Feasibility of Glass Fiber Reinforced Gypsum panels

[ksmanju]

Dear ALL,

I have read about Glass fiber Reinforced Gypsum panles being cost effective used for mass house construction projects.I do not know whether it is feasible for residential house on a 30'x40 ' plot in Bangalore.
It may require wider roads and sufficient open spaces for the movement of cranes, positioning of GFRG Panels.
Has any body explored this technology for own residential house construction in Bangalore.If yes, they can share their experiences.Also contact details of expert contractor who has done these houses in Bangalore thro e mail.

Thanks

k s manjunatha
M 9986442930
mnathks@gmail.com

[Visualizer]

Hello I explored this option technology wise it is a sound choice however finding someone who can execute is the challange. On youtube you will find various videos by one single person Rahul Mishra This guy had put his mobile number in every damn video. When I called him he was highly irritated and shouted at me understanding that he may have problem with people calling from all over I calmly explained that I am serious about construction and then he talked . He called me back few times kept on sending pictures of his projects and asked me to get the plan and design prepared and then contact him. After a month when I called him back same kind of downright rude and degrading response and said he can't take up the work. I advised him to take off his videos and number if he doesn't want to be bothered however even after this closure he didn't stop spamming with pictures of his projects for couple of months. He got several big contracts ranging from metro station to stadium and hostels so taking up individual house was not his priority however behavior was not correct specifically qhen he was putting his phone number on numerous GFRG related videos asking people to contact him.

I found two more contractors one Naveen Rammurthy from Bangalore he was quoting the rates in per sq feet with certain fixed quality of fittings and as I have plans for different kinds of finish and fixtures this was not going to work out.

The second contractor named Sagar was a mistri turned GFRG contractor who received training at IIT M.

When I showed the design he was skeptical and never turned up to execute it as there were lots of open walls and big spans.

However he has constructed 2/3 houses in bangalore on I visited in Banshankari and other of a person in Whitefield.

If you have traditional design of couple of doors and windows in rooms and normal roof spans perhaps Sagar can execute that.

If you need contacts of these two guys PM me.

[ardesarchitects]

Hi, Manjunath
GFRG panel construction is not suggestable in individual homes for various reasons. Any precast construction will be cheaper only in the case of mass production. If you choose any of their existing layout plans then it will be cheaper. Customization is not a cheaper option in GFRG.
For any precast system you need to make a template first and each template is used for a minimum number of panels to be produced otherwise template cost will be very expensive. If price is the only factor you are looking at GFRG panel construction then I suggest first look at the overall costing vs compromises .
These technologies are used in mass constructions like free govt housing, company quarters, defence quarters at remote locations etc.

Regards,
Ar.Praveen.N
Ardes Architects and Interior designers
ardesarchitects@gmail.com
www.ardesarchitects.com
https://www.instagram.com/ardesarchitects

[Visualizer]

Praveen GFRG panels are available in 10x12 feet size standard panels and shipped from Kochi in trailers and are not pre-cut from factory so small or big the cost difference is not in panels.
One can right to FACT and get pricing of panels.

The openings for door windows ventilators , plumbing pipes are cut at the site using electrical cutters (same as used to cut concrete ).
One of my friend constructed 2nd floor using GFRG so I know this.

The panels are placed on foundation with pre-tensed beams.

For roof every third cavity of GFRG panel is opened and a microbeam is placed. So roof is basically a fillar slab RCC which is lightweight.
Similarly concrete is filled in every third cavity of wall to give strength and rest can be either empty or stone dust with 5% cement can be filled to give mass on gound floor.

So cost savings are in
1. Quantity of steel and concrete
2. No plastering requirements
3. Labour reduction as no block masonry and less concrete work.

Cost increase is for
1. use of skilled labour to cut panels
2 use of crane to erect panels.
3. Transport of panels from Kochi to Bangalore.

So as long as design is done with load bearing walls this is feasible and cheap as well. Standard 30x40 site 2 floor construction takes 3-4 months

However the problem happened as my design choices were fancy with long spans and very less walls still I believe GFRG design was possible.

Also if you want designs such as granite cladding or facing brick walls GFRG carries no meaning.

Technically there is lots of cost savings in GFRG design however the three contractors with whom I talked were not passing this cost savings beyond 5% to me and GFRG was actully increasing their margin with lot of headach for me to explain them drawings and how to do part.

One construction firm from Chennai gave me same pricing as ehat I was getting from other traditional RCC frame structure despite less material used.

So the real problem is finding right set of people.

Mr. Rahul Mishra was right kind of guy but as explained he was probably only one and working on big projects and was quite rude.

My only motivation for doing so much research for GFRG was less environmental impact and carbon footprint

In current construction I tried to compensate it by use of ggbs slag for plastering sand instead of river sand, RMC and PPC cement and maximizing RWH.

[ardesarchitects]

Praveen GFRG panels are available in 10x12 feet size standard panels and shipped from Kochi in trailers and are not pre-cut from factory so small or big the cost difference is not in panels.
One can right to FACT and get pricing of panels.

The openings for door windows ventilators , plumbing pipes are cut at the site using electrical cutters (same as used to cut concrete ).
One of my friend constructed 2nd floor using GFRG so I know this.

The panels are placed on foundation with pre-tensed beams.

For roof every third cavity of GFRG panel is opened and a microbeam is placed. So roof is basically a fillar slab RCC which is lightweight.
Similarly concrete is filled in every third cavity of wall to give strength and rest can be either empty or stone dust with 5% cement can be filled to give mass on gound floor.

So cost savings are in
1. Quantity of steel and concrete
2. No plastering requirements
3. Labour reduction as no block masonry and less concrete work.

Cost increase is for
1. use of skilled labour to cut panels
2 use of crane to erect panels.
3. Transport of panels from Kochi to Bangalore.

So as long as design is done with load bearing walls this is feasible and cheap as well. Standard 30x40 site 2 floor construction takes 3-4 months

However the problem happened as my design choices were fancy with long spans and very less walls still I believe GFRG design was possible.

Also if you want designs such as granite cladding or facing brick walls GFRG carries no meaning.

Technically there is lots of cost savings in GFRG design however the three contractors with whom I talked were not passing this cost savings beyond 5% to me and GFRG was actully increasing their margin with lot of headach for me to explain them drawings and how to do part.

One construction firm from Chennai gave me same pricing as ehat I was getting from other traditional RCC frame structure despite less material used.

So the real problem is finding right set of people.

Mr. Rahul Mishra was right kind of guy but as explained he was probably only one and working on big projects and was quite rude.

My only motivation for doing so much research for GFRG was less environmental impact and carbon footprint

In current construction I tried to compensate it by use of ggbs slag for plastering sand instead of river sand, RMC and PPC cement and maximizing RWH.

Hi,Visualizer
True, GFRG are available in panel format and can be cut at site that need skilled labour and hitech tools as the cuts are made in vertical position. Whereas CNC \ table saw cutting will be precise and proper joints. The whole concept of panel constructions is to reduce onsite work there by cost of construction should be less but as you said most contractors won't pass on the benefit and with multiple compromises
As architects we look at overall benefits that can be completely transferred to the owner. I realised this is possible in GFRG only if the volume & repetition of design is sufficient enough. 

Cons - 
1. Mid & larger spans not possible.
2. Typical floor planning. 
3. Open size limitation.
4. Panel joints need to be filled in to the perfect plumb line. 
5. Concealed service lines need extra efforts to avoid cracks in future.  
6. Minimum volume of work is needed to take cost benefits.

With technology growing day by day, it's always good to check for any upgrades and easy way of executing.

Regards,
Ar.Praveen.N
Ardes Architects and Interior designers
ardesarchitects@gmail.com
www.ardesarchitects.com
https://www.instagram.com/ardesarchitects

[ksmanju]

Dear ALL,
Any gfrg expert contractor who has built residential solo house in Bangalore- I intend to go for house construction -2 floors in AECS Layout in Kudlu village,housr road.Please share contact detials either thro SMS or e mail to mnathks@gmail.com

Thanks

k s manjunatha
m 9986442930
h s r l/o

[Visualizer]

You may contact Sagar +917411110087
I have no affiliation with him but went to see a house constructed by him using GFRG in Sanjay Nagar. Talked to the owner he was satisfied. You have to get all drawings/plan prepared and he can construct.
All other points you can read in earlier posts in this thread