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ABSTRACT
This applied research paper is aimed at improving the quality of mud bricks using lowcost stabilization and compression techniques. The soil used in this study was obtained in Damboa and Ngala local government areas of Borno State, Northeast Nigeria. For this research, ordinary Portland cement and local straws (Gamba grass and Chaqqa) were used as partial replacement of clay soil by mass in the production of mud bricks. The replacement percentage used were 0%, 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% for cement replacement and 0.1%, 0.3% and 0.5% for straw replacement. Compressive strength and water absorption tests were performed in accordance with British Standard (BS) 3921:1985 to determine its suitability as a building material. The compressive strength and water resistance of the mud brick samples increased considerably with increase in cement and straw replacements at 28 days curing period. Therefore, stabilized compressed earth bricks (SCEB) technique has improved the quality of local mud bricks in the study area. This applied research, funded by USAID-Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) under the program, Addressing Diverse and Acute Primary Threats to Human Security in Northeast Nigeria (ADAPT) was conducted by Mercy Corps Nigeria, in collaboration with the University of Maiduguri and Ramat Polytechnic.
INTRODUCTION
The continuous displacement of vulnerable people and destruction of shelters and household assets due to the insurgency continues to be the main drivers for shelter needs across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. The lack of adequate shelter exposes the most vulnerable people to significant protection risks threatening their dignity, physical well-being and living standards. Shelter needs remain high even after a number of years of humanitarian action since emergency shelters provided for IDPs have a short life span of six months and do not provide beneficiaries sufficient protection from the environment, are highly prone to wear and tear, and require periodic replacement to some provide privacy, dignity, and security.
Human population is growing faster than people can afford to build houses, thus creating housing shortage. In many countries like Nigeria, an average citizen cannot afford the cost of constructing a modest accommodation. It is therefore imperative to source for innovative and sustainable techniques to make low-cost and effective building materials available. Mud brick, an affordable low-cost building material made from the abundantly available lateritic soil, has associated problems with some of its properties, hence must be modified to ensure its suitability. The identified issues with mud brick include the compressive strength and water resistance which leads to durability problems, for instance, perforation of the walls and gradual erosion of the brick building.
Lateritic soil in its natural state generally has low bearing capacity and strength due to its high clay content. When lateritic soil contains a large amount of clay materials, its strength and stability cannot be guaranteed under load especially in the presence of moisture.