RCC house construction has remained the preferred choice in Nepal to build a home that is both durable and long-lasting. But the fact remains that the issues are not with the method, which is quite effective. Instead, the issues are the mistakes that are made during the process. To ensure that your home continues to be long-lasting, durable, and also budget-friendly, you must understand the entire process of RCC construction.
While the people of Nepal are looking to build homes that are long-lasting, durable, and also budget-friendly, they are unaware of what to check during the process.
RCC, which stands for Reinforced Concrete, is a building technique in which concrete and steel are used together to create a robust structural framework. To illustrate this, imagine this: concrete is good at being squeezed but not at being pulled. On the other hand, steel is good at being pulled. Combine these two materials, and they complement each other perfectly.
To illustrate this simply, concrete provides weight and compression resistance, and steel bars, also known as rebar, resist tension. This combination gives rise to a robust structure capable of carrying heavy loads, resisting sideways movements due to earthquakes, and lasting for a long time.
RCC building techniques are responsible for powering various residential and commercial establishments in Nepal.
Several factors make RCC construction particularly suitable for Nepal:
Multi-Storey Capability: RCC frames can accommodate 2-3 storeys for homes and can go higher, thus utilizing scarce space effectively.
Long-Term Durability: RCC infrastructure can endure for 50-100 years with negligible maintenance if properly constructed.
Structural Flexibility: RCC helps create larger room spans and more design freedom than what is possible through traditional load-bearing construction.
Earthquake Resistance: The first thing to note is that an RCC building does not necessarily ensure earthquake resistance, it is also dependent on how it is designed and executed. Thus, an RCC building that is either improperly designed or constructed is just as risky as any other improperly designed building.
However, when engineers who are authorised by the Nepal National Building Code design it, and proper workmanship is applied, RCC buildings do provide good earthquake resistance.
The entire journey, step by step, from the first site visit, up to handover, can be traced.
Before digging begins, careful planning must be done. The following are investigated:
At Jadan Construction Group, this initial stage involves extensive conversations to establish alignment of your vision with practical reality.
The core issues that this stage involves are:
Why start planning early: Making changes after the start of building causes costs to be three to five times higher. All electrical conduits, water lines, and structural details must now be considered.
The choice of the foundation depends on two things: soil bearing capacity and the load of the building to be constructed. In Nepal, the most common foundations are:
A Soil Test is highly recommended, especially in areas like filled lands or near rivers.
Once excavated to the appropriate depth, the Plain Cement Concrete (PCC) layer is constructed. This has two effects:
The usual proportion in a mixture of compound concrete is 1:4:8
This begins the structural construction for RCC:
The raised height of the plinth above the ground is taken care of through an approved fill over the plinth, which is approximately 450-600 mm, and provision is also made for a Damp Proof Course that ensures no moisture from the ground enters the wall.
This is, in fact, the turning point of the structure. The steps go like this:
Key takeaway: The quality of the slab depends on the quality of shuttering, compaction, and curing. The three factors determine whether the slab remains crack-free or not.
The concrete does not dry, it cures with a chemical reaction that requires the presence of water. Well-cured concrete will attain its intended strength, prevent cracks on its surface, and become more durable in the long run.
The optimal solution would be to keep it wet and continuous at least 7-14 days; otherwise, some Nepalese decorators tend to rush the process undesirably and cause cracks at the end.
Once the RCC frame is complete and properly cured:
Pro tip: Install electrical boxes and plumbing sleeves before masonry.
MEP work includes:
With careful planning in this phase, the future nightmare of sawing through slabs and/or walls to connect wires and/or cables will be avoided.
Important areas for waterproofing:
Finishing work:
The final inspection should include:
Cement
The common types of cement: OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement) and PPC (Portland Pozzolana Cement). In structural elements, OPC is generally preferred over PPC because it attains strength earlier.
Quality check: Select reputable brands and ensure that the cement is not too old, since its strength decreases over time.
Aggreg
Key point: Aggregates that are contaminated with clay or other organic materials can have a major weakening effect on concrete.
Water
Potable water alone must be used. Saltwater or contaminated water will reduce strength and sturdiness.
Steel Reinforcement
In Nepal, grades are given by:
Important Reminder: As essential as the material of the reinforcement used in the structure is the positioning of the reinforcement and sufficient cover with the proper amount of concrete (typically in the range of 25-40 mm).
Workmanship Factors
High-quality materials are necessary but not sufficient in themselves to guarantee the quality of the construction.Equally important
Time construction is not the same everywhere; it varies depending on various factors, such as:
Here is a general idea of what it would take to construct a 2.5-story house:
Please note that finishing work can take as long as construction, depending on how detailed you wish to get and the quality of materials. Do not underestimate this phase of construction.
Want to know more about the costs involved? Check out our Complete Guide for House Construction Cost in Nepal.
This checklist should be followed during site visits:
The following common mistakes create most of the problems which occur in RCC construction work.
Rushing the Curing Process: The premature removal of shuttering, together with improper concrete curing methods lead to concrete that develops both weak strength and visible surface cracks.
Poor Shuttering Quality: The improper alignment of shuttering results in both dimensional inaccuracies and uneven surface finishes.
Unplanned Changes During Construction: The introduction of design modifications during construction leads to higher expenses, which also decreases the building's overall structural stability.
Treating MEP as an Afterthought: The structural integrity of a building gets compromised through slab and beam modifications which create paths for electrical and plumbing installations.
Ignoring Waterproofing: The absence of adequate waterproofing measures in bathrooms and terraces and balconies will result in leakage problems that will become apparent within 1 to 2 years.
Neglecting Site Drainage: The absence of appropriate drainage systems during monsoon season leads to foundation settlement which produces lasting structural damage.
Reinforced Concrete Construction is intended for use in the following four construction practices:
To get a more precise comparison with other building methods and construction methods, check out our guide on the Difference Between RCC House and Panel House.
To learn more about the individual components of RCC construction, please read our article on Essential Elements of RCC Construction.
At Jadan Construction Group, we utilise a proven three-phase methodology on every RCC project. They are:
Phase 1 – Planning - Requirement analysis; assessment of the site; creation of architectural and structural designs; and preparation of a complete, transparent budget.
Phase 2 - Execution – Construction follows the requirements of the engineering (Structural and Civil) division. Controls for quality are made in accordance with staged work, and each stage is reviewed as it progresses.
Phase 3 - Quality Control - Establish quality through site inspections, verify material for quality, and ensure that all construction meets the guidelines established by the National Building Code regarding earthquake-resistant requirements.
Here is what distinguishes Jadan Construction Group.
In addition to our RCC construction quality, please review the completed projects we have constructed; additionally, you can review our complete range of construction services and how we work with our clients.
If you want to have durable, earthquake-resistant, multi-story houses built in Nepal, there is no better option than using reinforced cement concrete (RCC) for permanent homes. However, the only way to differentiate between a successful and unsuccessful RCC house is through three items:
To remain informed throughout your construction process, use the quality checklist included in this guide. Remember that the cost of fixing an issue once construction has completed is much greater than that of identifying it during construction.
Do you want to begin designing and building your RCC house with a reputable designer/builder?
Let's Make Your Dream Home a Reality →
Call the Jadan Construction Group today for a free consultation to discuss your project, transparently provide cost estimates for your project and lead you through the entire RCC construction process from design through final handover.
In Nepal, the construction of RCC houses is a type of house construction involving the use of the reinforced cement concrete technique, where the reinforcement bars are made of steel and they are set into concrete so as to form a rigid structure of the building that is resistant to earthquakes. The technique is the most prevalent in permanent, multi-storey residential constructions in Kathmandu and other Nepalese cities.
The construction process of RCC house consists of 12 essential steps which are site planning and design, soil test and foundation selection, excavation with PCC base, foundation RCC work, plinth level construction, column frame beam slab structure, curing of 7-14 days, masonry and plastering, installing MEP (electrical/plumbing) installation, waterproofing, final work and final inspection.
There are five fundamental materials needed in the RCC construction, including cement (OPC or PPC grade), clean aggregates (sand and graded stone chips), steel reinforcement bars (TMT Fe-500 or Fe-500D), clean pure water to be mixed, and good formwork/shuttering. The quality of the material actually used has a direct influence on the strength of the ultimate structure and its durability.
The duration of construction of a typical 2.5-storey RCC house in Nepal is 8-13 months, including design and approvals, 3-4 months constructing the foundation and structural frame, 2-3 months masonry and plastering, 2-4 months installation and finishing of MEP. The different timeline depends on the weather, level of design and level of finishing.
Shuttering or formwork is the temporary structure of mould (usually of plywood, steel or aluminium) in which wet concrete is cast into a required shape until sufficient strength is acquired to support itself. Shuttering is done properly so that the beam, column and slab are also correctly dimensioned, aligned and smooth.
Shuttering or formwork is the temporary structure of mould (usually of plywood, steel or aluminium) in which wet concrete is cast into a required shape until sufficient strength is acquired to support itself. Shuttering is done properly so that the beam, column and slab are also correctly dimensioned, aligned and smooth.
The best type of foundation is based on the bearing capacity of soil and the burden of the building: isolated footings in most housing, RCC on firm soil, strip footings in case of load-bearing walls, raft footings needed when the soil is weak, and pile footings are done when the soil is very poor. A professional soil test identifies the best type of foundation to be used at your site.
Yes, RCC house construction is very earthquake resistant in Nepal in case it is designed by licensed engineers on the basis of Nepal National Building Code (NBC) and it is constructed with proper workmanship of ductile detailing, horizontal tie beam construction, and proper site of reinforcement.
The most prevalent sources of mistakes in RCC construction are improper curing (less than 7 days), imperfect or improperly fitted shuttering, unplanned design modification in constructions, cut in structural parts to add electric and plumbing lines, omission of waterproofing in bathrooms and terraces, and neglecting proper site drainage on monsoon seasons. Such errors cause cracks, leaks, structural vulnerability, and expensive damage.
Control the quality of Check RCC: confirm the appropriate distance of reinforcement between the blocks, ensure that the bars are clean and free of rust or oil, tight shuttering, good alignment, water-cement ratio during concrete pour (no surplus water is added on site), continuous curing (moisture), 7-14 days.
MEP planning should be done at the design stage and before the construction of the RCC starts. Conduits and sleeves should be fitted in the column-beam-slab work and masonry to prevent future cutting of structural elements. The MEP work on RCC members is done by cutting post-construction, which makes the structure weak and against the building codes and is one of the main sources of structural compromise.
RCC is best used in permanent structures, multi-storey buildings, and long-term durability (50-100 years life) whereas panel houses can be erected faster (3-4 months compared to 8-13 months) and used at low costs where the building is a single storey or a temporary structure. Comparing the construction of the Panel House and RCC House in detail, use our comparison to find which one is the most appropriate in your case, based on the budget, time frame, and other considerations.
