University in hybrid construction - know-how transfer to the Congo
On 11.10.2023, the 14th Circular Economy Conference took place at the Environmental Campus in Birkenfeld. Waldemar Eider (eiwa Lehm GmbH) was represented here with a presentation on the topic: "State of the art in the production and use of earth for Africa: A practical approach from eiwa Lehm". Mr. Eider showed how energy-efficient and sustainable construction can be achieved with renewable fibres and earth building materials.
Waldemar Eider: Lecture at the 14th Circular Economy Conference at the Environmental Campus in Birkenfeld
This was followed by initial talks with reconstruction representatives for Morocco and contacts from Senegal and the DR Congo. The exchange focused on the creation and reconstruction of buildings using hybrid construction methods. This combines conventional construction methods using reinforced concrete or fired bricks with ecologically sustainable building materials such as renewable fibers and clay - the country's own raw materials.
In hybrid construction, the best properties and strengths of the materials are brought to bear: concrete or fired bricks bear the static loads and thus enable multi-storey buildings. The insulation and the use of natural building materials with a material content of approx. 60% ensure considerable savings in CO2 and energy and therefore significant cost savings.
Planning is currently underway in Congo for the construction of the new Tshibashi University for Rural Development using sustainable building materials. Waldemar Eider (eiwa Lehm GmbH) - as an expert in research and development as well as application technology for earth building materials and renewable fiber materials - is in demand to use his know-how to develop and utilize local resources. Clay building materials are to be produced as finished products in the country, as are elements made from fibrous materials. During an initial trip in February 2024, the conditions on site are to be inspected and initial samples examined.
Waldemar Eider in conversation with African representatives
The technical development of earth building materials directly in the country greatly reduces logistics problems and simplifies the creation of living space thanks to materials that are easy to process with the machines commonly used in construction there.
Large quantities of building materials are also needed for reconstruction in crisis and disaster areas, such as the regions of Morocco that were hit hard by the 2023 earthquake. In earthquake regions in particular, the use of reinforced concrete in construction is an important structural component for the safety of buildings. The existing earth building materials, in the form of the collapsed buildings, can be reused and reprocessed according to the current state of the art in order to be reused as a building material. The energy required is low and modern buildings adapted to the hazard situation are created.
This is the idea of hybrid construction that Mr. Eider presents in his lectures: energy-efficient and sustainable construction with renewable fibres and clay building materials that are locally available and already traditionally used, combined with a skeleton made of reinforced concrete or wood.
The diversity and quantity of trace elements present in clay also make it an ideal starting material for other products. Clay is able to react actively.
Design of the computer science laboratory of the University for Rural Development in Tshibashi (From: Concept-Universitaire_ISDR-T - Labeling eiwa Lehm)
The diversity and quantity of trace elements present in clay also make it an ideal starting material for other products. Clay is able to react actively.
The optimum adjustment of the respective technical clay is required for this. Thanks to the in-house development of eiwa clay building materials, we have a tried and tested technology with a high-quality product range.
- A handful of earth -
Waldemar Eider - Eiwa Lehm GmbH