KEYWORDS:

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

• The first house to be built, using to a large extent rice husk ash (RHA) and lime as substitute for cement, stands on the premises of the National Building Research Institute, Karachi, Pakistan (also see Pozzolanas).

• Portland cement was used to stabilize the soil for the foundation (3 % cement); for compressed soil blocks (5 % cement) used to construct the plinth; for the floor; and for concrete door and window frames.

• Structural components such as the roof, beams, lintels, projection slabs (sunshade), overhead water tank, were also made with portland cement, but with 30 % of the required amount replaced by RHA and lime.

• The hollow blocks and mortar used for the load-bearing walls were made only with RHA and lime as binder, just as the external plaster.

• The appearance, structural performance and durability of the house is no different from conventional constructions, using portland cement as the only binder, but it saved 37 % of the costs and showed a way to solve a waste disposal problem.

Further information: National Building Research Institute, F-40, S.I.T.E., Hub River Road, Karachi, Pakistan; Bibl. 24.16.

RHA-Lime Prototype House at NBRI, Karachi (Bibl. 24.16)