Development of a Strength Prediction Model for “Green” Compressed Stabilised Earthbricks

Abstract

Traditional fired clay bricks are widely used as a fundamental building material in most countries. Availability, low costs and low-skilled labor are main factors that have made the bricks a popular choice. However with rising awareness to reduce carbon footprint and promote sustainable development, earth-making has taken a different path to minimize the environmental impact. Compressed stabilized earthbrick is an example of the alternative building material. In collaboration with a local property developer, the Research Centre for Soft Soils (RECESS) has embarked on an industrial research project to develop green sustainable compressed stabilized earthbricks in situ for a large scale mixed development site. The test results were then analyzed and cross-correlated to establish a strength prediction model for the bricks produced. The charts relating the relevant parameters serve not only as a quick guide to the expected strength, but also provide insights to the behavior of compressed stabilized material under loading.