CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION
1.1 General background
Interlocking Building System is of a high quality and approved by Malaysia CIDB
(Construction Industry Development Board) and SIRIM as it complies with reduction
of unskilled workers, less wastage, less volume of building materials, increased
environmental and construction site cleanliness and better quality control and
ultimately faster project completion compared to conventional way of construction.
The building system has been extensively tested for both uses in Malaysia as well as
worldwide.
KARIB SERASI (KNK) company manufactured soil-cement interlocking
blocks by material proportion of 1: 4.5: 4.5 (cement: sand: soil). Interlocking blocks
shapes show in Figure 1.1.1. By the aim of Google map the location of KNK company
were indicated, shown in Figure 1.1.2.

FIGURE 1.1.1 Soil-cement interlocking block
2


FIGURE 1.1.2 Location of KNK company
The interlocking building system is essentially a LEGO style building brick as
the brick is used to replace the conventional column and beam using Load Bearing
Wall system. The interlocking brick is made by interlocking machine and each brick is
laid on top of each other without the need for mortar between bricks, the bricks are
mostly dry-stacked. The interlocking brick is made of local soil and as little as 5%
cement, cured over a period of seen to fourteen days. Building with the interlocking
bricks is easy and simple where unskilled labor can be used in the construction. The
simplicity of the interlocking system has led it to being used on projects worldwide
where faster project completion, limited budget and less relying on foreign skills
labors is key factors.
1.2 Problem statement
Burnt soil clay bricks usage needs more skilled workers and it caused material
wastage and cost a lot. Also it caused environmental pollution by burning bricks with
wood, coal, or gas.
3

1.3 Project objectives
Tests will be performed on the interlocking soil-cement bricks, to determine
engineering purposes based on British Standard and American Society for testing and
material for utilized in construction.
1.4 Significance of the research
The significant of this research would be the analysis of the mechanical properties of
the soil-cement interlocking brick and comparison of soil-cement interlocking bricks
with burnt soil clay bricks.
1.5 Organization of the project
This research is organized in five chapters. Following the introduction in chapter I,
literature review described in chapter II, projects methodology is described in chapter
III, experimental results and analysis are presented in chapter IV, and conclusion and
recommendation are made in chapter V.