An Investigation of Using Aerocon Block and M-Sand in Constructing Low Cost Housing

Abstract

Low cost housing can be achieved by use of effective planning and project management, low cost materials, economical construction technologies and use of alternate construction methods available. . The selection of building materials should meet the needs of local circumstances to improve value of life for the most desired ones by building innovative structures or by refining existing structures. Various studies showed that a big variety of wall materials have been used in different building systems with traditional and modern construction methods, but only few of them (extruded clay bricks, hollow concrete blocks) have successfully been implemented in low-cost housing projects. The current era of real estate has ripened and the clay bricks and mortar are replaced with alternative construction materials like aerocon bricks. Innumerable properties in India are constructed with aerocon bricks and the method is rapidly flourishing. Some alternatives materials have already been used as a part of natural sand e.g. M-sand, fly-ash, slag limestone and siliceous stone powder are used in concrete mixtures as a partial replacement of natural sand. The main objective of this paper is to give detailed study on low cost building using aerocon block and M-sand.