Manually powered manufacture of keyed bricks

The production of bricks, one of the main components in conventional construction technology, has been carried out by either a hand moulding process or by a fully mechanized process. Both processes have limitations in developing countries. An alternative solution is the use of decentralized non-power-consuming brick making units, utilizing unconventional raw materials which do not require baking to develop strength. A manually energized brick making machine (MEBM) has proven the feasibility of extruding various mixes including a lime-fly ash-sand mixture. The production of bricks with a keyed cross-section is investigated using the MEBM to establish the functional and economic viabilities of the technology to create a construction technology which relies on abundant resources, unskilled labour and zero energy input.