Compressed

Earth Block
Prepared by:
Aditya Shah (M.Tech CPM)
Introduction
•The new development of earth construction really started in the nineteen fifties, with
the technology of the Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB).

•Since then, considerable scientific researches has been carried out by laboratories.

•Since 1960 – 1970, Africa has seen the widest world development for CSEB.

•India developed CSEB technology only in the nineteen eighty’s, but sees today a
wider dissemination and development of CSEB.
Earth Architecture in the world an old
tradition
•Since ages raw earth has been used all over the world as a building material to
achieve amazingly long lasting buildings.

•There is hardly any continent or country which does not have numerous examples
of earth construction.
Statistics from UNCHS(United Nations Commission on Human Settlements) show
that:

40 % of the world population lives in earthen dwellings.

25 % of the world population does not have access to decent housing.
Statistics from the heritage lists of UNESCO show that:

15 % of the “world cultural heritage” is built with earth

25 % of the “world heritage in danger” is built with earth

14 % of the “100 most endangered world heritage” is built with

earth
•The oldest earthen building can still be seen in Egypt, near Luxor, which was built
around 1300 BC.

•In Saudi Arabia, people were used to build with earth since very ancient times.
What are Compressed Earth Blocks?

Soil!
frequently
Soil with 12- can be mixed obtained from
25% clay with sand or the ground at
sandier soil to the building site
get a successful
mix.
How it is made?
•The soil, raw or stabilized, for a compressed earth block is slightly moistened, poured
into a steel press (with or without stabilizer) and then compressed either with a
manual or motorized press.

•The input of soil stabilization has made it possible to build higher with thinner walls,
which have a much better compressive strength and water resistance.
What is the difference between stabilized
and unstabilized earth blocks?

the blocks
adding a small
must be cured
amount of lime
and/or cement water resistant for four weeks
Generally 4-10% after
manufacturing.
Soil suitability and stabilization for CSEB
•A soil contains four components: gravel, sand, silt and clay.

•In concrete, the binder of gravel and sand is cement. In a soil, the binder is silt & clay.
But silt and clay are not stable in water.

•Thus, the aim of stabilization is to stabilize silt and clay against water, so as to give
lasting properties with the minimum of maintenance.
Good soil Gravel 15 % Sand 50 % Silt 15 % Clay 20 %

A good soil for CSEB is more sandy than clayey.

Energy Effectiveness
•Only 1 liter of •Building a m² of
masonry with
•Producing diesel is needed to
CSEB consumes 5
compressed earth produce 145
blocks requires earth blocks, times less
making it an energy than a m²
about 1% of the
energy-saving of wire cut bricks
energy needed production masonry and 15
to produce a process with
building brick. times less than
minimum
country fired
CO2 emissions. bricks!
Ecological comparison of building
materials
Energy consumption

15.1 times
4.9 times less than
less than wire country fired
cut bricks bricks
Pollution emission

2.4 times 7.9 times less

less than wire
cut bricks than fired bricks
POLLUTION EMISSION (Kg of CO2) PER M3
OF WALL

CSEB wall = 56.79 Kg / m3

Kiln Fired Brick (KFB) = 230.06 Kg / m3

Fired Brick (CFB) = 547.30 Kg / m3

Cost effectiveness
•Cost is too often limited only to the monetary value.
Cubic meter of CSEB is around 30.6 % cheaper than a
cubic meter of fired bricks.
Cost Effectiveness
•CSEB are generally cheaper than fired bricks

•This will vary from place to place and specially according to the
cement cost.

•The cost break down of a 5 % stabilised block will depend on the

local context.
Why Compressed Earth Blocks?

An adapted Environmentally
A local material material sound
A job creation Market Limiting
opportunity opportunity deforestation
Reducing Social
Cost efficiency
imports acceptance
Six production stages
Preparation (Digging + Sieving) 2 to 4 people

Measuring 1 people

Mixing (dry + wet) 2 people 11 to 13 people

Pressing 3 people

The details are given for an

Initial curing and first stacking 1 people
Auram Press 3000 which can
produces 1000 blocks per day
Final curing and stacking 2 people
Are these structures strong?
Yes
Both stabilized and unstabilized CEBs are appropriate
for buildings

The durability of a CEB building will allow it to last for

centuries! Ancient earthen structures still stand today
in many parts of the world.

CEBs have proven to be waterproof, fireproof,

bug proof, and with bamboo or rebar
reinforcement, these structures can be built to resist
earthquake damage in seismic zones. CEBs are an
incredible building material.
References
•A case study of Compressed stabilized earth block technology, Satprem maini, director
of the auroville earth institute.
•www.auroville.com
THANK YOU