BUSINESS PROSPECTIVE OF INTERLOCKIG SOIL-

CEMENT BRICK TECHNOLOGY

The construction sector is an important part of the Indian economy with a contribution of 10% in GDP

It has a registered annual growth of 9%. The Indian brick industry is the second largest producer of bricks in the world after China.

THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR IN INDIA

The brick production in India is estimated at 140 billion bricks, consuming 24 million tonnes of coal along with huge quantity of biomass fuels.

Brick production in India takes place in small units, using manual labor and traditional firing technologies.

The industry is estimated to consume 350 million tonne of top soil every year.

Mortarless technology is directly associated with interlocking bricks.

The history of interlocking bricks started in the early 1900s with the construction of toys for children’s McKusick (1997), Love and Gamble (1985).

Of these various systems, Lego has the most similarity to walling.

HISTORY OF INTERLOCKING BRICKS

Since 1970s the interlocking mortarless bricks/blocks for house construction, made from sand-cement, stabilized soil and burnt/baked soil, have been pioneered in Africa, Canada, the Middle East and India.

THE PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING

INTERLOCKING BRICKS

Interlocking earthen bricks are produced according to the following steps: extraction → preparation → mixing → pressing → treatment.

Storage of the materials or products is also necessary in each step.

Moreover, a ready supply of cement and water and soil tests to assure the product quality at any given point in the production process are indispensable.

Can be produced at or near the site – reduced transportation cost

Green technology – Zero carbon emission Energy Efficient Uses local available materials Reduces the need for skilled labor Maximize the use of unskilled labor Faster to build – shortens construction time Creates local employment Permits self-help construction or

community based projects Can be used to build all types of buildings

WHY INTERLOCKING BRICKS?

Load bearing construction systemNo need for mortar between 2 layers of bricksReduces reinforcements as it eliminates concrete

lintels, beams and columnsCement based and Reinforced wall – resists fire, wind

and earthquakesModular - No material wastageSimple construction – with little training unskilled

labor can be used to build the buildingsCost-effective construction systemCan be use as composite structure

Initial cost for the equipments and trainings might seem big amount, but once it is in place, it will show that it is much cost – effective than traditional technologies.

Construction cost can be reduced as much as 50% in comparison with conventional system depending upon the local price.

Thailand - 20% to 40%Bhutan - 40% to 50%Nepal - 13% to 30%

FAMOUS MONUMENTS WITH INETRLOCKING WALL

SYSTEM

The site is now Peru's most-visited tourist attraction.

The entire city is constructed from interlocking walls of smooth, polished stones. Without using mortar, the Inca fit the stones together like an immense jigsaw puzzle. Their work was so precise that, even after centuries of earthquakes, in many places it's still impossible to slip a piece of paper between the seams of two Machu Picchu stones.

1. EASTER ISLANDS

 It is a historical edifice with such a marvelous architecture that even modern architects seem to be perplexed by its design. 

The roof has been put together with interlocking bricks without using a beam or a girder. Hence, it is viewed as a unique achievement of architecture.

2. The Bara Imambara, Lucknow

Pumapunkis part of a large temple complex or monument group that is part of the Tiwanaku Site near Tiwanaku, Bolivia.

In assembling the walls of Pumapunku, each stone was finely cut to interlock with the surrounding stones and the blocks fit together like a puzzle, forming load-bearing joints without the use of mortar.

3. Pumapunku

Umaid Bhawan Palace is one of the most popular edifices of the Jodhpur city of Rajasthan.

An interesting feature of the palace is that no mortar or cement was used in its construction. Rather, carved stones were used and joined together by a system of interlocking positive and negative pieces.

4. UMAID BHAWAN PALACE