Alternative Construction

The first comprehensive guide to combining traditional natural materials and modern construction methods. From adobe to straw bales, traditional building materials are being adapted to meet code-required standards for health and safety in contemporary buildings around the world. Not only are they cost effective and environmentally friendly, but, when used correctly, these natural alternatives match the strength and durability of many mainstream construction materials. This book examines a broad range of traditional and modern natural construction methods, including straw-bale, light-clay, cob, adobe, rammed earth and pise, earthbag, earth-sheltered, bamboo, and hybrid systems. It also covers key ecological design principles, as well as current engineering and building code requirements. Experts on each building system have contributed core chapters that explore the history, development, climatic appropriateness, environmental benefits, performance characteristics, construction techniques, and structural design principles for each method. More than 200 visuals depict both construction processes and completed structures. An extensive resource guide shows where to go for further information, training, and research. In an increasingly resource-conscious era, alternative construction is truly an idea whose time has come. Whether you're an architect, designer, student, or homeowner, this book will help you to combine indigenous building materials with modern construction systems and design standards to create low-impact, high-quality buildings that meet the highest levels of comfort, health, and safety.

Presents 3 alternative technologies for conventional residential construction: foam-core structural sandwich panels, light-gauge metal framing, and welded-wire sandwich panels. The feasibility, quality, and costs associated with each method are evaluated. By evaluating the design and construction of homes with alternative materials, this report will stimulate builders to investigate building materials options more thoroughly. Background chapter discusses the use and costs of lumber in residential construction. Directory section. 75 tables and photos.

Learn how to identify, locate, and effectively use alternative building materials, including cob, adobe, rammed earth, bamboo, cork, wool carpeting, and more. You will also learn about the structure, climate control, siting, foundations, and flooring options you gain when using these materials. Ultimately, you will come to understand that these materials are cheaper, easier to build with, stronger, more durable, and more fire resistant.

Sustainable Construction Technologies: Life-Cycle Assessment provides practitioners with a tool to help them select technologies that are financially advantageous even though they have a higher initial cost. Chapters provide an overview of LCA and how it can be used in conjunction with other indicators to manage construction. Topics covered include indoor environment quality, energy efficiency, transport, water reuse, materials, land use and ecology, and more. The book presents a valuable tool for construction professionals and researchers that want to apply sustainable construction techniques to their projects. Practitioners will find the international case studies and discussions of worldwide regulation and standards particularly useful. Provides a framework for analyzing sustainable construction technologies and economic viability Introduces key credit criteria for different sustainable construction technologies Covers the most relevant construction areas Includes technologies that can be employed during the process of construction, or to the product of the construction process, i.e. buildings Analyzes international rating systems and provides supporting case studies

With the landfill tax and the introduction of a tax on the use of primary aggregates, increasing financial pressure is now being exerted on highway engineers to provide the most economic alternatives to naturally-occurring roadmaking materials. Alternative materials in road construction: Second edition, provides practical guidance in the selection of substitute materials, including the economic and technical considerations of their use and advice on the benefits and pitfalls of each material. This fully revised second edition includes: Extensively re-written and updated sections on classification and sources Specifications of road making materials and environmental and economic considerations Enlarged sections on construction and demolition wastes to take account of the increasing concern at the depletion of natural resources and the much greater emphasis on recycling A new chapter on Government and EC Policy with respect to environmental damage and recycling Alternative materials in road construction: Second edition is divided into three parts. Part 1 discusses the demand and requirements of road making materials and the specifications that they have to meet if they are to give sa