ADOBE WITH TERMITE MOUND SOIL FOR SUSTAINABLE HOUSE CONSTRUCTION IN GAMBELLA

Abstract

The Gambella community in Ethiopia uses their indigenous knowledge of mixing termite mounds soil with locally available straws to build their mud houses. Mud houses constructed with termite mounds are comparatively stronger than those prepared with other soils, but they have severe durability issues due to shrinkage cracks that necessitate regular maintenance which is not affordable by many. This research paper presents technology intervention to resolve these issues faced by the community by introducing an alternative method of house construction called adobe. As part of this research 144 blocks of adobes were cast by using locally available materials and their performance was evaluated by conducting several strength and durability tests. The experimental results revealed that adobe prepared with termite mounds soil, 1.5% straws, and 2.5% of binder provides excellent strength and durability. The compressive strength was measured to be 2.6 MPa. Enhanced durability in terms of reduced shrinkage (17%), a low initial rate of absorption (0.29), and water absorption (0.26) were found in the adobe blocks. This indicates adobe is certainly the best solution to the existing houses' durability issues and a best-class sustainable solution for the construction of houses in Gambella, Ethiopia.
Keywords: Adobe, Mud Houses, Compressive strength, Durability, Straw, Chikka Bets