CSEB Production
The CSEB Production course covers theory and practice of Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks (CSEB), a low-cost, low-carbon modern earth construction technique, which are made from a mix of soil, sand and water, stabilised with ~5% cement, and compressed manually or with a hydraulic press. The course covers basics on soil characteristics, design, calculation, block production, quality control, etc. This course is often taken in tandem with the CSEB Masonry course.
Eligibility:
All skill levels are welcome (e.g. engineers, architects, technicians, supervisors, masons, students and laymen).
Duration:
Classes start at 9 AM and finish at 6 PM.
Course content:
– Auroville Earth Institute presentation
– Building with earth in Auroville
– Sustainability and environmental friendliness
– Resource management
– Basic data on CSEB
– Raw material and soil identification
– Soil stabilisation (Stabilisers, Principles, Calculation and exercises)
– Products & equipment
– Blockyard organisation & Production line
– Quality control principles
– Improving and stabilising soils
– Mortar quality
– Block-laying & design guidelines
– Cost analysis & Economic feasibility study
– Handling, adjustment and maintenance of the presses
– Safety demonstration
– Testing typical soils with a press
– Sites visit by trainees
– Production of blocks: acquisition of know-how
– Production of various blocks (round, interlocking, hollow, etc.)
– Production of special blocks (U, pipe inserts, chamfer, flashing, coping, tile, etc.)
– Production of blocks: optimisation of production = 100 Blocks per hour
– Quality control with the field block tester
