Abstract
There is a need to strike a balance between progress and environmental concerns. Research for environmentally friendly technologies should take the front stage. Discussion should address the challenge of meeting housing demand while ensuring eco-friendly quality housing. A cow dung-based brick is an example of sustainable building material with multiple benefits and low carbon footprint. Need to focus on the importance of promoting reuse of renewable resources like cow dung to preserve the ecosystem. Thermal insulation and durability are additional benefits of cow dung bricks. This paper provides a scientific assessment of cow-dung based bricks, an increase in the optimum compressive strength over the time due to the presence of lime. Using a compression testing machine and the conventional test procedures for burnt clay bricks, sixty specimens of cow dung bricks in twenty distinct combinations were tested. The cow dung bricks were found to lack a clear yield point and brittle failure pattern in contrast to the burnt clay bricks. Based on the outcomes of the tests, the following combinations proved to be most effective: 50% clay and 50% cow dung, 50% clay and 45% clay and 5% lime, 50% cow dung and 40% clay and 10% lime,50% cow dung and 35% clay and 15% lime, and 60% clay and 25% lime. Once the ideal ratio of clay, lime, and cow dung has been established best combinations give more strength over time. The ideal ratio of the components based on thermal efficiency factors will be determined by additional testing.
Presenters
Namrata AgrahariResearch Scholar, Centre for Rural Development and Technology, IIT Delhi, Delhi, India
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
COWDUNG, SUSTAINABLE, BRICK, HOUSING, GREENBUILDING
