Hybrid Composite Technology – The Dark Horse
Published on : Saturday 03-09-2022
Hybrid construction technology is a mix of conventional, pre-engineered methodology, using a combination of structural steel and reinforced concrete, says Sarath C Parupalli.
Infrastructure development is directly proportional to the economy and is a key indicator of a country’s economic growth. The world powers have heavily invested in infrastructure development to support the system and other varied sectors of the economy. The Indian construction sector in particular has been an offset and faced the wrath of the pandemic. However, this year would be a rewarding one, as the sector looks promising to regain the growth and capture various opportunities with the easing of global markets. The Indian construction sector began the year with DRDO partnering with Maiwir Engineering completing a 7-storey state-of-the-art research facility at Aeronautical Development Establishment campus in Bengaluru, spread across 1,30,000 sq.ft in a record timeline of 45 days using hybrid construction technology. The quest for a greater economy, concerning material costs and reduced construction timelines has resulted in innovative solutions that seek to combine construction materials and methods to an optimum effect. One such adaptation is the use of hybrid construction technology.
Hybrid construction technology is a mix of conventional, pre-engineered methodology, using a combination of structural steel and reinforced concrete to form an efficient and sustainable design model. Highest level of optimisation is achieved in resolving complex engineering problems in well planned phases. First, the structural steel members and partial pre cast members are manufactured off-site at a factory yard. In the second phase, ready to assemble members are transported to the construction site and in the third phase they are installed in a calibrated manner using machinery.
Decoding this innovation
The hybrid construction technology is a highly flexible building system. It is composed of horizontal structures (MAIWIR® beams) and vertical ones (MAIWIR® piers), which can be used either separately or as part of a system depending upon the required standards. It is a global, effective and advanced solution for industrial, commercial, and residential buildings, as well as for large works, infrastructures, facilities, renovation, and conservative restoration. An offsite precast yard is set up for fabrication and assembling of precast elements. Once all the members are installed to form a structural frame a cast in-situ concrete pour is done monolithically to achieve the structural integrity.
The way forward
The main area of focus in the near future is high rise buildings for commercial, residential, educational institutions, hospitals, data centres and urbanisation of logistics corridors. Just like India’s space program, ‘Mission to Mars’, the mission to build can happen at a fraction of the cost with local materials and skill-development teams and we shall target and improve the country’s GDP growth with infrastructure development and spending. Over the past 3 decades, there has been a quantum jump in construction technology in India, especially in steel structures related to design concepts, erection methodology, manufacturing, section profiles, code provisions, etc. The evolution of composite structures is one such revolution, which has gained significant importance and has mostly replaced conventional construction techniques. The industry can reap benefits with this methodology by bringing the best of all worlds of conventional concrete construction, precast construction and Composite-Structural Steel construction. This new combination of technology ensures the flexibility in terms of design and also faster project deliverables without compromising quality and onsite safety. It has proven to produce high quality structures in record timelines resolving complex engineering projects to cater the rapid growing infrastructure in the country.
Application of hybrid construction technology
i. High rise residential and commercial buildings
ii. Hospitals and educational institutions
iii. Bridges
iv. Seaports and airports
v. Data centres, and
vi. Recreational centres, etc.
Importance of hybrid construction technology
a. Faster construction reducing the timelines up to 60%
b. No or minimal wastage during construction phase which roughly accounts for 1-5% in conventional RCC buildings
c. Improved structural integrity
d. Optimized resource utilisation
e. Wind loads and seismic load resistant
f. Signification reduction in construction costs, and
g. Ensuring Site Safety and ease of erection.
While fast growing economies like China and other developed economies in Europe and the Middle East are adapting technological advancements for constructing complex engineering projects and residential structures, it is time for India to adopt this dark horse to support the revolutionary vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India a 5 trillion-dollar economy by 2025. With this revolutionary technology India can position itself on the global map as a developed economy by building faster and economically more efficient structures than any other global power.
Sarath C Parupalli is Managing Director, Maiwir Engineering Pvt Ltd. Armed with a dual degree in Mechanical Engineering with Industrial Training from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, he subsequently pursued his Masters of Engineering from Canada and worked for a medical start-up in Chicago, USA before starting his own company, Maiwir Engineering Pvt Ltd.
Maiwir Engineering Pvt Ltd, headquartered in Hyderabad, is engaged in design, fabrication and construction, using a patented technology. Its high quality design solutions and technical innovations help clients reduce risks, costs, claims and disputes and project schedules. The company has made history by coming up with a patented composite-steel structure system that would bring a massive reduction in construction time without compromising on strength of the edifice or quality.
Maiwir Engineering is the first company in India to develop this technology, challenging the age-old conventional methods of construction, which are highly dependent on various factors such as uncertainty, local manpower and long execution time.