FEASIBILITY OF COMPRESSED STABILIZED EARTH BLOCKS IN HILL AREA (KUMAON REGION)

Abstract

This research was started, with an objective to evaluate the effect of transportation of building materials from the foothills and nearby areas to hills which creates a lot of pollution leading to an increasing in the total energy utilized which is the embodied energy plus the energy used for transportation of materials. Use of local building materials with new construction techniques reduces the carbon footprint. The aim is to identify the problems with the current construction techniques and why the traditional techniques of construction are not in use. This study focuses on some selected site of (Kumaon region) Pithoragarh, Lohaghat, Munsyari and also examines the soil condition of these areas. This dissertation examines on the factors: Contemporary material used and prevalent problems with them, increasing, Information on suitable soil type, stabilizers and production of CSEB, and utilization of local resource that is energy saving, eco friendly and sustainable. The research methodology involves literature review followed by the case study of different buildings made up of CSEB. This study further includes testing of soil samples and their interpretation on the basis of results and the findings are presented in two main division of the thesis: Part A and Part B. Part A includes the literature review that is the main theoretical part about CSEB, description on the type of soil, stabilizers, different building components of building built with CSEB, testing of soil (Field test and Laboratory test). Part B includes the introduction to the study area, local construction techniques, and the description of study site from where the soil sample is collected, case studies of different buildings built-up with CSEB. Part B concludes with the observation of field study, testing of the soil sample and the interpretation for test results. The results of this study show that the use of compressed stabilized earth block is feasible on the basis of laboratory tests and this can be used as the alternative walling material. The lab test graph shows that the relative proportions of sand content is less in every sample, so either we have to use lime stabilization or have to add sand in the soil mix to obtain proper proportion. Further research in this direction is needed as there is very much diversity in the soil typology. For carrying out this research, sample blocks and their respective tests are needed for proper judgement of the strength and durability of the soils