DEVELOPMENT OF INTERLOCKING COMPRESSED EARTH BRICKS (ICEB)

Abstract

Bricks have been in use in construction for thousands of years. They offer a great deal in terms of compressive strength, sound insulation and fire resistance. The material required is not only readily available but cheap as well. However, their use does pose certain threats and dangers to the living beings and the environment. They behave poorly in case of earthquake activity, weak in tension and shear. They pose great threat to the environment because their production is carried out in the kilns which are one of the biggest culprits of the environmental pollution. For this purpose, we have come up with interlocking bricks. They make use of the earth materials and are compressed instead of being burnt. The modified shape would allow for the interlock to happen which would enhance the shear performance of the bricks in case of an earthquake activity. The interlocking procedure would decrease substantial amount of mortar and/or plaster used in the walls. Since the bricks don’t make use of the brick kiln for its production, it is environment friendly. This study will identify and quantify the benefits offered due to the modified shape and composition of the brick. The main idea is to produce a brick which enhances the shear performance, reduces the environmental hazards without compromising the benefits offered by the conventional masonry.