Compressive Strength Characteristic of Environmentally Friendly Laterite Soil Blocks

Abstract

In order to minimize the environmental impacts caused by over exploitation of natural resources for the
production of building material, the possibility of using blended soil blocks duly burnt for load-bearing walls
has been assessed to alternate the fertile top soil of agricultural land. Since the vertical load carrying capacity
primarily depends on the compressive strength, a comprehensive study was conducted for burnt soil blocks
made with commonly available laterite and clay soil types in Tripura (India). The results indicate the possibility
of using burnt soil blocks for single storey houses which may also be extended to two storey houses.
Keywords: Blended brick, Fired lateritic soil brick, fertile top soil, compressive strength.