BUILDING TECHNOLOGY 5

ALTERNATIVE BUILDING
CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM
BTAB115

ARCH. JAY LAWRENCE P. MARTINEZ, UAP, PIA

 BUILDING TECHNOLOGY 5
Course Name:
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS
Construction methods and techniques
Course Description for different types of buildings
using any appropriate alternative building construction system.
Number of Units for Lecture – 2 units
Lecture and Studio Studio – 1 unit

Number of Contact Lecture – 2 hrs

Hours per week Studio – 3 hrs

Prerequisite/
Building Technology -3
Co-requisite

At the end of the course, the student should be able:

1. to gain knowledge on the fundamental principles governing the design,
purpose and application of the different types of non- conventional
systems of construction.
2. to acquire ability to provide working details of the various types of
Course Objectives alternative building construction systems and systems components.
3. to understand better the advantages of using such system.
4. to acquire working knowledge of the latest system of
construction available in the building industry.
 Alternative Building Construction Systems
1. Cast-in- place and Pre-cast
1. Floor System and Roof Slab System
1. Flat Slab
2. Flat Plate
3. Ribbed Floor Slab
4. Waffle Slab
5. Lift Slab
6. Spanstress Floor System
7. Slipform Method
2. Wall Panel Systems
1. Flat type
Course Outline 2. Ribbed type
3. Window type and wall type
4. Tilt-up Wall Panel System
2. Prestressed Concrete
1. Pre-tensioning
2. Post-tensioning
3. Composite Construction Method
4. Cable/ Tensile Structures
5. Membrane Structures
6. Shell Structures
7. Pre-Engineered Buildings
8. Geodesic Structure
Studio Equipment Sample working drawing and detailed drawing documents
 INTRODUCTION
The Construction Industry is repeatedly criticized
for being inefficient and slow to innovate. The basic
methods of construction techniques, and
technologies have changed a little since Roman
times. But the application of innovation in the
construction industry is not straight forward.
Every construction project is different, every site is
a singular prototype, construction works are located
in different places, and involve the constant
movement of personnel and machinery. In addition,
the weather and other factors can prevent the
application of previous experience effectively.
 The term “ALTERNATIVE BUILDING
CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM” covers a wide range of
modern techniques and practices that encompass the latest
developments in materials technology, design procedures,
quantity surveying, facilities management services,
structural analysis, and design and management studies.
 Incorporating alternative construction methods into practice
can increase levels of quality, efficiency, safety,
sustainability, and value for money. However, there is often a
conflict between traditional construction methods and
innovative new practices, and this is often blamed for the
relatively slow rate of technology transfer within the
construction industry.
 The adoption of an alternative construction method requires
an appropriate design, commitment from the whole project
team, suitable procurement strategies, good quality control,
appropriate training, and care commissioning.
 TRADITIONAL
VS.
MODERN
CONVENTIONAL
 1 2

Adobe Rammed Earth

Construction Construction

3 4

Cob Strawbale & Clay

Construction Construction

5 6 7

Log Timberframe Earth Ship

Construction Construction Construction
TRADITIONAL CONSTRUCTION
1 2 3 4

Composite
Cast in Place/PRECAST Prestressed concrete 4 Construction
Cable / Tensile
Construction Construction Structures

5 6 7 8

Membrane Shell Pre-engineered Geodesic

Structures Structures Buildings Structures

MODERN CONVENTIONAL CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES

ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMS
CAST-IN-PLACE
CAST IN SITU CONSTRUCTION
 A.k.a poured-in-place,
 a concreting technique which is
undertaken in situ or in the concrete
component’s finished position.
 preferred choice for
concrete slabs and foundations,
beams, columns, walls, roofs, and so
on.
 flexibility both from batching to mixing
to placing, curing and drying.
 ability to effect necessary changes
based on present situations on site.
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMS
CAST-IN-
PLACE
 A floor slab (also called
plate slab or filigree slab) is a
reinforced concrete slab with
a minimum thickness of 5–6
 cm

 made into a solid and

monolithic
Standard concrete floor slab
 thickness in residential construction
is 4 inches.
5 to 6 inches is recommended if
the concrete will receive occasional
heavy loads.
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMS
CAST-IN-
PLACE
 TYPES OF SLABS
 There are various types of slabs are
used in construction, the slab is
constructed to offer a flat surface,
 it is usually horizontal within the floor,
roof, bridge, and various structures.
 The slabs are made of reinforced
concrete that receives the load
through the beams to the columns
then footings to the soil below used in
both load-bearing structures and
framed structures.
 In a load-bearing structure, the load is
transferred from the slab to the load-
bearing walls, the thickness of the
slab varies from 100 mm to 500 mm.
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMS
CAST-IN-PLACE
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONCRETE
SLABS IN CONSTRUCTION
FLAT SLAB
 reinforced concrete slab supported
directly by a concrete column or caps.
 known as beam-less slabs
 gives an attractive appearance in
terms of architecture
 less sensitive to fire
 easy to construct and require
less formwork
 minimum thickness of 0.2m.
 spans of 6 to 9m
 live loads of 4-7KN/m2.
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMS
CAST-IN-PLACE
DIFFERENT TYPES OF
CONCRETE SLABS IN
CONSTRUCTION
TYPES OF FLAT SL AB S
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMS
CAST-IN-PLACE
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONCRETE
SLABS IN CONSTRUCTION
FLAT PLATES
 erected as one-way or two-way slabs
 support is provided directly through
columns or walls.
 easy and simple formworks are
required
 length of 6 to 8m, and live loads
among 3 and 5KN/m2
 pre-stressed flat plates remains
among 8-12m
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMS
CAST-IN-PLACE
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONCRETE
SLABS IN CONSTRUCTION
FLAT PLATES
 can also be erected as post-tensioned
slabs
 low-cost formwork, uncovered flat
ceilings, and rapid construction
 low shear strength and considerably
low stiffness, which may lead to
significant deflection.
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMS
CAST-IN-PLACE
DIFFERENT TYPES OF
CONCRETE SLABS IN
CONSTRUCTION
CONVENTIONAL SLAB
 The slab that supported on beams
and columns
 thickness is small, depth of the
beam is large, load is transferred
onto the beam and then the column
 requires extra formwork
 no column cap, thickness is 10 cm
 5 to 6 inches is recommended if it
will receive heavy loads
occasionally
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMS
CAST-IN-PLACE
DIFFERENT TYPES OF
CONCRETE SLABS IN
CONSTRUCTION
TYPES OF
CONVENTIONAL SLABS
One Way Slab
 supported by a beam on two
opposite sides to move the load in
one direction
 ratio of longer span (l) to short
duration (b) is equal or greater than
2
 horizontal are called main
reinforcement bars, vertical are
called distribution bars.
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMS
CAST-IN-PLACE
DIFFERENT TYPES OF
CONCRETE SLABS IN
CONSTRUCTION
TYPES OF
CONVENTIONAL SLABS
ONE WAY SLAB
 Although a minimum reinforcement
referred to as distribution steel,
primary reinforcement resistance is
provided to uniformly distribute the
load over long intervals above
temperature and shrinkage
stresses.
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMS
CAST-IN-PLACE
DIFFERENT TYPES OF
CONCRETE SLABS IN
CONSTRUCTION
TYPES OF
CONVENTIONAL SLABS
ONE WAY SLAB
 principle reinforcement is within the
short run
 distribution reinforcement is
supplied in the long run
 principle bars are cranked to
withstand the formation of pressure
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMS
CAST-IN-PLACE
DIFFERENT TYPES OF
CONCRETE SLABS IN
CONSTRUCTION
TYPES OF
CONVENTIONAL SLABS
ONE WAY SLAB
Example:
 All cantilever slabs are usually one-
way slabs
 square in shape and 4 meters in
size
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMS
CAST-IN-PLACE
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONCRETE
SLABS IN CONSTRUCTION
TYPES OF CONVENTIONAL SLABS
TWO-WAY SLAB
 supported by beams from all sides
 load is carried along both directions
 ratio of long duration (l) to short
duration
 (b) is less than 2
distribution reinforcement is provided in

both directions
length and width of the slab is more than

4m
distribution strips are provided at two

ends to resist stress formation
used multilevel building floors.
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMSQUES
CAST-IN-PLACE
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONCRETE
SLABS IN CONSTRUCTION
TYPES OF CONVENTIONAL SLABS
TWO-WAY SLAB
 short direction is the main direction
 main reinforcement is arranged along
the short direction
 longer the direction is the secondary
direction
 secondary reinforcement is arranged
in the longer direction
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMS
CAST-IN-PLACE
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONCRETE
SLABS IN CONSTRUCTION
JOIST SLAB (RIBBED)
 made up of wide band beams running
between columns with narrow ribs
spanning the orthogonal direction
 ribs and the beams are the same
depth
 thin topping slab completes the
system
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMS
CAST-IN-PLACE
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONCRETE
SLABS IN CONSTRUCTION
JOIST SLAB (RIBBED)
 one-way joist floor slab
 consists of a series of small,
reinforced concrete T beams
 connected with girders that in turn
carried by the building column
 T beams are known as joists
 concrete is cast between those
spacing to make those ribs
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMS
CAST-IN-PLACE
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONCRETE
SLABS IN CONSTRUCTION
JOIST SLAB (RIBBED)
 the soffit can reduce the quantity of
concrete and reinforcement and the
weight of the floor
 deeper, stiffer floor permits longer
spans
 formwork complexity can be
minimized by the use of standard
modular, re-usable formwork
 when flying form panels are used, the
ribs should be positioned away from
the column lines
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMS
CAST-IN-PLACE
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONCRETE
SLABS IN CONSTRUCTION
JOIST SLAB (RIBBED)
 very adaptable for accommodating a
range of service openings.
 economic in the range 8 to 12 m.
 saving of materials tends to be offset
by some complication in formwork
 ribs should be at least 125 mm wide
to suit reinforcement detailing
 spacing between the ribs is 20-30
inch
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMS
CAST-IN-PLACE
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONCRETE
SLABS IN CONSTRUCTION
WAFFLE SLABS
 made of reinforced concrete with
holes underneath
 preferred for large spans greater than
12 meters
 used to avoid
many columns interfering with space
 flat on top while it appeared like a
grid-like surface on the bottom
 grid is created by the removal
of molds after the concrete sets
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMS
CAST-IN-PLACE
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONCRETE
SLABS IN CONSTRUCTION
WAFFLE SLABS
 more solid when used on longer
spans and with heavier loads
 recommended for buildings that
require minimal vibration
 buildings that require big open spaces
 composed by intricate formwork, and
may be more expensive than other
types of slabs
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
SYSTEMS
CAST-IN-PLACE
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONCRETE
SLABS IN CONSTRUCTION
WAFFLE SLABS
 ribs are constructed perpendicular to
each other
 laid in equal depth having a uniform
rib appearance
 provide good aesthetic features
 reinforcement laid in both the
directions
 depth of slab varies from 85 to 100
mm
 width of inside beams range from 110
to 200 mm
LEARNING TASK
1 Illustrate t h e 4 t y p e s of fl a t s l a b b a s e d from t h e g i v e n d i m e n s i o n s :
 Slab: 0.20x1.2x1.2m
 Column: 0 . 3 0 x 0 . 3 0 m
 Drop p a n e l :
 0.20x0.90x0.90m
Column h e a d : 0 . 4 0 x 0 . 6 0 x . 0 6 0 m
 Isometric d r a w i n g (1 c o l u m n de t a i l onl y
for e a c h type) S c a l e : 1 : 2 0 m
 S t a n d a r d Ti t l e B l o c k , L o n g B o n d P a p e r
 Output may be Hand drafted or CAD
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