**3.3 Construction materials**

Two deposits of unsaturated tropical soil (Soil 1 and Soil 2), located in Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were investigated, and a geotechnical characterisation was carried out in the laboratory.

Soil samples were prepared and tested according to international standards. Soil preparation, grain-size distribution, specific gravity and Atterberg limits were obtained according to ISO 23909 (2008), ISO 17892-4 (2016), ISO 17892-3 (2015), and ISO 17892-12 (2018) respectively [32, 33]. An empirical test was also carried out to check soil shrinkage during the natural drying process.

CEBs were manufactured using a mechanical hand press, from a mixture of 50% Soil 1 and 50% Soil 2, in volume. The final mixes used cement as a binder with 2% of lime and water content (CEB water absorption) next to 20% (**Figure 12a**-**c**). It

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*Simple Housing Solution Project: (Re) Building in Critical Situations*

should be pointed out that water content could significantly vary within different types of soils. CEB water absorption and compressive strength were verified according to NBR 8492 (2012) (**Figure 12d**) [32, 33, 35]. Tests on wallets equivalent to two grouted columns per metre and fully grouted columns were carried out to obtain mechanical properties and wallet-block efficiency [33, 17]. The main results and

Horizontal load capacity tests were used to obtain inputs for computational models used to investigate the proposed residential model under seismic conditions, performed according to NBR 15421 (2006). The test consisted of applying a horizontal load on a wallet one metre in length (equivalent to 4 blocks per tier), a clear width of 10.5 cm, and a height one metre (equivalent to the elevation of 13 tiers of blocks and a joist at the top). All the specimens had their blocks laid manually in a ~ 1 cm thick mortar joint. The reinforced bond beams had the same width as the blocks and reflected the panel's upper confinement. Vertically, the wall had its lateral holes reinforced and grouted. In addition to these, two more intermediate holes were symmetrically reinforced and grouted, representing panels with two reinforced holes per metre. The load was manually increased and applied by a hydraulic jack placed in the middle of the joist section. The displacements were measured using linear variable differential transformer (LVDT). A load cell was used to monitor the load. Displacement and load were acquired at the same time

Housing recovery in situations where urgent construction is necessary but resources are scarce (such as post-disasters, post-conflicts, refugee settlements, and so on) is a challenging task requiring technical skills, management, and focus on the affected population. The Simple Housing Solution (SHS) methodology was developed to contribute to empowering governments, support agencies and, above all, vulnerable communities. It is presented in the course format and based on the tripod Simple Professional Design, Low-Cost Construction Technologies, and

The first class on the SHS course was held in October 2018 for an audience of 30 people: 15 Haitians living in Brazil and intending to return to their country to participate in the reconstruction process; three members of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Engineers Without Borders Brazil; three members of the NGO Teto; three community members affected by a relocation process near UFRJ; two employees from the municipality of Niterói (Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil); two employees from the municipality of São Lourenço (Minas Gerais State, Brazil); one graduate student from the Federal University of Santa Catarina, and one refugee from the conflict in Syria. Since then, two other reduced versions of the course were offered in 2019: one at the Federal Institute of Maranhão, Brazil, on the manufacture of soil-cement bricks, during the 5th Maranhão Symposium on Civil Engineering, and another at the Federal University of Pará, Brazil, on SHS Methodology, during the 3rd Brazilian

It should be noted that the educational material developed under the SHS project is intended to be a starting point and should be evaluated and adapted to each implementation reality by the local technical assistance team. However, the material provided can greatly expedite reconstruction work, mostly because of the project's simplicity, pre-planned work, accessible construction technology, and tools developed to administer the community labour and construction works.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94953*

extensive discussion can be found at [11].

using a data acquisition system [11, 17].

**4. Conclusion**

Community Labour System.

Congress on Disaster Risk Reduction.

*Simple Housing Solution Project: (Re) Building in Critical Situations DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94953*

should be pointed out that water content could significantly vary within different types of soils. CEB water absorption and compressive strength were verified according to NBR 8492 (2012) (**Figure 12d**) [32, 33, 35]. Tests on wallets equivalent to two grouted columns per metre and fully grouted columns were carried out to obtain mechanical properties and wallet-block efficiency [33, 17]. The main results and extensive discussion can be found at [11].

Horizontal load capacity tests were used to obtain inputs for computational models used to investigate the proposed residential model under seismic conditions, performed according to NBR 15421 (2006). The test consisted of applying a horizontal load on a wallet one metre in length (equivalent to 4 blocks per tier), a clear width of 10.5 cm, and a height one metre (equivalent to the elevation of 13 tiers of blocks and a joist at the top). All the specimens had their blocks laid manually in a ~ 1 cm thick mortar joint. The reinforced bond beams had the same width as the blocks and reflected the panel's upper confinement. Vertically, the wall had its lateral holes reinforced and grouted. In addition to these, two more intermediate holes were symmetrically reinforced and grouted, representing panels with two reinforced holes per metre. The load was manually increased and applied by a hydraulic jack placed in the middle of the joist section. The displacements were measured using linear variable differential transformer (LVDT). A load cell was used to monitor the load. Displacement and load were acquired at the same time using a data acquisition system [11, 17].
