Block · Sizes pending
Clay-Based — indicative fig. M·42
Fire A1 Non-combustibleEmbodied carbon 0.03kgCO₂e/kg LowCompressive 5-10MPa StructuralDesign life 100yr Durable
Compressed earth brick stabilized with cement or lime for improved durability and water resistance
01 Physical
Density 1700-2100kg/m3
Specific gravity 1.7-2.1
Porosity 15-30%
Water absorption 5-15%
Hardness 3-5Mohs
UV resistance good
Chemical resistance moderate
pH tolerance 6-12pH
Surface roughness 100-1000um
02 Mechanical
Tensile strength 0.3-1.0MPa
Compressive strength 5-10MPa
Flexural strength 1.0-2.5MPa
Shear strength 0.3-1.0MPa
Poisson's ratio 0.15-0.25
Impact resistance moderate
Creep resistance moderate
03 Thermal
Thermal conductivity 0.35-0.80W/mK
Specific heat 900-1000J/kgK
Thermal expansion 5-10x10^-6/degC
04 Compliance & Fire First question
Combustibility class Non-combustible (by performance)
Fire resistance level 221-240 (CSIRO tested)FRL (minutes)
Ignition temp Not applicabledegC
Flame spread index 0
Smoke dev. index 0
Heat release rate 0kW/m2
05 Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon 0.03-0.08kg CO2-eq/kg
Carbon footprint 15-40kg CO2-eq/m2
Embodied energy 0.5-1.5MJ/kg
Water footprint 30-80L/kg
Recyclability 80-95%
Recycled content 0-50%
Renewable content 0-2%
Circular score 8.5/10
VOC emissions 0ug/m3
Toxicity rating non-toxic
LEED contribution 3-6points
06 Durability · Cost · Logistics
Expected lifespan 100+years
Maintenance interval 5-10years
Warranty period 10-25years
Material cost (range) 15-80AUD/m2
Material cost (per unit) 1.50-5.00AUD/block
Lead time 4-8weeks
Lifecycle cost 200-500AUD/m2
Annual maintenance 1.00-5.00AUD/m2/year
Market availability limited-moderate
07 Assessment
Advantages
- Significantly improved durability and water resistance compared to traditional adobe through cement/lime stabilisation.
- CSIRO-tested fire resistance: 4-hour rating for 250 mm walls — excellent bushfire zone performance.
- Uses only 10% of the energy of fired bricks — approximately 50-70% lower embodied carbon than conventional masonry.
- High compressive strength (5-10+ MPa) comparable to medium-quality fired bricks, suitable for load-bearing construction.
- Integrated walling system — load-bearing CSEB walls eliminate need for separate framing, cladding, and insulation in appropriate climates.
Constraints
- NCC compliance requires performance solutions — not covered by deemed-to-satisfy provisions in most jurisdictions.
- Requires specialised pressing equipment (manual or hydraulic CEB press) for production.
- Cement stabilisation increases embodied carbon compared to unstabilised adobe, though still much lower than fired bricks.
- Thermal insulation (R-value) is low — additional insulation typically required to meet NCC energy efficiency requirements.
- Limited mainstream market acceptance in Australia — specialist builders and engineers required.
08 Applications
A1 Residential load-bearing walls Load-bearing CSEB walls for 1-2 storey residential construction. Typically 200-300 mm thick. Performance solution required for NCC compliance with HB 195 reference.
A2 Bushfire-zone construction CSEB walls for buildings in BAL-rated areas. CSIRO-tested 4-hour fire resistance for 250 mm walls makes CSEB suitable for high-bushfire-risk zones.
A3 Sustainable housing projects Low-embodied-energy housing using locally sourced materials. 50-70% lower embodied carbon than conventional masonry. Suitable for owner-builder and community projects.
A4 Garden and landscape walls Non-structural garden walls, boundary walls, and landscape features. Cement stabilisation provides weather resistance without rendering.
09 Sources & Standards
Sources pending — citations for this material are not yet recorded. Verify all figures against manufacturer data and current standards before specifying.