The Hindu Business Line : Building a case for gypsum wall panels

Public sector company FACT is introducing fibre glass-reinforced gypsum load bearing wall panels made from phosphogypsum, which is considered a novel concept in the building industry. FACT is popularising technology developed by Rapid Building System, Australia, which is expected to revolutionise the construction industry.

The technology, popularly known as Rapidwall, offers several benefits. Senior officials in FACT say Rapidwall is an eco-friendly alternative building material available at a competitive cost.

It is ideal for construction of individual domestic cottages and multi-storeyed buildings and can be used as formwork for suspended concrete floor structures. Panels of 12 m by 3 m and 120 mm thickness can be manufactured and can be cut to size requirements.

The use of phosphogypsum wall panels is an answer to the perennial shortage of river sand, one of the most widespread instances of environmental damage. Large-scale sand mining from riverbeds leads to disastrous consequences, apart from making sand a scarce commodity.

Design and construction of disaster-resistant houses and buildings is unaffordable for the common man. According to officials, buildings using the gypsum panels are earthquake-resistant, cost of construction can be reduced 25 per cent and savings on time will be about 50 per cent.

MoU signed

A memorandum of understanding was signed by FACT, Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers and the Australian company for the supply of technology, licence and critical equipment for manufacturing fibreglass gypsum load bearing walls on a commercial basis. The new plant for producing gypsum-based building materials is being put up at Ambalamedu and is expected to start production by May 2009.

The plant will produce 14 lakh sq. m of load bearing panels a year and other products such as wall plaster and wall putty . The plant will be jointly installed by FACT and RCF with a total investment of Rs 80 crore.

The huge quantity of gypsum accumulated at FACT’s Ambalamedu unit will be used for producing the building materials. The Australian company has expressed appreciation over the quality of FACT’s gypsum, the officials said.

Demonstration plot

FACT has also set up a demonstration plot to instruct the public on the advantages of gypsum-based wall panels. The foundation for a building using gypsum panel can be a conventional one and suited to the soil on which the building is being erected.

Greater speed of onsite construction is one of the main benefits of Rapidwall construction, according to the officials. A 1,400-sq.ft house can be constructed within 14 days on a prepared basement. Rapidwall finish is smoother and faster than equivalent concrete walls.

Strong, crack-free, clean and sharp structural grade wall panels require less joining and less finishing, they said.

Fire-resistant properties make Rapidwall an ideal building material in bush fire-prone areas and in apartments where fire rated parting walls are required.

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