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Soil Cement concrete: Cement (1 part) Soil (7 parts) and gravel (8 parts) has been used as a concrete and was found very useful and better than soil cement blocks of the same cement usage. We have cast walls of 100-200mm thickness and 150-200 mm. which appear adequate for strength, rigidity and insulation properties. We have used this for steps on the outside and they seem to stand well. There is an unlimited scope for innovation in the construction industry in rural areas 3. Fibre based products: Cotton-cement: This has been found extremely useful and interesting. It is very hard, sets well, stands water, and can be used for plugging large holes, without shuttering. Balling of the cotton makes it difficult to handle large quantities. Paper-cement mortars: Dry paper pulp (1 part by weight) with cement (6 parts by weight) gives an easy to apply mortar, which cures well, because the paper releases the water slowly. This gives ferrocrete panels, with a good sheen, which do not crack easily, nor heat up in the sun. These panels have stood well in sun and rain for one year. They do not burn at lower paper proportions than 1:1, but get discoloured by charring, when a flame is applied continuously. They may be suitable for window and door shutters if fixed in an iron frame. Paper-coir-cement: Cast in the form of beams which are rigid but not strong enough. Can be drilled or sawed. Need to be developed as wood substitute. Paper-cement-soil: (1:1:8) was used for making insulating panels for indoor use. Shrinkage is the major problem. Good workability and applicability. Rural Development Through Education System 245
