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CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION METHODS & TECHNIQUES - USED IN INDIA FOR BUILDINGS



A. Popular and Conventional building methods in India:

Load Bearing Construction, Monolithic construction technology, Precast technology, RCC frame construction, etc. are examples of traditional and well-liked techniques that have been used for a long time in India.

From the early 1990s till now, above methods have been extensively used. Many areas in the countries can not use these new technologies due to various constraints related to space, logistics and resources availability. The most common techniques used in India are listed herewith to familiarize Traditional methods of construction:


1) Load Bearing Construction:

In the load-bearing structures, building and live loads are transferred to the foundation through walls. This type of structure doesn’t have beams and columns. The load-bearing walls are constructed over a continuous foundation and they’re designed to carry the complete load, including Self-weight. People used to opt for this type of structure for the construction of low-rise buildings and small houses in earlier days. These structures are ideal for the construction of commercial and residential buildings up to 2/3 floors only.

A load-bearing structure is designed to safely take and transmit the load to the subsoil foundation and is a component of a building. Walls resist the self-weight of building or structure, the load of floor and roofs. The immense weight of the walls holds the building together and stabilize it against external forces like earthquake and wind.


Load Bearing Structure


2) RCC frame construction:

RCC stands for Reinforced Cement Concrete, RCC construction methods are used to build many of India's skylines. RCC can be used to make a variety of structures, including building components like as slabs, walls, beams, columns and foundations.

In RCC framed structures, columns and beams support the full weight, which is then transferred to the ground by the building's load. As the ground acts as foundation itself, this increases the building's strength while lowering expenses and material usage. This makes it a perfect system that can be used to build skyscrapers that form beautiful skylines.



RCC Framed Structure


3) Monolithic Construction Technology:

When there are large-scale construction projects and larger construction sites, Monolithic Construction comes into play. It can easily build a big number of houses in a short amount of time. Construction of this kind can be done with the highest degree of accuracy and is incredibly strong and sturdy. Moreover it is easy to manage. It appears to be a building in the form of a box that is robust against horizontal forces like Earthquake, Cyclone, etc., Along with producing effective results, this technology also saves time and money. This construction method has a relatively short cycle time, which lowers project costs. Monolithic construction is simple to use, provides strength and safety, and is built more quickly. This technology is less labour intensive, highly productive and finish of the structure also excellent. Many time taking activities such as blockwork, plaster can be eliminated achieving a better level of finish and durability than the conventional buildings.

The slabs and walls can be quickly constructed and the shuttering is simple to assemble and install. The tough task of columns is also reduced. Slabs as well as walls are constructed simultaneously.

The concept became popular in gulf countries, Europe and some parts of Asia, including India, when the Indian government announced its scheme housing for all by 2020. Aluminum Formwork Technology is mainly used for large scale construction ventures and bigger building sites. Such structures are being more durable, resistant to seismic activity, reducing construction time and adding that smooth finish at a low cost makes it a popular choice. The housing which was constructed by monolithic construction technology has a great disaster resistant.


Monolithic Structure


4) Precast Technology:

Construction companies have come under heavy criticism for using too much labour and producing too much pollution. There was a way to have cost effective construction techniques in India and this was the precast technology. Precast concrete is an alternative to cast-in-situ concrete. While cast-in-situ concrete is cast in its actual location, precast concrete is cast at another location, either at the building site or in a factory, and is then lifted to its final resting place and fixed securely. This means that unlike cast-in-situ construction, which is monolithic or continuous, precast concrete buildings are made of separate pieces that are bolted or connected together. This means that the quality of precast components can be very high. Since the components can be fabricated beforehand, construction can be very quick. In cast-in-situ construction, engineers have to build each set of components after the previous set has finished, which does take time, as concrete generally takes 28 days to achieve its full strength. According to this method, all the building components such as slabs, walls, stairways and beams are manufactured in precast manufacturing facilities using computer-aided systems. These computer systems help in cutting down wastage of materials and high precision along with strengthening the building while reducing the overall cost of the building by nearly 15% and more. Further, entire construction process is much eco-friendly due to reduced material wastage, use of more steel, less timber/plywood and increased off-site mechanized construction activities.


RCC Precast Structure


B). Modern and new construction techniques in India:

Most of India is still practicing the techniques mentioned earlier. Still, there is a change in the horizon, where people are now adopting new construction techniques in India. These new techniques include Building information modelling or known as BIM, virtual reality and artificial intelligence, etc. These new ways are now on the rise among prominent contractors and builders in the country as they even the odds in terms of material wastage, cost-cutting without compromise on the quality and safety.


1) Building Information Modelling (BIM):

Commonly known as BIM is a new construction technology in India that is on the rise. This technique involves the use of 3-dimensional, computer-generated models of the building. With these models, the factors of time and cost are added to give an overall bird's eye view of how the project will look. This helps builders plan accordingly in the initial stages itself. With smart computer programming and date inputs, many developers can project onto a computer. The thoughts that would once only reside entirely in the chief architect's mind. BIM is effectively used in many countries and in certain parts of metropolitan India to help build buildings that require extensive planning.



View of a BIM Model


2) Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality (VR, AR):

Many people these days are fascinated with the idea of Virtual reality, the idea of being in a reality that is not your own. Mostly used for fun and adventurous way to pass the time is now a method to look at a building that has not even begun construction. This helps the architects to carefully look at the structure and plan while assessing the strengths and weaknesses the building may face in the long run. This new construction technology is based on the premise that "if one can see the structure before it's built, no matter how complex the plan, it can still be executed". This also helps in cutting down unnecessary costs and material wastage; therefore, it aids in a better building process.


Virtual Reality


3) Artificial Intelligence (AI) in construction:

Among the many construction technology of India, artificial intelligence is the most sought out after. Many people confuse artificial intelligence or AI to be SIRI or google assistant in our phones, but that is not the case. AI is anything artificial, created by man that can express intelligence in some aspect. From automated construction to self-piloting drones, these are all AI.

From the types of bricks used for construction to perfect mixture to make the strongest concrete for the required project. The handling of AI that works at the lengths or even faster than human experts can calculate all variables that can arise if the needed data is inputted. Now you might think that AI only helps us create art that tears the sky, but AI does not end there.

Intelligent AI has now made the idea of a smart city much more accessible to the future. With AI-controlled electricals, automated repairing features, and accelerated response time. Many conflicts can end much before any person even observes them. AI is not something that takes over humans, but something that covers for the shortcomings of humans. Our fragile lives, limited thinking, and envisioning are all enhanced with the use of AI.

Therefore, helping us create larger, eco-friendly, and artistic structures that show the true nature of limitless imagination.

With the rise of different kinds, both traditional and new construction technology in India. The Construction sector is continually undergoing rapid change, with the increasing use of technology. Developers have been able to cut down costs and wastage of material in a highly effective way.



Application of VR / AR in Construction

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