Technology for Energy Efficient Building Materials: Towards Sustainable Housing Delivery in Nigeria

This paper presents the report of a material produced from corn cob ash and kenaf fibre which is proposed as energy efficient building material, as little or no energy was utilized in its production and utilization. In Nigeria and the world at large, energy efficient building materials have been attracting considerable attention in the construction industry. The goal of energy efficient building materials is to reduce considerably the energy used in the provision of building services and products, hence, energy efficient building materials are materials that can be produced and utilized with little or no effects on the environment. Before the advent of modern technology, houses were built with traditional and locally available building materials and technologies. Example are, the use of clay in building which was widely adopted with palm fronds as roofing materials. Later clay itself was being reinforced with sticks, sisal and fibrous components to make it suitable for roofing. Reinforcement of cementitious materials has also been of considerable interest in recent years. The advent of modernity brought Steel rods which are conventional materials for reinforcement of concrete, which led to increase in energy consumption and cost. This has called for the utilization of energy efficient, sustainable, low cost and locally available building materials for example, bamboo, in reinforcing structures. The paper presents discussion on locally available and sustainable raw building materials, such as corn cob, coir, palm kernel shells, bamboo, and their ashes. The material used were locally obtained, they are corn cob, kenaf fibre, ordinary Portland cement, quarry dust and potable water. The corn cob ash was obtained by air drying corn cob and burning in a furnace at 650◦C to produce carbon-free ash. The equipment used were also locally fabricated. Pictures showing the application of these materials and equipment are also showcased.