Interlocking Stabilized Blocks (ISSB)
Although soil is a dominant building material due to its availability and affordability, it is weak in wet weather and will easily disintegrate when exposed to water or rain. Soil stabilization involves the addition of a stabilizing element such as cement of lime to the soil. The soil is further strengthened by compaction (by impact or pressing) and curing.
These three soil improvement methods will:-
- Increase the strength of soil (block/brick) Improving durability
- Control the swelling or shrinkage of the soil.
- Reduce the water absorption of the soil.
- Allows it to resist erosion
Common Stabilization Methods
- Raising density by compacting
- Using binder or binding element
- Using additives that hinder water absorption
Stabilizers
- Cement
- Lime
- Tar
Raw Materials for making Interlocking blocks
- Soil
- Cement
- water IDENTIFYING SUITABLE SOIL
Properties of suitable soil for soil-cement interlocking blocks should have the following properties
- Murum like soils and not the top loam soils used for agriculture. Preferably soils at 2-3 feet below the surface
- Soil that can easily be molded into different stable shapes
- Soils that can easily be compressed. Sand will not be easily compressed
- Soils that do not Should not shrink much such as clay
