Last Updated - 3/8/21
The Characteristics and Goals of Our Sustainable Building Project
By experimenting with two different block systems - compressed earth blocks (CEB) and wood-chip blocks, we hope to refine a more sustainable building technique.
Our ideal building system should have the following characteristics.
• reduced embedded energy
• high thermal mass to provide a more stable interior temperature
• reasonable total R-value
• easy of use by non-professionals
• on-site fabrication
• minimal waste
• longevity
• sound-deadening
• design-flexiblity
• fire resistance
• insect resistance
• locally source materials when possible
• low maintenance
Project goals include...
• bringing together a diverse group of students from geology, sustainability, engineering and the trades,
• applying the scientific method to a hands-on project,
• developing processes that will allow characterization of different blocks,
• sharing our learnings with local indigenous communities, and
• teaching building skills.
Our ideal building system should have the following characteristics.
• reduced embedded energy
• high thermal mass to provide a more stable interior temperature
• reasonable total R-value
• easy of use by non-professionals
• on-site fabrication
• minimal waste
• longevity
• sound-deadening
• design-flexiblity
• fire resistance
• insect resistance
• locally source materials when possible
• low maintenance
Project goals include...
• bringing together a diverse group of students from geology, sustainability, engineering and the trades,
• applying the scientific method to a hands-on project,
• developing processes that will allow characterization of different blocks,
• sharing our learnings with local indigenous communities, and
• teaching building skills.
Compressed Earth Blocks
Compressed earth blocks are made from a combination of clay, silt, and sand and cement and/or lime. A good introduction to CEBs below has been created by Jim Hallock of Earth Block International.
So far, the best value for a quality press appears to be the LT2-40 block press by Lontto Industries of Linyi, Shandong Province, China. The price for the press, 2 molds, and shipping from Shandong to Los Angeles is $1247.00 per this invoice. Here are the specifications for the LT2-40. The QMR2-40 from Giant Lin Machinery is another option. We are, of course, open to other suppliers. Please share what you find out.
When we start our project, our first task will be to find a good soil source, characterize that soil, and conduct tests to ensure a quality block. To help with this, I have modified a document from Giant Lin that covers the following topics.
1. What Is a Good Compressed Earth Block Soil?
2. How To Prepare the Soil+Cement Mixture
3. Curing Blocks
4. Transporting Blocks
5. Popular Block Designs
I shipped to Jim Hallock for analysis a soil sample from the groundwater recharge basin north of the CGCC Ironwood building. That sample was too high in clay content to be used to make CEBs. (I didn't have access to our soil sifters due to COVID-19.)
As project funding probably won't be available until summer at the earliest, and, as shipping may take a couple of months, I propose experimenting with wood chip blocks first. Keep reading.
Wood Chip Blocks
Wood chip blocks have many desirable characteristics. They...
• use locally-available often free waste from tree trimming, diverting material from landfills,
• are sound-deadening,
• are less carbon intensive than cement blocks but still use about 8 pounds of cement per large block,
• are insect resistant,
• insulate well,
• provide temperature-stabilizing thermal mass,
• are low-cost,
• can be made into a uniform block, and
• can integrate slurry, rebar, and bond beams, thus becoming load-bearing for single story structures.
Wood chip blocks, like wood walls, have to be protected from constant water. A good foundation with vapor barrier and a reasonable roof overhang will provide those protections.
Though odd, the following subtitled video from my comrade, Tugla, in Russia is a good overview of wood chip block creation.
• use locally-available often free waste from tree trimming, diverting material from landfills,
• are sound-deadening,
• are less carbon intensive than cement blocks but still use about 8 pounds of cement per large block,
• are insect resistant,
• insulate well,
• provide temperature-stabilizing thermal mass,
• are low-cost,
• can be made into a uniform block, and
• can integrate slurry, rebar, and bond beams, thus becoming load-bearing for single story structures.
Wood chip blocks, like wood walls, have to be protected from constant water. A good foundation with vapor barrier and a reasonable roof overhang will provide those protections.
Though odd, the following subtitled video from my comrade, Tugla, in Russia is a good overview of wood chip block creation.
My plan is to create a block similar to that featured in the video but include two vertical holes in each block. The holes in overlapping blocks will align, allowing the use of rebar and slurry resulting in a more structurally sound wall.
We can mix the cement/lime/chip combination using a cement mixer or a drill mixer. Other than the metal block molds and a drill jig, no special equipment is needed. This building technique also lends itself to slipform construction as demonstrated in the above video.
We can mix the cement/lime/chip combination using a cement mixer or a drill mixer. Other than the metal block molds and a drill jig, no special equipment is needed. This building technique also lends itself to slipform construction as demonstrated in the above video.
Next Steps
We first will experiment with wood chip blocks. I already have build a wooden block form (something like this) and will experiment with this form in February. However, a wooden form will not be long-lasting. We will need to fabricate and experiment with metal forms, eventually creating a standard 2-hole block form and a bond-beam block, though we may drill holes after the block is made. I also have a truck load of now-aged wood chip with which to experiment.
A simple metal block mold is shown at 2:50 in this video. (Dance optional. :) ) A variation on this theme uses a shaker. Both of these methods, however, do not control for block height; having a consistently-sized block is important.
A mold that will create consistent blocks is this version with a shaker to simplify compaction. The shaker isn't necessary. See 3-hole blocks at 4:04. Those holes are for slurry and rebar.
Hopefully we will have funding by May, allowing us to order a CEB press unless the wood chip process is going so well.
Once we have created a good block, we will need some beginning projects. Do you have a wall or shed that you need built? Tell us about that.
A simple metal block mold is shown at 2:50 in this video. (Dance optional. :) ) A variation on this theme uses a shaker. Both of these methods, however, do not control for block height; having a consistently-sized block is important.
A mold that will create consistent blocks is this version with a shaker to simplify compaction. The shaker isn't necessary. See 3-hole blocks at 4:04. Those holes are for slurry and rebar.
Hopefully we will have funding by May, allowing us to order a CEB press unless the wood chip process is going so well.
Once we have created a good block, we will need some beginning projects. Do you have a wall or shed that you need built? Tell us about that.
Interested?
If you are interested in being part of this CGCC Sustainable Building Project, complete the interest form after signing into your CGCC e-mail account.
FAQs
Have you thought about straw bale, cob, adobe, etc.?
The desired characteristics of this project align well with wood chip blocks and CEBs. Yes. I've built with straw bales, foam and fiber-cement, and traditional stick-frame.
The desired characteristics of this project align well with wood chip blocks and CEBs. Yes. I've built with straw bales, foam and fiber-cement, and traditional stick-frame.
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My home and car are majority solar powered.
Contact Jeff Simpson @ CGC.
My home and car are majority solar powered.
Contact Jeff Simpson @ CGC.