COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DIFFERENT BETWEEN BURNT BRICKS AND SAND CEMENT BRICKS ON AFFORDABLE HOUSES IN RWANDA

Abstract

This project focuses on a comparative study of burnt clay bricks and sand-cement bricks for affordable housing in Rwanda. The study seeks to address the problem of environmental degradation caused by the use of burnt bricks, which contribute to deforestation, loss of fertile topsoil, and construction inefficiencies due to their low strength and susceptibility to damage. The main objective is to assess the compressive strength, cost-effectiveness, and overall practicality of sand-cement bricks compared to burnt bricks. The methodology involved laboratory tests on both sand-cement and burnt bricks. Compressive strength tests were conducted on brick samples, with sand-cement bricks showing superior performance. The average compressive strength of sand-cement bricks was 10.5 MPa, compared to burnt clay bricks at 6.0 MPa, indicating that sand-cement bricks are more durable and better suited for load-bearing construction. Additionally, a compressive test was performed on unburnt clay bricks, yielding an average compressive strength of 3.5 MPa, further highlighting the structural advantage of sand-cement bricks. Cost analysis for constructing a 20m × 3m wall showed that using clay bricks would require approximately 8,170 bricks, with a total material and transport cost of 434,000 Frw. For sand-cement bricks, 8,577 bricks were needed, with a higher total cost of 720,000 Frw due to the more expensive materials and additional transportation requirements. Despite this, sand-cement bricks offer long-term savings due to their higher durability and reduced maintenance. The study concludes that sand-cement bricks, although more expensive, provide better strength, durability, and construction efficiency. Burnt clay bricks, while cheaper, are less resistant to environmental wear and lead to environmental harm during production. Based on these findings, it is recommended that construction companies adopt sand-cement bricks for affordable housing projects to ensure stronger, more sustainable, and cost-effective building practices. Additionally, clients should consider the environmental and long-term benefits of using sand-cement bricks over burnt clay bricks.