SCEBs - University of Colorado Boulder

following Sections 3.8, 3.9, & 3.10, an experienced evaluation of the soil mix‟s
suitability can be made.
Figure 3.8: Loading small-block press
with soil mixture
3.7. Large-Block Production and Evaluation
Figure 3.9: Soil block ejected from press
An Advanced Earthen Construction Technologies, Inc. (AECT) Compressed
Earth Block Machine, Impact 2001A, was used to perform testing on full-size
(approximately 6” x 12” x 3-4”) compressed earth blocks (see Figure 3.10 & 3.11). In
summary, a soil mixture is created with materials which pass a #4 sieve. An automated
hydraulic pump, connected to a mold frame through a hydraulic hose and cylinder, is
used to gradually pressurize the cylinder to which in turn applies pressure to the soil in
the mold. After the pressure is applied for a few seconds, it is released and the SCEB is
extruded by the machine to a conveyor belt for transfer to storage. During block
production, the hydraulic cylinder in the Earth Block Machine is pressurized to 1,200 psi
to 1,400 psi.
Immediately after each SCEB is ejected from the Earth Block Machine, it is
weighed and its height, length and width dimensions are measured. This data is used to
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