Now everyone can build a house! The tagline aptly describes the research efforts of the Faculty of Engineering in constructing the first Model Low Cost House (MLCH) incorporating green technology as part of the Vice-Chancellor’s vision in promoting community engagement projects.
In the MLCH project, research outputs from the Centre for Innovative Construction Technology (CICT) were implemented to help address issues related to sustainability and reduction in the cost of construction.
Launched by the Minister of Education, Dato’ Seri Idris Jusoh recently, the construction of the Green Low Cost House was successfully completed in 3 months at the Faculty of Engineering.
The success can be attributed to the successful Institute-Industry collaboration between UM and VINCI Construction Grands Projects Sdn. Bhd. The design and construction of the Green Low Cost House was also assisted by CKYIBS (M) Sdn. Bhd. and the Faculty of Built Environment.
The Green Low Cost House design was based on masonry structure system, focusing on the application of load-bearing interlocking brick system. Waste materials such as POC, slag, POC ash and quarry wastes were introduced in the brick system as well as the foundation of the Green Low Cost House. The single-storey Green Low Cost House has a built-up area of 808 square feet, consisting of 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a combined living room/kitchen area with targeted total construction material cost below RM 20,000.
The CICT has been researching on the use of local waste materials for partial and full cement replacements for more than 10 years. For partial cement replacement, materials like palm oil fuel ash (POFA), palm oil clinker (POC) ash, rice husk ash (RHA) and coal bottom ash (CBA) have shown great potential.
In the case of full cement replacement, such materials need to be combined with activators to give binding properties to the concrete. This type of cement-free concrete is commonly termed as ‘geopolymer concrete’. In addition, local waste materials such as POC, oil palm shell (OPS) and slag were found to be good alternatives as coarse and fine aggregates in concrete.
Considering most of these materials are consistently available, utilization of these materials promotes recycling of wastes. As some of these wastes are considered a nuisance to the industry, encouraging the usage of these wastes and also helps in the problems of disposal. Furthermore, Malaysia’s natural aggregates and sand are rapidly depleting and such initiatives can help in mitigating the problem. Finally, high level carbon dioxide emission and consumption of huge amount of energy are prevalent in cement-manufacturing industry so by reducing or eliminating the usage of cement, these problems can be moderated.
The launch of the MLCH project thus holds exciting potential for the housing industry as well as turning the dream of owning a house for those in the low income group a reality.
By Harris Rajahdin
