Chapter -1

Introduction
1.1 Compressed Earth Block :-
A compressed earth block also known as a pressed earth block or a compressed soil block,
is a building material made primarily from damp soil compressed at high pressure to form blocks.
Compressed earth blocks use a mechanical press to form blocks out of an appropriate mix of fairly
dry inorganic subsoil, non-expansive clay.

CEB technology has been developed for low-cost construction, as an alternative to adobe,
and with some advantages. A commercial industry has been advanced by eco-friendly contractors,
manufacturers of the mechanical presses, and by cultural acceptance of the method.

Fig 1.1 Compressed earth blocks

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 Fig 1.2 CEB Building

1.2 Need of Compressed Earth Block in Place of Burnt Clay Brick :-

Environmental damage to large, due mainly clay soil excavation by sintering, and
therefore damage to soil and vegetation damage, resulting in soil erosion, bad environment has

been severely damaged, and therefore countries are phasing out the use of clay bricks project.

Emission of huge quantity of toxic elements from brick kilns is causing serious health
hazards. The brick kilns emit toxic fumes containing suspended particulate matters rich in carbon
particles and high concentration of carbon monoxides and oxides of sulphur (SO x) that are
harmful to eye, lungs and throat.

These air pollutants stunt the mental and physical growth of children. According to the
data, the primary source of SO x — the major pollutants in the air — is traffic vehicles (55.8%),
followed by brick manufacturing industry (28.8%). And the primary source of NO x (nitrogen
oxides) pollutants is also traffic vehicle (54.5%) and brick manufacturing industry (8.8%). Also,
nearly 25 to 26 per cent of the country’s wood production is used for burning bricks every year,
causing deforestation.

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 Chapter- 2
Objective and scope

2.1 Objective
 Enhancement of mechanical and durability properties of compressed earth block by adding
stabilizers (cement and lime).
 Whether they can be used for the construction of strong, safe and reliable low cost houses.
 To reduce the environmental impact.
 Utilization of local material.

2.2 Scope

 The research will contribute toward the sustainability goals as it is intended to derive a
environmental friendly alternative walling material.
 To find suitability of earthen construction for local soil as it depends on the soil type.
 If the results will be favorable, the use of compressed earth block can be promoted in rural
areas.

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 Chapter -3
Procedure
3.1 Process of making specimens
Step 1:- Collection of material
To get the best soil for making samples, top layer of soil up to 500 mm will be removed as
it contains vegetation. The soil collected from the pit will be air dried for 7 days. The dried soil
will then pulverized and sieved with 4.75 sieve.

Testing of the soil will be carried out to classify the soil and to find the suitability of stabilizer
whether cement or lime will be beneficial in terms of properties enhancement.

Step 2:- Mixing of stabilizer

While mixing the soil, air dried soil will be taken in tray and weighed. The stabilizer will be
added in dry soil and then water will be added as per OMC requirement to get maximum dry
density.

Step 3:- Compaction

A definite compression ratio will be adopted as per previous researches. The soil will be
poured in a rectangular mould up to a certain height and then compacted to a size of 290x 190x 90
mm by means of CTM.

Step 4:- Check for Mechanical & Durability properties

After a specified period of time, release the jack or lever and open the lid. New compressed
earth block should be solid and firm. If not, replace the lid and compact it again.

If it is solid, remove the CEB from the press and set aside for use in building.

Step 5:- Curing of samples

CEB samples will be cured for 7 days under wet jute bags and then exposed to air for 7 days in
ambient conditions.

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3.2 Test to be done on materials (Soil)

3.2.1 Moisture content test

3.2.2 Atterberg limits

3.2.3 Compaction test

3.3 Test to be done on compressed earth block

3.3.1 Compressive strength test

3.3.2 Water absorption test

3.3.3 3-point bending test

Fig 3.1 Test set up of 3-point bending

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 Chapter -4

Work plan

 Literature survey - December

 Material collection and properties test 1 -15 January
 Casting of sample -15-30 January
 Testing of sample- 1 February
 Project file preparation – March
 Site location – Near Pacific University
 Data collection – Material testing lab (Pacific College of Engineering)

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 Reference
 Hindustan times 24 December 2017 (https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-
news/polluting-brick-kilns-to-shut-down-for-good-after-june-2018-epca/story-
hhql0hGygv1oAYvoYoqzXI.html)
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compressed_earth_block
 IS Code 1725:2013
 Soil mechanics – B C Punmia 16th Edition