Load Bearing Construction Versus RCC frame construction for low Rise Buildings

Load bearing structures are only economical for low raised buildings say up to two storied buildings.above that only R.C.C structures is preferred

The load bearing walls with stipulation of IS 4326 for earthquake buildings are successful even in earthquake conditions. So low rise structures should be constructed with masonry only. Even four storied structures can be constructed with this method. I have designed the building and it has stood all earthquake since 1995.

For low rise Buildings...i think Load Bearing Construction is better and economical.......

LOAD BEARING COSTRUCTION ARE NOT PREFERED FOR FLEXIBLITY THEY ARE ONLY FOR LOW RISE BUILDINGS AND FOR HIGH BEARING CAPACITY SOILS STRATA

In Zone V RCC frame shall be preffred and or as suggested by Mr Mallay Pandravada traditional design adopted in Assam. Idea is theses are  lightly loaded structures. Reasons he has given is defficeicy of aggregate in Assam. I have constructed many two storied houses load bearing in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur  and higher ones in RCC frames. Only thing is Load bearing walls are to be suitably reinforced at corners and bands are to be provided at Plinth ,lintel and floor level. At floor level slab itself acts as a band. 

So, in that case, out of Load bearing and RCC frame, which one shall be used for buildings in Zone V areas?

I agree and vote Er. Harnam Singh in this topic. My opinion is " I would like to prefer LBC better than RCC, as economical and finish the project with less durations compare to the RCC structures.

But, LBC is not suitable for the Earth quake zones in INDIA.

Dikshit Ji , Could you please elbarate it. The advantages of Loadbearing structures for Low raise Buildings.

Subject to depth provided as per load bearing capacicity of soil

For a tropical country like India, Residential buildings, Educational institutions, Govt. offices etc should preferably be built with load bearing walls because of the inherent benefits. Load bearing walls provide good insulation from heat and keeps the inside cool.  In extreme winters, they provide warmth inside. They are not only ecofriendly but also save energy. In RCC frame structures, use of 6 or 8 inch hollow blocks does not provide sufficient insulation. However, this presupposes that good quality bricks will be used in construction.

In Assam, they use bamboo reinforced mud walls which are very safe in earthquake zones.

load bearing structure is more economical as compared to r.c.c. for low rise structures i.e. upto g+1. the thicher wall also act as thermal insulation and reduce hest transmission. also the local materials such as stine and bricks are useful for construction which adds as advantage.

Pragya, For every construction, we have to go for RCC framed structure over load bearing is  not sounding properly. for earthquake prone areas and poor soil conditions, places where  good quality bricks are not available, RCC framed construction is preffred. If we go case by  case , where situations are favourable, we may even go for loadbearing construction also for low rise buildings provided it is  properly designed for it.

There are load bearing constructions standing since long time safely also. We may not close the options available.

Since Prgya's question was about the buildings in North eastern states I would like to elaborate. The constructions in NE states are differently constructed in eath quake prone areas .I served in Chabua Assam.

First type

are raised plinths using Masonry foundation and wooden frames are constructed (held to plinth by holding down bolts) with sloped roof above them.Half brick wall constructed upto window cill height and above panels are plastered with bamboo thatch as reinforcement.  

SECOND TYPE OF HOUSES UPTO G+2 CATEGORY

These are invaribly load bearing type with bricks as prime buiding material with RCC bands at Plinth,lintel and roof level.

Third TYPE OF HOUSES UPTO G+3 and above

RCC framed structures are adopted.

The problen for massive housing using RCC framed structure in Assam was Scarcely available stone aggreagate. Which was costly for the middle class people there.

Well Pargya you have misunderstood my reccomendation. What i have said is for Zone -III and below. Area you are reffering North east India and part of Gujrat are in ZOne V as per NBC classification. and definetly buildings in these zones are required to be earthquake resistant with special detailing as per IS codes.

For low rise building load bearing structure is suitable because we can use locally available material for slabs (Stone Slabs, brick roofs etc.) if cast RCC slab as say Er. Harnam Singh reduce construction time as well as cost.

I agree with his  view, for low rise structures up to (G+2). I read some where long back that in IIT Delhi, they constructed even 6 storied Load bearing structures for Staff Housing. (Pl.Correct me if I am wrong.) Where we can get good quality bricks / Blocks it is preferable to go for load bearing construcion keeping in view of the Future expansion needs in to consideration.

For low rise buildings, economy will be certainly a major factor to consider which may over ride structural factors like earth quake etc.. compared to framed structures, load bearing structure can be built at low expense in most of the cases (depends on soil condition and earth quake factors)