Sustainable Alternatives in Residential Construction

Intrax has a commitment to exploring sustainable alternatives in residential construction.

Introduction:
Intrax recently collaborated with one of our major partners to trial a new sustainable alternative to traditional polystyrene waffle pods called LOKPOD. This innovative product, made from 100% recycled plastic, aims to provide a more environmentally friendly solution for slab foundations.

Objectives:
The primary objective was to assess the performance and suitability of LOKPOD as a replacement for polystyrene waffle pods in residential slab construction. Intrax evaluated the compliance and use case of LOKPOD in accordance with AS2870. On this project individually, Intrax visited site to share in the construction process & to do a final engineering inspection of the slab set-up.

Challenges:
The main challenge on-site for the builder and engineer was to assess the product’s buildability, cost-effectiveness, and on-site usability compared to conventional waffle pod systems.

Work Undertaken/Solution:
Intrax prepared a standard engineering slab design in accordance with AS2870 for a polystyrene waffle slab. The client then trialed the LOKPOD system on this project. Intrax provided support through inspections and shared their general perspective on the new product, contributing valuable insights based on their extensive experience in the industry.

Implementation:
The implementation of LOKPOD did not require any specialised equipment beyond what is typically used for waffle slab construction. However, all parties closely monitored the installation process to ensure proper placement and adherence to the design specifications.

Conclusion:
Intrax collaboration on this project showcased their commitment to exploring sustainable alternatives in residential construction. By providing their expertise and support, Intrax contributed to the successful trial of LOKPOD, paving the way for further adoption of this innovative recycled plastic solution in the industry.