Adaptive Use Of Construction Waste To Reduce Material Cost In Architecture

ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT

Adaptive Use Of Construction Waste To Reduce Material Cost In Architecture

Dissertation Report Prepared By Bhagyashree Patil | BNCA Fourth Yr. General |

2015

Guided by Prof. Sujata Karve | HOD M.arch (Environmental Architecture )


Bhagyashree Patil | Fourth Yr. General | BNCA

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Title :

Adaptive Use of Construction Waste To Reduce Material Cost In Architecture

Abstract :

As architects , we are responsible to make a judicious decision when it comes to the

materials of our buildings. Construction materials pool out a major chunk of the

capital required to start a new project. Parallely , buildings generate a large amount

of material waste throughout their life cycles, from construction and building

operations to demolition. The amount of waste leaving the property can be reduced

by adaptively using the construction waste produced on site and creating an

alternative for the virgin material. This research paper intends to explore the

possibility of using construction waste generated around us as a tool to lower the

material costs in architecture. The study discusses the feasible alternatives to treat

waste or use it to replace certain conventional materials in a building. Comparisons

are drawn between both the approaches towards the use of materials to note the

differences and highlight the cost factor involved in it. Finally , to derive an approach

that would not only reduce the cost of materials in construction but also to reduce

the environmental impact of waste by eliminating the energy consumed in disposal

as well as reduce the generation of virgin material for construction.

Keywords :

Adaptive use , material, cost - reduction , construction waste , tiles , mosaic .

Introduction :

" Waste is not waste , but misplaced resources following manufacturing activities and

treatment processes. " ( Wang Jing-Yuan , 2012)

The rate of cycling of materials is a more important indicator in determining

productivity than the amount present at any one place at any one time. Material

cycles become more closed as a system matures (i.e., when fewer materials are

lost or wasted). Thus, the role of waste products in the overall health of the system

increases



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This paper intends to transform the waste materials into art and seeks to address

the issue of adaptive use , by bold articulate use of waste in architecture for a dual

purpose of prolonging the life span of existing materials to reduce the requirement

of virgin material as reducing the cost of construction.

Since , building construction comes at a considerable expense and, in the case of

architecturally designed projects, usually comes the assumption of an even greater

expense, the promotion of Adaptive Use of waste to strengthen the building

resilience is the idea that has been highlighted in the overall study

Impacts of Construction Waste :

Current advancements in the construction industry in India project that it would

become world’s third largest construction market by 2025.The construction market is

also accounting for 11% of India’s GDP after agriculture. Construction waste is

produced in hefty quantities by infrastructure projects, renovation or demolition of

structures, etc.

Construction management plans are also adopted by few site managers in the

beginning of the construction work. But it is difficult to monitor and control effectively

throughout the process due to less awareness of the environmental impact of the

construction material waste and lack of interaction in between the working people on

the construction site. Hence , large amount of waste is generated on construction

site in conventional construction process.

Increasing quantity of construction material waste has become an issue of

environment concern as it causes carbon emissions, solid waste generation, and

water effluents. This waste consists mostly of non-biodegradable material such as

concrete, mortar, reinforcement / steel, brick, block, etc. which are heavy, having

high density and occupy considerable space on valuable land. These lands are

costly and construction material waste dumps particularly are unpleasant and are

sources of environmental hazard. These dumps pollute valuable lands as well as

ground water resources.



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Reducing the Cost of Construction through Choice of Materials :

For architects material selection is one of the most crucial choices faced when

designing. Materials clothe our creations, offering protection and shelter, ultimately

setting the tone and appearance of a building. Generic building materials such as

plaster, timber and concrete, clad and coat the majority of buildings within our cities:

but an alternative approach towards utilisation of the construction waste as a

resource needs to be developed over the period of time to cut down on the

generation of virgin material and the followed wastage of virgin material on site

during various construction stages.

Materials are the easiest way for architects to begin incorporating sustainable design

principles in buildings. Price has been the foremost consideration when comparing

similar materials or materials designated for the same function. Further analysis of

building products, from the gathering of raw materials to their ultimate disposal,

provides a better understanding of the long-term costs of materials. These costs are

paid not only by the client, but also by the owner, the occupants, and the

environment. Each step of the manufacturing process, from gathering raw materials,

manufacturing, distribution, and installation, to ultimate reuse or disposal, is

examined for its environmental impact. Consideration for materials and resources

focuses on the health and productivity consequences of material selections for

building occupants, plus the long term social, economic, and environmental impacts

of materials used in the design and construction of the building.

This paper investigates how waste can form architectural design with construction

waste obtained from sites .It is a sustainable method of work as the provider of the

material saves time and money in disposal/recycling costs and the purchaser is

provided with materials at a lower rate.

Adaptation of Construction Waste as a Building Material :

The Reduce , Reuse and Recycling of building material is a growing area of interest

and concern in many parts of the world due to massive procreation of dissipate on

construction sites and the difficulties faced in its disposal . Current practices and

trends in the building material waste management area are examined from a building



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life cycle standpoint or cradle to reincarnation concept. Strategies include optimisation

of energy through reuse and recycle, minimisation of construction waste through

efficient planning , integrated recycling and adaptive use of waste material.

It is pointed out that experience plays a major role in waste adaptation. Professional

working for many years seems to be implementing the on-site practices and

procedures to use waste and cost effectiveness of the specific materials. But the

scenario is not same in all construction processes and their material waste

generation stages.

As architects have the ability to change how materials are used , gives them an

opportunity to re-use the waste materials efficiently and expressively through

building design. Waste materials create waste landscapes: landfills, massive

incinerator systems, and multi-square-mile floating plastic garbage islands in the

world's oceans. The disposal of waste consumes a lot of energy and it also creates a

need for new virgin material to be harvested as feedstock for new generations of

product. If this waste is integrated within architectural construction practices , it

would help not only lower the impact on the environment but may also help cut down

the costs of construction .

In her paper , Ar. Dharti Sote suggests certain alternatives to adaptively use the

dissipate within the given project for site development purposes , further eliminating

the transportation and procurement cost of the waste in the markets. Certain general

practices to be followed on site to train the labourers to segregate the construction

waste at the source have been included in the research carried out by her.

Materials whose waste can be reduced and used but not recycled from construction

waste form a larger chunk that needs to be focused through this approach of

adaptive use.

Following are certain materials which cannot be recycled but reused :

(as inferred from the interview of Mr. Swapnil Raikar

1. Soil



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2. Sand

3. Aggregate

4. Wood

5. Tiles

The final material order placed for any construction project is inclusive of certain

wastage / losses caused as mentioned earlier. These are generally percentages

assumed of the actual quantity required.

The estimated material waste percentage differs as per construction material. The

total amount of material purchased on the project site is as per this ´estimated

quantity. Since these materials cannot be recycled , the approach of adaptive use

can be followed in such cases . Hence it is important to determine the exact quantity

of waste estimated and the actual waste generated on the site

Estimated wastage of these materials :

. Table 1: Estimated wastage of construction material

Sr.

No.

Type of material ´Estimated

wastage

1 Sand 10 %

2 Aggregate 5 %

3 Wood for shutters , frames 7 %

4 Wood for flooring / walling 5%

5 Tiles 10 %

´By K.K. Chitkara, Construction project management - Planning, scheduling and

controlling, Page no. 330-331



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Actual Waste of Construction Material :

Table 2: Actual wastage of construction material :

´By K.K. Chitkara, Construction project management - Planning, scheduling and

controlling, Page no. 330-331

From the above data , tiles are clearly identified as a construction waste that is

generated in large amounts and also contribute to the elevation of the capital for

construction as they are an comparatively expensive material . Hence the scope of

further studies has been limited to tiles as a construction waste material that can be

adaptively used to reduce the material cost in architecture.

Certain practices for waste segregation should me made mandatory at the site level

if this waste needs to be further used for other activities on site. A strict check should

be kept on the segregation so as to avoid damage to the material and its quality.

Parallely , Dr. M.F. Hussein discusses the use of waste materials to replace

conventional materials in the interior and exterior spaces. His literature highlights the

reuse of building materials through salvage or refurbishment . The intent is to reuse

the resources to reduces the extraction of materials from virgin resources, saving

landfill space and saving money , thus pronouncing the reuse of waste material as a

sustainable alternative for the construction sector.

Sr.

No.

Construction stage *Types of waste generated *Percentage

of actual

waste

material

1 Site preparation / clearing Soil 20 %

3 Hard landscape Tiles / blocks 2

4 Floor finishing (Tiling) Tiles 7



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It is understood from his study that in order to enable comparative analysis of

sustainability implications, life cycle analysis of building materials is necessary. In

addition to the local economic benefits of the use of waste building materials, less

overall embodied energy, and therefore less overall energy, is spent due to shorter

distances travelled in transport as the material procurement and implementation can

be directly on site.

Recommended practices for Adaptive Use of Waste Tiles :

Table 3 : Recommended Practices

Sr.

no.

Waste

material

Recommended practices for

reuse of waste material on

site

Tiles

Use to treat the facade :

Interesting patterns created

on the facade using mosaic

technique(Figure 1) . This

eliminates the use of plaster

and paint on the wall and thus

saves the cost required for

painting.

Figure(1)

www.mexicantiles.com/artman2/upl

oads/exterior-fence-walls

(11.03.2015)



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Mosaic pattern can be

created by reusing the pieces

of ceramic tiles in front of

entrance door.

Figure (2)

Blenstone.blogspot.com

(11.03.2015)

Large and small pieces can

be used to create path and

walkway in the garden

Figure (3)

www.pintrest..com/waste-

tiles/pathway/flowerbeds

(10.03.2015)

Tiles pieces can be placed

around flower bed to create

beautiful colorful fences.



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(*Sote , 2012)

Methodology :

Two cases of residential projects in Pune have been studied to draw comparisons

between the conventional practices and the adaptive use of waste . A study was

made of the availability of the quantity of tile waste generated on site and

opportunities for its adaptation as a material instead of virgin material in a

construction work. On site observations and interviews of site engineers , tile

contractors and developers culminated in a series of calculations considering the

cost factor , the labour involved , the time consumed and the total difference in cost

achieved with the use of waste tiles.

.

Large ceramic pieces can be

used in kitchen countertop

Figure (4)

www.biomes-

solutions.com/wastematerial-

reclaimed (11.03.2015)

Top finish for sitout in the

open space and entrance

lobby

Parapet top



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Case study 1 :

A residential project is studied in Pune to study the quantity of tile waste generated

on site and its possible adaptive uses to reduce the material cost in construction.

The availability of tiles as a waste material on site and the scope for its use is

established through this case study.

Project details

Project Name - Avanish Regency

Developer : Ajay Raikar , Swapnil Raikar

Project type – Residential project

Location – Navale Bridge , Sinhagad Road

Plot area – 17200.00 Sq. Ft.

B/up area – 15020.00 Sq. Ft

No: of buildings - 2

Number of Floors per building – Parking + 5 floors + Terrace

Use of virgin tiles in the project at different areas :

Table 4 :

Spaces / Type of work Materials used :

Flooring 600 x 600 vitrified tiles

Kitchen Dado 300 x 300 ceramic wall tiles

Toilet Dado 300 x 300 antiskid ceramic tiles



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Skirting 10 mm High cut pieces of floor vitrified

tiles

Terrace 300 x 300 anti skid ceramic tiles

Total expenses on tile purchase are approximately 8 % of the total cost of project.

The total quantity of tiles that are ordered are inclusive of any wastage that might

happen on site during storing , installation and post installation when lighting ,

electrical fixtures are being put up. This is considered to be 7 % of the quantity of

tiles required actually.

On Site Conditions :

Table 5 :

Issues with tile work causing wastage : As Observed on the site

Wastage of tiles due to demolition of an

improper installation work.



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Wastage of tiles due to cutting of pieces

of end tiles in order to match the room

dimensions.

Small uneven pieces of tiles generated

due to fine adjustments while laying or

due to mishandling and breakage.

Waste tiles just dumped on site . No

segregation of the waste followed .

No proper storing/ stacking space

provided for the tiles which further

causes wastage due to breakage.



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Estimated Wastage of Tiles on Site :

Table 6:

Sr.

no. Waste material

Estimated

material quantity

Waste

percentage

Total waste

quantity

1 Tiles 19000 sq ft. 7% 1330 sq ft

This wastage is further defined as follows : Table 7

Sr. No Waste Type Causes Possible Uses on

Site

1. Intact Pieces of

Tiles

Ordered extra

considering the

wastage , but not

used on site

Can be used for

Site office ,

Workers' Toilets

or sold out at

subsidized rates.

(50-60 % cheaper)

2. Clean Cut Pieces

Of Tiles

Left over due to

cutting in flooring ,

dado work .

Used for Skirting ,

Cladding the

treads ,etc

3. Small Uneven

Pieces of Tiles

Mostly due to

breakage , improper

handling ,

demolition due to

wrong installation

Mosaic work for

terrace floor,

pathways , top

finishes for

benches , feature

wall in the lobby

area.



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Analysis : The actual consumption of tiles on site is generally less compared to the

estimated quantity. Hence the actual wastage ranged between 9-12 % ( approx

2200 sq ft) by the completion of the project ( as specified by the tile contractor Mr.

Hanuman Somonshi) . This is a large enough amount which can be effectively

channelized to reduce the material cost of floor finishes in any other project.

Case Study 2 :

The terrace flooring done with waste tile mosaic for a residential project in Warje is

compared with the conventional flooring methods to determine the overall savings in

the cost of materials , thus reducing the total cost on construction .

Project details :

Project type – Residential project

Location – Warje , Pune

Plot area – 16200.00 Sq. Ft.

B/up area – 14000.32 Sq. Ft

Number of Floors per building – Parking + 5 floors + Terrace

Total terrace area - 1850 sq ft

The broken tiles were obtained from another construction site being executed by the

same developer . The waste from one site , instead of being dumped , is used as an

alternative flooring material for another project.

In this case the material cost for the tiles is almost non - existent. The only cost

changing parameter was the labourer required as the no: of days to complete each

project were kept constant.

From further interviews with the tile contractore , we are able to establish a



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substantial difference in the cost of construction due to use of waste material.

Mosaic Work :

Table 8:

Area of Terrace Days

required to

complete the

work

No: Of

Masons

@ Rs.

600 /

person

perday

No: Of

Helpers @

Rs. 300 /

person

perday

Amt. Spent on the

Material

1850 Sq ft 3 Days 6 8 Only for preparing

the structural floor

for laying the

finishing material.

No expenditure in

buying the

finishing material

Total Expenses on

Labour

3600 2400 -

Rs. 6000

Conventional Tiling : ( Assumed as per the details given by tile contractor)

Table 9 :

Area of Terrace Days

required to

complete the

No: Of

Masons

@ Rs.

No: Of

Helpers @

Rs. 300 /

Amt. Spent on the

Material



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work 600 /

person

perday

person

perday

1850 Sq ft 3 Days 3 4 For preparing the

structural floor for

laying the

finishing material.

( This amount is

same for both)

Purchasing of

Tiles :

Considering 7%

wastage , approx

2000 sq ft of

finishing material

would be ordered.

Here the cost of

tile per sq. ft is

considered Rs. 10

/ Sqft

( For average

quality work )

Total Expenses on

Labour

1800 1200 Total - Rs. 20000



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Total Expenditure Rs. 23000

Analysis : Thus the total difference in that is achieved is of Rs. 17000 . So

approximately 70 % reduction in construction cost is indicated through this study.

Further variations in this cost may occur with the choice of brand , sizes of tiles and

other specifications asked by the user for the conventional flooring method.

Conclusion :

The monetary as well as environmental impacts of the material waste generation are

large in construction process . Thus if conventional materials are replaced with

alternative materials bought at subsidised price , the total cost of material purchase

would be drastically reduced and hence the further project cost can be brought

down.

The above studies show that Adaptive use of waste materials is mostly considered

from resource-saving (green) perspective , but an combined approach of

environmental awareness and cost effectiveness in construction can be achieved

this way. With material costs almost being nonexistent, time is the only expense with

selecting suitable waste materials fitting for each area and then forming them into

weather tight surfaces and structurally safe frames.

Acknowledgements :

I wish to express my sincere thanks to Prof. Anurag Kashyap, Principle and Prof.

Sujata Karve, HOD of M. Arch. (Environmental department) of Dr. B. N. College of

Architecture for providing me with an opportunity to conduct this research.

This research was put-up with the support of many people . I would like to thank Ar.

Dharti Sote , Mr. Swapnil Raikar , Ar. Pankaj Sanghvi and Tile contractor Hanuman

Somonshi who added value to this study with their time and expertise. I would also

like to thank Spandan Developers for co-operating and providing needful assistance

during the site visits.



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References :

1. Dharati Sote – Wankhade ,Dinesh Bhonde, Rahul Nawle, Vaishali Anagal

Optimizing energy through on-site reuse and recycle construction waste in

residential project – A Case Study of Pune , 2014

2. Dharti Sote Wankhede , Approach to on site construction material waste

reuse in residential projects

3. M.F Hussein , The ideal usage of sustainable materials and local resources of

the interior space design in Jordan

4. Simon Emett. "Waste to Worth " Adaptive reuse of recycled waste in existing

structures 2013 ; 1- 66

5. United States Environmental Protection Agency Using recycled industrial

materials in buildings 2008; 1-4

6. “Techno economic feasibility report on mosaic tiles using wastes”

7. ´By K.K. Chitkara, Construction project management - Planning, scheduling

and controlling, Page no. 330-33

Bibliography :

1. Dharati Sote – Wankhade ,Dinesh Bhonde, Rahul Nawle, Vaishali Anagal

Optimizing energy through on-site reuse and recycle construction waste in

residential project – A Case Study of Pune , 2014

2. Dharti Sote Wankhede , Approach to on site construction material waste

reuse in residential projects

3. M.F Hussein , The ideal usage of sustainable materials and local resources of

the interior space design in Jordan

4. John May Buildings without architects 2010 ; 35-40

5. Simon Emett. "Waste to Worth " Adaptive reuse of recycled waste in existing

structures 2013 ; 1- 66

6. Parviz Soroushin Towards broad use of recycled glass on MSU Campus ; 1-

49



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7. United States Environmental Protection Agency Using recycled industrial

materials in buildings 2008; 1-4

8. American Society Of Landscape Architects Sustainable Residential Design -

Using low Impact Materials 2014 ;

9. Govt . Of India BMTPC ( Building Materials and Technology Promotion

Council ) Region wise Recommended choice of construction materials

10. David Pearson Designing Your Natural Home 2005 ;

11. Fly Ash and Recycled Coarse Aggregate in Concrete: New Era for

Construction Industries - Prof. Chetna M.Vyas1, Prof. Jayeshkumar Pitroda2

12. “Techno economic feasibility report on mosaic tiles using wastes”

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Adaptive Use Of Construction Waste To Reduce Material Cost In Architecture