Assessment of mechanical and thermal properties of NBRRI interlocking

compressed stabilized Earth blocks

ABSTRUCTS

Energy costs associated to the construction and operation of buildings

are among the highest across all areas of human activity. The
development of sustainable construction practices is therefore
essential to comply with current targets for reducing carbon emissions
and energy consumption worldwide. The developments of alternative
indigenous building materials that can mitigate these challenges are
needed. The use of locally sourced materials, such as laterite soil, is a
possible solution. Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute
(NBRRI) has carried out research and development of Interlocking
Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks technology to address most of these
challenges. These Blocks are produced from laterite stabilized by
cement of not less than 5% by weight with a minimum compaction
effort of 3N/mm2. However, the quality control of these blocks is
essential for ensuring their structural integrity and durability. With the
deployment of this technology, remarkable decrease in these challenges
had been recorded without compromising the structural qualities and
convenience provided by the building. The properties of this technology
such as compressive strength, density, water absorption, fire resistance,
abrasive test, thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity were
investigated and the results proven okay within the standard
recommended by bodies. But other properties such, thermal shock
resistance, modulus of rapture, apparent porosity and bulk density are
yet to be investigated. Therefore, this research centered on determining
the thermal shock resistance, modulus of rapture, apparent porosity and
bulk density of NBRRI interlocking CSEB.
 The thermal shock resistance is an importance property of building
materials, particularly in region with extreme temperature fluctuations.
The modulus of rapture is another critical property that measures the
strength of a material under bending stress.
The apparent porosity and bulk density are also crucial properties to
evaluate the quality of CSEBs, as they affect the strength, durability and
thermal performance of the blocks.

KEY WORDS: Environmental sustainability, NBRRI CSEBs, thermal

shock resistance, modulus of rapture, apparent porosity and bulk density.
.

1.0. General introduction

Today's society is showing a growing level of concern about the environmental

issues and their consequences, emphasizing the environmental dimension as a
conditioning for the economic growth and the use of natural resources
(M.D.Pinheiro, 2006). The construction industry is one of the oldest and most
important human activities that have contributed to the development of the
planet, suffering a high advance in the last few years. This sector is also
considered the world's largest exporter with values that achieve 50% of share
(F.Pacheco Torgali, 2009). Nevertheless, more recent studies have highlighted the
increased of the environmental concerns in the construction industry, especially
with regard to issues related to over-exploitation of non-renewable resources
and environmental unsustainability due to the construction of new buildings
(R.M Pulselli & E. Simoncini, 2009). In industrialized countries, such as Nigeria,
about 30 to 40% of natural resources are directed to the construction industry,
reaching a value near 3000 million tonnes per year which is responsible for
around 30% of CO2 global emissions. In addition, approximately 40% of the total
energy produced is consumed by construction processes and building
maintenance (R.M. Pulselli, 2007).

Thus, in order to minimize the negative impact that the construction industry has
in the environment, it is urgent to adopt more sustainable and "environmentally
friendly" materials (F.Torgal & S.Jalali, 2010) and techniques. In this field, earth
construction has a prominent role worldwide. Earth construction is often defined
as a construction technique that uses local raw, environmentally friendly,
abundant, affordable, economic, reusable, non-combustible and with good
thermal properties materials. This type of construction can also be easily
adaptable to the various requirements that characterize the construction sites
(A.Murta, 2010). Although this technique has fallen into disuse due to the
technological development and the emergence of new materials, it is observed
that the stakeholders are increasing their knowledge in this area in order to
revitalize this traditional technique. In this context, masonry construction with
interlocking compressed earth blocks (ICEB’S) has been applied.

The investigation of alternative materials for the construction of low cost housing
has been the focus of many studies in many developing countries. According to
Tathagat & Dod (2015), world studies have acknowledged that buildings were
attributed to 33% of all energy-related CO2 emission and expected to grow from
7.85 to 11Gt and to 15.6Gt by 2030. The change in climate caused by the release of
greenhouse gases (primarily carbon dioxide (CO 2) into the atmosphere has been
recognized as one of the greatest threats of the 21 st century. The global warming is
caused by the emission of greenhouse gases such as CO2 to the atmosphere by
human activities. Among the greenhouse gases, CO2 contributes about 65% to
global warming. The cement industry is responsible for about 6% of all CO2
emissions, because the production of one tonne of Portland cement emits
approximately 0.9 tonne of CO2 into the atmosphere (Nazeer and Kumar, 2014).

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC), 2007

opines that, climate change has wider range effects on the environment,
socioeconomic activities and related sectors including; water resources, agriculture
and food security, human health and the built environment. As countries would
like to be seen doing something in line with their environmental commitments in
the aforesaid quest, there has not been a growth in the rate of uptake of Green
Buildings (GB) in Nigeria. At present, Green Building is the only way for the
construction industry to move towards achieving a sustainable development in
ecosystem, socioeconomic and cultural issues (Sinha et al., 2012).

In Green Building practice, Compressed Stabilize Earth Blocks (CSEBs) create 20

Kg CO2/tonne compared to that of sandcrate Blocks (143 Kg CO 2/tonne), common
fired clay Blocks (200 Kg CO2/tonne) and aerated concrete Blocks (280-375Kg
CO2/tonne) (Morton, 2008). This concern gives CSEBs the drive in finding their
ways into the building construction industries since they offer significant
environmental benefits with respect to resource renewability, biodegradability,
embodied energy, material efficiency etc. as well as providing satisfactory
performance in a wide array of domestic or industrial applications or usages.
NBRRI Interlocking CSEBs has also shown a decrease in the negative
environmental impacts of the construction activities and also ensured the
sustainability of construction. Using NBRRI Interlocking CSEBs for construction,
the resulting buildings will not only reduce the negative environmental impact and
be more economically sustainable and perhaps more resilient when exposed to fire
but also benefit from reduced utility consumption and will also provide a more
comfortable internal environment for occupants. All these properties are important
considerations when designing and constructing a building for a particular purpose.

1.1 PROBLEM STATEMENT

NBRRI has invested a lot of time, effort and resources in the research,
development and deployment of an Interlocking CSEB technology towards
achieving sustainability in construction. Several qualities that gave this technology
a comparative advantage over other Conventional Walling Material (CVM) have
been established. Nonetheless, the properties of this NBRRI CSEB such as thermal
shock resistance, apparent porosity, bulk density and modulus of rapture are yet to
be specifically established so as to satisfactory ensure its general performance in a
wide array of domestic or industrial applications and usage.

1.2 JUSTIFICATION
In an attempt to promote green building consciousness internationally, there are
calls to adopt the NBRRI Interlocking CSEB for building construction in Nigeria.
The characteristic feature of NBRRI CSEB that measures it resistance to
temperature fluctuations is an important parameter to consider. The ability of
NBRRI CSEB to find out how much empty or void space is present is very
important to consider as it widely used in the evaluation and comparison of product
quality and as part of criteria for selection in a variety for construction
applications. Also the ability of NBRRI CSEBs to withstand load or force (i.e the
stresses that result due to strain) is an imperative parameter to consider in term of it
performance. These strains typically arise due to load, concentrated loads and
constrained movement.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this research is to find ways of achieving more environmental
friendliness and sustainability of NBRRI CSEB in building construction with the
following specific objectives:
i. To formulate and mould the NBRRI interlocking CSEBs
ii. To determine the apparent porosity of the NBRRI interlocking CSEBs
iii. To determine the bulk density of the NBRRI CSEBs
iv. To determine the thermal shocking resistance of the NBRRI CSEB
v. To determine the modulus of rapture of the NBRRI interlocking CSEB
vi. To compare the result with the standard bodies which will give NBRRI
CSEBs more advantage when compare with conventional walling
materials (CWMs).

1.4. LIMITATION OF THE STUDY/SCOPE OF THE WORK

This work is limited to determination of some mechanical and thermal
properties such as thermal shock resistance, apparent porosity, bulk
density and modulus of rapture of NBRRI CSEBs after formulation.
2.0. Research Background

The influence of stabilizers on the physical characteristics of interlocking clay soil

blocks has been assessed by different authors (Sanewu , 2014 & Kamua, 1993) on
their nature of types, contents, and duration of curing. Having invested a lot of time
and research effort in the development of CSEB technology which include the
design and fabrication of machines, blocks production techniques and the wall
construction techniques.

Several studies such as Maton et.al (2014) and Didel et.al (2014) have suggested
that NBRRI CSEB technology possess a comparative advantage over conventional
walling materials with respect to environmental friendliness and cost. This laterites
been used by the NBRRI in the production of CSEB has posses good physical
properties. Below are some of the literatures and their findings in respect to CEBs.

TOPICS AUTHOR FINDINGS

Quality, Application Maton et al (2014)  NBRRI CSEB possesses
and Cost Benefits of better performance as
NBRRI Interlocking regards compressive
Blocks as Solution to strength, when compared to
Nigerian Affordable sandcrete blocks.
Housing Aspirations  It offers cost advantage by
saving up to 20% over
conventional sandcrete
blocks.
Comparative Cost Didel et al (2014)  NBRRI CSEB might be
Analysis of used as locally available
Compressed alternative building
Stabilized Blocks and material to meet the
Sandcrete Blocks in housing needs in Nigeria.
Affordable housing  NBRRI CSEB is a cheaper
Delivery in Nigeria alternative walling
material.
Building with Jagadish (2007)  A three decade experience
Stabilized Mud shows that properly
stabilized mud (earth)
competes favourably with
burnt bricks or sandcrete
blocks.
 Wall erosion of buildings
constructed with CSEBs
can be prevented through
better design or by surface
treatment.
Durability The performance of stabilized
performances of CEBs not only depends of the
compressed earth quality and the reactivity of the
blocks exposed to selected earthen materials, but
wetting–drying cycles also the conditions of
and high temperature production/ curing and testing
(Nshimiyimana,
p,2022&Nshimiyimana, P,2020 ).
Fexural strength of Jayasinghe.C. & CSEB with good compaction
CEB masonry Mallawaarachcghi,2009 always has good flexural
materials. ) strength.

Thermal Behaviour of Mansour et al (2016)  Compaction pressure of

Compressed Earth the CEBs plays an
Blocks with Municipal important role on the bulk
Organic Waste density of the blocks,
Incorporation which impacts directly on
their thermal and
mechanical performance.
 Mansour et al suggest that
the use of an optimal value
for the bulk density would
lead to blocks with a
considerable mechanical
performance and allow to
reduce transferred heat
through building envelopes
 made of CEBs
Experimental Babalola, O.O., The study concluded that the
investigation of Ogunbiyi, O.F., thermal properties of CSEBs are
thermal properties of Olotauh, A.O., & influenced by the type of soil and
CSEBs. Amusah, L.M. (2016). stabilizer used.

2.1. Thermal shock Resistance

The thermal shock resistance is the ability of solid materials to withstand sudden
changes in temperature either during heating or cooling. These temperatures
fluctuations cause thermal stresses in the material and consequently the
propagation of micro-cracks that permanently damage the material. When a
material is exposed to continuous heating and cooling, thermal stresses arise that
lead to expansion and distortion. The stress causes deformations and cracks in the
material, which can lead to fractures. Most isotropic materials have excellent
resistance to extreme temperatures with low expansion coefficients which gives
them very high thermal shock resistance.

2.2. Modulus of rapture

The modulus of rapture (also known as flexural strength or bending strength) is

defined as its ability of a material to resist deformation under load. Flexural
strength is considered to be a key value when it comes to the stability of a material.
It indicates how much force is required to break test sample of a defined diameter.
As soon as this test value in exceeded, the test specimen break.

2.3. Apparent porosity

The apparent porosity (p, %) expresses as a percentage the relationship of the

volume of the open pores in the specimen to its exterior volume and will be
calculated in the formula.

2.4. Bulk density

The bulk density (B, g/cm3) of the test specimen in grams per cubic centimeter is
the quotient of its dry weight divided by its exterior volume. The bulk density will
be determined using an equation.

3.0. Materials and methods

3.1. Materials

The materials needed for this research include laterites, cement and water.
3.2. Formulation of CSEB

The CSEB will be formulated base on NBRRI procedure and cure for 21days.

3.3. Determination of thermal shock resistance

The test will identify the capacity of the NBRRI CSEBs to withstand temperature
changes during heating and cooling at different time intervals.

3.4. Determination of flexural strength (modulus of rapture)

The test will identify the failure characteristics of NBRRI CSEBs when a load or
concentrated load is applied to it at specific rates.

3.5. Determination of apparent porosity

The test will measure the volume of spaces or pores or voids relative to its total
volume present in NBRRI CSEBs.

3.6. Determination of Bulk density

This test will measure the mass of NBRRI CSEB per unit volume.

4.0. WORK SCHEDULE

The project shall be executed based on the work schedule presented below.
ACTIVITIES TIME
Desk Study Two (2) weeks
Getting Materials One (1) week
Production of the Blocks Four (4) weeks
Characterization of the Produced Blocks Six (6) weeks
Report Writing Two (2) weeks
TOTAL DURATION Fifteen(15) weeks
5.0. Proposed Research Budget

S/N Items Quantity Prices Total prices

A
1 Coverall 12(Dozen) Available
2 Nose mask 12(Dozen) Available
3 Safety boots 12(Dozen) Available
4 Leather Gloves 12(Dozen) Available
5 Latex Gloves 12(Dozen) Available
7 Protective’s Eyes 12(Dozen) Available Available
8 Internet 6 15,000 90,000
9 Antivirus 6 15,000 90,000
10 A4paper 2 2,500 5,000
11 Memory Drive 6 5,000 30,000
14 Desktop 1 570,000 570,000
computer( core i7 all in
one)
15 Heat flow meter 1 136,500 136,500
16 Thermometer 2 Available Available
17 Measuring cylinders 1 Available Available
(100ml, 500ml, 1000ml
,2000ml)
A-Total 921,500
B
19 Transportation 40,000 40,000
20 Laterites samples 1 trip 35,000 35,000
21 Portland cement 1 5,500 5,500
22 Samples preparations 5,000 5,000
23 Publication 2 100,000 200,000
24 Blocks production 40 blocks 150 6,000
25 Local running’s 50,000 50,000
26 Thermal shock 10 blocks 20,000 200,000
resistance test
27 Modulus of rapture 10blocks 20,000 200,000
test
Apparent porosity test 10blocks 20,000 200,000
Bulk density test 10blocks 20,000 200,000
28 Allowances for 30days 6 150,000 900,000
(5,000 per day)
29 Supervision allowances 100,000 100,000
30 Assisted staffs 3 50,000 150,000
B-Total 2,291,500
A +B 3,213,000
TOtal

EXPECTED OUTCOME

This study will provide valuable insights into some mechanical and thermal
properties (such as thermal shock resistance, modulus of rapture, apparent
porosity and buck density) of NBRRI CSEBs and their suitability for use in
construction. The standard method and equipments used in this research can be
adopted by researchers and practitioners in the field to assess the quality and
performance of NBRRI CSEBs.
References

A. Murta, H. Varum, J. Pinto, I. Bentes, A. Paiva, and L. Ramos, “Benefícios

económicos e ambientais inerentes ao uso de materiais estruturais naturais em
habitaçõ es unifamiliares" (in Portuguese), pp. 7–22, 2010.

Babalola, O.O., Ogunbiyi, O.F., Olotuah, A.O.,& Amusah, L.M. (2016). Experimental
investigation of thermal properties of CSEBs. Journal of Building Engineering, 5,
109-115.

Compaore, A., Ouedraogo, B., Guengane, H., Malbila, E. and Bathiebo, D.J. (2017)
Role of Local Building Materials on the Energy Behaviour of Habitats in
Ouagadougou. International Journal of Applied Science, 8, 63-72.
https://doi.org/10.21013/jas.v8.n2.p3

Didel J.M, Matawal D.S. and Ojo E.B. (2014). Comparative cost Analysis of
compressed stabilized Blocks and sandcrete Blocks in Affordable Housing
Delivery in Nigeria. Proceedings of International Housing Summit on Achieving.

F. Pacheco Torgal, R. M. G. Eires, and S. Jalali, "Construção em Terra" (in

Portugues), TecMinho. Guimarães, Portugal: Publidisa, 2009 .

F. Torgal and S. Jalali, “A sustentabilidade dos materiais de construção" (in

Portuguese), vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 1–14, 2010.

Hickson P. N, (2013). A way beyond the current scheme dirt. Newsletter of Earth
Building Association of Australia Inc, No. 50: pages 1–9.

Kamau, G.N., Mbindyo, J.K., Githinji, Z.P., and Kinyua, A.M., “Rice husk ash and its
application as cement replacement material in Kenya” International Journal of
biochemiphysics, 2(1-2), 138142, (1993).

Laborel-Préneron, A., Aubert, J.E., Magniont, C., Tribout, C. and Bertron, A. (2016)
Plant Aggregates and Straw in Earth Construction Materials: A Review.
Construction and Building Materials, 111, 719-734.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.02.119
Maton, D.J, Danjuma.G.A, Didel, J.M. and Edom.A. (2014). Quality, Application
and Cost Benefits of NBRRI Interlocking Blocks as solution to Nigeria Affordable
Housing Aspirations. Proceedings of International Housing Summit on Achieving
Affordable Housing in Nigeria, Abuja 2nd-4th June, 2014.

Morton, T. “Earth Masonry Design and Construction Guideline”, Berkshire:

Construction Research Communications Limited, 2008.

Nazeer, M. and Kumar, R. A. (2014), Strength studies on Metakaolin blended

highvolume fly ash concrete, International Journal of Engineering and Advanced
Technology,3(6), pp 176-179.

Nshimiyimana, P., Sore, S.O., Hema, C., Zoungrana, O., Messan, A. & Courard, L., A
discussion of “Optimisation of compressed earth blocks (CEBs) using natural origin
materials: A systematic literature review”. Constr. Build. Mater., 309, 2022. DOI:
10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.125140.

Nshimiyimana, P., Moussa, S.H., Messan, A. & Courard, L., Effect of production
and curing conditions on the performance of stabilized compressed earth blocks:
Kaolinite vs quartz-rich earthen material, MRS Adv., 5, pp. 1277–1283, 2020. DOI:
10.1557/adv.2020.155

R. M. Pulselli, E. Simoncini, F. M. Pulselli, and S. Bastianoni, “Emergy analysis of

building manufacturing, maintenance and use: Em-building indices to evaluate
housing sustainability", Energy Build., vol. 39, no. 5, pp. 620–628, 2007 .

R. M. Pulselli, E. Simoncini, and N. Marchettini, “Energy and emergy based cost-

benefit evaluation of building envelopes relative to geographical location and
climate”, Build. Environ., vol. 44, no. 5, pp. 920–928, 2009.

Sanewu, I.F., Kaluli, J.W., Maritim, N.K. and Kabubo, C.K., “Effect of municipal
solid waste ash on the strength of earthen bricks and walls”, Journal of Agriculture
Science and Technology, 16(2), 140-155, (2014).

Sinha, A., Gupta, R., Kutnar, A., (2012). Sustainable Development and Green
Building; https://www.researchgate.net/publication. 64(1), 45 – 53.
Tathagat, D & Dod, R. D., (2015). Role of Green Building in Sustainable
Construction-Need, Challenges and Scope in the Indian Scenario. Journal of
Mechanical and Civil Engineering. 12(2), 1 – 9.