Innovative Shelter Assistance Service and Mud Brick Productions for Bambasi Woreda, Assosa Zone Benishangul-Gumuz Region, Western Ethiopia

Earth-based construction materials, particularly mud bricks, have been used for thousands of years and continue to play a vital role in the housing sector of developing regions. It is estimated that nearly 30% of the world’s population currently lives in earthen dwellings, highlighting the ongoing relevance of this traditional building material. Mud bricks are inexpensive, environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and rely on locally available resources, making them a sustainable alternative to conventional construction materials, especially in rural and low-income areas. This study investigates the suitability of locally available soil for mud brick production and examines the influence of sand content on the mechanical properties of mud bricks. Soil samples were collected from the Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Ethiopia, an area characterized by geological formations such as meta-granite, schist, meta-basalt, and meta-diorite rock units. Granulometric analysis was conducted to determine the particle size distribution of the soil, while standard laboratory tests were used to evaluate the bending and compressive strength of mud bricks produced with varying sand contents. The granulometry results indicate that the soil consists of approximately 5–10% sand and 90–95% fines. This composition falls within the acceptable range recommended by previous studies for mud brick manufacturing, confirming the suitability of the soil for earthen construction. Experimental results further reveal that increasing the sand content beyond the optimal range leads to a noticeable reduction in both bending and compressive strength. This reduction is attributed to decreased material density and weakened inter-particle adhesion, which negatively affect the structural integrity of the mud bricks. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of proper soil selection and mix proportioning in mud brick production. Maintaining an appropriate balance between sand and fine particles is crucial to achieving adequate strength and durability. The results provide valuable technical guidance for the use of local soils in sustainable construction practices within the study area and similar geological contexts. Overall, the study supports the continued use of mud bricks as a viable, low-cost, and environmentally sustainable building material when properly designed and manufactured.