Professional Documents
Culture Documents
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY
A PPROJECT
ON
submitted by
ZIRIMWABAGABO LEODOMIR
Under the Guidance of
To minimize the deforestation rate due to cutting trees for firing the bricks;
To make sure the safety of the building and to give a good appearance to a
building;
To enable individual to be familiar with before hand the outlay of the work.
1.3: Justification.
The Engineering sector is in position to discover which bricks or blocks available in
plenty, which can be utilized to put up the building structure of acceptable qualities, with
low cost, thus necessitate the making comparison between concrete blocks and bricks
from Ruliba, which are current building materials mostly used in Rwanda.
It is not easy to decide which kind of structural materials to use in construction because
of different building material made by diverse organizations which appear on market.
Generally, some people prefer to use little cost structural material without consideration
of other necessary properties. In fact, diverse factors should be considered such as
economics, structural and environmental factors.
Moreover, rural and urban communities have no required knowledge about building
structure. For that matter it is important to inform them on structural blocks and bricks
commonly available on market like concrete blocks and Ruliba bricks.
One of the government policy is to protect the environment by reducing the deforestation
velocity due to use of timber in various purposes. Then, the production of ordinary bricks
was reduced.
As a solution, it is time to give the information on modern structural bricks and blocks
which complete engineering requirements. The building development requires the
construction of apparent building. For achieving this purpose it necessary to be familiar
on face bricks most used in construction of houses like Ruliba bricks compared to
concrete blocks.
Types of bricks.
Bricks of masonry units may be solid, hollow, or architectural terra cotta. All types can
serve a structural function, a decorative function, or a combination of both. The various
types differ in their formation and composition.
Building bricks.
Also called common or hard bricks, are made from ordinary clay and are fired in kilns.
These bricks have no particular shoring, markings, surface texture, or color. Because
building bricks are generally used as the burning courses in either solid or cavity brick
walls, the harder and more durable type are preferred.
Face bricks.
Face bricks are of better quality and has better durability and appearance than structural
brick. Because of this, face bricks are used in exposed wall faces. The most common face
brick colors are various shades of brown, red, gray, yellow, or white.
Clinker brick.
Clinker brick is over burned in the kiln. Clinker bricks are usually rough, hard, durable,
and sometimes irregular in shape.
Pressed brick.
Pressed brick is made by a dry-press, rather than by kiln firing. Pressed brick have
regular, smooth faces, sharp edges, and perfectly square corner. Normally, they are used
like face brick.
Glazed Brick.
Glazed brick has one surface coated with a white or colored ceramic glazing. The glazing
forms when mineral ingredients fuse together in glasslike coating during burning. Glazed
bricks are particularly suited for walls or partitions in hospitals, dairies, laboratories. And
other structures requiring sanitary conditions and ease of cleaning.
Fire brick.
Fire brick is made from a special type of clay. This clay is very pure and uniform and is
able to withstand the high temperatures of fireplaces, boilers, and similar constructions.
Fire bricks are generally larger than other structural bricks and are often hand-molded.
2.2.2 : Firing.
Firing transforms the raw clay brick into a rigid continuous (although usually porous
ceramic by way of a complicated succession of physical and chemical changes. Water is
lost rapidly as the kiln temperature rise above 1000C.
The clay minerals decompose between 400 and 7000 c. At about 9000C crystalline silica,
alumina and spinel compounds appear and the mineral mullite 3Al2O32SiO2 forms above
about 10000C.
The minor oxide constituents include Na2O, K2O, MgO, CaO, and FeO produce relatively
low melting eutectic mixtures with principal components of SiO2 and Al2O3, so that some
melting may occur below 10000C.
Compressive
Class
Average
designation
strength not
strength less
less than
than kgf/cm2
(N/mm2)
kgf/cm2
350
350
(35)
400
(40)
300
300
(30)
350
(35)
250
250
(25)
300
(30)
200
200
(20)
250
(25)
175
175
(17.5)
200
(20)
150
150
(15)
175
(17.5)
125
125
(12.5)
150
(15)
100
100
(10)
125
(12.5)
75
75
(7.5)
100
(10)
50
50
(5)
75
(7.5)
35
35
(3.5)
50
(5)
Table 2.1:Average compressive strength of common burnt clay bricks. IS :1077- 1976.
10
2.4.2: Business.
The concrete block technology package is a highly profitable business for micro and
small scale building material producers and construction companies. The market for
concrete blocks is growing at a rapid rate, specially in the areas where burnt bricks are
not easily available or are of poor quality.
2.4.3: Product.
The specifications and the characteristics of a concrete block depend on the machine used
to manufacture concrete blocks. The most common size of solid concrete blocks is
300x200x150mm. The basic raw material is cement, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate.
Very little water is used. This is possible only with mechanized compaction and vibration
and gives the block high quality in spite of the lean mix, which uses very little cement.
11
Weight of a concrete blocks can be surface engineered by using pieces of stone or
ceramic waste on their face. Another common type are hollow concrete blocks. They are
made with a richer mix, but offer a number of advantages, such as lighter weight, easier
handling and facility for conducting or reinforcement through the hollows.
12
construction is faster than with other masonry units. The mortar used is also less which
results in cost saving. They are compatible with other materials like fired bricks, dressed
stone and compressed earth blocks for composite wall construction.
Acceptability of concrete blocks is very high in urban areas for all types of buildings.
They are very popular as a long lasting, low maintenance and investment for institutional
and industrial buildings. The permanence of a cement based product is making concrete
blocks a preferred choice in rural areas as well.
compressive strength and an extensive series of tests were undertaken by West et Al. at
the British Ceramic Research Association to examine the compressive strength of
brickwork built with a variety of wire-cut bricks having different hole patterns with
perforation ratios up to 20 per cent.
The results of these tests showed that if the brickwork strength was calculated on the
basis of a standard crushing test on the unit, the perforation pattern made little practical
difference. In these tests, the perforations were either circular holes or slots with round
ends, but in some tests reported by Monk the units had rectangular slots, and these tests
showed reduced compressive strength in prisms. It would seem probable that such slots
would introduce stress concentrations, not only in service but also in manufacture, which
would be a source of weakness.
13
Schellbach has examined the strength of various types of highly perforated units and has
found that the highest ratio of masonry strength to unit strength was obtained with a
perforation ratio of 38-43 per cent. Schellbachs study included examination of stress
concentration factors associated with different perforation patterns, and he concluded that
these remain within acceptable limits even with rectangular slots, provided that the
corners are well rounded.
Hollow block masonry may be built with the cores either unfilled or filled with concrete .
In the former case the mortar joint may cover the whole of the bed face of the block (fullbedded) or only the outer shells (face-shell-bedded). These different construction
methods result in considerable variations in structural behavior and this quite clearly
results in a more complex situation than for solid units in assessing masonry strength.
It is usual to take the strength of hollow units which are to be laid full-bedded as the
maximum test load divided by the gross area of the unit. This value is then used to
determine the masonry strength as if the unit were solid.
The stress conditions and mode of failure of shell-bedded hollow block masonry differ
considerably from those in solid block masonry. They have been investigated by Shrive
who has shown that tensile stresses are developed in the webs of the blocks, which
eventually lead to failure.
Hollow block work masonry is frequently built with the cores filled with concrete (grout).
The compressive strength of this type of masonry is found to be considerably less than
the sum of the strengths of the hollow block and concreted core tested separately, even
when the materials are of approximately the same nominal strength.
This is because there is a difference in the strains in block and fill materials at ultimate
load.
Thus Hamid and Drysdale have found the strain at ultimate strength of fill material used
in their investigations to be about 0.0024 compared with the strains at failure of the block
material of 0.0036. BY Arnold W. Handry in Structural Masonry (1998)
14
15
The wooden mould is initially oiled overnight and need not be oiled each time it is
filled. It is sufficient to wipe it clean with a cloth. The concrete, of stiff or plastic
consistency placed in layer is compacted with a 3 kg rammer. The mould has a
steel plate cut to the shape of the Block which is put on as a lid and held dawn
as the hollow-making pieces are then loosened and the sides of the mould removed
with a swift motion. All parts of the mould should be slightly tapered so they can be
easily removed from the block.
Starting the day after the block have been made, water is sprinkled on them for two
weeks during curing. After 48 hours the blocks can be removed for stacking. But the
wetting is continued. After curing, the blocks are dried. If damp blocks are put in wall,
they will shrink and cause cracks. To assure maximum drying, the blocks are dried. If
damp blocks are stacked interspaced, exposed to the prevailing wind and in the case of
hollow blocks, with the cavities laid horizontal to form a continuous passage for the
circulating air.
In addition, some are designed to keep out rain while others include mosquito-proofing.
Blocks of simple shape can be made in a wooden mould by inserting pieces of wood to
obtain the desired shape, but more complicated designs usually require a professionally
made steel mould.
16
17
Compo mortar is made with cement, lime and sand. In some localities a 50:50
cement-lime mix is sold as mortar cement. The addition of the lime reduces the cost
and improves the workability. 1:2:9, cement-lime-sand mix is suitable for general
purposes, while a 1:1:6 is better for exposed surfaces and a 1:3:12 can be used for
interior walls or stone walls where the extra plasticity is helpful.
Mortar can also be made using pozzolana, bitumen, cutback, or soil. A 1:2:9 Lime
pozzolana-sand mortar about equals a 1:6 cement-sand mortar. Adobe and stabilized soil
blocks are often laid in a mortar of the same composition as the blocks.
Table 2.2 and 2.3 provide information on the materials required for a cubic Meter of
various mortars and the amount of mortar per square meter for several building units.
Starting with cement mortar, strength decreases with each type, although ability to
accommodate movement increases.
Table 2.2: Materials required per Cubic Meter of mortar.
Type
Cement bag
Lime kg
Sand m3
6.0
1.1
5.0
100.0
1.1
3.3
13.5
1.1
Cement mortar 1: 8
3.7
1.1
2.5
150.0
1.1
200.0
1.1
0.25 m3
0.51m3
0.008m3
0.011m3
0.015m3
18
19
20
21
3. Rates. Rates of different items in the estimate are the current rates for the completion
of the items of work which include supply of materials, transport, labor, scaffolding
overheads, contractor's profit, taxes, etc.
By IVOR H. Seeley in building construction technology.
22
Mass (kg)
Pieces/m2
Blocks (mm)
cost/ piece
cost/m2
(rwf)
(rwf)
10.5
20
434.24
8684.8
400 x 175 x 95
6.9
25
316.24
7906
8.9
20
408.28
8165.6
250 x 175 x 95
4.35
36
198.24
7136.64
250 x 120 x 95
3.15
36
135.94
4893.84
260 x 125 x 68
2.6
52
80.24
4172.48
210 x 100 x 63
60
76.7
4602
210 x 50 x 63
60
47.2
2832
210 x 100 x 63
60
231.28
13876.8
23
The third data collection technique used is experiment like laboratory test. The crushing
strength test was conducted in order to know the resistance of Ruliba bricks under applied
load. Prepared sample is placed between the compressive machine plates and the load is
applied regularly and axially to the sample. The maximum load at failure divided by the
loaded area of the brick determine the crushing strength of the brick.
The observation method are used to know attractive appearance that presented Ruliba
bricks, the uniformity of color; surface and edges. Hand manipulation may necessary to
test the roughness of materials surface.
The visit was also been conducted on field were the construction works by using concrete
blocks took place. The technical specifications like mix proportion, size and the strength
was been recorded. The interview method were applied to know the real situation on the
construction field.
24
1. Cost of bricks.
The cost of Ruliba bricks are fixed according to their mass, sizes and properties. To be
familiar on their unit cost, the price of one brick must be multiplied by the number of
bricks required to make one cubic meter of masonry.
Sizes (mm)
Pieces/m3
cost/ piece
Cost/m3
(rwf)
(rwf)
114
434.24
49503.36
400 x 175 x 95
143
316.24
45222.32
114
408.28
46543.92
250 x 175 x 95
206
198.24
40837.44
250 x 120 x 95
300
135.94
40782
260 x 125 x 68
433
80.24
34743.9
210 x 100 x 63
600
76.7
46020
210 x 50 x 63
1200
47.2
56640
210 x 100 x 63
600
231.28
46256
25
2. Transport cost.
The transport cost depends upon the distance of and the weight of materials. At
reasonable distance, say from Ruliba to any where in Kigali city, one tour of five tones
costs 35,000rwf of transport. In table below, the unit cost presented, is estimated
basically to that information by calculation the transport cost of one kg per km multiply
by the number of bricks contained in one cubic meter of masonry.
In other Provinces, it is very strange to use Ruliba blocks because of high carrying price.
For instance, In districts like Musanze (North); Nyanza (south); Kayonza (Eastern) and
Karongi(Western), the transport costs lie between 60,000rwf and 80,000rwf per trip. The
table bellow illustrates the estimated transportation cost for different sizes.
Sizes (mm)
Mass (kg)
Bricks
Bricks per
3
cost/kg/km
Cost/m3/km
Unit cost at
per trip
one m
(Rwf)
(Rwf)
20 km
10.5
476
114
3.7
421.8
8436
400 x 175 x 95
6.9
725
143
2.4
343.2
6864
8.9
562
114
3.1
353.4
7068
250 x 175 x 95
4.35
1149
206
1.5
309
6180
250 x 120 x 95
3.15
1587
300
1.1
330
6600
260 x 125 x 68
2.6
2500
433
0.7
303.1
6062
210 x 100 x 63
2500
600
0.7
420
8400
210 x 50 x 63
5000
1200
0.35
420
8400
210 x 100 x 63
1667
600
1.0
600
12000
Table 3.2: Unit cost of transport at 20km distance of various size of Ruliba bricks.
26
3. cost of mortar.
Ratio: 1:4
One part of cement over four parts of sand:
Volume of brick with joint = 0.220 x 0.110 x 0.073 = 0.0017666m3
Number of bricks = 1/0.001766 = 566 bricks
Volume of net brick = 0.210 x 0.100 x 0.063 = 0.001323m3
Total volume of bricks : 566 x 0.001323 = 0.749m3
Volume of mortar : 1- 0.749 = 0.251m3
Unit volume of cement : 1/5 x 0.251 = 0.0502 m3
Mass of cement : = 0.0502 x 1500 = 75.3 kg
Unit cost of cement = 12000/50 x 75.3 = 18072 rwf
Unit volume of sand : 4/5 x 0.251 = 0.2008m3
Unit cost of sand : 35000/5 x 0.2008 = 1405.6 rwf
Unit cost of mortar = Unit cost of cement + Unit cost of sand
= 18072 +1405.6
=19477.6rwf
4. Labor cost.
Sizes (mm)
Built
Number of
Labor Cost of
Labor cost of
bricks
bricks in m3.
one m3(rwf)
per day.
400 x 175 x 120
19
114
353.68
40239
400 x 175 x 95
24
143
280
40040
19
114
353.68
40239
250 x 175 x 95
38
206
176.84
36429
250 x 120 x 95
56
300
120
36000
260 x 125 x 68
84
433
80
34640
210 x 100 x 63
120
600
56
33600
210 x 50 x 63
240
1200
28
33600
210 x 100 x 63
120
600
56
33600
Table 3.4 : Unit labor cost of masonry for various sizes of bricks.
27
B) Concrete blocks.
Three main items must be taken into account in estimation of unit cost of wall made with
concrete blocks. Then, the unit cost of wall =(Cost of blocks + labor cost +cost of
mortar). It is more economic to make blocks on place of work to avoid the transport cost
of finished units.
The cost of blocks combines both the cost of raw materials and which of former. So that,
his is paid around 40rwf per block. For that case, the transport fees of raw materials may
be considered. On market, one trip of sand bought between 35,000rwf and 40,000rwf,
while one bag of cement costs 11,0000rwf for imported Hima Portland cement and
13,000rwf for local Portland cement.
For labor cost, one mason and one porter can build about 60 blocks of 400 x 200 x 170
mm sizes per day. The day of work is equivalent of eight hours. Most employers does not
consider the security and other taxes for their employees which is wrong. Then, the labor
cost of one mason is 560rwf per hour, while the porter paid 280rwf per hour.
The cost of mortar for binding concrete blocks units is estimated like the cost of blocks.
The difference lies in their mix proportion ratio in which, that of mortar is one part of
cement to four parts of aggregate.
28
29
Unit cost(rwf.)
Descriptions
45,172
29,186
7,779
19,477.6
9,326
36,487
7,226
108,915.6
45,738
30
Hypothesis.
Each structural wall must withstand against natural and artificial action like compressive
stress, capillarity, etc. That will depend on resistance of its structural materials say bricks.
The problem behind is to know the ability of these materials to support the applied loads
in order to make safe design. As the Ruliba brick is the case study, it required to know the
crushing strength of that product.
Procedure.
Preparation of samples;
The maximum load at failure is noted as the crushing load of the brick.
31
32
Density:
Sample 1: Total volume of brick = 26 x 12.5 x 6.8 = 2210 cm3
Total volume of voids = 7.8 x 2.7 x 6.8 = 143.208 cm3
Total volume of solid = 2210 143.208 = 2066.792 cm3
Density = Weight (W1)/ Total volume of solid
= 2.633/2066.792 x 10-6 = 1273.95 Kg/m3
Sample 2: Total volume of brick = 26 x 12.5 x 6.8 = 2210 cm3
Total volume of voids = 7.8 x 2.7 x 6.8 = 143.208 cm3
Total volume of solid = 2210 143.208 = 2066.792 cm3
Density = Weight (W2)/ total volume of solid
= 2.643/2066.792 x 10-6
= 1278.79 Kg/m3
Average Density = (D1 + D2)/2
= (1273.95 + 1278.79)/2
= 1276.37 Kg/cm3
33
Sizes (cm)
Mass(kg)
Mass density
Average compressive
(kg/m3)
strength (kg/cm2)
Hollow block
40 x 17.5 x 12
10.5
1250
2.16
Hollow block
40 x 17.5 x 9.5
6.9
1037.6
1.79
Hollow block
25 x 17.5 x 19
8.9
1070.6
1.85
Hollow block
25 x 17.5 x 9.5
4.35
1046.6
1.81
Hollow block
25 x 12 x 9.5
3.15
1666.7
2.88
Hollow block
26 x 12.5 x 6.8
2.6
1276.37
2.21
Hollow brick
21 x 10 x 6.3
1511.7
2.62
Hollow brick
21 x 5 x 6.3
1511.7
2.62
Fire brick
21 x 10 x 6.3
2267.6
3.92
Description
Typical size
50-110 kg/cm2
days.
Mix proportion
34
250 x 175 x 95
250 x 120 x 95
260 x 125 x 68
210 x 100 x 63
210 x 50 x 63
210 x 100 x 63
49,503
45,222
46,544
40,837
40,782
34,744
46,020
56,640
46,256
8,436
6,864
7,068
6,180
6,600
6,062
8,400
8,400
12,000
19,478
19,478
19,478
19,478
19,478
19,478
19,478
19,478
19,478
40,239
40,040
40,239
36,429
36,000
34,640
33,600
33,600
33,600
117,656
111,604
113,329
102,924
102,860
94,924
107,498
118,118
111,334
400 x 175 x 95
Sizes (mm)
below:
Table 3.8: Total unit cost of masonry for various sizes of bricks.
35
The cost of concrete block is influenced by which of its constituents and the production
cost. For a ratio of 1:14, one bag of cement is used to produce 36 blocks with sizes 400 x
200 x 200mm.Also, for sand, one trip of five tones costs 35,000rwf. The production cost
is 40rwf per block. (man-made block.). For that, total cost of concrete block is about
500rwf.
3.3.3: Availability.
Ruliba bricks are available at Ruliba factory(B.R.R) situates at Nyabarongo bridge in
Nyarugenge District in Kigali city Province. They are obtained in abundance in different
form , function and sizes.
Concrete blocks are easily available, because they can be produced on work site. The
advantage of producing blocks on site is to avoid the transport cost, to control the quality
of raw materials, to organize the proportion mix process and to save money.
Some peoples produce blocks and sell them at 500-700rwf per block but, the mix
proportion of raw materials is critical because they want to gain more profit.
36
3.3.5: Method of manufacture.
Bricks from Ruliba factory are made mechanically by using machine. Prepared plastic
clay are extracted as continuous column of rectangular section with or without
perforations which is cut into individual bricks by wire.
Continuously, those bricks are fired up to 900 - 11000 C .Below that temperature, all
components react and dissolves ones with others , forming monolithic material.
Blocks may be made by using machine or hand after mixing raw materials at required
ratio. The obtained product is cured during two weeks by sprinkling water up to it
maximum strength. Produced blocks can be solid ,cellular or hollow depending on mould
used.
3.3.6: sizes.
Ruliba bricks are available in various sizes. Each client buy the products according to his
appreciation . The bricks of greatest sizes are similar to those of blocks are commonly
used in construction of contour walls. Small bricks are used in construction of building
walls.
Products
Function
Sizes (cm)
Hollow block
Face wall
40 x 17.5 x 12
Hollow block
Face wall
40 x 17.5 x 9.5
Hollow block
Face wall
25 x 17.5 x 19
Hollow block
Face wall
25 x 17.5 x 9.5
Hollow block
Face wall
25 x 12 x 9.5
Hollow block
Face wall
26 x 12.5 x 6.8
Hollow brick
Face wall
21 x 10 x 6.3
Hollow brick
Face wall
21 x 5 x 6.3
Fire brick
Fire resistant
21 x 10 x 6.3
37
Sizes are that the main difference between blocks and bricks. The fist one have great
sizes while the second one have small sizes. so that, common sizes of blocks are 400 x
200 x 200mm; 400 x 200 x 175mm; 400 x 200 x 150mm; 300 x 200 x 150mm etc.
38
Units
Quantities
Rate
m3
108,916
653,496
m2
60
4000
240,000
m2
60
2,500
150,000
Bricks work
with cement
mortar
Jointing outside
and inside
Varnishing
Total
1,043,496
Table 4.2:Abstract of estimating and costing of typical wall made in concrete blocks.
SN Items of work
1
Units
Quantities
Rates(rwf)
Total cost(rwf)
45,738
274,428
with m2
60
4,000
240,000
m2
60
2,500
150,000
Plastering
cement mortar
Painting
Total
664,428
39
As seen in above tables, only three items are considered in each case. It is observed that
the total cost of wall made with concrete blocks is lower than that which is constructed in
Ruliba bricks.
Sizes in mm.
Compressive
Density(kg/m3)
Strength(kg/cm2)
Concrete block
Bricks
300x200x150
from 260x125x68
50-110
2250
22.1
1276.37
Ruliba
Table 4.3:Size, compressive strength, density of concrete blocks and bricks from Ruliba
factory.
General comparison of concrete blocks with Bricks from Ruliba.
Concrete blocks
Less cost
High cost
It requires jointing
complicated.
Machine-made products
Are burned
40
5.2 : Recommendations.
After the completion of this project, the recommendations given are follow:
The mix proportion of Ruliba bricks should be controlled in order to improve they
qualities.
41
REFERENCES.
A. Books.
1.Arnold W. Handry (2003) Structural Masonry Addison Wesley longmen
limited , England.
2. E. Paul Degarmo, JT.Black and Ronarld A. KOHSER (1997) Materials and
processes in manufacturing, New delhi.
3. Ivor H. Seely, (1992) Building technology, customer services department,
mac millan Distribution Ltd. England.
4. Prof. BN Dutta, Estimating and costing in civil Engineering UBS
Distributors Pvt Ltd.
5. Tata Mc (2003) Civil Engineering materials, Graw- hill publishing company
Limited, New-delhi.
B. Web sites:
http://www. Google.com
http:// www.scoland.gov.uk
42
APPENDICES.
The information below, was given by one of mason of B. L HARBET RWANDA
Limited. The Structural materials used are Reinforced concrete, modern bricks and
blocks.
Statement of calculation of monthly salary for mason.
Enterprise : B.L HARBERT RWANDA Limited
Works : Construction of New American Embassy
Site: KACYIRU
Rate to pay 560rwf/hour
Pay type
FRW Rate
Hours worked
RT Basic
560
152.00
85,120
840
83
69,720
952
47
44,744
Double Time
1,120
22
24,640
Gross to pay
224,224Frw
PAYE
51267.2
NSSF
3% of Gross Pay
6726.72
FARG
1% of basic
Net to pay
851.20
165,378.88Frw
Total
DECLARATION.
ZIRIMWABAGABO Lodomir
ii
Dedication.
To:
My God;
My family;
All who have contributed to this work.
iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
The author is grateful to all who contributed to the successfulness of the
present study, in particular way thanks goes to Mr. KAYINAMURA Francis
who provided guidance to the present research work.
Special thanks go to KIST Staff and students for their immeasurable
technical assistance and their availability to assist in application of class
theories and practices.
I m grateful to the staff of Ruliba factory who provided me with useful data
that made this study possible. The bless of God for all who gave a helping
hand to the successful completion of the present work.
iv
ABSTRACT.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Certificate
Declaration..i
Dedication...ii
Acknowledgement.iii
Abstract......iv
Table of contents........................................................v
List of tables..vi
List of symbols and abbreviations .vii
Appendices
CHAPTER I .
1.0 : Introduction
... ..............................................................1
1.3 : Justification......2
1.4 : Scope of study..3
CHAPTER II .
2.0 : Literature review......................................4
2.1: Varieties of bricks and blocks
..4
vi
2.3.5 : Size of bricks ..................................9
2.4 : Concrete blocks features..........10
2.4.1 : Concrete block technology.....10
2.4.2 : Business .....10
2.4.3 : Product ...........................................10
2.4.4 : Unique features of concrete block technology...................................11
2.4.5 : Production process .11
2.4.6 : Building with concrete ...12
2.4.7 : Perforated and hollow blocks.12
2.4.8 : Benefit of using concrete blocks.14
2.5 : concrete blocks forming process14
2.5.1 : Mix proportion of blocks ...14
2.5.2 : Blocks manufacturing 14
2.5.3 : Decorative and ventilating blocks.. ... ... 15
2.6 : Mortar for jointing.........................................................16
2.7: Cost in structural materials.18
2.7.1 : Economy in construction ...18
2.7.2 : Unit cost .18
2.7.3 : Cost estimating 19
2.7.4 : Method of estimating .20
CHAPTER III .
3.0 : Research Methodology ..........22
3.1 : Data collection techniques.22
3.2 : Data organization for analysis...24
3.2.1 : Calculation of masonry unit cost24
3.2.2 : Data related to technical specifications..................................30
vii
viii
LIST OF TABLES.
Table 2.1:Average compressive strength of common burnt clay bricks..7
Table 2.2: Materials required per Cubic Meter of mortar..17
Table 2.3: Mortar Required for Various Types of Walls...17
Table 3.1 : Varieties of BRR Bricks/ blocks and their relative prices...22
Table 3.2 : Unit cost of Ruliba bricks24
Table 3.3 : Unit cost of transport at 20km distance of various size of
Ruliba bricks...25
Table 3.4 : Unit labor cost of masonry for various sizes of bricks26
Table 3.5 : Unit cost comparison of Ruliba bricks wall and concrete wall...29
Table 3.6: Technical specifications of Ruliba bricks.33
Table 3.7 : Technical specifications of concrete blocks33
Table 3.8 : Total unit cost of masonry for various sizes of bricks.34
Table 3.9 : Different sizes of Ruliba bricks ..36
Table 4.1 : Abstract of estimation and costing of typical wall made in
Ruliba bricks...38
Table 4.2 : Abstract of estimating and costing of typical wall made in
concrete blocks38
Table 4.3 : Size, compressive strength, density of concrete blocks and .........39
bricks from Ruliba factory.
ix
Abbreviations
Descriptions
units
KIST
B.R.R
CEET
L1
cm
L2
cm
W1
cm
W2
cm
H1
cm
H2
cm
Number of hollows
l1
l2
cm
w1
cm
w2
cm
h1
Cm
h2
Cm
D1
Kg/cm3
D2
Kg/cm3
sample number 1
cm