Mass Housing: RMD
RMD Technology For Mass Housing
(Rapid -Monolithic -Disaster Proof Technology)
A Game changer with case study
G Sreenivasa
General Manager – Business Development
UltraTech Cement Limited
Housing scenario in India
Besides, food and clothing, shelter is a basic human need.
India has been successful in meeting the food and clothing
requirements of its vast population; however the problem of
providing shelter of all is defying solutions. “While there has
been an impressive growth in the total housing stock from
65 million in 1947 to 187.05 million in 2001, and As estimated
that, 26 million homes are required by 2012, to meet the large
gap still exists between the demand and supply of housing
units. The shortage of housing is acutely felt in urban areas
–more so in the 35 Indian cities, which according to the 2001
census have a population of more than a million”. ….. (Carol.,
2005).
Trends in Housing Industry
With improve in economy, growth in IT/BT, Retail Business
which attract major young unskilled, unemployed youths,
shows least interest in construction jobs where one has to
sweat very hard to earn his wages. With this, huge shortage of
skilled/unskilled labour, construction of quality houses become
difficult, lead to abnormal delays in completion of projects with
cost overrun. The conventional method of construction in
house building, labour availability & labour cost is going to
be very critical & challenging for Housing industry in coming
days, considering the Welfare Schemes announced by State/
Central Govts towards improving the quality life of poor people
in India.
Hence, for undertaking mass housing works, it is necessary
to have less labour dependency, innovative technologies with
mechanization, which are capable of fast rate construction and
are able to deliver good quality and durable structure in cost
effective manner
The rapid- monolithic- disaster proof (RMD) construction
practice is one of the option, to meet above all challenges, and
thus, reduce the labour dependency, improves quality in con-
struction, early delivery of project with budgeted cost.
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What is RMD Technology?
The construction in which, all the elements are cast together
with reinforced cement concrete (r c c) by using aluminium
form/similar form work, which supports wall, beam, column,
roof slab and other elements together for concreting at single
go. This ensures absolutely no joints (monolithic) between
the elements with great surface finish, hence highly durable
& earthquake resistant. This is nothing but strong concrete
house.
The construction process which involves minimum number
of activities, such activities can be simultaneously carried
out with less time, exhibits highest quality and brings most
durable, disaster proof, cost effective buildings.
Earlier, The monolithic construction practice limited only
to the dome structures, huge shell roof structures, special
architectural buildings, large footings for foundation etc,,
where, the structures has to have no joints, the performance
and durability was utmost important. Similar practices were
never used in housing construction rather never specified for
monolithic construction in housing by designers may be due
to less advancement in form-work technology and concrete
technology.
RMD Technology –As a Game Changer!
The R M D construction works on following principles:
- Rapid and best quality construction
- Offer un-surpassed customer satisfaction
- Competitive price
- Affords large degree of controls
- Change in Trust level between the Govt Agency &
Beneficiary or Owner & Contractor community by way of
quality, timely completion and at same cost
- With motto in mind, “Cost is long forgotten, but Quality is
remembered forever” and “House for all”.
 Mass Housing: RMD

Importance of RMD Technology in Mass Housing
- Design & Reinforcement
- Selection of Shuttering
- Selection of Concrete mixes
- Skills to handle
- Cycle time or No. of repetitions
Focus Areas
Speed – By adopting RMD Technology the Houses will be
delivered in record time – 1/4the of conventional time, in real
time situation, this will be much faster considering labour
issues. By casting all the building elements at one go,
which is monolithic in nature results in elimination of stage
construction practice, thus drives RMD Technology in bigger
& faster way in mass housing sectors, presently this sector
strive to deliver the houses for urban poor and middle class
due to lack of technology. The timely delivery of houses for
construction agency, is the challenging one and even more
challenging in future due to scarcity of labour/ skills in coming
days. Hence, RMD Technology will be the only solution for
successful implementation of mass housing projects.
Cost – The cost will be same as that of conventional or little
less, if the cycle time maintained as scheduled or planned.
The cost can be reduced by increasing the efficiency of
manpower by training, upgrading the skills, adopting or using
latest technologies available nearby etc..
dirty working environment, hard work, poor recognition, less
legitimate wages, over working hours etc.. de-motivates
younger generation to join the construction industry, which
will compound the labour problems in future.
Hence, with the above cited reasons, surely the RMD
Technology - A Game Changer in the field of Mass Housing
Constructions
A Case Study
- Project: Cluster of EWS Houses – 350 Nos
- Client: Karnataka Housing Board Govt of Karnataka.
- Project Implementing Agency: Rajiv Gandhi Housing
Corporation/Karnataka Habitat Centre
- Technology Support: UltraTech Cement Limited, Unit -
UltraTech Concrete
Specifications
- E W S House – for Urban Poor
- Area of Plinth - 285 sft. – Single storey, 1 Hall, 1 Kitchen, 1
Bed room & 1 Bath cum toilet
- Cost of a House - Rs 2 lacs
- Technology – RMD Technology adopted
- Grade of Concrete – M20 Dynamic grade for wall & M20
for Roof & Foundation
- Shuttering – Aluminium shuttering (Mivan or equivalent)

Quality – The houses built with RMD Technology, no where Description of Conventional RMDC (in Re-
Sl No
Works (in days) days) marks
comparable with any quality parameters that of conventional
one, the RMD Technology has its in built controls, by way Excavation for
1 ¼ day ¼ day
of design details, shuttering, reinforcement & concrete (the foundation
materials used), and all the building components casting 2 Foundation 4 3 days
together to become monolithic (no joints), hence earth 3 Plinth 2 Nil
quake resistant, disaster- proof (Tornado’s), highly energy 4 Superstructure 3 3 days
efficient and maintenance free or little maintenance during its
4 +3 =7(Cur-
life period. The houses built with RMD Technology, certainly 5 Lintel & Chajja Nil
ing)
last for longer period than the conventional and asset to the
generations. The RMD Technology will change the perception 4+7
6 Roof concreting Nil
=11(Curing)
of house owners who always feel/ rather true to some extent
that the poor quality prevailed in most of the mass housing 5 +7 =
7 Plastering Nil
projects. 12(Curing)
Electrical &
Labour – The number of items in RMD Technology reduced 8 2 2 days
Plumbing
to minimum, hence less labour force required and this can
be reduced further by adopting more mechanisation, use 9 Flooring 2 2 days
of readymade steel in mass housing project etc.. The acute
shortage of labours, poor skills and cost of labour are the 10 Painting 2 2 days
major issues which contain the speed of the construction
industry. More so, the planning of the large infrastructure 10( labour
11 Miscellaneous 2 days
issues)
projects both by Central & State Govt and Private companies
will create huge shortfall in labour force in coming days. Total 55 days 15 days
Apart, Construction industry has got its own issues (by nature)
related to labour force like zero social security, the unsafe, Speed of Construction of Mass Housing Project at Rajankunte site Bangalore

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 Mass Housing: RMD

Sl No Item (Description of work) Amount(`) Remarks

1 Earth work excavation & refilling 1000 LS
2 Reinforcement for Foundn & Plinth wall 17850 0.35MT @ Rs 51000/MT includes fabrication
3 Concreting for Foundn. & Plinth wall 24000 3 cum @ Rs 4000/cum
4 Reinforcement for Wall & Roof 20400 0.4MT @51000/MT includes fabrication
5 Shuttering for foundn, wall & roof 25000 Consider 200 repetitions & investment
6 Concrete for wall 41850 9 cum @Rs 4650/cum
7 Concrete for roof 12000 3 cum @ Rs 4000/cum
8 Curing compound spray 2000 Wax based
9 Fixing Doors & Windows 8000 2 Nos Flush + 1 No PVC for Bath
10 Electrical fittings 4000 2 Plug points & 4 lighting
11 Sanitary fittings 1200 1 Orissa pan & 1 basin
12 Flooring 8000 C C Flooring – 4’’ thick
13 Whitewashing/Colouring 3000 Snowcem/Whitewash
14 Labour 30000 ` 100/sqmt approx
15 Miscellaneous 2000
Total 2,00,000
Rate/Sqm 702
10% can be reduced 632 By adopting ready made steel & l w concrete
Actual Cost of EWS House with RMD Technology (Concrete House )at Rajanakunte Project - Bangalore

The increase in carpet area in the above case is about 22.35 and more comfortable for the occupants—all qualities that
sft of the total 285 sft. Hence, increase in carpet area will be 7.8% are easily achieved by using concrete.

The above calculation does not includes the additional cost-

benefits such early occupational cost (4-5 months), and saving
in interest cost, resources holding charges (4-5months)etc.. as
in case of conventional construction. The wastage of materials
at site not accounted (3-5%). Also not considered the scrap
value of Aluminium forms after 100 repetition (generally scrap
value is higher compared to steel). Considering above all
cost aspects, by adopting RMD Technology, about 15-20% of
overall cost shall be saved.

RMD Technology as sustainable Aluminium wall shuttering with reinforcement

Mass Housing involves designing and building a home—on

the inside and out—to maximize performance and conserve
resources. A Concrete home consumes less energy, water
and natural resources; creates less waste; and is healthier

Plinth wall with reinforcement Aluminium Shuttering with roof reinforcement

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 Mass Housing: RMD

Day 1

Finish of the wall after De-shuttering

Day 2

Cluster of Houses Completed

Case Study: 2

Execution Model House: Location Bankapura – Shigao

– Dharawd Dist.

- Day 1: Marking of foundation, Earth work excavation by

JCB at 4.00 pm
- Day 2: Sand Piling and Sand Bed filling, Steel fabrication
for Foundation & Plinth Beam, Concreting of Foundation
& Plinth Beam, fabrication of reinforcement of steel for wall
& roof
Day 3
- Day 3: Erection of shuttering with reinforcement for wall &
roof and Concreting for wall & roof
- Day 4: De -shuttering of wall & roof, curing compound
application, filling the holes etc..
- Day 5: Doors & Windows fitting, Sanitary & electrical
fittings, Whitewashing/colouring, flooring, finishing
- Day 6: Ready for Opening at 10.30 am morning by Chief
Minister of Karnataka & His Cabinet colleagues and
opened at 2.30 pm by CM & His Cabinet

Take away
With adaptation of RMD Technology, it has been proven
- Perception Change (Reputation): The perception on that the perception has been totally changed. The RMD
quality in mass housing among the public is very poor. Technology brings pride & appreciation to the designer,

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 Mass Housing: RMD

Day 4 owner, contractor, agencies who associated with the

project by the end users.

- On Speed –At site, 3 day/ 4 day cycle can be easily

achievable and can complete the entire house in a week
time. The Foundation, Wall & Roof components has to be
designed, based on the soil & structural considerations.
All the details of Electrical & Plumbing has to be precise
and shall be placed in position before concreting. The
RMD Technology is widely acceptable, and the fastest
technology available at present, however, the precast
technology is yet to mature enough to replace RMD
Technology in terms of cost, assembly of elements at site,
issues associated with Joints & its sealants etc..

- On Quality- The de-shuttering shall be done for wall & roof

after 24 hours of concreting, by leaving adequate props
to support roof concrete. Hence quality houses are built
at one go. The RMD Technology is the only technology
which can deliver the quality parameters as designed &
targeted without much deviation. The maintenance of
these houses over period will be very less/minimum. In all
other methods, considerable change in design, manual
errors, rectification, repetitions of works etc.. is seen
during the project period and subsequently demands
high maintenance cost.

- On Labour – The requirement of Labour and Skills are very

minimum and hence, the less quality issues, speedier
construction.
- On Technology – The RMD Technology delivers the strong
Day 5 Releasing shuttering & curing
houses which are more durable & sustainable against
tornado’s, earthquakes etc,, compare to any other methods
of construction
- On Cost – The RMD Technology for Mass Housing is
comparable and economical for Mass Housing Projects or
the similar projects are repeated across many locations
/sites

Limitations

- Generally, used in mass housing project with same plan

and the multi-storey structures having same plan area at
Day 6 Finishing & Ready for Inaguration all floors.
- Huge initial investment for formwork procurement- Clients
can invest and issue to contractor
- Large number of repetitions makes this technology cost
–effective.
- About 70-80% of form work elements shall be useful for
new project (new plan)after first project, rest shall be
suitably designed and procured for next projects
- Initial setting of formwork at site (as demo), as per drawing
dimension, may take more time
- The training of labour to handle designed formworks at

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 Mass Housing: RMD
site- however, this would overcome with support of formwork
suppliers
- All the utilities, has to lay & embedded in concrete walls/slabs,
hence relocation, repair of these will be very difficult
- Since, structure is monolithic and wall thickness is less,
these houses are little warmer than the conventional
during summer/ sunny days. However, this problem can
overcome by using Light weight concrete( Foam Concrete)
or thermal insulated paint for external wall or by adopting
simple thermal insulation techniques or growing creepers
& plants around the external walls.
Conclusions
Population explosion has always been a bottleneck to the
development for Indian society especially providing housing
for economically weaker sections(EWS) and low income
groups is both gigantic and a complex problem. India
desperately needs a lot of rapid dwelling units. Mass housing
projects with RMDC technique is one of the solutions to the
overgrowing problem. The speed & quality construction drives
this technology;
1. Cost effective – average 15% cost saving for load bearing
wall over conventional timber/plywood shuttering
2. Increased Carpet area/Usable floor space of (5 - 8%) over
Conventional Design
3. Speedy construction - 1/4th - 1/6th of time required to
complete construction against the conventional
4. Easy to use, since it’s simplified design
5. Monolithic construction-box type strong structures with
minimum/ no joints
6. Structures are better earth quake and wind resistant
7. Highly durable structures – required least maintenance
8. Smooth finish of wall/roof/floor- ready to take the paint
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9. Block/Brick masonry eliminated thus Internal & External
Plaster eliminated
10. Environmental friendly – no wood/timber used
11. Form work -Lightweight section are used –hence easy to
lift and used
12. Only hammer required to erect – joining by simple pins &
wedges and horizontal ties
13. Aluminium shuttering material has higher scrap value
compared to plywood/steel
UTCL as Technology supporter - UltraTech Cement Limited
(Unit- UltraTech Concrete) is associated with RGHCL for
promotion of RMD Technology in Mass Housing and its
successful implementation. Also, extend the technical support by
way of training, testing of concrete & other building materials
at site etc..
RGHCL as Housing Implementing Agency - The first & foremost
Govt Agency to adopt this RMD technology in Mass Housing
project successfully through their Habitat Centre. Rajiv Gandhi
Housing Corporation Limited (RGHCL) is one of the leading
Govt agency, which aggressively pursuing the fast-track, new
technologies which are cost effective and highly qualitative-
one in their projects.
Thanks to
Mr Mahadeva Prasad Managing Director – RGHCL Govt of
Karnataka Bangalore
Mr S V Patil – Executive President - UltraTech Cement Ltd Bangalore
Mr Vasudevmurthy Genaral Manager (Technical) – RGHCL Govt
of Karnataka Bangalore
Special Thanks to - Team UltraTech Concrete Bangalore
Publishers Note: This paper was presented at the Proceedings of the Exhibition-Cum-
Seminar on Emerging Fast Track Technologies for Mass Housing Held in Chennai, TN
The Masterbuilder was the official Media Partner for the above event.