Housing in Southern Africa October-November 2016

Hebel wall withstands direct fire ex- posure for up to six hours. A standard 100 mm thick Hebel wall can with- stand temperatures for four hours. Thermal insulation The enhanced insulation perfor- mance is five times that of brick of the same thickness. The thermal efficiency reduces the reliance on heating and cooling appliances, and provides up to 60% reduction in energy costs. Cost effective The cost of Hebel panels and blocks are only a part of life cycle costing of a building. When factors such as transpor- tation, assembly and finishing, as well as the energy efficiency, fire, protection, maintenance, durability and environmental properties are considered, Hebel provides an eco- nomical solution for the lifespan of the building. This includes savings of up to 15% in structural costs (foundations and structure) attributable to low mass to strength ratio properties of AAC. The reduced weight of walls: typi- cal brick and mortar wall load is ap- proximately 350 kg/m² - AAC blocks wall load is approximately 90 kg/m². Finishing Conventional brickwork requires plaster and skim coat for a perfectly smooth finish whereas the extra naturally smooth surface of Hebel only requires a skim coat. Sizes The Hebel Block sizes are avail-

I n South Africa, providing social, Gap, Flisp and affordable housing remains a major challenge. Sev- eral thirdworld governments have at- tempted to address the issue through housing policies or programs offering service sites and housing subsidies. The reality is that most developing countries do not have adequate capi- tal resources to build conventional housing. The South African govern- ment’s goal is to create sustainable human settlement developments that engenders a sense of pride and advances the upliftment of the entire community. Statistically over 50% of the world’s population already reside in urban areas. The impact of this is particularly visible around South Af- rica’s cities with informal settlements adding to the urban sprawl. Most settlements still comprise of poor housing structures that are often damaged during inclement weather and have few utilities, com- munity facilities, or proper roads. Innovative building system developer, André Esterhuizen, established Stumbelbloc al- most six years ago to provide a cost efficient IBT system. The interlocking innovative building technology could offer a quick, efficient, building solution in the rural, low and middle income resi- dential market. The concrete building blocks are produced from plastic moulds. The interlocking building blocks are filled with a mortar mix and left to dry, creating perfectly formed con- South Africa has a great need for additional and alternative methods of building techniques and designs, while still providing acceptable cost efficient housing with a low environmental footprint. Solution to housing delivery

crete blocks. The strong, fast and cost efficient construction method has been approved by the National Home Builders Registration Council. For example a 16 m x 2 m wall can be built from foundations in 40minutes and a small house includ- ing roof and foundations, within three days. The blocks can be pro- duced and erected using unskilled labour. This provides previously disadvantaged people with employ- ment opportunities. The innovative building blocks can be produced with a spade (to mix cement), trowel and a rubber faced hammer. The only raw materials needed include cement, sand and stone, if required. The product offers longevity, thermal insulation, low life cycle costs and it is environmentally friendly. The system has been used to roll out housing and there is a worldwide patent and design right pending in re- spect of the moulds and blocks. ■

able in 600 x 250 x 100 mm (Mass = 10,2 kg) and 600 x 250 x 150 mm (Mass = 15,2 kg). The Hebel Panel sizes range from600mmwidth and thicknesses of 100 mm and 150

mm, lengths span 2400 mm, 2700 mm and 3000 mm. Everite Build- ing Products is currently sup- p l y i n g A A C products in

Angola for a 45 000 unit project. ■

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