Interlocking Compressed Earth Block (ICEB)

Historical context

The use of earth blocks in construction can be traced as early as 1950s. It started with
the use of adobe, an earth block material that is made-up of soil and rice stalks. In
1956, a Colombian engineer named Raul Ramirez first made a press machine called
Cinva Ram block press. This technological innovation was followed by a research and
development of Compressed Earth Block in year 1967 by the Thailand Institute of
Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR). Later, the Asian Institute of Technology
and Soil Block Development Company produced larger earth blocks than those
introduced by TISTR. Eventually, these blocks were introduced as modern ICEB or
Interlocking Compressed Earth Blocks.

ICEB is an alternative to conventional housing technology which is now widely-used in

construction in Asian countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Philippines. The
ICEB is a mixture of limesoil, cement and water and can be produced through
mechanical press.

Here in the Philippines, ICEB is currently used by Julio and Florentina Ledesma
Foundation, Inc. (JFLFI), a Non-government organization that spearheads several
housing projects in San Carlos and Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. Through JFLFI,
the ICEB technology was introduced for the first time in Iloilo City for the implementation
of the Community-Led Infrastructure Finance Facility (CLIFF) Phase II or commonly
known as the Community Managed Resettlement Housing Project, a massive housing
project funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the
Department for International Development (DFID) for 172 families affected by the Iloilo
Flood Control Project. The ICEB was primarily adopted as a response to the need for a
construction technology that is comparatively lower than conventional housing
technology when it comes to over-all construction cost, but will not compromise the
socialized housing standards.

What are the advantages of using the ICEB technology?

a. ICEB make load bearing walls

b. Economy
 Save cement and labor because ICEB do not need plastering and mortar in
joining the blocks
 Load bearing walls require less reinforcing steel bars
 Quicker construction because there’s no need to wait for cast posts or beams
to harden
c. Since ICEB have high density and stabilized with cement, they are suitable for two to
three-storey buildings if the produced blocks are of good quality

d. The 6-inch thick block provides thermal and sound insulation, thus a building made of
ICEB is reasonably comfortable and quiet.

e. Utilizes indigenous or locally available materials mainly soil and requires less use of
wood for construction

f. Creates local employment from both ICEB production and construction

What are the disadvantages of using this technology?

a. ICEB technology requires strict supervision in terms of laying blocks because failure
to do so, may affect the structural design.

b. Since ICEB is heavier than CHB, they may incur greater hauling and transportation
cost if the production area is far from the construction site.

c. The blocks also require proper handling because their edges are fragile and are
susceptible to damages.

What are the different steps in producing ICEB?

Step 1 Weigh the raw materials such as limestone, cement, and water. Mix them until
the required moisture percentage is attained

Step 2 Find the right charge weight for the mixtures (range from 7-7.5 kgs depending on
moisture content of the raw materials) before loading it to the machine.

Step 3 Pour the mixture or charge on the block press.

Step 4 Press the mixture manually using your fingers until the press block is filled up.

Step 5.Brush the soil off the edge of the press, the vertical frogs and the lid. Then, close
the lid.

Step 6 Press until the lever reaches the lid. Raise the lever up and back to its initial
position. Then, press the lever down and open the lock so that the block will
come-out of the press box.

Step 7 Lift the block off the press plate. Press with your fingers. Don’t let your hands
touch the corner of the block to avoid chipping off.
Step 8 Stack the newly-produced blocks overnight and expose them in a particular area
for solar curing for seven days.