High Tech Greenhouse Design and Estimate Fan and Pad Greenhouse

Definition: 

A high-tech greenhouse is a technologically advanced structure that incorporates a range of sophisticated tools and systems, including automated sensors, irrigation systems, lighting, and renewable energy sources, to regulate factors such as temperature, humidity, and nutrient levels. designed to provide a controlled environment for optimal plant growth.

It is an advanced structure designed to provide an optimal environment for plants to grow year-round. These modern greenhouses use the latest technology to create the perfect conditions for crops, allowing them to thrive regardless of weather conditions or external factors.

The concept of a high-tech greenhouse is not new, but recent advancements in technology have made it possible to create highly efficient and sustainable structures. These modern greenhouses use a combination of automated systems, sensors, and other advanced tools to regulate temperature, humidity, light, and nutrient levels, among other environmental factors.

One of the primary advantages of a high-tech greenhouse is that it can significantly improve crop yield and quality. By providing a controlled environment, farmers can grow crops more efficiently and with greater precision. For example, sensors can detect changes in temperature and humidity levels and adjust the environment accordingly to ensure optimal growing conditions. Additionally, automated irrigation and fertilization systems can provide plants with the necessary nutrients and water precisely when needed.

High-tech greenhouses are also designed to be more sustainable than traditional greenhouse structures. These advanced structures often incorporate features such as energy-efficient lighting, water-saving irrigation systems, and renewable energy sources, including solar and wind power. Some high-tech greenhouses even use recycled materials in their construction, making them more environmentally friendly.

Another advantage of high-tech greenhouses is their ability to grow crops year-round, regardless of the external weather conditions. This allows farmers to produce fresh, locally grown produce even during the off-season. As a result, high-tech greenhouses can help reduce the environmental impact of long-distance transport and storage of produce, as well as support local economies.

Drawings and Specifications

Figure 1: Footing Layout of High Tech Greenhouse

Figure 2: Front Elevation and Foundation of High-Tech Greenhouse

Figure 3: Side Elevation of High Tech Greenhouse

Technical standards of High Tech Greenhouse/ fan and pad greenhouse/Polyhouse

1. Type:

• Minimum top ventilation should be 10% of the total Polyhouse/Greenhouse area and side ventilation depends on the requirement of the climatic conditions. Preferably saw tooth design or Even Span, Ridge & Furrow depending upon suitability for naturally ventilated poly-house/greenhouse.

2. Size:

• Area= 1008 m2
• Length=Multiples of 8 meters. Ex. 8X2+4. (Length is side along the gable or side along the truss lines)
• Width=Multiples of 4 Meters. Ex. 4X2 or 4X3. (Width is side along the gutter or side along the Purlin lines)

3. Grid:

• 8M X 4M. 2 Meter corridors/balcony along all four sides.
• If the area is ≤ 250 Sq m then it is better to go for a single span green house.

4. Shape:

• To reduce the impact of wind and consequent damage to the greenhouse structure; Greenhouse will be aerodynamic along all four sides with curvature-shaped balcony pipes of 48mm OD/2 mm thick G I pipes.

5. Structure:

• Hot Dip Galvanized Tubular structure.
• Galvanization of the structural members of BIS standards should not be less than 300 GSM (grams per square meter).

6. Stability of Structure:

• The structure should withstand a minimum wind velocity of 80.6 miles per/hr or 130 Km/hr or Meter per second.
• Note: In case of high wind velocity zones, structures should withstand wind velocity up to 94 miles per/hr or 150Km/hr or 42 Meters per second.

7. Sizes of the Structural Members:

• 
  
  
  
  
• Note: Welded pipes should not be used for structure erection except for the bottom pipe of 8 m in length.
• 
  

8. Fixtures to join structural members:

Various types of fixtures such as brackets, cleats, clamps, nuts & bolts, washers, self-tapping & drilling screws, etc., are used to join the structural members of poly houses. The entire iron fixture should be galvanized and strong enough.

a) Brackets and cleats: These are made from sections such as angle, channel, and I beam and should be cold galvanized with a minimum cost of 120 GSM.

b) Clamps: Different types of clamps like 76/60/48/42/33 mm OD full, 76/60/48/42/33 mm OB half are used, which should be made from a minimum of 42 mm wide and 2.1 mm thick GP coil with minimum 120 GSM galvanization. Curtain clamps should be made from high carbon steel strips of a minimum of 30 mm wide and 0.8 mm thick. Such clamps should have proper spring action so that they do not change location after fixing them in place.

c) Nuts, bolts, and washers: From M12 to M6 bolts, nuts, and washers should be used, and they should be cold galvanized with a minimum 120 GSM coat.

d) Self-tapping and drilling screws: These screws should be used to ensure extra safety. They prevent the dislocation of clamps from their place. The distance between tapping screws, especially for fixing the profile to the utter, should be 30-40 cm.

 

9. Gutter:

The gutter should be made of Galvanized sheet of 2 mm thickness in a trapezoidal shape having a 500 mm wide perimeter (preferably of single length without joint) coil having 120 GSM Galvanization. It should be leak-proof, and a minimum 1% slope is required for the gutter. Ensure a uniform slope to the gutter to avoid stagnant water in the gutter to achieve maximum life of the gutter. Gutter orientation can change according to wind direction.

Gutter Height: The gutter height should be 4 to 4.5 meters from the foundation formation level

10. Ridge Height:

The ridge height should be 6 to 6.5 meters from the foundation formation level.

11. Arches Overlap:

The minimum overlap of the top arch over the second (small) arch should be 600mm to avoid direct rain entrance into the greenhouse from the vent.

12. Foundation: The pit size should be a minimum of 45 cm dia. Depth 75 to 90 cm or suitably altered depending upon Ground strata/level to ensure the safety and stability of the structure even under extreme wind conditions. Columns are fitted over ground "insets" and bolted to insert pipe of 60 mm OD/2mm thick G/ pipe. The length of the insert is 120 to 130 cm, and filling the pit with 1:2:4 concrete hand-mixed with appropriate Grade cement.

Before doing the line out for the foundation, ensure that the slope of the greenhouse ground along the gable should be 0% to 1%, and along the gutter, a minimum of 1% and a maximum of 3%. If the slope of the ground exceeds this limit, then ask the grower to do the land development and maintain the slopes of the ground within the limits. The slope along the gable and gutter should be uniform. If the developed ground has a file in-depth of more than 200 mm, then ask the grower to the flooding of water over the ground so that it should settle down. If the flooding is not done, then there are chances of further nation piercing into the ground after the application of structural load and there may be dislocation of the foundation.

13. Civil works:

Cement concrete blocks of size 30 cm x 30 cm x 80 cm should be made for embedding vertical pipes/poles in the brickwork around the poly house.

The wall should be 23 cm thick, 0.5 m high (0.3 m below ground level and 0.2 m above ground level) in a 1:6 cm ratio, with a 10 cm thick PCC 1:4:8 foundation. The wall should be plaster with an h 1:4 cm ratio the on top and sides. Footpaths made of cement concrete with a ratio of 1:2:4 and width of 80 cm to 1 m and a thickness of 10 cm should be provided.

14. Curtain opening:

To reduce the temperature inside the playhouse side ventilation is necessary. A minimum of 20% of the floor area should have side curtains. A minimum of 1.5 m clear side curtain opening is required. Side curtains should have a minimum 200 mm overlap to the bottom apron to avoid direct entrance of rain into the greenhouse and stop direct air entry at night.

15. Bottom apron:

A bottom apron is necessary to top up the CO2 inside the greenhouse. It should have a minimum height of 0.6 m from the ground and a maximum of 1.5 m, depending on the crop and climatic conditions.

16. Doors:

• The double door entry should be made of FRP sheets or polycarbonate sheets.
• The doors can be either hinged or sliding.
• The minimum width of the door should be 1 m, and the minimum height should be 2 m.
• The door area should have 50 mm PCC flooring over a 75 mm thick sub-base.

17. Top shading and side shading:

• Top shading can be done by using a g shading net or thermal screen/aluminate made from HDPE.
• Shade net should not be more than 50% shade factor and should be UV stabilized for a minimum of three years.
• A side shading of 35% shade net should be used to avoid direct entry of sunlight into the playhouse/greenhouse when the curtain is open.
• A minimum of 75 GSM weight is recommended for shade nets.
• A 40-mesh UV stabilized insect-proof net is also recommended to protect against direct entry of insects into the playhouse/greenhouse.

18. Polythene:

• Polythene should be properly UV stabilized and warranted for at least three years.
• The thickness of the polyethylene should be a minimum of 200 microns (0.2 mm).
• Polythene quantity can accommodate a maximum of 5.4 sq. meter area in its 1 kg weight.

19. Aluminum profile/poly fixing:

The C-type profile made from alloy aluminum should have high strength with light weight (approx. 220-250 gm/r meters), smooth edges, a curve bottom proper for 1.25” to 3” pipes, a proper channel for spring, and suitable for double spring locking of 0.9 mm thickness. Self-drilling screws should be fixed on the profile every 40 cm along the full length of the profile.

20. Spring Insert:

• A plastic-coated GI wire spring with good elasticity and a 2.2 mm diameter should be used for longer life and less heat transfer to the cladding materials.
• To ensure the long life of the plastic, it is better to use a two-inch strip of new poly film over the main plastic in the profile and lock it with the GI profile to prevent the rusted spring from directly contacting the main plastic.
• All springs must end inside the profile to avoid damage to the plastic in strong winds.

21. Air-circulating

• Air circulating fans inside the greenhouse help to reduce the harmful effects of high humidity and temperature on plants, especially in hot and humid climate airflow.
• Increased airflow inside the plant canopy reduces leaf temperature and disperses high humidity around leaves, maintaining the transpiration pull of the crop.
• Exhaust fans should also be used to throw out the accumulated hot and humid air.
• In cool climates, air circulation should be maintained during winter to keep the temperature uniform throughout the greenhouse.
• Small fans with a cubic-foot-per-minute (ft3/min) air-moving capacity of one-quarter of the greenhouse's air volume are sufficient. They should be placed in diagonally opposite corners but out from the ends and sides to create a circular (oval) pattern of air movement.

22. General Conditions:

• The greenhouse's structural design should be sound enough to withstand wind speeds of 130 km/hr.
• Companies should get their structural design verified by a structural engineer based on functional requirements and field experience.
• The firm should provide a guarantee for free maintenance/damage to the structural material for one year.
• The firm should be able to construct the entire greenhouse within eight weeks of the work order being issued.

Here is the general specification of High Tech Greenhouse/Fan and Pad Greenhouse

Estimation

Estimating the cost of a high-tech greenhouse involves a detailed analysis of various factors such as site location, greenhouse size, structure design, materials used, and equipment required. It is essential to identify the specific needs and goals of the greenhouse project to determine accurate cost estimates. The estimation process involves considering all expenses, including site preparation, construction, equipment installation, and ongoing maintenance costs. Greenhouse technology advancements such as automation, climate control, and energy-efficient systems add to the cost but offer significant benefits such as increased productivity, reduced labor, and optimized plant growth. With accurate cost estimates, greenhouse investors can make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, and achieve success in their business ventures.

Sample for Name of work in the estimate of High Tech Greenhouse

As we come to the conclusion of our discus high-tech tech greenhouses, it is evident that these innovative structures have transformed the way we approach modern agriculture. With the use of advanced technology, such as automated irrigation systems, climate control mechanisms, and artificial lighting, these greenhouses can provide optimal growing conditions for crops throughout the year.

High-tech greenhouses have a significant advantage over traditional outdoor farming methods, as they offer more control over environmental factors that affect plant growth. These controlled environments allow for the production of high-quality crops, even in adverse weather conditions. Furthermore, high-tech greenhouses enable farmers to cultivate crops that would otherwise not thrive in their local climate.

Additionally, high-tech greenhouses have a much smaller environmental impact compared to traditional farming methods. With precise control over water and nutrient usage, they reduce the amount of waste and run-off that can pollute nearby ecosystems. The use of artificial lighting also reduces the need for land clearing and deforestation.

Despite the many benefits of high-tech greenhouses, some challenges still need to be addressed. The initial investment cost for these structures can be quite high, making it difficult for smaller farmers to adopt this technology. Additionally, the use of energy-intensive climate control mechanisms can result in higher energy costs.

However, with the growing demand for sustainable and locally sourced produce, high-tech greenhouses are becoming more accessible and cost-effective. Advances in technology are also leading to more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly options for climate control.

High Tech Greenhouses are the future of Agricultural Industry,

In conclusion, high-tech greenhouses offer a promising solution for sustainable agriculture, providing an efficient and controlled environment for crop cultivation while minimizing environmental impact. As we continue to innovate and improve this technology, we can create a more sustainable and resilient food system for future generations.