Forum:

Do you really use earth in compressed earth blocks?

pollinator

Posts: 335

Location: SW Washington State

posted 10 years ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

I have been looking at a number of machines that will make compressed earth blocks (bricks). They each have a similar recipe - concrete, sand and gravel. I know that each of this is made from the earth but I was under the impression that soil could be used as one of the ingredients of CEB. Is that correct?

R Scott

pollinator

Posts: 4024

Location: Kansas Zone 6a

284

posted 10 years ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Clay, sand, a little water. Cement is optional as a binder. Your recipe sounds like cinder blocks. I found many of those, too, when looking for CEB plans.

"You must be the change you want to see in the world." "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." --Mahatma Gandhi
"Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words." --Francis of Assisi.
"Family farms work when the whole family works the farm." -- Adam Klaus

Tom Connolly

pollinator

Posts: 335

Location: SW Washington State

posted 10 years ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Thanks. About 3 months ago I discovered some research done by engineers in the middle east who found that by adding carbon fibers to bricks they could almost double their strength. Has anyone considered this with ceb technology?

R Scott

pollinator

Posts: 4024

Location: Kansas Zone 6a

284

posted 10 years ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Carbon fiber, no. But I have seen similar with fiberglass or natural fiber. Chopped glass definitely makes concrete stronger, not sure if it bonds with earth well enough. No fun working with it and mixing it dry--that is lung cancer waiting to happen.

brevity is the soul of wit - shakespeare. Tiny ad:

permaculture and gardener gifts (stocking stuffers?)

https://permies.com/wiki/permaculture-gifts-stocking-stuffers