Quantifying the perceptions of the 2018 Palu earthquake survivors on the use of light bricks as a wall material of simple house

Abstract

The construction of new housing for rehabilitation and reconstruction purposes must minimize the risks that may occur due to earthquakes, one of which is by using light materials (light bricks) as wall construction. However, the use of light bricks is often misunderstood by earthquake survivors because they are considered to have insufficient strength as a construction material. This paper intends to introduce light bricks to exposed communities and further quantify their perceptions of the application of this material to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of their buildings. The introduction of the material is done through socialization by displaying the results of laboratory tests of compressive strength and showing evidence of the application of this material in other places. The perceptions of the impacted community were analyzed from questionnaire results to 50 respondents with ten questions as the measurement reference. The results of the analysis show that almost all respondents show fairly good acceptance of light brick applications with a score of 3.70 of 5. Based on perception, the use of light bricks as a wall material has the opportunity to be applied for residential rehabilitation and reconstruction as a result of the 2018 Palu earthquake.