UET faculty builds environment-friendly interlocking blocks

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The Civil Engineering Department (CED) at University Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore reached out to the recent flood-affected areas to assist in the rehabilitation process. The team surveyed local construction practices and opted to use interlocking blocks developed at the CED of UET Lahore as an alternative to the traditional blocks/bricks.

An industrial partner, Engineering Contrivers Pvt Ltd, was also engaged to ensure the speedy execution of the process. The CED research team comprising Dr Azhar Saleem, Dr Muhammad Shahid, and Dr Mazhar Saleem, identified a destroyed house in the City of Taunsa. The team surveyed local construction practices and opted to use interlocking blocks developed at the CED of UET Lahore as an alternative to the traditional blocks/bricks.

These blocks have a unique shape that fits together snugly, minimizing (or maybe eliminating) the need for mortar. The resulting structures are earthquake, flood, wind, heat, and noise resistant. Interlocking blocks are also environmentally friendly, as they use a lesser amount of materials and use waste products like fly ash. These blocks can be used for constructing low-cost houses, schools, field hospitals and even small bridges.

Interlocking blocks can be prepared on-site without using any machine. The use of interlocking blocks decreases construction time and cost, making them a preferable choice for developing countries for sustainable use of construction materials.