problem statement
Problem statement
The growing demand for construction over recent years has led to a general increase in housing costs. Nationwide, the annual demand for housing has surged, prompting individuals to seek alternative methods to manage the rising costs of construction materials. This heightened demand requires substantial quantities of natural resources, such as sand, soil, and especially materials like cement. Specifically, the prices of key building materials, including cement, granite, and aggregates, continue to climb, posing significant challenges for many builders. Globally, the cement market is currently estimated at around 2 million tonnes, with 80% consumed by emerging countries such as Uganda. Consequently, this research aims to provide a comparative analysis between rammed earth construction and traditional burned clay brick construction. In Kenya, earth construction was historically widespread among many communities, serving as an expression of culture through architecture. The construction methods adapted to the local environment. However, during and after the colonial period, earth construction fell out of favor, replaced by industrialized materials and techniques, which were not indigenous to the local communities. These industrialized materials—such as glass, concrete, natural stone, and ceramic tiles—became accepted as the new “conventional” standard.
Despite their popularity, industrialized construction materials and techniques have several drawbacks, including high costs and unsustainability. Many people prefer them for their association with being “modern” and “fashionable.” However, in Kenya, these materials have not been sufficient to meet the country’s shelter needs. Besides being expensive and unsustainable, they are often unsuitable for the local climate. Given this situation, research on contemporary earth construction became necessary to evaluate earth as a more affordable and sustainable building material capable of meeting Kenya’s housing demands (Sitati, 2011). Although rammed earth construction has existed for centuries, its methods have not drastically changed. In comparison to traditional burned clay bricks, rammed earth construction differs in strength, durability, and environmental impact. Rammed earth’s strength has improved through the addition of cement, the use of rebar, and the transition from manual to pneumatic compaction methods. In some rural areas, where resources are limited, manual compaction is still in practice. These areas, often in tropical regions with suitable laterite soils, can utilize local soil, avoiding the need for costly materials or transportation. In Uganda, modern rammed earth applications are not only valued for their structural properties but also for their aesthetic appeal, with builders showcasing the distinct soil layers that form during construction. Today, some projects deliberately incorporate colored soil layers to enhance the visual appeal. While rammed earth construction remains uncommon in Uganda, it offers a sustainable alternative to traditional burned clay bricks for those with access to suitable soil types.
