The project in five facts.
Challenge, approach and results.
The diploma thesis examines the possibility of using expanded clay as fill and thermal insulation layer under reinforced concrete foundation slabs and compares it with the conventional solution using extruded polystyrene (hereinafter XPS).
Problem
The purpose of the thesis is to determine whether expanded clay, whilst meeting mechanical and thermal requirements, can represent a technically, temporally and cost-effective alternative to XPS.
The theoretical part presents the origin, production, properties and areas of application of both materials. The comparison is based on professional literature, manufacturers' technical data sheets and the design and geomechanical documentation of the residential building under consideration.
Solution and Method
In the practical part, three options are analysed: the designed solution with gravel fill, blinding concrete and XPS, a combined solution with stone fill and expanded clay, and a solution with complete replacement of fill and XPS with expanded clay.
Results
The results show that XPS has better thermal insulation performance at the same thickness. The thermal conductivity of FIBRAN XPS 400-L slabs is 0.035 W/(m·K), whilst that of Laterlite Plus 8/20 expanded clay is approximately 0.095 W/(m·K). To achieve the thermal resistance of 12 cm of XPS, approximately 32.3 cm of expanded clay is therefore required.
The time analysis showed that the designed solution with XPS would take approximately nine working days, the combined solution (stone fill and expanded clay) six days, and the complete solution with expanded clay approximately five days.
According to a simplified cost model taking into account a four-member work team, the estimated value of the designed solution with XPS amounts to €25,172.75, the combined solution €21,636.25, and the complete solution with expanded clay €23,754.45. The most cost-effective is the combined solution, which is approximately €3,536.50 or 14.1% of the value of the work package under consideration cheaper than the designed solution.
Expanded clay is a durable mineral material of natural origin that is resistant to moisture and freezing and can be reused in its unbound state. The combined solution can thus contribute to faster, more cost-effective and sustainability-oriented construction.
The saving relates only to the foundation work package under consideration, but in the case of repetitive residential construction it can, to a limited extent, also contribute to improving the affordability of housing.
Module, programme and stories.
Your diploma project for a real company.
A diploma thesis at Academia solves a challenge from a company – often the one where you do your 800 hours of placement. Read about the Gradbeništvo module or book a consultation.