Ministry of New and

Renewable Energy, GoI

Sustainable Building Materials & Technologies

Training of Evaluators and Trainers

The building industry across the world is the biggest consumer of virgin materials.
Materials like stone, sand, wood, gravel etc. are all consumed by the building industry.

A lot of energy and water gets consumed during the refining, manufacturing and
transportation of materials, commonly called Embodied energy.

A good way of reducing energy consumption is through the selection of appropriate

materials which result in energy and water savings during manufacturing, operational
and demolition/recycling stage.

The aim is to use materials such that their availability does not dwindle over time and
the ecological damage is minimized.

Using sustainable materials is the easiest and amongst the most visible intervention in
a green building design.

Traditionally, price has been the most important factor while selecting materials. For
green buildings, environmental impacts associated with building materials also
becomes an important factor.

A sustainably managed material:

Conserves natural resource and has low environmental impact;

Should be locally produced;
Should be durable;
Has low energy content;
Has high recyclability potential; and
Causes minimum emission of GHGs during various stages of its life.

BUILDING MATERIALS

VISIBLE

EXTERNAL CLADDING
AND FINISHES

NOT VISIBLE

INTERNAL CLADDING
AND FINISHES

STRUCTURAL

NON-STRUCTURAL

Criterion 15 Utilization of fly ash in building structure

Objective:

To use low embodied energy industrial waste fly ash as the construction material.
Fly ash, an industrial waste having the properties of cement and very low embodied
energy is used in combination with cements that are high in embodied energy.

Fly ash has very similar properties as cement and has a very low-embodied energy
whereas cement as a building material has amongst the highest embodied energy.

There are three aspects in this criterion:

1.
2.
3.

Fly ash use in structural concrete (Structural)

Fly ash use in load-bearing and non load-bearing walls (Non-Structural)
Fly ash use in plaster/masonry mortar (Interiors/Finishes)

Commitment 15.1.1 :

RC (reinforced concrete) (including ready-mix concrete) to make use of fly ash by

using PPC (Portland pozzolona cement) containing fly ash. A minimum of 15%
replacement of cement with fly ash in PPC (by weight of the cement used) in the
overall RC for meeting the equivalent strength requirements.

Appraisal 15.3.1 :

Compliance
Structural concrete: Fly ash between 15-30%
Structural concrete: Fly ash > 30%

Points
1
Additional 1 point

Objective 15.1.2 :

Use fly ash in building blocks for the walls. Use of fly ash-based bricks/blocks
(such as Fal-G stabilized, fly ash-sand lime bricks, load bearing and non-load
bearing fly ash-based concrete blocks and fly ash-based light weight aerated
concrete walling blocks) in both 100% load-bearing and non-load-bearing wall
systems, which utilize a minimum of 40% of fly ash by volume of building
blocks.

Appraisal 15.3.2 :
Compliance

Points

Building blocks: Fly ash utilization is more than 40% by

volume

2 points

Bricks/blocks which can be used are:

Fal-G stabalized
Fly ash-sand lime bricks
Fly-ash based concrete blocks
AAC blocks

Source: http://wbcarbonfinance.org/images/IndaFalg2.jpg

Cellular Light Weight Concrete blocks

Source: http://wb5.itrademarket.com/pdimage/49/336649_block6.jpg

Objective 15.1.3 :

Use fly ash in Plaster/masonry mortar by employing PPC .Use plaster and/or
masonry mortar, which utilizes a minimum 30% of fly ash in PPC, in 100%
wall/ceiling finishes and wall construction, meeting the required structural
properties.

Appraisal 15.3.3 :
Compliance

Masonry mortar/Plaster: Minimum 30% fly ash used

Points

2 points

In order to verify compliance with the criterion, appropriate documentation should be

provided:

15.2.1-Documents from manufacturer specifying the quantity of fly ash used in Reinforce
Concrete.

15.2.2-Documents from manufacturer specifying the quantity of fly ash used in building
blocks used for infill wall systems.

15.2.3-Documents from manufacturer specifying the quantity of fly ash used in masonry
mortar and plaster.

15.2.4-Certificate from the architect stating compliance with the various points and
verifying the use of fly ash in various aspects of the building.

Total number of cement bags

used=248135
Total weight of cement used (50
kg per bag)= 17406750 kg
Total weight of fly ash= 2611014.8
kg
Thus, % of fly ash in cement (used
in concrete) =
(261101438/17406750)= 15%.

Criterion 16 Reduce embodied energy of construction by

adopting efficient technologies and/or low-energy materials

Objective:

Replace a part of energy-intensive materials with less energy-intensive materials

and/or utilize regionally available materials, which use low-energy/energy-efficient
technologies.

The technologies/materials should help reduce the overall embodied energy of the
structural and non-structural systems as compared to a conventional RCC structure.

This particular criterion does not take into consideration the use of fly ash to reduce
quantities of high-energy materials in structural and non-structural applications in the
building.

Compliance 16.1.1 :

Use of low-energy technologies/materials (not based on the utilization of fly ash),

such as roofing/flooring, columns, and load-bearing walls, for structural
applications. Such technologies cause a minimum 5% reduction in the overall
embodied energy, when compared to equivalent products for the same application,
for a 100% structural system used in a building, thus meeting the equivalent
strength requirements.

Appraisal 16.3.1 :

Use of low-energy materials/efficient technologies in structural application clearly

demonstrating a minimum five per cent reduction in the embodied energy, when
compared with equivalent products for the same application, for 100% structural
system used in a building, meeting the equivalent strength requirements, as per all
compliance clauses (2 points).

Various examples of such technologies are:

Pre-stressed slabs;
Pre-cast reinforced brick/tile panels;
Composite columns;
Stone masonry;
Rat-trap masonry;

Hollow floor/roof slabs;

Micro-concrete roofing;
Reinforced grouted brick
masonry;
Pre-cast concrete blocks;
Light-weight concrete blocks etc.

Pre-stressed and pre-cast Floor U-beam and Foundation piles

Source: http://www.prestressinternational.com/productsservices.htm

POST TENSIONED SLABS being cast in situ

Source: GRIHA Registered Project

http://www.ballutblocks.com/uploads/100_0030_JPG.jpg

Source: http://en.promel.biz/files/images/product/elematic/Slipformer-laatat.jpg

http://tropicalconcrete.com/images/hollow-corefloorsystem.jpg

Compliance 16.1.2 :

Use of low-energy technologies/materials (not based on the utilization of fly ash) for
non-structural applications. Such technologies cause a minimum 5% reduction in
the overall embodied energy, when compared to equivalent products for the same
application, for 100% infill wall system used in a building, meeting the equivalent
strength requirements.

Appraisal 16.3.2 :

Use of low-energy materials/efficient technologies (not based on the utilization of

industrial waste), which are used for non-structural applications such as infill wall
system and cause a minimum five per cent reduction in the embodied energy, when
compared with equivalent products for the same application, for 100% infill wall
system used in a building, meeting the equivalent strength requirements, as per all
the compliance clauses (2 points).

Some examples of such technologies are:

Mud walling systems;

Compressed earth blocks;
Light weight concrete blocks;
Traditional stone masonry;
Composite Ferro-cement walling etc.

Adobe walling systems;

Pre-cast non-load bearing
concrete blocks;
Rat trap masonry;
Hollow/perforated bricks;

Source: http://www.easy2source.com/products/building-andconstruction/construction-products-and-equipment/hollow-bricks/

Source:
http://www.hindu.com/pp/2006/05/27/images/200605270
1250301.jpg

http://i.treehugger.com/images/2007-2-15/tedo-aa-02.jpg

http://media.photobucket.com/image/adobe%20blocks/Kecera/AdobeBlocks71

Source:
http://www.cpwrconstructionsolutions.org/gallery/image/lightweight%20block%
203.jpg

Source: http://www.geckostone.com/lwc.html

http://www.understanding-cement.com/images/aircreteblock.jpg

http://www.cpwrconstructionsolutions.org/gallery/AAC.jpg

Source:Source:JAISIMFOUNTAINHEAD

In order to verify compliance with the criterion, appropriate documentation should be

provided:

16.2.1 - Cut sheets, specifications sheets and B.O.Q demonstrating the percentage
reduction of high-energy materials by using low-energy technologies.

16.2.2 - Relevant floor plans with dimensions and relevant specifications.

16.2.3 - A narrative describing the manner in which the adopted technology has reduced
the consumption of high-energy materials. On-site photographs and construction project
management plan should accompany the narrative.

http://www.ese.iitb.ac.in/events/other/renet_files/21-9/Session%203/Energy%20in%20buildings(B.V.V.Reddy).pdf

Criterion 17 Use low-energy material in interiors

To use low-energy/recycled materials/finishes/products in the interiors, which minimize

the use of wood as a natural resource. To use low-energy materials and products, such
as composite wood products/renewable materials/reused wood/low embodied energy
products/products which utilize industrial waste/recycled products.
The various interior finishes used in the sub-system of the building or the interior, which
serve the aim of the credit, have been divided into the following three major categories.
If any interior finish, acclaimed for credit, falls beyond this classification, the applicant
has to clearly confirm the criteria that meet the requirements of the credit.

Sub-assembly/internal partitions/interior wood finishes/panelling/false ceiling/in-built

furniture/ cabinetry

Flooring

Doors/windows and frames

In place of wood, composite wood products like blockboards, lumber-core plywood,

veneered panels, particle-boards, medium/low density fibreboards etc. should be used
which are made from recycled wood scrap and waste wood from various industries.

Products from rapidly renewable small trees like rubber, bamboo, eucalyptus etc.
should be used.

Products which use various industrial waste such as wood waste, agricultural waste
and use natural fibres like coir in inorganic matrices like gypsum, cement and other
binders.

Salvaged timber and reuse of wood products like reusing older furniture is permitted.

Products with low-embodied energy which use recycled materials like glass, crushed
stone, terrazzo etc. or which are resource-efficient finishes like finished concrete
flooring, ceiling tiles, ceramic tiles etc.

Commitment 17.1 :

A minimum of 70% of the total quantity of all interior finishes and products used in each of
the categories mentioned above should be low-energy finishes/materials/products, which
minimize wood as a natural resource or utilize industrial waste by using products in any
category.

Appraisal 17.3 : Appraisal (maximum 4 points)

Minimum 70% of the total quantity (gross area) of all interior finishes and products used
for each of the category, as applicable to the applicant, to be low- energy finishes, for
each of the following category.

17.3.1 Sub-assembly/internal partitions/panelling/false ceiling/in-built furniture (2 points).

17.3.2 Flooring (1 point).
17.3.3 Doors/windows, frames (1 point).

In order to verify compliance with the criterion, appropriate documentation should be

provided:

17.2.1- Cut-sheets, brochures, specification sheets or certificate from the manufacturers

regarding each product.
17.2.2- Interior plans highlighting the areas where the mentioned finishes/products have
been used.
17.2.3- B.O.Q. for each category clearly showing that at least 70% of the total quantity of
interior finishes/products comply with the criterion.
17.2.4- A narrative along with photographs describing the steps taken for compliance.
17.2.5- A certificate from the architect/interior designer for use of low-energy
material/product in each category meeting the required parameters in the criterion.

http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base_images/bah/bamboo_plywood.jpg

Thank You

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without the permission of GRIHA Secretariat