Alternative Building Construction System Flashcards
Main difference between conventional and alternative building materials
Conventional building materials use non-recycled products, while alternative uses recycled products
A type of construction system that is the traditional method of constructing new homes. It is built on-site starting from the foundations to finishing with the roof.
On-site Construction
A type of construction system which most of the work is completely off site in a factory environment.
Modular Construction System
An approach to modular construction wherein large components of the houses are prefabricated to varying stages of completeness in a factory, and stacked for transport on a truck. Components are assembled on-site.
Flat pack or Component Modular Construction
An approach to modular construction wherein the whole and complete components are taken to site by truck, and joined up to make the whole building. This is the most common system and demands the least amount of time on site.
Big box or Volumetric Modular Construction
Two types of mass content
High-mass content
Low-mass content
This mass content construction is good for temperate and cold climates since it absorbs solar heat during the day and releases it at night or on cloudy days.
High-mass construction
This mass content construction encourages passive cooling therefore it is good for hot and humid climate.
Low-mass construction
A well-designed combination of low and high-mass contructions.
Mixed mass system
The base of your home.
Footings
5 footing systems
Lightweight framed systems
Concrete slab integrated footings
Waffle pod slabs
Detached strip footings
Engineered steel pile systems
A footing system which has the lowest site impact and embodied energy.
Lightweight framed system
A footing system which requires substantial excavation on all but level sites, increasing impact. They can reduce construction costs where the slope is low and can be an effective part of passive design where the climate allows for earth coupling.
Concrete slab integrated footings
A footing system which can be a cost-effective solution on flat sites and don’t require major excavation. They create a ‘void’ which uses less concrete and reduce the cost of labor. They also reduce wastage and have lower embodied energy than a typical concrete slab.
Waffle pod slabs
This footing system, combined with loadbearing brickwork to floor level, can reduce excavation.
Detached strip footings
