Sustainable Construction Materials: A Way Forward for the Protection of Ethiopian Environment

Abstract

For past many hundred years, Ethiopia has been a blessed country of green cover, so its traditional house building technique hut (Chikka-Bet) has mainly depended on woods. However over past few decades, population explosion in Ethiopia has increased the dwelling demand which has led to cutting down of more trees. Deforestation has created several negative impacts in our environment. Soil erosion and sharp increase of the temperature has also been witnessed leading to extinction of many local flora, fauna and local animals. This is negatively impacted the livelihood of habitants as well. So, the only way forward to deal with such situation is using locally available sustainable materials in construction activities and cut down the dependency on woods for house construction. This research work presents several agro and industrial wastes that are found in Ethiopia which have been experimentally tested for their availability, suitability, economy, strength and durability to be used in construction activities as a sustainable construction material. From Agro-wastes perspective, rice husk ash, bagasse ash, teff straws, sisal fibres have been presented for their suitability and from industrial wastes perspective materials such as crusher dusts, crushed glasses, human hairs have been presented for their suitability as sustainable materials to be used in construction in place of conventional and traditional materials. The research results indicates that, the non-conventional materials have great potential to replace the traditional materials for construction activities. However it needs a great attention from the policy makers and win the confidence of local community by broadcasting the suitability of these non- conventional materials which will ensure a safe and clean environment for the generations to come.