GRFG panels for the mass housing segment
Real Estate

GRFG panels for the mass housing segment

The thermal performance of the glass fibre-reinforced gypsum (GFRG) demo building at IIT-Madras was analysed through field measurements. Dr A Meher Prasad, Professor, Structural Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, shares more…

In-situ thermal measurements showed that the GFRG demo building was around 2oC cooler compared to an adjacent conventional building during the harsh summer. Further, tests have shown that GFRG panels absorb very less water. The water absorption of the panels is found to be less than 2 per cent even after 24 hours of immersion in water; the panels are therefore water-resistant. But as GFRG buildings system are prefabricated systems, all the construction joints (including the vertical and horizontal wall panel joints) should be treated with waterproofing compounds.

Advantages over conventional buildings
The GFRG building system has a number of advantages over conventional buildings:

  • High speed of construction: GFRG demo building in IIT-Madras with four flats in two storeys (total 1,981 sq ft) built within a month
  • Less built-up area for the same carpet area: Wall panels are only 124 mm thick
  • Low embodied energy and carbon footprint: Significant reduction in use of cement, sand, steel and water; recycling of industrial waste gypsum
  • Lower cost of structure: Savings in materials; no plastering
  • Lesser building weight (panels weigh only 44 kg per sq m), contributing to savings in foundation and reduction in design for earthquake forces, particularly in multi-storeyed construction
  • Buildings up to 8-10 storeys can be designed using this load-bearing system, without the need for beams and columns
  • Excellent finishes of prefabricated GFRG panels—used for all the walls, floors and staircases, with minimal embedded concrete: no need for additional plastering
  • The use of GFRG panels not only facilitates fast construction but reduces labour requirements.
  • Better thermal performance in comparison to conventional building.

Green material
While benefiting the mass-housing segment, GFRG also serves as sustainable technology. It is environment-friendly, as it utilises industrial waste, and the construction minimises the usage of scarce and energy-intensive materials such as cement, sand, steel and water. There are no safety and health issues associated with the product. Gypsum is an inert material and GFRG building construction entails far less embodied energy (from the manufacture till the completion of construction) compared to conventional construction using brick, reinforced concrete or precast concrete. Hence, GFRG has been confirmed as a green material by the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCC).


- SERAPHINA D’SOUZA

The thermal performance of the glass fibre-reinforced gypsum (GFRG) demo building at IIT-Madras was analysed through field measurements. Dr A Meher Prasad, Professor, Structural Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, shares more… In-situ thermal measurements showed that the GFRG demo building was around 2oC cooler compared to an adjacent conventional building during the harsh summer. Further, tests have shown that GFRG panels absorb very less water. The water absorption of the panels is found to be less than 2 per cent even after 24 hours of immersion in water; the panels are therefore water-resistant. But as GFRG buildings system are prefabricated systems, all the construction joints (including the vertical and horizontal wall panel joints) should be treated with waterproofing compounds. Advantages over conventional buildings The GFRG building system has a number of advantages over conventional buildings: High speed of construction: GFRG demo building in IIT-Madras with four flats in two storeys (total 1,981 sq ft) built within a month Less built-up area for the same carpet area: Wall panels are only 124 mm thick Low embodied energy and carbon footprint: Significant reduction in use of cement, sand, steel and water; recycling of industrial waste gypsum Lower cost of structure: Savings in materials; no plastering Lesser building weight (panels weigh only 44 kg per sq m), contributing to savings in foundation and reduction in design for earthquake forces, particularly in multi-storeyed construction Buildings up to 8-10 storeys can be designed using this load-bearing system, without the need for beams and columns Excellent finishes of prefabricated GFRG panels—used for all the walls, floors and staircases, with minimal embedded concrete: no need for additional plastering The use of GFRG panels not only facilitates fast construction but reduces labour requirements. Better thermal performance in comparison to conventional building. Green material While benefiting the mass-housing segment, GFRG also serves as sustainable technology. It is environment-friendly, as it utilises industrial waste, and the construction minimises the usage of scarce and energy-intensive materials such as cement, sand, steel and water. There are no safety and health issues associated with the product. Gypsum is an inert material and GFRG building construction entails far less embodied energy (from the manufacture till the completion of construction) compared to conventional construction using brick, reinforced concrete or precast concrete. Hence, GFRG has been confirmed as a green material by the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCC). - SERAPHINA D’SOUZA

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

South West Pinnacle Wins Rs 30 Cr Oman Mining Contract

South West Pinnacle Exploration Ltd has secured a Rs 30 crore contract from Minerals Development Oman (MDO) for mining exploration in concession areas 12B and 13.The two-year project will be carried out via Alara Resources LLC, a JV in Oman. MDO, backed by Oman’s investment authorities, focuses on monetising mineral wealth.The contract covers copper, gold, and chromite and highlights South West Pinnacle’s growing footprint in international exploration and mining services. ..

Next Story
Equipment

Godrej GEG Boosts Intralogistics with AI and Green Tech

Godrej Enterprises Group (GEG) is revolutionising warehouse and factory logistics through its Material Handling Equipment and Storage Solutions arms by integrating AI, IoT, and automation.With 20–25% market share and 85% local sourcing, GEG champions Atmanirbhar Bharat and sustainability. The Chennai plant, a green manufacturing leader, uses RoHS-compliant materials and has slashed energy consumption by 60%.GEG serves e-commerce, FMCG, retail, and cold chains with high-performance racking and electric forklifts. Upcoming IoT-enabled forklifts and telematics solutions aim to improve speed, sa..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Amit Shah Inaugurates Key Projects Across Gujarat

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various projects in Gujarat’s Panchmahal district and Ahmedabad.In Godhra, he inaugurated the Center of Excellence building, sports complex, reservoir, and Miyawaki plantation. In Ahmedabad, he unveiled a new cooperative complex in Adaroda village and a primary school in Juwal.These projects, under the Model Co-op Village scheme, aim to boost education, sustainability, and rural development across the state. ..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?