Housing Typologies of Mud Block Construction in Central Ethiopia: the Case of Three Selected Towns
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Date
2019-06
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EiABC
Abstract
Earth as a construction material is the commonly available and worldwide usable material in rural and urban areas. In developing countries, this recyclable material of earth construction was used for economically efficient and sustainable Housing Projects. Thus, in Ethiopia the mud block construction is an essential in increasing sustainable solutions for the provision of shelter for every person. Weak use of locally developed building materials has resulted in huge housing shortage and expensive housing construction. The commonly used construction materials in Ethiopia are Chika/mud bet, hollow concrete block, brick, mud block and stone masonry. In investigating the housing typology of mud block construction in central Ethiopia on the three selected towns were studied through case study approaches using physical survey, interviews, and lab analysis on the compressive strength, water absorption capacity and shrinkage value of mud blocks. The findings of the present study revealed that mud block housing was affected by ingredients, climate, construction techniques and adaptability but mud block houses were more acceptable due to the use of local material & labor, economy, energy efficiency, comfortable and easy for construction. The present study recommends that researches were needed to investigate on the use of mud block construction as alternative walling material by substituting the uses of trees and other unsustainable construction material by adapting in different climatic zones of Ethiopia.
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Addis Ababa University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Science in Architectural Engineering
Keywords
mud blocks sustainable housing, construction material., typology, sustainable housing, construction material