Earth Brick Construction: Cutting Down The Cost Of Wall In Buildings

EARTH BRICK CONSTRUCTION: CUTTING DOWN THE COST OF

WALL IN BUILDINGS.

Umar Faruq Muhammad1, Ahmad Hayatuddeen2

1
(Department of Architectural Technology, School of Environmental Studies/Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Nigeria)
2
(Department of Architectural Technology, School of Environmental Studies/Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Nigeria)

ABSTRACT: Provision of appropriate housing at an affordable cost has remained a nagging problem despite major

development in modern building technologies. In this paper major factors were investigated and studied earth bricks, the

construction technologies adopted for them, and the cost implication of using them as building materials. The investigation

was carried out by taking 100 samples public opinions within the middle and low-income earners. One of the most

important opinions considered was the type of building materials preferred by the respondents and why it is chosen.

Analysis of the collected data showed that more than 53% of the respondents prefer local building materials such as

bricks, for building their own house. Also, a sizable percentage believes bricks are less expensive. Implication of these

result were enumerated and sound recommendations offered after a careful cost analysis of, building with bricks as

against building with modern materials such as sandcrete blocks. The paper concluded by showing that appropriate

housing can be achieve affordably for the majority, through the adoption of earth bricks and it accompanying

technologies.

Keywords affordable, local, sandcrete, technology

1. Introduction

Housing has always been one of the most essential needs of man. Throughout the ages, different peoples have adopted and

exploited different means for the same goal-to house themselves. One other aspect of this exploitation has also remained

common among all peoples-everybody has strove to provide basic housing for them by utilizing materials which are locally

available to them. The Eskimos are a typical example, where they use large blocks of ice to construct their houses! This

way is able to achieve affordable and appropriate housing for the majority. Here at home countless historical African cities

grow out of the rich earth which the continent is blessed with.

Somewhere along the line however, modernism cropped up and sort of distracted peoples focus. The love for

everything new and the disdain for anything old became rampant. As a result of this, society in general and Nigeria in

particular, found themselves in the quagmire of rising homelessness. Diogu and Okonkwo [1] cited that between 1986 and

2000, Nigeria needed to construct 9million housing units to make up for deficits.
Earth Brick Construction: Cutting Down The Cost Of Wall In Buildings

Although the year 2000 is about twelve years old now, but this paper, inspired by the belief that the deficit is still yet to

be addressed, explores earth brick as a primary building material, mainly used for wall construction.

The intrinsic and extrinsic qualities of this material are extensively discussed. These include emphasis on how to

enhance its durability and how to achieve cheap housing by its strategic employment, together with raw cost implications.

1.1 The nagging problem

Most men appear never to have considered what a house is, and are actually though needlessly poor all their lives

because they think that they must have such a one their neighbors house. Henry Thoreau, 1854.

The disease of insufficient housing units has afflicted Nigeria since the beginning of the oil-boom. Indeed the third

National Development Plan of 1975 to 1980 observed that there is no area of social service where the urban worker in

Nigeria now need relief more desperately than housing [2]. A massive population increase resulted due to that boom,

which according to the 1991 census would now be 126,769,420 43.3% of this total number live in urban areas [1] thereby

exerting tremendous pressure on the existing urban services and infrastructure.

Insufficient housing became chief among the urban pressures, giving rise to chronic housing need. Robinson explained

housing need as an expression of human desire for decent and affordable accommodation [2]. It is the quality of housing

that is required to provide accommodation of an agreed minimum standard for a population of a given gender, household

composition, age distribution, etc, without taking into account the individual households ability to pay for the housing

assigned to it.

This housing need should not be viewed in quantitative terms alone, but also in qualitative terms; in terms of adequate

privacy, sufficient space, appropriate materials, and efficient service. It would therefore be quite uncanny to assume that

housing simply means having a roof over ones head and walls enclosing ones surroundings. In this regard, even a cursory

observation of existing housing units in majority of Nigerias urban centers is enough to adequately express the need in an

economy, [2], this is evident in the prevalence of slums and squatter settlements, high rate of building obsolescence, and

high number of households experiencing overcrowding. Causes of these pathetic situations could be traced to a number of

factors which include; high cost of modern building materials and perhaps land, and excessive high taste.

This research aims at ascertaining the reality of adopting the use of earth bricks with the goal of achieving cheaper housing.

Although cheap here is referred to, specifically in terms of monetary aspect, it is essential to bear in mind that the

excellent thermal and acoustic qualities of earth bricks contribute immensely to the cheapness of running a building made

from them.
Earth Brick Construction: Cutting Down The Cost Of Wall In Buildings

1.2 TYPES OF EARTH-BRICKS

Brick can be utilized to achieve a wide range of constructional and architectural possibilities in a building system. Due to

traditional skills, studies have shown different forms of the production and usage of earth brick as a building material [3].

Production of earth brick has been the object of experimental development techniques which involves molding.

shuttering, or direct shaping of the earth. The most widely used earth brick types are classified into three main classes:-

1.2.1 Sun-dried (mud) brick;

1.2.2 Fired-earth (burnt) brick

1.2.3 Compressed (stabilized) earth brick

1.2.1 Sun- Dried (Mud) Brick: Also known as Adobe, this type of brick is the oldest walling material. Its usage is

widespread throughout the world Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, Middle East, Africa. Its production has remained highly

traditional digging up finely clay sandy soil which is then mixed with proportionate amount of water and sizable quality

of vegetable materials such as straw to serve as reinforcement. The mix may be stabilized or molded like that into the

desired shape (pear-shaped is referred to as Tubali in the northern Nigeria). They are then left to dry out in the sun until

being used.

1.2.2 Fired-Earth (Burnt) Brick: The production process of burnt bricks begins with the extraction of quality clay

deposits from a site, which is grinded or crushed, sieved, and passed into the brick-making machine. The freshly made or

green bricks are thoroughly dried to avoid possible twisting or cracking. They are then burnt in a kiln to the desired

hardness.

However, Zubairu clarifies that burnt brick is a material with very durable properties, but some how, the production

cost makes them very expensive hence their very low factory production capacity, which also affects their immediate

availability.[4].

1.2.3 Compressed (Stabilized) Earth Brick: The brick is made from soil of compatible sizes of clay and sand

constituents, with low moisture content. The mix is stabilized and compacted either manually or by machine brick-press.

The compaction produces a block which has increased density and more water resistance than the tradition mud brick.

1.3 BUILDING WITH COMPRESSED (STABILIZED) EARTH BRICK

At the beginning of the 19th century, mechanical brick-making processes began to be patented and by the latter half of the

century, had almost entirely replaced the hand-fashioning method. The compressed earth brick is most widely used as it is

an improvement of the molded raw earth, or adobe.

The introduction of stabilization in its production increases its qualities in terms of strength and cohesiveness of the soil,

thus reducing moisture movement and making the brick relatively waterproof. Stabilization is achieved by the use of

cement, lime or bitumen; the brick is often referred to as cement/lime stabilized bricks. Among the various soil types found
Earth Brick Construction: Cutting Down The Cost Of Wall In Buildings

in the tropics, sandy-clay and laterite have grater acceptability in building construction. In 2003, research and development

has shown that, optimum compressive strength can be achieved with 4% stabilization when a compacting effort of 3N/m2

is applied. This has better strength when compared to the crushing strength of conventional sandcrete blocks which is

1.5N/m2.[5].

1.3.1 Production of CEB: The production of the CEB is the result of several operations which all have a significant

influence on the quality and the cost of the brick. The production goes through three main stages, with each stage

constituting other several operations [6]. These are:

Soil preparation and mixing

Compression of the mix

Curing of the bricks

However, more details are required for actual production. When constructing with CEB, the following aspects require

particular considerations:-

Design; It is paramount to engage the services of a professional in the design stage who would resolve any technical

details thereby allowing for some savings.

Bonding: Careful arrangement of the bricks by the mason is necessary for adequate stability and cohesiveness in the

structure.

Mortar Jointing: the strength and stability of the wall depends on the quality of the mortar mix. This should have the

same strength as the bricks.

2. METHODOLOGY

This paper basically presents earth brick as a building material whose large scale exploitation can offer the much needed

solution to housing problems in Nigeria. In the light of this, the researchers resolved to find out public pulse as regards the

factors which influence peoples choices of building materials.

The sample group is made up of 100 low and middle income earners because they are the most hit by the housing

problem. The sampling also cuts across both the public and private servants, as well as self-employed class. Data was

collected by means of questionnaires which contained 7 question made up of 23 variables.

Distribution of this instrument was carried out by the researches and some selected professional in the building industry

who has a very good understanding of what is required.

Earth Brick Construction: Cutting Down The Cost Of Wall In Buildings

2.1 The study area

The study area is within the central region of the country and particularly restricted to 2 state capitals namely; Lafia

Nasarawa State and Jos, Plateau State. Factor consider in choosing these areas is the prevalence and natural abundance of

soil constituents, most especially laterites that can be dug up within any project site. Thus, accompanying cost associated

with the supply of laterites through transportation means for production is highly reduced.

Interestingly, the two towns have a level difference in their mean climatic condition. Where Jos is known for its

raining/temperate nature, Lafia has a contrast weather condition: high temperature. The contrasting weather difference

though, has a unique effect on the earth brick in transmitting heat associated with interior and external condition.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

After the research and analysis, it was found that 60% of the sample groups blame poverty as the reason why most people

do not embark on building their own houses. Still 27% put this blame on cost of building and its related elements such as

land. The common factor between these two responses is, lack of fund. It therefore becomes imperative to present a

practical and realistic indication that indeed, it would be relatively cheaper to exploit the advantages of compressed earth

brick as building material. For purpose of this research, use of the CEB is restricted to walls, lintels, beams, columns and

plastering. A 3-bedroom floor plan was used as the research model, with an assumed height of 3 meters for all walls, and a

comprehensive comparative costing for the walls has been worked out and presented in TABLE 1 below to serve as a

ready and practical reference.

Table 1

Comparative cost analysis of basic wall elements of the bungalow sketched above.

SANDCRETE BLOCK WALLS STABILIZED (COMPRESSED) EARTH BRICK WALLS

1. * Approx. number of blocks required 3,330 pcs 1. * Approx. number of brick required 6,799 pcs
* Estimate cost of buying/ * Estimate cost of production
laying of blocks N345,870 and laying N217,575
38% LESS
2. * Plaster using cement/sand mid 2. * Plaster using stabilized earth mix
* External plaster N29,600.00k * External plaster N14,800.00k
* Internal plaster N109,200.00k * Internal plaster N54,600.00k
N138,800.00k N69,400.00k
50% LESS
3. * Reinforced concrete lintels and beams 3. * Grooved reinforced brick lintels and arched openings
N31.500.00k * lintels N16,800.00k
* arches N2,240 .00k
N19,040.00k
40% LESS
4. * Reinforced concrete columns 2 numbers 4. * Earth brick columns 2 numbers
N5,192.00k N3,440.00k
34% LESS
TOTAL COST = N521,362 TOTAL COST N309,55
41% LESS
Earth Brick Construction: Cutting Down The Cost Of Wall In Buildings

Deducing the percentage differences between the two options shows that, using stabilized (compressed) earth brick is

about 41% cheaper. The cost analysis is presented not as a sacrosanct choice whereby the brick must be selected in its

entirety. The analysis is meant to give multiple choices (as per the different variables) for a house builder to attain the

intended goal of owning a modest house at a relatively cheap cost.

Furthermore, it has been shown that bricks are 50% (or more) cheaper than sandcrete block (and its accoutrements).

However, the specific costs quoted may vary due to factor such as locations, cost of stabilization, etc. at the long though,

considerable saving are achieved.

It is also worthy of note that this paper does not take the word cost to mean only the actual amount of money needed to

build a house. The amount of energy needed to cool a building (in the form of air-conditioner of fan) in hot weathers, or

heat a building (in the fom of room heater or stove!) in cool seasons, contribute considerably to the total effective cost of

any building. This is why climate benefits and other qualities of earth bricks were highlighted earlier in the paper.

4. RECOMMENDATIONS

In spite of all efforts put in by the government (state and federal) and the private individuals to create sufficient housing, it

has still remained a colossal problem. This paper has been able to trace part of the problem to the relatively high cost of

modem buildings materials such as sandcrete blocks. As a result of this, even rentable houses have become quite

expensive, gulping a substantial part of peoples income. It has been evident that a solution could be found by looking

inward and exploiting the considerable benefits of compressed earth bricks. In this regard, the following

recommendations are proposed:-

4.1 The Governments (both Federal and State) should be the primary motivators towards the extensive use of compressed

Earth Bricks. Hence, any mass low-cost housing project that would be embarked upon by government should be of this

material.

4.2 Governments and private entrepreneurs should set up compressed earth bricks factories in order to make the materials

cheaper and more readily available.

4.3 Researches into ways of improving the material should be encouraged by considerable government and private finding.

4.4 Massive awareness campaigns would be necessary through government and private agencies, to disabuse the mind of

those who think nothing good can come from mud.

4.5 Considerable government subsidies need to be effected on all aspects of the compressed earth bricks manufacturing

processes.

4.6 Interest free loan should be granted to these factories as incentives.

4.7 Legislations are to be put in place to legally support these positive recommendations.
Earth Brick Construction: Cutting Down The Cost Of Wall In Buildings

5. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

For the walls of CEB to be protected against weathering, extensive roof overhangs are necessary. Although theses

overhangs are desirable in tropical weathers for shading, but further research is required on how to make the brick surfaces

less susceptible to weathering at a cheaper cost than for instance, Glazed Bricks.

6. CONCLUSION

Most of us have a general idea of the house we would like to build. Some, for instance, earning N10,000 monthly would

want to build using modern expensive materials. They therefore have to either wait for a long time to save enough or

negotiate a loan that would enslave them foe a longer time. Others would consider their N10,000 and what they can

achieve with it in terms of practical pursuance of building their house. They could thereby go for the traditional cheaper

materials which could ensure the judicious distribution of their funds. A modern house could be achieved and within a

shorter period of time. Also, one goes on without any debt on ones head.

However, the purpose of this paper has not been to condemn the use of modern building materials, but rather to present

or offer an alternative material together with its accompanying technologies. This material is STABILIZED OR

COMPRESSES EARTH BRICK.

The paper is not, by any means, advocating a Spartan form of existence though there is much to recommend it but

reiterating that we examine our needs and tailor them to suit our finances instead of the other way round. It is certain that if

these views are embraced and implemented both on governmental and private levels, the idea of sufficient and efficient

housing, which has eluded us for so long could be laid to rest at last. And all thanks would be to the hitherto noble

traditional building material EARTH BRICK.

For years, for centuries, the peasant had been wisely and quietly exploiting the obvious building material, while we,

with our modern school learned ideas, never dreamed of using such a ludicrous substance as mud for so serious a

creation as a house. But why not? Certainly, the peasants houses might be cramped, dark, dirty, and inconvenient but this

was no fault of the mud brick. There was nothing that could not be put right by good design and a broom. Why not use this

heaven sent material for our country houses? And why not, indeed, make the peasants own houses better? Why should

there be any difference between a peasants house and a landowners? Built both of mud brick, design both well and both

could afford their owners beauty and comfort.

Earth Brick Construction: Cutting Down The Cost Of Wall In Buildings

REFERENCES

[1] J.O. Diogu and M.M. Okonkwo, Urbanization and the dynamics of housing intervention in Nigeria, Journal of the Nigerian Institute of

Architects, 4(3), 2005, 21-25.

[2] A.M. Jinadu, Understanding the basics of housing (Minna, Niger: King James Publishers, 2004).

[3] H. Guilaud, V. Ogunsusi, and T. Joffroy, Earth construction technology material techniques and know how for new architectural

achievements (Jos, Plateau: CECtech, 1995).

[4] S. Zubairu, The need to employ traditional architecture to reflect a true Nigerian style of architecture, Journal of the Nigerian Institute of

Architects, 8(3&4) 1994, 8-10.

[5] F.E. Opara, The development of locally sourced building materials in Nigeria, Journal of the Association of Housing Cooperation in Nigeria,

1(7), 2003, 19-20.

[6] V. Ogunsusi, P. Kolawole, S. Moriset, L. Nnok, and I. Obdiaua, Compressed earth bricks masonry (Jos, Plateau: CECTech, 1995)

[15] Peterside, C. S. Ameliorating housing deficit in Nigeria: the role of primary and secondary
mortgage institutions and the capital market. http://www.nigeriaworld.com (10/04/2007).