Green building is the practice of increasing the efficiency of buildings and their use of energy, water, and materials, and reducing building impacts on human health and the environment, without sacrificing comfort or aesthetics. SLP have completed many building projects of varying levels of “greenness”, and offer consulting services in alternative sustainable building methods, energy efficient building solutions and green products. SLP project manage complete builds, to bring energy efficient and environmentally sound homes or commercial buildings to life.
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Tests and ApprovalsSABS Test: Eco Beam Load Test
Date of the test: 1996—08—13
Method:
Each of the 13 Eco-beams were installed in a 500kn machine a very universal testing machine and supported on two 38 mm diameter lower platen bearers spaced 1.8m apart. A 10mm thick steel plate that was longer than the total length of the beam was then installed on the top surface of the beam. This plate ensured that the loading of the top surface was evenly distributed. A gradually increasing force was then applied to each beam via 2 x 20mm diameter platens that were spaced 190mm apart.
Results:
Findings were acceptable and in cases superior to the SABS requirements.
SABS Test: Structural and Rain penetration tests
Date of the test: 1996—03—08
Method:
The house was of a modified timber frame construction and 30,28meters square in size. The house contained two doors and six windows. The timber frame consisted of beams referred to as eco-beams. The beams were made of 2 x 38 x 28 mm tanneleth treated batons space approximately 200mm apart and fixed together by a galvanized steel lattice. These beams were spaced 900mm apart and also placed around each door or window opening. The foundation consisted of a 10 to 1 sand/cement mixture: A 0.25mm PVC sheet was placed on the foundation as damp course.
Results:
1) Structural stability:
• Soft body impacts (Sandbag): The walls as tested exceeded the requirements of the Agrement Board in respect of soft body impacts.
• Hard body impacts (Steel tool): The walls as tested exceeded the requirements of the Agrement Board in respect of hard body impacts.
2) Attachment of fittings:
• The walls tested were found to be suitable for the fixing of light, medium and heavy weight fittings.
3) Rain penetration:
• These tests were conducted over a window which was set back in the wall by 250mm, therefore exposing a large window sill. The rough plaster finish of this sill allowed moisture into the wall but not through the wall. Only the area immediately below the sill was affected. The walls thus as tested satisfied the rain penetration requirements for all areas stipulated in sub-rule KK17 of SABS0400-1990-Code of Practice for the application of the national building regulations.
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Eco-Beam System Advantages
If you are looking for an eco friendly, efficient and cost effective way of building your dream home this building methodology is all of that and more.
Construction can take place at locations to which road access is not provided. This reduces the damage and congestion caused by heavy trucks which carry bricks and cement.
No electricity is required at the construction site and only minimal amounts of water and cement are required.
1500 bags fit into the boot of a small car and weigh only a few kilograms. This is the equivalent of 3000 bricks over the same area in a cavity wall.
The construction technique can easily be learnt in a few days by people without experience in the building trade. A regular "builder" would pick it up immediately.
The Eco-Beams are light in weight and can be easily handled by one person in all phases of the construction.
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Eco-Build SystemsThe use of Ecobeams typically saves two thirds of the timber used in a classic timber frame construction.  An Ecobeam and sandbag home with mansard roof Build anywhere...quick• Ecobeams can be manufactured at any location with minimum facilities. • Ecobeams are easy to handle and economical to transport. • The Ecobeams allow for services and ventilation to be installed in walls, ceilings and under floors. • Curves can be built into Ecobeams. Cutting edge simplicity and aestheticsEcobeams have enormous industrial and commercial application. A “box” of beams is easily shuttered from the outside by simply stapling shutter boards to the battens. Reinforced steel is easily tied to the lattice, facilitating a "post and beam" construction for larger buildings. |
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The materials common to many types of natural building are clay and sand. When mixed with water and, usually, straw or other fibre, the mixture is known as cob or adobe. Other materials commonly used in natural building are: earth, wood, cordwood, timber frame, straw and rock. A wide variety of reused or recycled materials are common in natural building, including salvaged chunks of used concrete, tyres, discarded bottles and other recycled glass. |
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Green building is the practice of increasing the efficiency of buildings
and their consumption of energy, water, and materials. Eco-building reduces
construction damages to human health and the environment, without compromising
on comfort or aesthetics.SLP has completed many building projects in varying levels of
“greenness”, and offers consulting services in alternative sustainable building
methods, energy efficient building solutions and green products. SLP project
manages the complete process, bringing energy efficient and environmentally
sound homes or commercial buildings to life.
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Read more...
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Eco Building 
