Building Blocks Using Calcium Carbide And Fly Ash: CSIR-SERC Develops Lightweight Panels For Durable, Energy Efficient Housing

Building a house is often a time-consuming and labor-intensive process, especially in rural areas where delays in construction are common due to material setting times and labor shortages. Even small homes can take months to complete, largely because each construction stage requires specific curing periods to ensure structural stability.

The technology used by the scientists at the CSIR's SERC incorporates industrial byproducts like fly ash and calcium carbide residue (CaC₂), repurposing waste materials for sustainable construction. The system, known as EIMB (Eco-Friendly Innovative Modern Building system), uses a new type of wall structure and bonding mechanism that ensures strength and durability.

To further enhance sustainability, the prototype home built at the CSIR-SERC campus includes rooftop solar panels, allowing residents to offset some of the construction costs through energy savings. The structure supports up to four storeys and is especially suited for mass housing projects due to its quick assembly and lower labor dependency.

According to CSIR-SERC Director Dr. Anandavalli, this modern construction technique not only reduces costs but also accelerates project timelines, making it a promising solution for affordable housing schemes.

“This structure can build houses up to 4 storeys. This technology will make it very easy to build more houses quickly,” said Anandavalli.

Technology Behind CSIR-SERC's Prefabricated Concrete Panels For Housing

According to the CSIR-SERC, the precast sandwiched lightweight wall panels are meant for constructing fast, durable and energy efficient housing and for other industrial requirements.

The technology is aimed to satisfy the industrial requirements on construction of wall components and has used the indigenously developed and patented fabricated Steel Eps Concrete Re-Organized Building Technology (SECROBuilT) with a trained unskilled man power. It is also suitable for setting up prefabrication in factories.

The SECROBuilT has been developed with good design, convenient size, sound and heat insulation, 40% lesser weight with high quality and strength with cost reduction for wall, compared to the conventional walls in the market.