Furthermore, research was carried out:

1. to evolve standard construction design techniques.

2. prepare standardized steel shuttering.

3. write manuals and instruction sheets and prepare audio visual aids.

4. to construct demonstration models.

This was further extended -

1. to find thallawalas willing to participate in research and development (R & D).

2. to train masons - teaching them improved design and construction techniques and the better use of tools.

3. lending tool and shutterings.

4. providing accurate plans and estimates.

Presently, the focus of the programme is training of masons, community architects and developing technical support institutions within the community, so that extension of the package of advice is more effective and independent.

The present package of advice is as follows:

1. Appropriately designed in-situ foundation for a minimum ground + first floor construction

2. 6" think load bearing walls of machine made blocks

3. Batten/tile or T-girder/tile roofing and proper fixing

4. Precast staircase

5. Proper orientation and ventilation

6. Proper construction techniques

This load bearing construction is 1/3rd the cost of the conventional Reinforced Concrete Construction.

An impact study was undertaken. Total 64 housing units constructed within the span of 5 years were surveyed. This study showed that:

1. In 88 percent cases, foundation were made of proper ratio in situ concrete, however design dimensions were not adopted. Foundation bed was not laid, instead a straight footing of width 10" - 1'6" concrete was constructed.

2. Damp proof course was not used.

3. Walls were made of machine made blocks. The wall courses were proper, wall was in plumb and the wall joints were proper.

4. In 80 percent cases, where need was to construct another storey, batton tiles were used. In 16 percent cases, tier girder tiles were used. In 100 percent cases, screeding was used, however, it was made stronger through reinforcement. The problem was provision of ring beam. In 50 percent cases, people had used the ring beam but the specifications had varied, effort had been made to make it unnecessarily strong so expensive.

5. In 62 percent cases, cross ventilation had been adopted.

A second study comprising survey of 50 housing units was undertaken in Aug. 2002. Weaknesses and strengths as stated above were again observed.

In efforts to facilitate extension of techniques, leaflets based on the study were prepared and are being extended by the support institution TTRC to CBOs and masons.