Low Carbon Construction Training Report
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Orissa-Artisan Training Report Low Carbon Construction Training Report Artisans – Orissa 6th – 15th March 2013 0 Orissa-Artisan Training Report 1. Contents 1. Background ............................................................................................................................................... 2 2. Training Approach ..................................................................................................................................... 3 3. Training Process ........................................................................................................................................ 3 4. Observations and Lessons learnt ............................................................................................................ 12 5. Annexure 1 : List of Participants ............................................................................................................. 13 6. Annexure 2 : Drawings ............................................................................................................................ 14 1 Orissa-Artisan Training Report 2. Background A mason training on Low Carbon Construction techniques was held from 6th to 15th March 2013 at the ASHRAYA Building Materials Services Bank. It was organised by Co-operation for Rural Excellence (CORE) in collaboration with the Development Alternatives Group, New Delhi and supported by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), UK. The twelve day workshop aimed to build capacities of artisans and masons and demonstration of low carbon cost effective construction techniques in coastal spaces like Orissa. The training was attended by 25 skilled and semi-skilled masons from Orissa. The masons trained were from Grudighatia,Choudwar, Biratbazar and Daptari areas of Cuttack District. Climate change impacts are now being felt at a local and global level. The construction sector sustainably contributes to this. Simultaneously, it also bears the brunt of these impacts. The practices in the construction sector of Orissa that aggravate climate change need to curb their impact on the local environment by, Reducing ecologically detrimental methods of sourcing building materials. Using more energy efficient construction technologies. Ensuring minimum amounts of energy used in the operation of buildings constructed. Alternate technologies and materials offer a solution to deal with this challenge. The Government of India has recognised the need for action in the Low Carbon, Climate Resilient (LC-CR) sector. However, there is a lack of attention towards the 70 million strong rural spaces and small towns which are emerging as areas of high growth. This training workshop aimed to bridge this gap by generating knowledge support for LC-CR solutions for small towns and rural spaces to build capacity for masons and artisans. The training is part of a larger initiative that seeks to generate knowledge support for LC- CR solutions for small towns and rural spaces by building capacity at three levels, viz. Policy Makers, Building Professionals and Artisans. It also attempts to influence policies and building practices in response to imminent climate change trends and need for low carbon construction. The objective of the workshop were to : Understand concepts and dynamics of climate Figure 1: Coastal settlements of Orissa change and the construction sector Learn about alternate building materials and technologies Demonstrate these technologies and gain hands on experience. 2 Orissa-Artisan Training Report 3. Training Approach The ASHRAYA BMSB has a long history in the production and use of alternate technologies in Orissa since the super cyclone of 1999, when it was set up. This workshop utilised the building material production set up at the centre to put together a demo structure that would be usable by the ASHRAYA team later. The approach adopted for the training workshop was participant centred, with an emphasis on practical learning. In order to bring conceptual clarity on subject matter, the training began with expert lectures followed by discussions on low carbon building materials and technologies. Each of the technologies were demonstrated and the masons were encouraged to try this out while building a life scale structure. Within this structure the team aimed to showcase and train the masons in as many technologies as possible that were avaliable and relevant to the coastal belt of Orissa. The master masons were Khadim Sek and Sasmita Sahoo, while Anjan Jena and Prasanta Bisoei supervised the trainings. The technologies demonstrated during the 10 day training were: Walling: Interlocking Compressed Earth Blocks Fly ash brick Hollow concrete blocks Solid concrete blocks Rat trap masonry Roofing: Ferro-cement Channels Plank and Joist roofing Figure 2: Discussion with the team MCR tile roofing Bamboo roofing understructure 4. Training Process Over the ten day period, the DA and ASHRAYA team worked closely together to work out a step by step training process where a structure that would be useful to the BMSB in the future would be constructed and through its process of construction, the masons would be trained in the technologies employed. Naturally, a foundation to roof approach was followed in the order of technologies. Also, as many of the alternate technologies in question required building materials that were either precast or produced on site, a parallel production system of manufacturing them was set up. As the structure was built from foundation to roof, all the technologies were employed one at the time, allowing for the masons to focus on the correct methods of construction of each. Day 1: Introduction to the Training The first day of the training programme was spent as an introductory meeting of the entire workshop group, including the artisans to be trained, the master masons and the supervising architects from DA, Amol Mangrulkar and Rita John. A total of 25 artisans were appointed to work together during the training and build an extension to an existing storage area using various LC-CR technologies. 3 Orissa-Artisan Training Report The site of construction was finalized and measured and list of technologies to be used were finalized. While preparation of the site began, detailing of the design of the structure to be built was worked out in collaboration with the participants. Day 2: Design Development & Site Excavation Excavation of the site for laying of the foundation was carried out. Precast materials, like planks for the plank and joist roofing technology, to be used in the structure were manufactured on site. Some preliminary hands-on design exercises were carried out on site to work out various options of how the different types of technologies were to be showcased. The design of the structure to be built was finalized and shared with the team by Amol Mangrulkar and Rita John. Figure 2 : On-site production of planks, preparation of hollow concrete blocks for masonry, Fly-ash brick placement experiments Mason interactions: While experimenting with the different types of masonry, it was evident that the masons had a keen interest to use the building materials in ways other than the conventional walling technique. As a result, they were an integral part of the hands-on design process of deciding what combination of technologies to use in which building element. For example, it was agreed upon that the hollow concrete block would be used not only the walls, but also as load bearing elements in the columns and as containers for planters in an outer seating area. Based on all these decisions and experiments, the drawings of what was to be built were finalized and shared with the masons. Day 3: Laying the Foundation The dug out foundation was leveled and compacted with Compressed Earth Blocks and sieved sand. The layers of the plinth were laid in solid concrete blocks masonry while ensuring the wall centre-lines and levels of each layer by repeatedly checking the plumb. 4 Orissa-Artisan Training Report Figure 3 : : Laying of foundation Mason interactions: The masons were initially not careful about maintaining accuracy of levels and right angles while compacting the earth or laying the first courses. After a great deal of constant supervision of checking these points at every stage of work, they developed a routine of doing so. The right mortar mixes and methods of aligning masonry layers were other areas of concern that also had to be standardized. Day 4: Laying the Plinth and Column Footings The foundation was raised to plinth level in solid concrete block masonry. The plinth beam was cast between fly-ash bricks placed on edge. Figure 4 : Laying of column foundation, Casting of plinth beam The column footings were raised. These columns were to be load bearing with some steel reinforcement running through it. 5 Orissa-Artisan Training Report Figure 5 : Column footing and layers of load bearing CEB masonry Mason interactions: Innovative techniques of using the interlocking CEB block were put to use in the columns by placing them on edge. This technique was demonstrated by one mason, Khadim, and soon all the others employed the same in the remaining columns. Day 5: Wall Masonry – Interlocking CEB Masonry The CEB masonry layer above the plinth level is begun. Variations in this masonry were done for window openings. Jaali patterns worked out in interlocking CEBs because the veranda space is semi-open. Figure 6 : CEB interlocking wall masonry Mason interactions: The masons needed to be told