Achieving Building Sustainability through Indigenous Building Materials

Abstract

Due to increase in environmental issues, construction industry is continuously in search of materials that do not pose hazard to the environment. The aim of this study is to choose the best locally available material to produce lightweight concrete which has required strength, lower cost, density, electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity than the normal concrete. Low density means less dead load, hence reduced size of foundations and pillars which reduces cost and concrete production. Low thermal conductivity leads to energy efficient housing. For this purpose, three samples will be taken. First sample will be made using bloated Shale from NUST, Islamabad as replacement for aggregate in concrete, second using bloated Shale from Karachi and third using bloated Slate from Peshawar as replacement of aggregate. Concrete samples will be tested for strength, electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity. Moreover, their cost and density will be calculated and a comparison will be done to choose the best material.