C.  Tedrick¹, J.M. Nichols² and K. Roachanakanan³

1. Architectural Laboratory Manager, Riverside Campus, Architectural College, Texas A&M University c-tedrick@tamu.edu
2. Assistant Professor, Construction Science Department, Texas A&M University, jm-nichols@tamu.edu ³ Architectural Technology Department, Faculty of Architecture, Silpakorn University, Thailand, kwan03@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

One of the significant environmental problems for local communities is safe disposal of sludge from the sewage treatment process. One of the alternatives for the disposal of this material has included combining with other organic products to produce mulch. This mulch is frequently now a saleable commodity, but it has a limited range of applications. One of the side effects of the push for the development of portable earth block machines for construction of low cost housing in the rural South Western USA is the ubiquitous presence of these machines in a large number of smaller rural communities. Block machines can be used with a wide variety of materials, to produce a wide range of block products. The first purpose of this paper is to outline the development of a degradable masonry blocks for erosion and siltation control, made using the block machines. The degradable masonry blocks are made from the treated sludge, clay and lime to provide one method for a small community to dispose of the waste product, whilst providing a community benefit. The second purpose of the paper is to document a number of suggested uses for the degradable masonry blocks, and document results of early experiments with the blocks in southern Texas.

KEYWORDS: degradable blocks, sludge, environmental protection

C6-1