Concrete Blocks

Technical Data
Building element Size Mixing ratio Cement used per m3 Resistance to earthquakes Resistance to typhoons Resistance to rain Resistance to insects Climatic suitability Stage of experience Production costs per m Durability
2

Wall Various sizes 1 cement : 6-8 aggregate 250 - 300kg Very good Very good Very good Very good All climates Widely used method Rp. 55,000 Approx. 30 years

Short Description
Concrete block construction has gained importance and has become a valid alternative to fired clay bricks. The essential ingredients of concrete are cement, aggregate (sand, gravel) and water. Concrete blocks are produced in a large variety of shapes and sizes. They can be produced manually or with the help of machines. Most commonly used concrete blocks are sized: Length: 40cm (half blocks: 20cm) Height: 20cm Width: 8/10/15/20cm ArCli uses the sizes 14,5 x 29 x 14cm, 14,5 x 14,5 x 14cm (width x length x height) Solid blocks have no cavities, or- according to US standards- have no voids amounting to not more than 25% of the gross cross-sectional area. Hollow blocks are the most common type of concrete blocks, having one or more holes that are open at both sides. The total void area can amount to 50% of the gross cross-sectional area.

Advantages
Technical advantages Solid blocks:
n High compressive strength, resistance to weathering,

impact and abrasion

n Capability of being moulded into components of any

shape and size

n Good fire resistance up to about 400C n Rapid construction n Very good stability

Hollow blocks:
n Can be made larger than

solid blocks
n Are lighter in weight n Construction of walls is

easy and quick

n The voids can be filled with

steel bars and concrete, achieving high earthquake resistance

n The

air space provides good thermal insulation for electrical and plumbing installation

n The cavities can be used

Economic advantages
n Production can be started

with little capital.

n Less working time required

for brick laying work with concrete blocks.

n Less mortar consumption n Generally, production costs

of concrete blocks are slightly lower than of fired bricks.

Limits of Application
n Raw materials must be locally available, of good quality

n Add some water.

and economically viable.

n Relatively large amount of cement is needed, which can

be expensive and difficult to obtain.

n Special knowledge and experience of the production

process is needed.

n In hot climates, the fresh mix must be shaded from the

sun. 2. Moulding:
n Put the mixture into wooden

Raw Material
Cement:
n Ordinary Portland Cement n Special cements

or steel mould boxes or moulding machine.

Aggregate:
n Sand or gravel n Max. particle size of coarser aggregates is 10mm. n Suitable aggregates are usually obtained from natural n Demould blocks immediately

sources (river beds, gravel pits, volcanic deposits) or from industrial by-processes (granulated blast furnace slag, sintered fly ash). Cement-Aggregate Ratio:
n Suitable proportion of aggregate to cement must be

after compaction.

found by testing
n Common ratios are 1:6, 1:8 n Test the quality of blocks produced

Water-Cement Ratio:
n Only drinking quality water should be used to mix the

3. Curing:
n Cover demoulded blocks with plastic sheets for 24hrs. n Keep the concrete blocks moist by keeping under water

concrete.
n Recommended water-cement ratio is 0.5

in tanks or by regularly spraying with water for 7 days. 4. Storing:

n Do not expose to direct sun light; keep the blocks in a dry

Equipment
n Masonry tools n Mixers: Pan mixers; Trough mixers n Blockmaking machine: Hand-operated; Egg-laying mo-

and covered area.

n Store for 2 weeks before usage.

bile machines; fully mechanised stationary machines

Skills required
Concrete making and masonry skills

Costs for Equipment

n Manual press machine Rp. #### n Semi automatic press machine Rp. #### n Mould full size block Rp. #### n Mould half size block Rp. #### n Hand press Rp. ####

Equipment Supplier Production Process

1. Batching and mixing:
n Batch aggregates and ce-

Parry Associates, UK www.parryassociates.com TARA Technology and Action, India www.devalt.org/TARA/ Appro-Techno, Belgium www.appro-techno.com Local suppliers (for hand operated equipment)

ment by weight.
n Mix cement and aggregates

using mattock, shovel or mixer until it reaches homogeneous condition.

Text & Layout by: Skat, Vadianstrasse 42, CH-9000 St.Gallen, Switzerland, phone: +41 71 228 54 54, mail: info@skat.ch, web: www.skat.ch

Cement Floor Tile

Technical Data
Building element Sizes in cm Mixing ratio Cement used per m3 Weight per m Resistance to earthquakes Resistance to typhoons Resistance to water Resistance to insects Climatic suitability Stage of experience Production costs per m3 Durability Floor 15 x 15 x 1.4cm (w x l x t) 20 x 20 x 2.0 25 x 25 x 2.4 30 x 30 x 2.6 1 cement : 5 aggregates 300 kg 2.3 t Very good Very good Widely used method Rp. 20,000 Approx. 30 years

Short Description
Cement Floor Tiles are used for the finishing of indoor floors. They are prefabricated in diverse sizes according to the planned design and needs of the customer. They are produced either through the wet method (wet head tile) or the dry method (dry head tile). The upper layer is made from portland cement with or without coloring or additives. The bottom layer is made from a strong mixture of cement and sand (1:5). Cement Floor Tiles are an excellent value-for-money and a good alternative to ceramic tiles

Limits of Application
n Raw materials must be locally available of good quality

and economically viable

n Relatively large amount of cement is needed which can

be expensive and difficult to obtain

n Special knowledge and experience of the production

process is needed
n Can be laid only on solid under-structure

Raw Material
Head Layer Body Layer

Cement
n Ordinary Portland Cement n Special cements and colours

Aggregate
n Sieved stone dust

Advantages
Technical advantages
n Capability of being moulded in different sizes, shapes,

n Sand (sieved with 5 mm sieve) n Gravel n Max. particle size of coarser aggregates is 10mm n The ideal aggregate is of hard fine aggregate (passing an

and colours
n Good stability n Easy to produce n Easy laying n Good indoor climate (balanced humidity; cool) n Various attractive patterns can be formed

ISO 8mm sieve) by using 8 - 4 - 2 - 1 - 0,500 - 0,250 mm sieves

n Aggregate must be well cleaned

Cement Aggregate Ratio

n A test is recommended to select the appropriate mixing

Economic advantages
n Production can be started with little capital n Can be massed produced n Equipment to produce tiles can be easily made by local

of aggregate and cement

n Common ratio is 1:5

Water-Cement Ratio
n Only drinking quality water should be used to mix the

workshop
n Can be an attractive business for small-scale enterprise

concrete
n Recommended water-cement ratio is 0.4

Equipment
n Mixers : Pan Mixers, Trough mixers n Matras cement tile n Manual moulds n Pallet n Masonry tools

4. Storing
n Do not expose to direct sun light, keep the tiles in a dry

and covered area

n Store for 2 weeks before usage

Costs for Equipment

n Mechanized equipment sets range up to 5000 USD n Hand operated equipment is 150 USD

Production Process
1. Batching and mixing
n Prepare mix for cement tile with the ratios of 1:5 (cement/

Skills Required
n Concrete making and masonry skills n Special training at ArCli is recommended

aggregate) for the body layer, and 1:0.2 (cement/ stone dust) for the head layer.
n Add some water n In hot climates, the fresh mix must be shaded from the

sun

2. Moulding
n Prepare first the head layer: n Fill the mix into prepared tile moulds up to fixed level to

obtain uniform thickness of first layer

n Secondly, prepare the body layer: n Fill the prepared mix in stages on top of the first layer

until the mould is completely filled

n Demould tiles after compaction

3. Curing
n Cover demoulded tiles with plastic sheets for 24 hours n Keep the tiles moist by keeping under water in tanks or

by regularly spraying with water for 5 days.

Text & Layout by: Skat, Vadianstrasse 42, CH-9000 St.Gallen, Switzerland, phone: +41 71 228 54 54, mail: info@skat.ch, web: www.skat.ch

Concrete Beam
Technical Data
Building element Mixing ratio Cement used per m
3

Beam of slab system 1 cement : 4 aggregates 460 kg Very good Very good Very good Very good All climates Experimental Rp. 95,000 - 115,000 per beam Approx. 30 years

Resistance to earthquakes Resistance to typhoons

ax .4

Resistance to rain Resistance to insects Climatic suitability Stage of experience

00

Short Description
n Prefabricated reinforced concrete beams with integrated

n Beams are produced for slab system n Appropriate dimensions for the reinforcement have to be

Size: 10 x 6 x max. length 400cm

Advantages
Technical advantages
n High structural strength n Good fire resistance up to about 400C n Rapid construction

Economic advantages
n Production can be started with little capital n Economises on building material, through longer spans n Less wood is consumed

Limits of Application
n Span length is limited to max. 4m n Skilled labourers and engineers required n Engineer has to calculate reinforcement dimensions and

Production costs per m2

10

Durability

Raw Material
Cement:
n Ordinary Portland Cement

iron brackets

Aggregate:
n Sand or gravel n Max. particle size of coarser aggregates is 10mm n Suitable aggregates are usually obtained from natural

calculated according to span length and load

sources (river beds, gravel pits, volcanic deposits) or from industrial by-processes (granulated blast furnace slag, sintered fly ash) Cement-Aggregate Ratio:
n Suitable proportion of aggregate to cement must be

found by testing
n Common ratio is 1:5

Water-Cement Ratio:
n Only drinking quality water should be used to mix the

concrete.
n Recommended water-cement ratio is 0.5

Steel reinforcement:
n U 24, U 39

Equipment
n Ordinary masonry equipment: spades pans, sieves, trow-

els, sand and cement batching boxes, balance, etc.

n Testing equipment n Shuttering for beam moulds

details

Production Process
n Prepare the cement mix using cement, aggregates, and

Skills Required
n Special training is needed n Engineer has to calculate reinforcement of beams

water (cement-aggregates ratio is 1:5)

Equipment Supplier
No special equipment required

Costs for Equipment

n Prepare formwork by placing it on an even and neat floor

No special equipment required

with 10cm empty spaces in between

n Place the steel reinforcement and stirrups in the beam

moulds
n Cast the moulds with the mortar to produce the beams n Cover with plastic sheet; keep the beams moist n Let the beams cure for 7 days before demoulding n Store the beams for 2 weeks before use

Text & Layout by: Skat, Vadianstrasse 42, CH-9000 St.Gallen, Switzerland, phone: +41 71 228 54 54, mail: info@skat.ch, web: www.skat.ch

Rooster
Technical Data
Building element Size Mixing ratio Cement used per m
3

Wall 29 x 14.5 x 14cm (length x width x height) 1 cement : 6-8 aggregates Depends on ratio and pattern Very good Very good Very good Very good All climates Widely used method Rp. 50,000 Approx. 30 years

Resistance to earthquakes Resistance to typhoons Resistance to rain Resistance to insects Climatic suitability Stage of experience Production costs Durability

Short Description
Ventilation Blocks (also known as Rooster) are widely used in walls (external and internal) to maintain necessary air circulation within buildings and screens. They can be also used for toilet parapets and fencing walls. The empty spaces within the ventilation block can be designed according to the required volume of fresh air circulation.

Limits of Application
n Can not be used as load bearing elements n Raw materials must be locally available of good quality

and economically viable

n Relative large amount of cement is needed which can be

expensive and difficult to obtain

n Special knowledge and experience of the production

process is needed

Raw Material
Cement

Advantages
Technical Advantages
n Capability of being moulded into components of any

n Ordinary Portland Cement n Special cements

Aggregates
n Sand and gravel n Max. particle size of coarser aggregates is 10 mm n Suitable aggregates are usually obtained from natural

shape and size

n Can have same size as concrete blocks n Good stability, resistance to weathering, impact and

abraison
n Easy to produce n Can be easily built into walls n More durable than window shutters

sources (river beds, gravel pits, volcanic deposits) or from industrial by-processes (granulated blast furnace slag, sintered fly ash) Cement Aggregate Ratio
n Suitable proportion of aggregate to cement must be

Economic Advantages
n Production can be started with little capital n Can be massed produced n Equipment to produce rooster can be easily made by lo-

found by testing
n Common ratio is 1: 5

cal workshop
n Production of roosters can be easily combined with con-

Water-Cement Ratio
n Only drinking quality water should be used to mix the

crete blocks
n Can be an attractive business for small-scale enterprise

concrete
n Recommended water-cement ratio is 0.5

Equipment
n Mixers: Pan mixers, Trough mixers n Matras Rooster n Manual moulds n Pallet n Masonry tools

Costs for Equipment

n Manual press machine Rp. #### n Semi automatic press machine Rp. #### n Block mould Rp. ####

Production Process
1. Batching and mixing
n Batch aggregates and cement by weight n Mix cement and aggregates using mattock, shovel or

Skills required
n Concrete making and masonry skills n Special training at ArCli is recommended

mixer until it reaches homogeneous condition

n Add some water n In hot climates, the fresh mix must be shaded from the

sun 2. Moulding
n Put the mixture into wooden or steel mould boxes or

mould machine
n Demould blocks immediately after compaction.

3. Curing
n Cover demoulded blocks with plastic sheets for 24 hours n Keep the concrete blocks moist by keeping under water

in tanks or by regularly spraying with water for 7 days 4. Storing

n Do not expose to direct sun light keep the blocks in a dry

and covered area

n Store for 2 weeks before usage

Text & Layout by: Skat, Vadianstrasse 42, CH-9000 St.Gallen, Switzerland, phone: +41 71 228 54 54, mail: info@skat.ch, web: www.skat.ch

Curved Concrete Tile

Technical Data
Building element Mixing ratio Cement used per m3 Resistance to earthquakes Resistance to typhoons Resistance to rain Resistance to insects Climatic suitability Stage of experience Production costs per m2 Durability Tile of slab system 1 cement : 4 aggregates 460 kg Very good Very good Very good Very good All climates Experimental Rp. 4,000- 5,000 per tile Approx. 30 years

Short Description
n Curved concrete tiles are prefabricated and used in Slab

Raw Material
Cement:
n Ordinary Portland Cement

Systems
n Tiles are manufactured using high strength concrete

made of an optimised mix of cement, aggregate and water Size: 30 x 60 x 2cm

Aggregate:
n Sand or gravel n Max. particle size of coarser aggregates is 10mm n Suitable aggregates are usually obtained from natural

sources (river beds, gravel pits, volcanic deposits) or from industrial by-processes (granulated blast furnace slag, sintered fly ash) Cement-Aggregate Ratio:
n Suitable proportion of aggregate to cement must be

found by testing
n Common ratio is 1:4

Water-Cement Ratio:
n Only drinking quality water should be used to mix the

concrete.

Advantages
Technical advantages
n High structural strength n No shuttering required n Rapid construction

n Recommended water-cement ratio is 0.5

Steel reinforcement:
n U 24, U 39

Economic advantages
n Production can be started with little capital n Less wood is consumed

Equipment
n Ordinary masonry equipment: spades pans, sieves, trow-

els, sand and cement batching boxes, balance, etc.

Limits of Application
n Skilled labourers required

n Screeding machine: includes a vibrating surface and a

hinged frame (MCR vibrating table)

n Testing equipment

Production Process
n Prepare the cement mix using cement, aggregates, and

Skills Required
n Special training is needed n Engineer has to calculate reinforcement of beams

water (cement-aggregates ratio is 1:4)

Equipment Supplier
ArCli, Banda Aceh

Costs for Equipment

n Apply cement on vibrating table and make it plane n Apply and align the wet concrete tile on mould n Let the freshly cast moulds dry for 24hrs to attain a mini-

Tile production equipment incl. 100 tile moulds: Rp. 15,000,000

mum strength
n Demould the curved tiles n Stack the tiles and cure them in water for minimum of 7

days

Text & Layout by: Skat, Vadianstrasse 42, CH-9000 St.Gallen, Switzerland, phone: +41 71 228 54 54, mail: info@skat.ch, web: www.skat.ch

Architecture Clinic

MCR

Micro Concrete Roof

Technical Data
Building element Size Mixing ratio Cement used per m Weight per m Resistance to earthquakes Resistance to typhoons Resistance to rain Resistance to insects Climatic suitability Stage of experience Production costs per m Durability Roof 25 x 50 x 1.0 cm 1 Cement : 2-3 Aggregates 5-7 kg 37 kg Good Satisfactory Good Good All climates Mature technology Rp. 26,000 15-20 years

Short Description
Micro Concrete Roofing (MCR) is a roofing technology developed 20 years ago. It consists of concrete tiles made of a cement mortar mix. MCR tiles are produced on a small vibrating table, which can be operated by a single trained worker. MCR allows for decentralised and small-scale production. Dimension and shape:

Limits of Application
n MCR tiles are used for sloping roofs with minimum incli-

nation of 20; (25 in regions with tropical heavy rains or typhoons)

n Good quality raw materials are necessary to produce

high quality MCR tiles.

n An MCR rooftop can not function as an area for gather-

ings, drying of cloth or placing aerial antennas, etc.

n In areas where there is no tradition in the use of concrete

roof tiles, extra efforts to boost the product in the market are necessary.
n If MCR tiles are not painted, fungal and algal growth is

common in tropical humid climates.

n The manufactory of MCR tiles should be located closely

to the resellers market (not more than 100 km) in order to reduce handling and transportation cost.
n Special training is required.

Advantages
Technical Advantages
n Good stability and durability, if properly manufactured

Raw Material
Cement: Ordinary Portland Cement; Cement/aggregate ratio is 1:3 Aggregates consist of: Sand: Angular particles and good grain size distribution between 0.06 and 2 mm (33%); free from silt and clay. Gravel: Mix of grain sizes: 2-4 mm (33%), 4-6 mm (33%); Sand/gravel ratio is 1:2 Water: Good quality water (drinkable water); water/cement ratio is 0.5-0.65 by weight Admixtures: Waterproofers are used, if the sand is not well graded, and colorants, if the grey cement colour is not desired.

and installed.
n MCR tiles are easy to handle. n In hot climates, houses covered with MCR remain cooler

compared to metal sheet roofs.

n MCR tiles are lighter than pressed concrete tiles. n MCR tiles are more environmental friendly produced and

recycled compared to metal sheet roofs.

n MCR can be produced in many different colours.

Economic Advantages
n Locally produced and low-cost n Labour-intensive n Only little investment is needed

Equipment
n Ordinary masonry equipment: spades pans, wheelbar-

Surface Treatment
n Painting of tiles with elastomeric or rubberised paints for

rows, sieves, trowels, sand and cement batching boxes, balance, etc.
n Screeding machine: includes a vibrating surface and a

a durable fungus-resistant top coat.

n Fungicidal washes such as sodium silicate, copper sul-

phate or even household bleaching.

n Painting needs to be re-applied after some years.

hinged frame.
n Setting moulds: made of impact-resistant PVC or fibre

glass, with rib markings (for accurate positioning of the tile edge) and supporting frame for stacking.
n Testing equipment

Installation of MCR
n MCR tiles are fixed well to the substructure in order not to

Production Process
1. Prepare the aggregates (sand, gravel) in ratio 1:2 2. Mix cement and aggregates by using shovel, hoe or mechanic mixer. Then add sufficient water. 3. Put the wet mix onto the polythene interface sheet on the screeding machine and, under vibration, smooth with a trowel to the same level as the surrounding steel frame.

be torn off by typhoon or earthquake.

n MCR tiles are laid on timber laths or steel angles (spaced

at 40 cm).
n Fixed with wire loops, nailed or tied onto the timber laths

or steel angles.

Skills required
Training from well-qualified and experienced resource persons is a must before an MCR production unit is established

4. Lift off the steel frame from the screeding surface. Pull a polythene sheet over the PVC setting mould.

Equipment Supplier
Parry Associates, UK www.parryassociates.com Eco Sur, Ecuador ecosur@ecosur.org TARA Technology and Action, India www.devalt.org/TARA/ Appro-Techno, Belgium www.appro-techno.com

5. Place the mould with the fresh tile on a stack of moulds for initial setting and curing for 24 hours. 6. Demould tiles afterwards and let them cure for 2 weeks in water tanks.

Costs for Equipment

Vibrating screeding machine, 200 moulds, and accessory pack: Rp. 15,000,000

Text & Layout by: Skat, Vadianstrasse 42, CH-9000 St.Gallen, Switzerland, phone: +41 71 228 54 54, mail: info@skat.ch, web: www.skat.ch

Paving Blocks
Technical Data
Building element Size Mixing ratio Cement used per m3 Resistance to earthquakes Resistance to typhoons Resistance to rain Resistance to insects Climatic suitability Stage of experience Production costs per m Durability
2

Yards, sidewalks Various sizes 1 cement : 8-10 aggregate 250-300kg Very good Very good Very good Very good All climates Widely used method Rp. 50,000 Approx. 30 years

Short Description
Paving blocks are prefabricated in many shapes and sizes. They are made of cement, aggregates and water. They can be used for home yard floors, sidewalks or roads because of their high resistance to rain and heavy weather. Size and shape are variable.

Raw Material
Cement:
n Ordinary Portland Cement

Aggregate:
n Sand and gravel n Max. particle size of coarser aggregates is 10mm n Suitable aggregates are usually obtained from natural

Advantages
Technical advantages
n Easy to produce n High compressive strength, resistance to weathering,

sources (river beds, gravel pits, volcanic deposits) or from industrial by-processes (granulated blast furnace slag, sintered fly ash) Cement-Aggregate Ratio:
n Common ratios are 1:8, 1:10 n Test the quality of blocks produced

impact and abrasion

n Capability of being moulded into components of any

shape and size

n Rapid laying n Very good stability

Water-Cement Ratio:
n Only drinking quality water should be used to mix the

concrete.
n Recommended water-cement ratio is 0.35 - 0.45

Economic advantages
n Production can be started with little capital. n Time and cost efficient to produce n Time and cost efficient to install

Equipment
n Masonry tools n Mixers: Pan mixers; Trough mixers n Moulding machine

Limits of Application
n Relatively large quantity of raw material is needed n If paved area is used for vehicles, special preparation of

n Moulds

the ground is needed

Production Process
1. Batching and mixing:
n Batch aggregates and cement by weight n Mix cement and aggregates using mattock, shovel or

4. Storing:
n Do not expose to direct sun light; keep the blocks in a dry

and covered area

n Store for 2 weeks before usage

mixer until it reaches homogeneous condition

Skills Required
n Concrete making and masonry skills n Semi-skilled labour

n Add some water

Costs for Equipment

n Manual press machine Rp. #### n Semi automatic press machine Rp. #### n Mould Rp. ####

n In hot climates, the fresh mix must be shaded from the

Equipment Supplier
Parry Associates, UK www.parryassociates.com TARA Technology and Action, India www.devalt.org/TARA/ Appro-Techno, Belgium www.appro-techno.com Local suppliers

sun 2. Moulding:
n Put the mixture into wooden or steel mould boxes or

moulding machine
n Demould blocks immediately after compaction

3. Curing:
n Cover demoulded blocks with plastic sheets for 24hrs n Keep the concrete blocks moist by keeping under water

in tanks or by regularly spraying with water for 7 days

Blocks cured in water tank

Text & Layout by: Skat, Vadianstrasse 42, CH-9000 St.Gallen, Switzerland, phone: +41 71 228 54 54, mail: info@skat.ch, web: www.skat.ch

Beam Block
Technical Data
Building element Size Mixing ratio Cement used per m
3

Wall 14,5 x 29 x 14cm (width x length x height) 1 cement : 6-8 aggregates 250-300kg Very good Very good Very good Very good All climates Widely used method Rp. 7,500 Approx. 30 years

Resistance to earthquakes Resistance to typhoons Resistance to rain Resistance to insects Climatic suitability Stage of experience Production costs per m Durability

Short Description
Beam Blocks (u-shaped) are used for reinforced ground beams, lintels, and ring beams. The usage of Frame Block minimises wood consumption because formwork is no more necessary.

Limits of Application
n Raw materials must be locally available, of good quality

and economically viable

n Relatively large amount of cement is needed, which can

be expensive and difficult to obtain

n Special knowledge and experience of the production

process is needed

Raw Material
Cement:
n Ordinary Portland Cement

Advantages
Technical Advantages
n Very good stability n For strong and light walls n Rapid construction n Voids can be filled with steel bars and concrete n Are lighter in weight than solid blocks n The cavity provides good thermal insulation

Aggregates:
n Sand and gravel n Max. particle size of coarser aggregates is 10mm n Suitable aggregates are usually obtained from natural

sources (river beds, gravel pits, volcanic deposits) or from industrial by-processes (granulated blast furnace slag, sintered fly ash) Cement-Aggregate Ratio:
n Suitable proportion of aggregate to cement must be

found by testing
n Common ratios are 1:6, 1:8

Economic Advantages
n Production can be started with little capital n Less working time required for brick laying work with

Water-Cement Ratio:
n Only drinking quality water should be used to mix the

concrete blocks
n Less mortar consumption n Generally, production costs of Frame blocks are slightly

concrete
n Recommended water-cement ratio is 0.5

lower than of fired bricks

Equipment
n Blockmaking equipment n Masonry tools n Manual moulds

Skills Required
n Concrete making and masonry skills n Special training at ArCli is recommended

Production Process
1. Batching and mixing:
n Batch aggregates and cement by weight n Mix cement and aggregates using mattock, shovel or

Costs for Equipment

n Manual press machine Rp. #### n Semi automatic press machine Rp. #### n Mould beam block Rp. ####

mixer until it reaches homogeneous condition

Equipment Supplier
Parry Associates, UK www.parryassociates.com TARA Technology and Action, India www.devalt.org/TARA/ ArCli, Banda Aceh
n Add some water

Local suppliers

n In hot climates, the fresh mix must be shaded from the

sun 2. Moulding:
n Put the mixture into wooden or steel mould boxes or

moulding machine
n Demould blocks immediately after compaction

3. Curing:
n Cover demoulded blocks with plastic sheets for 24hrs n Keep the concrete blocks moist by keeping under water

in tanks or by regularly spraying with water for 7 days 4. Storing:

n Do not expose to direct sun light; keep the blocks in a dry

and covered area

n Store for 2 weeks before usage

Text & Layout by: Skat, Vadianstrasse 42, CH-9000 St.Gallen, Switzerland, phone: +41 71 228 54 54, mail: info@skat.ch, web: www.skat.ch

Concrete Door & Window Frames

Technical Data
Building element Size Mixing ratio Cement used per m3 Resistance to earthquakes Resistance to typhoons Resistance to rain Resistance to insects Climatic suitability Stage of experience Production costs Durability Door and window frame Various sizes 1 cement : 4 aggregates 460 kg Very good Very good Very good Very good All climates Commonly used Please fill in! 50 years

Short Description
Concrete doors and windows frames are an attractive alternative to wooden frames where there is scarce wood. And it can help to save wood and therefore to protect natural forest resources.

Raw Material
Cement:
n Ordinary Portland Cement n Special cements

Aggregate:

Advantages
Technical Advantages
n Good weather resistance n High structural strength n Fast construction n Easy installation n Flexible in use n Frames can be adjusted to the building design n Easy maintenance n Good fire resistance up to 500C

n Sand and gravel, max. particle size of coarser aggre-

gates is 6mm
n Suitable aggregates are usually obtained from natural

sources (river beds, gravel pits, volcanic deposits) or from industrial by-processes (granulated blast furnace slag, sintered fly ash) Cement-Aggregate Ratio:
n Suitable proportion of aggregate to cement must be

found by testing
n Common ratio is 1:4

Water-Cement Ratio:
n Only drinking quality water should be used to mix the

Economic Advantages
n Savings in working time through fast construction n Cost-efficient and durable compared to wooden frames

concrete.
n Recommended water-cement ratio is 0.45 n Steel reinforcement

(up to 50% saving)

Limits of Application
n Raw materials must be locally available, of good quality

Equipment
n Masonry tools n Mixers: Pan mixers; Trough mixers n Frame moulds

and economically viable

n Special knowledge and experience of the production

process is needed
n Formwork/moulds must be accurate and of very good

quality, preferably made of steel

n Regular quality control is a must n Fixing of hinges and locks require special skills n Doors and window shutters must match with frames

Production Process
1. Batching and mixing:
n Batch aggregates and cement by weight n Mix cement and aggregates using mattock, shovel or

mixer until it reaches homogeneous condition

n Add some water

Equipment Supplier
TARA Technology and Action, India www.devalt.org/TARA/ bmtpc, India www.bmtpc.org/machines/CC-1.htm
n In hot climates, the fresh mix must be shaded from the

sun 2. Moulding:
n Put the mixture into moulds n Let dry for min. 7 days n Demould frames

Local suppliers

Costs for Equipment

n Frame mould: 50-100 USD

Optional: 3. Curing:
n Keep the concrete frames moist by keeping under water n Frame Moulding machine: ca. 1,000 USD n Mixer machine: ca. 1,200 USD

in tanks or by regularly spraying with water for 7 days 4. Storing:

n Do not expose to direct sun light; keep the frames in a dry

and covered area

n Store for 2 weeks before use

Skills Required
Special training is needed

Text & Layout by: Skat, Vadianstrasse 42, CH-9000 St.Gallen, Switzerland, phone: +41 71 228 54 54, mail: info@skat.ch, web: www.skat.ch

CEB

Compressed Earth Block

Technical Data
Building element Size Mixing ratio Weight per m
3

Wall Various sizes Cement/soil 1:5-10 1,7-2,2t Good Good Good Good Suitable for all climates, except very wet climates Used in many countries Please fill in! 50 years

Resistance to earthquakes Resistance to typhoons Resistance to rain Resistance to insects Climatic suitability Stage of experience Production costs per m3 Durability

Short Description
To produce Compressed Earth Blocks (CEB), soil (raw or stabilised) is slightly moistened, poured into a steel press, and then compressed. The usage of stabilisers allows building higher and thinner walls, which have a much better compressive strength and water resistance. Various sizes and shapes can be produced. A common size of CEBs in Indonesia is 22x10x8cm.

Economic Advantages
n Lower production cost and energy input compared with

fired bricks
n Locally produced (less transportation costs) n Flexible production size unit (from small scale workshop

to large scale plant)

n Labour intensive. Creates jobs. n Saves on wood consumption. No wood is required. n Profitable business if well managed

Limits of Application
n Lack of good soil n Lack of good equipment n Cannot be used for big loads or in high rise buildings n Cannot be used underwater or in continuously wet condi-

tions

Advantages
n Environmental-friendly technology

Raw Material
n Suitable soil with a good grain size distribution and a clay

content of 10-25%
n Stabiliser (cement, lime) n Waterproofing agents are optional

Equipment
n Block press (manually or mo-

torised operated) Technical Advantages

n Good stability and strength n Thermal insulation n Very regular in size and shape n CEBs can be produced in various shapes and sizes. n Easy transportation of dried blocks n Masonry tools (sieve, crusher,

wheelbarrows, mixer, basic tools, PVC sheets, etc.)

n Quality control devices

Production Process
Preparation of the soil:
n Select soil with good grain size distribution and good

Curing of the blocks:

n Stack the CEBs

cohesive performances

n Keep the CEBs moist n Pulverise the raw material and sieve out clay lumps,

gravel and stones

n Cure for 4 weeks n A hot and humid atmosphere gives best results n Do not expose to sun and rain

Equipment Supplier
Development Alternatives, Delhi- India Email: tara@devalt.org
n Mix the prepared soil with the stabiliser

Auroville Earth Institute Auroshilpam, Auroville- India Email: earth-institute@auroville.org.in Parry Associates, UK www.parryassociates.com Fernco Metal Products Email: fernco@ferncometal.com

n Moisten the mix with water

Costs for Equipment

n Hand operated press machine costs ca. 900-1,200 USD n Air/hydraulically operated press is ca. 1,800 USD

Compression of the mixture:

n Pour into a steel press

Skills required
Special training is needed

n Compress manually or motorised

Text & Layout by: Skat, Vadianstrasse 42, CH-9000 St.Gallen, Switzerland, phone: +41 71 228 54 54, mail: info@skat.ch, web: www.skat.ch

Well Ring
Technical Data
Building element Size Weight per unit Mixing ratio Cement used per m
3

Well Ring Variable 125 kg (size: 90 x 30cm) 1 cement : 8 aggregates 300 kg Very good Very good Very good Very good All climates Widely used method Rp. 80,000 Approx. 30 years

Resistance to earthquakes Resistance to typhoons Resistance to water Resistance to insects Climatic suitability Stage of experience Production costs per unit Durability

Short Description
Well ring units are used to build wells, water tanks, latrines, and culverts. Ring wells can be also used as supporting rings during the building of foundations. Well rings hold the surrounding soil and prevent it from collapsing during the casting of foundations. Well rings can be produced in many sizes and shapes. The most common size is: Outer Diameter: Inboard Diameter: Height: 90 cm 80 cm 35 cm

Limits of Application
n Not recommended for overhead water tanks n Raw materials must be locally available of good quality

and economically viable

n Special formwork of steel or wood is required

Raw Material
Cement
n Ordinary Portland Cement

Aggregates
n Sand and gravel n Max. particle size of coarser aggregates is 10 mm n Suitable aggregates are usually obtained from natural

Advantages
Technical Advantages
n Can be produced in various shapes and sizes n High compressive strength n Resistance to soil acids, impact and abrasion n Very good stability n Easy to produce n Rapid construction

sources (river beds, gravel pits, volcanic deposits) or from industrial by-processes (granulated blast furnace slag, sintered fly ash) Cement Aggregate Ratio
n Proportion of aggregate to cement can be optimized

through testing
n Common ratio is 1: 8 (cement: aggregates)

Water-Cement Ratio
n Only drinking quality water should be used to mix the

concrete
n Recommended water-cement ratio is 0.5

Economic Advantages
n Production can be started with little capital n Can be mass produced n Is an attractive business for small-scale enterprises

Equipment
n Mixers: Pan Mixers,

Skills Required
n Concrete making and masonry skills

Trough mixers
n Manual moulds n Masonry tools n Steel formwork

Equipment Supplier
n Steel or wooden formwork can be produced locally

Production Process
1. Batching and mixing
n Batch aggregates and cement by weight n Mix cement and aggregates using mattock, shovel or

Costs for Equipment

n Steel formwork: Rp. ##### n Wooden formwork: Rp. #####

mixer until it reaches homogeneous condition

n Add some water

n In hot climates, the fresh mix must be shaded from the

sun 2. Moulding
n Put the mixture into wooden or steel mould (round tun

shaped)
n Let dry for min. 7 days n Demould well rings

3. Curing
n Keep the well rings moist by keeping under water in large

tanks or by regularly spraying with water for 7 days. 4. Storing

n Do not expose to direct sun light and rain n Store for 2 weeks before usage

Text & Layout by: Skat, Vadianstrasse 42, CH-9000 St.Gallen, Switzerland, phone: +41 71 228 54 54, mail: info@skat.ch, web: www.skat.ch

Rubble Stone Masonry Foundation

Technical Data
Building element Size Mixing ratio Cement used per m3 Weight per m3 Resistance to earthquakes Resistance to typhoons Resistance to rain Resistance to insects Climatic suitability Stage of experience Production costs per m3 Durability Foundation Width: 30-40cm Heigth: 80-150cm Good Good Good Good All climates Widely used Rp. 500,000 50 years

Short Description
Stone foundations are made of rubble stone. A similar construction is possible with concrete from demolished buildings. The quality of mortar is of high importance to achieve good strength. Suitable size of stones is 10-25cm.

Limits of Application
n Construction should start on firm, uniform, and strong

subsoil
n Do not construct on grass, black fertile soil, filled up ma-

terials, or mud
n In earthquake areas, reinforcement with wire mesh or

steel rods is required; professional advice should be sought

Raw Material
Stone:
n Cleaned rubble stone stone, or concrete pieces

Mortar:
n Made of cement, sand, and water n The recommended ratio for cement/sand is 1:4 n The recommended water-cement ratio is 0.5

Advantages
Technical advantages
n Good stability n Long lasting n Raw materials are locally available and easy to trans-

Equipment
n Ordinary masonry tools

port
n Easy to be processed by semi-skilled labourers

Economic advantages
n Cost efficient to construct n Generally, material costs are lower than of concrete foun-

dations
n Processing can be started with little capital

Production Process
n Prepare foundation trenches in the soil (min. depth

40cm)
n Apply a layer of lean concrete (min. 5cm) or tramped

sand
n Mount carefully the stones in required width and height n Keep joints as narrow as possible n Fill all cavities well with mortar n Refill foundation trenches n Compact the refilling

Skills Required
n Masonry skills n Semi-skilled labour

Costs for Equipment

No special equipment required

Equipment Supplier
No special equipment required

Text & Layout by: Skat, Vadianstrasse 42, CH-9000 St.Gallen, Switzerland, phone: +41 71 228 54 54, mail: info@skat.ch, web: www.skat.ch

Prefabricated Concrete Footings

Technical Data
Building element Size Mixing ratio Cement used per m3 Weight per m
3

Foundation As per engineers calculation 1 cement : 4 aggregates Equivalent to P 350 (in CH) 2,3 t Very good Very good Very good Very good All climates Commonly used Please fill in! Approx. 50 years

Resistance to earthquakes Resistance to typhoons Resistance to rain Resistance to insects Climatic suitability Stage of experience Production costs per m3 Durability

Short Description
Prefabricated concrete footings are a solid and durable alternative to rubble stone masonry foundations. Concrete footings have a very good resistance to earthquakes and can be used in various types of grounds and soils.

Limits of Application
n Size and required reinforcement should be calculated by

an engineer
n Raw materials must be locally available, of good quality

and economically viable.

n Special knowledge and experience of the production and

installation process is needed.

n The bottom of foundation has to be well prepared with a

soling and neat for the placement of the footings

Advantages
Technical advantages
n High compressive strength, resistance to weathering,

impact and abrasion

n Capability of being moulded into components of any

n Lifting equipment is required

shape and size according to the type and pressure of the planned building, and the type of soil
n Rapid construction n Very good stability n Long lasting

Raw Material
Cement:
n Ordinary Portland Cement n Special cements

Economic advantages
n Production can be started with little capital n Time and cost efficient to produce n Time and cost efficient to install n In good soils and non-earthquake zones, footings can be

Aggregate:
n Sand and gravel

Cement-Aggregate Ratio:
n Suitable proportion of aggregate to cement must be

found by testing
n Common ratio is 1:4

made without reinforcement

Water-Cement Ratio:
n Only drinking quality water should be used to mix the

3. Curing:
n Cover demoulded footings with plastic sheets for 24hrs n Keep the concrete footings moist by keeping under water

concrete.
n Recommended water-cement ratio is 0.5

in large tanks or by regularly spraying with water for 7 days 4. Storing:

n Do not expose to direct sun light; keep the footings in a

Reinforcement
n Steel bars of 12-16mm diameter, as per engineers cal-

culation

dry and covered area

Equipment
n Ordinary masonry equipment: spades pans, sieves, trow-

n Store for 2 weeks before use

els, sand and cement batching boxes, balance, etc.

n Mixers: Pan mixers; Trough mixers n Moulds n Reinforced concrete making equipment (spacers, steel

Costs for Equipment

Has to be requested from ArCli, Banda Aceh

cutter)
n Lifting equipment

Equipment Supplier
No special equipment needed

Production Process
1. Batching and mixing:
n Batch aggregates and cement by weight

Skills Required
n Concrete making and masonry skills n Skilled labour

n Prepare the cement mix using cement, aggregates, and

water
n In hot climates, the fresh mix must be shaded from the

sun 2. Moulding:
n Prepare molds/formwork n Place the steel bars and necessary brackets in the
Vertical section

moulds

n Fill the cement mix into prepared moulds n Demould footings immediately after compaction
Horizontal section

Text & Layout by: Skat, Vadianstrasse 42, CH-9000 St.Gallen, Switzerland, phone: +41 71 228 54 54, mail: info@skat.ch, web: www.skat.ch

Architecture Clinic

Wooden Roof Truss

Technical Data
Building element Size Mixing ratio Cement used per m3 Weight per m
3

Roof structure Good Good Needs protection treatment All climates Commonly used Please fill in! 50 years

Resistance to earthquakes Resistance to typhoons Resistance to rain Resistance to insects Climatic suitability Stage of experience Production costs per m3 Durability

Short Description
The wooden roof truss system is used as roof sub-construction. Different types of roof coverings can be combined with it. The wooden roof truss is a structure with straight members forming triangles to support a load. The pieces of the triangles are placed under tension and compression, but must not bend. Roof trusses can be made for flat, single and double pitched roofs. Joints of wooden roof trusses can be made with nails, bolts or plate connectors Spans of nail trusses can vary from 6- 20m.

Economic advantages n Economic use of timber n Mass production of trusses economises in production costs n Advantage in transport and assembly compared to conventional roof structures n Relatively small profiles required

Limits of Application
n Requires Engineers calculation or use of Roof Truss

Guide
n Timber must have good resistance against rot, insects

and fungal attack

n Timber must be protected fully against weather impacts

Raw Material
n Timber of good quality and well dried n Nails (min. tensile strength 600 N/mm) or screws, or

bolts
n Plate connectors

Advantages
Technical advantages n Good stability n Light weighted n Suitable for construction in remote areas and at sites without lifting equipment. Can be handled manually.

Equipment
n Carpenters tools

Production Process
Wooden roof trusses can be prefabricated or in situ assembled.
n Prepare a template by drawing the dimensions of the

Skills Required
Good carpentry skills

truss on a flat surface

n Cut the truss members and assemble them according to

Costs for Equipment

No special equipment required

the template n Prepare template for the nail fixing at the ends of the truss pieces n Connect the timber pieces using nails, bolts or plates

Equipment Supplier
Local suppliers

Installation
n Trusses must be fixed properly to the supporting ring

beam or column
n Wooden roof trusses need a carefully fixed bracing

against wind forces

n Distance between the trusses depends on size of purlin

and weight of roofing materials

Text & Layout by: Skat, Vadianstrasse 42, CH-9000 St.Gallen, Switzerland, phone: +41 71 228 54 54, mail: info@skat.ch, web: www.skat.ch