espite the State government saying no to their use in a rehabilitation project in Kochi, glass fibre-reinforced gypsum panels look set to become the game-changer for the construction industry.
With property prices going through the roof and environmental sustainability a big question, here is a material that is both cheaper and greener, say researchers at IIT-Chennai.
However, Kerala State Nirmithi Kendra, which commissioned a study, received a report that GFRG panels absorbed dampness and did not suit to be deployed in all parts of a building.
P.R. Sreemahadevan Pillai, professor and head of the Department of Civil Engineering at NSS College of Engineering, Palakkad, reported to the Nirmithi Kendra in October 2014 that the material was highly economic and environment friendly. But, he said: “In the typical climatic condition of Kerala, the material as such is not advisable for outer walls and exposed ceilings.”
The Santhom Colony rehabilitation programme in Kochi, where 104 units were planned using GFRG panels, was stalled after the government told the Corporation of Cochin to stick to conventional building methods.
However, researchers at IIT-Chennai say GFRG panels’ water absorption is less than two per cent.
“We have found the panels to be very good building material for all weather conditions,” said Shinto Paul, structural design engineer and member of a team of researchers at the IIT led by professors Devadas Menon and Meher Prasad. He said the team had done extensive research on the building material.
“The panels are made of calcined gypsum and they can be deployed without anxiety about the wet weather conditions in Kerala,” he said.
The panels are manufactured by FACT-RCF Building Products Limited, a government-owned joint venture at Ambalamugal. An official of the company said around 5 lakh sq.ft. of panels had been sold since production went on stream in 2012.
A senior official of the Department of Local Self Government said the Department had not raised any objections to the use of panels in construction work.
M. Pennamma, Chief Engineer, PWD, said the government had chosen to build the canteen of Government Medical College, Palakkad, using the gypsum panels. “The Malayalam University in Tirur has also used the panels for construction works,” she added.
“Work on buildings ranging from 20,000 sq.ft. luxury villas in Chennai to a 16,000 sq.ft. higher secondary school near Perinjanam, Guruvayur, using the gypsum panels are under way right now,” said N.S. Shabeer, a Kozhikode-based contractor.
The school building works will take a total of three months and will come at a cost of roughly Rs. 2.25 crore, excluding the plumbing and electrification works.
Mr. Shabeer said while conventional houses cost upwards of Rs. 2,100 per sq. ft., gypsum panel homes cost around Rs. 1,700 per sq.ft.
Mr. Paul said GFRG panels received approval from Building Technology Promotion Council of India in 2003 and a design manual had been readied.
Besides, he said, the draft Indian Standard Code on GFRG building system had been submitted to the Bureau of Indian Standard. It is in circulation and is expected to be published shortly.
K.J. Peter in Pazhanganad is delighted. Over phone, the qualifications came in a surge when he described his experience of building his house using GFRG panels.
“They are strong, give you good finish, save time and money”, said the FACT employee about the building panels and pointed out that he was in a hurry to get his house ready before his son’s marriage.
Though it was not built in a day, the 2,300 sq.ft. building came up in 52 days. “If construction takes place according to directions laid down by IIT-Chennai, a 2,000-sq.ft. house can be built in 32 days or 45 days,” said an FRBL official.
we have found the panels TO BE very good building material for all weather conditions, says a structural design engineer
