SEVAI, a Trichy based NGO promotes Cost effective, co-friendly structures are affordable for shelter.

Cost effective shelter technology centre

SEVAI, a Trichy based NGO promotes Cost effective, co-friendly structures are affordable for shelter. Cost effective building is eco friendly and   efficient use of materials using standard construction dimensions and a module are most cost-effective and reduces material waste. Reducing waste will save money because we are buying less material to begin with and not wasting any. One of the latest developments in recent history has been the slow migration to advanced framing techniques. Advanced framing techniques provide cheaper and faster construction and save energy. It’s cheaper because there are fewer loads. It’s faster because there are fewer pieces of lumber to install. And it saves energy because it provides more cavity space for insulation and less thermal bridging. This results in a 5-10% reduction in lumber cost, a 30% reduction in framing labor costs, and a 75% increase in thermal performance. Adequate shelter for all people is one of the pressing challenges faced by India; it has become a necessity to adopt cost effective, innovative and environment-friendly housing technologies for the construction of houses and buildings for enabling the common people to construct houses at affordable cost. Construction methods of foundation, walling, roofing and lintel are compared with traditional constructions. Strength and durability of the structure, stability, safety and mental satisfaction are factors that assume top priority during cost reduction. It is found that about 26.11% and 22.68% of the construction cost can be saved by using low cost housing

Then CM Kalaijar inspected the cost effective building constructed by SEVAI in Farmer Market,Trichy in the presence of Ministers,District Collector and NGO head SEVAI K.Govindaraju

technologies in comparison with the traditional construction methods in the case studies for walling and roofing respectively. Some of the improved cost effective technology are Foundation: Under reamed piles for foundations have been developed for housing in black cotton soil area, Damp Proof Courses: Use of polythene, bituminous materials and cement mortar with water proofing agents have been suggested for damp proof courses, Walls: Fly ash bricks, precast hollow concrete blocks (without plaster), brick panels and precast wall panels may be used to get reasonably good comfort with little cost, Doors and Windows: Precast R.C.C. frames can save 25 to 30 per cent cost when composed with wooden frames. Instead of wooden shutters particle

CM appreciated SEVAI

board shutters may be used, Lintels: Locally available stones and slates can serve as lintels, Precast Structural Elements: In mass constructions works precast members may be used for columns, beams, reapers and stair cases. One can think of using wall panels also, Flooring: Low cost housing flooring may be with soil cement base, thin clay tiles, bricks on edges or with flagstones. If group housing is taken up automatically there is cost reduction, since mobilization of men, material cost is reduced and continuity of labour work is maintained. Kris