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QUESTION
Based on the material selected (Rhinolite and Plasterboards), you are required to
discuss and describe the various types and forms of that specific material or
product. Particular attention must also be given to the key or prominent suppliers and
manufacturers in the Zambian Construction Industry and any other sources. Further
consider the availability on the local market and its impact on the construction
industry


















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RHINOLITE AND PLASTERBOARDS
INTRODUCTION TO THE ZAMBIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
The construction industry is a very complex sector and it involves a whole nation at
different levels of responsibility including politicians, Administrators, Architects,
Surveyors, Engineers and contractors. All these work hand in hand to achieve a
common purpose. The construction industry is the name given to the large collection of
firms responsible for producing construction works. It is widely acclaimed that
construction and building works in general constitute a foundation form nation
development. The construction sector is an assembly sector of the economy of any
country. It provides services to other sectors such as manufacturing. This is because
before any factory can come into operation the infrastructure has to be provided; roads,
drainage etc and the building in which production are going to take place.
Development of the construction industry deserves full attention of ruling governments
over a prolonged period. In all countries construction is one of the largest sectors of
economic activity. Construction should be noted, covers roads, ferries and bridges,
water supplies, irrigation, housing etc.
1. MATERIALS
Some definitions of the industry relate only to the contracting part of it, the segment that
undertakes the actual physical construction, others include materials producers and
plant manufacturers. The construction industry is a service industry that obtains its
inputs from other sectors of the economy such as manufacturing and also involves the
industrial sectors supplying materials such as cement, bricks, plasterboards, rhinolite
etc.
2. RHINOLITE

To achieve a highly polished smooth surface of brush finish or textured finish on
brickwork, concrete block, concrete and rhinoboard,a basecoat combined with a
finishing plaster can be used. This combination of the two aforementioned substances
gives rise to a lightweight retarded hemihydrate gypsum plaster that is known as
rhinolite.
The required surface mentioned above can only be achieved with the absence of
grease or oil on the material to be plastered. Therefore it is essential to scrub concrete
surfaces with a cleansing agent in order to get rid of the grease or oil, then applying a

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plaster known as Grippon before the plaster can be applied. It should be ensured that
the Rhinolite be applied while the Grippon is still wet and tacky.
For decorating purposes, it is required that all rhinolite surfaces be sealed with an oil
bases paint bonding liquid.24hrs of drying should then be allowed before 2 coats of
household paint can be applied. Care should be ensured that the plaster has set hard
and dry without any presence of dust before any decorating can be done.
BENEFITS OF USING RHINOLITE
The benefits of using rhinolite can be seen in terms of weight, speed, cleaner product
and better performance as will be discussed below.
Lightweight
Rhinolite having a light weight can be seen to:
reduce transport costs to site,
reduce in on-site labour particularly in high rise where the weight has to be
moved around site or up to various floors
be much more acceptable to artisans as its easier to work with
be premixed in bags

Speed
can be applied much quicker, 25-50% compared to sand/cement plasters.
Reduces unskilled labour due to easy mix product.
Reduces overheads as contracts are completed quicker.
Extra profits are obtained due to same number of crews producing more work per
annum
Shortage of skilled plasterers becomes less of a problem due to substantial
increase in productivity
Sets and dries faster, hence painting is done sooner.

Cleaner product
Its easy to keep the site clean.
Due to the above statement, working conditions are improved
theres less wastage, hence greater savings
product packaging gives easier stock control

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Better performance
there are less shrinkage cracks
there is better adhesion to lintels and concrete when used with Grippon
eliminates the bond problems when used as a basecoat
does not shutter or crack upon driving nails.


TYPES OF RHINOLITE
Two types of rhinolite exist these are one coat multi-purpose and skim plasters and
these are discussed below.
One Coat Multipurpose
these plasters are applied onto uneven surfaces so as to ensure a level and plumb
substrate provides a smooth surface finish. These applications have thickness sizes of
between 10 and 75 mm.
forms of one coat multipurpose
rhinolite blue 4 all
Gyproc rhinolite natural plus multipurpose
Gyproc rhinolite multipurpose plaster

Skim Plaster
These plasters are applied onto pre-levelled and plumbed surfaces to achieve a smooth
finish. These applications range from 3 to 6mm thickness.
Forms of skim plaster
Gyprock rhinolite yellow 4 cretestone
Gyproc rhinolite projection plaster for board
Gyproc Rhinolite red 4 board




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PROMINENT SUPPLIERS IN THE ZAMBIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
From our research, we were only able to find two local suppliers in Zambia namely:
THE ALUMINIUM SHOP- they have all visuals and application and specification.
Chadiwe Musonda Road, Lusaka, Zambia (www.yellowpages.co.zm/zambia).
MICMAR INVESTMENTS- Plot 7121, Kalela Avenue, Parklands, Kitwe, Zambia.
Micmars main office is in Lusaka- Lumumba Road, Industrial Area, P.O BOX
35239.
PROMINENT MANUFACTURERS IN THE ZAMBIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Unfortunately, Zambia has no manufacturers of Rhinolite. This means the industry has
to import or purchase from the suppliers listed.

OTHER SOURCES IN THE ZAMBIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
South Africa has been noted as the main supplier of Rhinolite and Rhinoboards to
Zambia. There are three companies in total that currently supply Rhinoboards to
Zambia:
Gyprex gyptone Celotex Dow Ultrex
Steel QRC( www.pineboardceilings.co.za/ceiling)
Gyproc

AVAILABILITY ON THE LOCAL MARKET
The availability of this product on the local market depends on the suppliers and
manufacturers. It was noted that since there are no Rhinolite manufacturers in Zambia,
the availability is low. This is also because of the cost of Rhinolite. Only a few
construction companies and individuals are able to afford this material.
The availability also depends on the demand of the material.

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PLASTERBOARD

Plasterboard or Drywall is a board made of gypsum plaster pressed between two thick
sheets of paper. It is used to make interior walls and ceilings. In many places, the
common term is a genericised trademark such as Gyproc or Sheetrock.
It is made of a paper liner wrapped around and inner core made primarily from gypsum
plaster. The raw gypsum (calcium sulphate and water) must be calcined before use to
produce the hemihydrate of calcium sulphate.
After the plasterboard sheets are secured to the wall or ceiling joists, the seams
between the sheets are concealed using joint tape or several layers of joint compound
(Gyproc RhinoGlide Jointing Compound). This Rhinolite compound is also applied to
any screw holes or defects. This compound can then be painted over after it air dries.
Alternatively, for a better finish, the entire wall may be given a skim coat (Rhinolite
Projection Plaster for Board). This is to minimise the visual differences between the
paper and compounded areas after painting.
In addition, plasterboard is easy enough to use that it can be installed by many amateur
home carpenters.
Drywall is easily damaged by exposure to water. While it can be waterproofed through
covalent waterproofing, if waterproofing is absent or if the waterproofing layer is
punctured, water will cause drywall to swell and eventually disintegrate, requiring
replacement. The gypsum that makes the core of drywall does not readily support the
growth of mould, but the paper backing found on most gypsum boards will. It is for this
reason that greenboard and cement board is used for rooms expected to have high
humidity, primarily kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.

TYPES OF PLASTERBOARD
Regular white board Comes in sizes from 1/4 inches to 4 inches in thickness
Fire-resistant It comes in different thickness and multiple layers.
Greenboard This type contains and oil-based addictive in the green coloured
paper covering that provides moisture resistance. It is commonly used in
washrooms and other areas expected to experience elevated levels of humidity.
Blueboard This type forms a strong bond with a skim coat or a built-up plaster
finish providing both water and mould resistance
Cement Board This type is more water resistant than greenboard and is used as
a base for ceramic tiles.

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FORMS OF PLASTERBOARD
There are two forms of plasterboard. They were developed in between the years 1910
and 1930. These are
Gypsum Board
This form evolved beginning with wrapped bard edges, and the elimination of the two
inner layers of felt paper in favour of paper-based facings. Providing efficiency of
installation, it was developed additionally as a measure of fire resistance. Later on, air
entrainment technology made boards lighter and less brittle, then joint treatment
materials.
Rock Lath
This was an early substrate for plaster. An alternative to traditional wood or metal lath, it
was a panel made up of compressed gypsum plasterboard that was sometimes grooved
or punched with holes to allow wet plaster to key into its surface. As it evolved, it was
faced with paper impregnated with gypsum crystals that bonded with the applied facing
layer of plaster.
IMPACT ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Considering the known fact that Zambias construction industry is booming, and
knowing that its average growth rate has been 10.2% since 2008, it is predicted
to continue growing year in year out due to the ever increasing demand for
infrastructure. With growth of the National economy and growth in demand for
infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, office blocks, shopping malls, roads etc.
the construction industry might be one of the fastest growing industries.
During a period of expanding activity and good future prospects, incomes rise
generally and individuals can purchase houses and consumer goods. Companies
need larger or improved premises to meet increased demand for their goods and
services.
Rhinolite and plasterboard go hand in hand in construction. It can be noted that
after plasterboard id installed, rhinolite can be applied to give it aesthetic appeal.

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It can easily be noted that these materials fall under the construction cycle of
measuring output. The output of these materials can be connected to the key
terms of the construction cycle. They are described as
Cost- the infernal amount paid for materials, goods and services including
labour by the supplier contractor. In terms of construction, this amount is
often termed the capital cost or the initial cost
Value- the open market price for an asset, goods and services at a
particular time; subject location etc
Price- this is the external amount that needs to be paid for or charged for
materials, goods and services including the vendors(contractors) cost,
profit and other charges
Worth- in terms of design and construction it is the quality that render
something desirable, useful or valuable.

3. CONCLUSION