Structural Suitability of Laterite-Stabilised Compressed Earth Blocks for Low-Income Housing in Plateau State

Compressed earth blocks stabilised with laterite and cement offer a promising low-cost walling material that can reduce dependence on fired clay bricks and sandcrete blocks in rural construction. This study investigates the structural suitability of laterite-stabilised compressed earth blocks for low-income housing applications in Plateau State in the North Central geopolitical zone. Laterite soil samples collected from Jos, Shendam, and Pankshin Local Government Areas were characterised using grain size analysis, Atterberg limits, and proctor compaction tests. Compressed earth blocks were manufactured using a manual press at cement stabilisation levels of four, six, and eight percent, and subjected to compressive strength, water absorption, and linear shrinkage tests. Wall panel specimens were constructed and tested for lateral load resistance to simulate wind and impact loading. Results indicate that blocks stabilised with six percent cement content achieved mean compressive strengths of 3.9 N/mm2 at 28 days, meeting the minimum structural requirement for single-storey load-bearing walling specified in the Earth Building Association of Australia guideline, which was used as a benchmark in the absence of a Nigerian equivalent. Water absorption at this stabilisation level was 9.6 percent, within the acceptable range for semi-arid climatic conditions. The study also demonstrates that a single-storey wall panel of 225 mm thickness withstood a lateral load equivalent to the 50-year design wind pressure for the Jos climatic zone without failure. The findings support the adoption of compressed earth blocks in government low-income housing programmes in Plateau State. Keywords: compressed earth blocks, laterite stabilisation, low-income housing, Plateau State, structural suitability.