Stabilised Mud Blocks As Building Material
Earth or mud has been a building material for wall construction all over world. This is a comparison between traditional mud and SMBs (Stabilised Mud Blocks). :-) Some pros, cons are mentioned. Unstabilised (plain) mud walls require regular maintenance. Stabilisation improves mud quality sans burning. SMBs' energy consumption is small. Article link is provided below.----------------
".. unstabilised mud walls .. have the advantage of good thermal insulation. Various traditional techniques of construction using mud .. adobe, cob wall, rammed earth and wattle and daub. However, use of plain mud in wall construction has some disadvantages. These walls have good dry strength but hardly have any wet strength and they are more prone to termite-related problems in moist conditions. .."
".. Stabilization is a technique of improving the properties of mud in such a way that it will possess the adequate wet strength, durability and dimensional stability (retains its shape and size both in dry and moist conditions) without burning. Compacting a mixture of sandy soil with 7% cement and small quantities of lime at optimum moisture in a press results in stabilised mud blocks (SMB). The overall energy consumption in SMB is quite small (about one-third) in comparison with the burnt bricks. Compaction of soil-stabilizer mix can be done by using a manually operated or a mechanised press. .. The blocks have to be cured for three weeks by keeping the block surfaces moist. Additives like fly ash, quarry dust from crushers, granite fines or stone dust from stone cutting and polishing industries and various other mine or factory wastes can be used effectively along with the natural soil. .."
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Find this at http://www.thehindu.com/features/homes-and-gardens/understanding-stabilised-mud-blocks/article6815579.ece .
The author's name is Yogananda.
