There is much information about the generic term Mud bricks, but many people are not aware of the advanced technology and benefits of specifying Pressed Earth Bricks (CEBs) for your building project:
• Mud bricks have been a traditional building product used by many owner builders in the past. They were hand made, and often laid with thick mortar joints, reflecting the individual character of the brick and the builder’s artistic concepts, combined with the need for economical self-built sustainable housing.
• Pressed Earth bricks reflect today’s requirements for cost-efficient, modern, energy efficient buildings, that can be erected using conventional load bearing techniques, and within the time frame required for commercial construction.
• Mud bricks are generally irregular in size, and can vary in quality and mix proportions. They require thick mortar courses when being laid, and limit the number of courses to about three that can be laid in a day, to reduce the effect of slump in the wall.
• Pressed Earth bricks are consistent in quality and size, require a thinner mortar course, and can be laid to a single scaffold lift height up to 12 courses in a day. Thin mortar courses give a greater bond strength.
• Mud brick makers often use cement or other chemically based binders to produce a stabilised brick, often from unsuitable soils, and then call it a mud brick.
• Pressed Earth bricks by Amcer are made from Eltham type soils, excavated from green sites and with no chemical additives. The material used is screened then mixed with water (to approximately 8% moisture content) and pressed to a consistent size to meet quality control guidelines.
• Mud bricks usually exceed OH & S requirements for weight, and are difficult to shift and lay
• Pressed Earth bricks are within O H & S guidelines, and are easier to use.
• Mud bricks can be difficult to cut, and have higher losses during transport because of the variation in material composition and texture.
• Pressed Earth bricks can be cut and shaped easily, and have minimum losses because the material is screened before use.
Surely there are differences between mud bricks and CEB’s but I find the comparison above quite forced and not impartial.
This is just one opinion — food for thought. Mud adobes have worked great for many thousands of years. As reported previously on our blog, centuries-old adobe structures with no roofs are still standing in SW United States. They get rained and snowed on year after year. The Taos Pueblo adobe dwellings are 500 plus years old and doing fine. Also search our blog for Ancient Rammed Earth structures that have lasted thousands of years.