation of alternative
construction techniques. There are many arrays of technology
options available for various elements of building making,
leading to cost effectiveness and at the same time not affecting
its structural performance. Author is of the opinion to have an
increased understanding of the materials available for the
construction at local resources. Inclusion of these practices
collectively would lead to the cost reduction due less material
consumption in the construction without compromising the
Figure 4: Wall in English and Rat-Trap Bonds quality standards. The economically weak sections of society
Filler slabs provide better thermal comfort inside space are directly affected/ benefitted by the constructions
and its lesser weight is favorable for earthquake prevention. incorporating these kinds of technologies due to reduced
Less consumption of cement and aggregates for concrete construction cost. The lesser consumption of building making
making results in preservation of natural resources as well. materials like cement, steel, bricks would results to
Frames for doors’/windows’ openings are generally made of environment conservation. It is worth pointing that these kinds
wood. Savings are done if the frameless option is explored, of techniques would definitely benefit the society by reduced
although some detailing as mentioned above is required for the cost of construction and saving of natural resources.
fixing of shutters. Need of housing for all is of primary nature, and at the
The approximate (averaged for three mentioned cases) same time it is a fact that natural resources for manufacturing
percentages of these items are observed as 22 %, 12%, and of building making materials are limited. As such the
33% for brick work (walling), wooden frames for doors’ & necessity of switching to alternative/ innovative construction
windows’ openings and RCC work to the total estimated cost practice is an appreciable effort and the outcome on ground is
of structure respectively, Table 2. The cumulative percentage observed virtually. Further studies be explored and propagated
of these items constitutes 67% of the building cost as shown in & encouraged like incorporation of wall construction with
Figure: 5. cement stabilized mud blocks, use of recycled aggregates for
making of concrete, solar passive features in the construction
to achieve the thermal comfort to the inmates, so that cost
effective solution is developed without more damage to the
ecology.

REFERENCES

[1] Jain, A. K., & Paliwal, M. C. (2012). Adoption of

Appropriate and Cost Effective Technologies in Housing:
Figure 5: Average Percentage of Cost
Indian Experience. World Academy of Science,
Further, as evaluated at Table: 3 and shown at Figure: 6,
Engineering and Technology Vol:6 2012-03-26.
the net total percentage of the savings with the incorporation
[2] Marunmale, A. K. & Attar, A.C. (2014). Designing,
of these alternative technologies is about 24% of the cost of
Developing and Testing of Cellular Lightweight Concrete
the building.
Brick (CLC) Wall built in Rat-Trap bond. Current Trends
in Technology and Science ISSN: 2279- 0535. Volume: 3,
Issue: 4 (June-July 2014).
[3] Jayasinghe, C., Lakmali, H.D.D., & M.P. Rohitha, (2008).
Comparative Performance of Masonry Bond Patterns.

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 International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies (IJIRAS)
Volume 4 Issue 7, July 2017 ISSN: 2394-4404

Annual Transactions of IESL, pp 38-46, 2008, The [6] Saileysh, S., Sivaraja, Vijayakumar, S.,
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[4] Indian Standards Code, IS 15345:2003, “Installation of Chinnaraju, K. (2012). Base Shock Excitation of Rat-Trap
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[5] Sengupta, Nilanjan 2008. Use of cost-effective the Earthquake Prone Areas of India. The 2005 World
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change. Current Science, Vol. 94, No. 1, 10 January 2008. September 2005.

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