Low Cost House Materials and Techniques:
This paper aims to point out the various materials and techniques used for low-cost housing. This paper presents the study of a mixture of cow dung, straw dust, sand, and other materials that are used as a supplementary to concrete and mortar in the construction of low-cost, environment-friendly houses.
The study includes live housing examples and highlights the method of construction and various innovative techniques used to make the building eco-friendly and cost-effective. For progressing the sustainable development more utilization of waste materials for constructing green buildings in future is required to achieve effective economic construction.
To provide homes for everyone despite explosive population growth, the development and maximum use of locally available building materials must be considered for most populations, particularly in developing countries. Adequate shelter for cost reduction is achieved through the effective utilization of locally available materials, waste materials, and techniques. The material and techniques should be durable, economical, accepted by users, and not require costly maintenance. The economy is also achieved by postponing finishing and implementing low-cost housing technology in phases.
High efficiency of workers, minimizes waste in design. Studies assessing the conditions of low-cost housing have mostly focused on satisfaction levels and subjective perception of quality particularly with regard to the dwelling units or the larger neighborhood characteristics. Housing is a basic need for all people and is one of the challenges faced by developing countries. India is currently facing a shortage of about 17.6 million houses.
Low-cost housing can be considered affordable for low and moderate-income earners if a household can acquire a housing unit for an amount of up to 30%of its household income. The low-income group in developing countries is generally unable to access the housing market. As the three basic needs of people are food, clothes, and shelter so main objective is to provide one of the basic needs i.e. shelter to low-income earners.
Low-cost housing is a relative concept and has more to do with budgeting and seeks to reduces construction costs through better management, and appropriate use of local materials, skills, and technology without sacrificing strength and life of the structural need where families can have a comfortable living and work in a sustainable environment.
The cow dung ash is obtained from cow excreta which is dried to sunlight and subjected to burning as a result ash is obtained in black color. In many parts of the developing world, caked and dried cow dung is used as fuel. Dung may also be collected and used to produce biogas to generate electricity and heat.
Cow dung is also an optional ingredient in the manufacture of adobe mud brick housing depending on the availability of materials at hand. In many parts of the developing world, caked and dried cow dung is used as fuel. Dung may also be collected and used to produce biogas to generate electricity and heat. In cold places, cow dung is used to line the walls of rustic houses as a cheap thermal insulator.
Cow dung is a nitrogen-rich material, potassium, phosphorous, and calcium. Cow dung has a relatively high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. The chemical composition of the cow dung revealed that there was no difference in the organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), and manganese (Mn). Contents of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) were higher by 10.8, 8.0, 84.1, and 21.7 percent in the dung.
Cow dung is said to have strong antibacterial properties. It works as a good disinfectant by keeping away insects. It is an excellent insulator; as it keeps the house cool in summer and warm in winter. Cow dung’s use as construction material for houses encourages the utilization of natural resources and minimizes waste.