A Comparison of Sandwich Panels and Lightweight Bricks for an Eight-Story Lecture Building in Terms of Quality, Cost, and Time

Abstract

Advances in construction technology have spurred the emergence of various building material innovations capable of improving project efficiency. In the construction industry, wall work is a critical element in the construction of multi-story buildings and has a significant impact on project duration and indirect costs. Although lightweight brick walls remain widely used due to their relatively low weight, this material requires finishing processes such as plastering and painting, which ultimately extend work time and increase overhead costs. As an alternative, EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) sandwich panels allow for faster installation without requiring additional finishing. This study was conducted to analyze the comparison of quality, cost, and time between sandwich panel walls and lightweight brick walls in an eight-story university building project. By applying a comparative quantitative method using primary data obtained through a case study project and secondary data from supporting literature, data processing was performed to estimate total project costs, project duration, and evaluate material quality based on technical specifications. The results show that sandwich panel walls have advantages in terms of quality and time, despite higher material costs compared to lightweight brick walls. This acceleration has the potential to significantly reduce overhead costs, thereby improving overall project efficiency.