Compressed Earth Block

Background:

• The first compressed earth block press was a manual press and was developed in Colombia in 1956.
• Bricks can be made on site using local earth with a small addition of cement or lime stabilizer.
• The soil is highly compressed using hydraulic pressure, resulting in a very dense stabilized earth brick.

Benefits:

• Avoids wastage with packaging (Saves landfill costs).
• Costs 20% less than a conventional brick.
• 80% of the cost of the bricks goes toward creating work onsite.
• Durability - Stabilized bricks can be used as face bricks.

Technical information:

• Building blocks made of clay soils with 3-5% of lime or cement stabilizer.
• The mixture is then mixed with a minimal amount of water and then compressed using a Hydraulic press.
• The bricks are then cured before use.
• Bricks can be used for dome & vault construction (Avoiding use of conventional structural materials for roofs)
• Attachments can be purchased to manufacture different shaped brick as well as various roof-tiles.

Company track record and examples of work:

• Alliance Francaise Cultural Centre – Cape Town, 1997 (Project Architect for ACG Architects)