A rational approach to estimating the cost of laterite-cement bricks

Abstract

A numerical method to estimate the cost of component proportions for laterite-cement brick production is developed using an all-in rate estimation of cost. The procedure employed a method related approach to minimize material, labour and plant cost which will enable achieving meeting specified requirement of cost. Three (3) mixture design approaches were employed for building up the material composition which enabled it possible to develop prediction equations for the cost: namely, the Scheffe’s mixture theory, the Central Composite Design (CCD) method and a Traditional Trial Mix method. In using these approaches, a three component formulation of mixture using water, cement and laterite to produce laterite-cement bricks was carried out with cement content ranging within the domains of 8-20% by weight of laterite. The procedure is adaptable for a 10MN/m2 compactive effort using the Hydraform Twin-M7 machine.