Abstract

MATTONE, Roberto. Research and education for the evolution of traditions: Profile blocks for self-building. Apuntes [online]. 2007, vol.20, n.2, pp.318-323. ISSN 1657-9763.

In the wake of traditional unfired earth construction techniques, the investigation conducted at the Material and Testing Laboratory of the 2nd School of Architecture of the Politecnico di Torino was aimed to gain a better knowledge of the basic material and to develop optimized methods for the production and installation of blocks in stabilized compressed earth, with a special focus on construction projects in the developing countries. Using specially fashioned blocks with projections and recesses, made with a new version of the GEO 50 manual press by the Altech company, unskilled workers can produce good quality self-help masonry. The results of laboratory tests found practical application in several communities in Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Cuba), Mindanao Island (Philippines) and Africa (Burkina Faso).

Keywords : Earth; compressed earth blocks; stabilization; tests; selfhelp.

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