Suitability Analysis of Compressed Earth Bricks (CEB) for Sustainable Housing Delivery in Guinea Savannah Zone of Northern Nigeria

Abstract

In meeting housing delivery challenges in Nigeria, there is an urgent need to develop materials and technologies that are cost effective, eco-friendly, having good user perception and showcasing cultural heritage. The study evaluated the compressed earth bricks (CEB) and sandcrete blocks sustainability as building materials. Structured questionnaires were administered to professionals (Architects, Structural Engineers and Builders) in Kaduna State to establish the awareness level, application and sustainability qualities of CEB as compared to sandcrete blocks. Laboratory tests were conducted on six soil samples and CEB from three States of Guinea Savannah Zone of Northern Nigeria (Kaduna, Plateau and Niger) to ascertain their suitability for housing development. Findings showed low awareness, acceptability and poor user perception levels of CEB at 12% but high advantage as regard cost, environmental friendliness (energy efficient) and cultural heritage. CEB were manually and dynamically compressed at medium pressure and cured for 7 and 28 days respectively with five different cement ratios. The maximum compressive strength in 28days for Kaduna State was Damashi with 2.67 N/mm2, at 6% stabilisation; Plateau State, both Bassa and Jos South had 2.82 N/mm2 at 6% cement content and Bosso in Niger State was 4.42 N/mm2 at 8% cement content. The bricks from each of the sites indicated appropriate for use at either 2% or 4% but averagely 6% and all at 8% cement stabilisation. CEB has sustainable advantage over sandcrete blocks by approximately 70%. The paper recommends that developers, Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Governments housing development agencies commence the use of optimised CEB for sustainable large scale housing production in Nigeria.