Strength and erosion resistance of mudbrick as an alternative local material for Australia’s Northern Territory remote housing

Abstract

Housing in Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) remote areas has remained a challenge despite many years of attempts by policy makers and engineers. Community engagement has been found a major factor in success of remote projects and one way to attract local engagement and reduce construction cost in remote areas is using locally available materials in construction. In this paper technical feasibility of using mudbrick made from local soil is studied through standard compressive and erosion resistance tests. Results show that both compressive strength and erosion resistance of the mudbricks made in the study meet the requirements recommended by HB 195 – Australia earth building handbook. Findings suggest that mudbrick could be considered as an alternative construction material to the current common practice of using block work in NT remote areas. Inclusion of a low amount of high lime content Portland cement was found significantly effective in improving mudbrick erosion resistance properties.