Title: Indigenous materials and techniques database (IMTeD): a sustainability data aid for designers

Authors: D.R. Moore, M.A. Wilson, N. Ahmed

Addresses: Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, UMIST, PO Box 88, Manchester, M60 1QD, UK. Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, UMIST, PO Box 88, Manchester, M60 1QD, UK. Dept. of Architecture, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract: A consideration of the ||value|| of indigenous materials in developing nations precedes an overview of current approaches to encouraging their sustainable use. A significant factor in the failure of traditional building materials to become widely established in the developing world is identified as being a lack of appropriate (i.e. supported by formal measurement and test procedures) codes and standards. The relevance of using existing material characterisation and quality control tests for the ||on-site|| selection of suitable earth-based brick construction materials is examined. The paper concludes with a discussion of issues relevant to the further development of a materials performance database in the context of achieving a design aid which is both sustainable in the efficient use of indigenous materials, and sympathetic to the culture of individual developing nations.

Keywords: building design; materials testing; materials performance; indigenous construction techniques; embodied energy levels; developing countries.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2002.000785

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2002 Vol.2 No.1/2/3, pp.177-186

Published online: 21 Jul 2003 *

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