College - Author 1

College of Engineering

Department - Author 1

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Mechanical Engineering

College - Author 2

College of Engineering

Department - Author 2

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 2

BS in Mechanical Engineering

College - Author 3

College of Engineering

Department - Author 3

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 3

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Date

12-2019

Primary Advisor

M. Lee McFarland, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department

Abstract/Summary

This project’s goal is to redesign the Center for Vocational Building Technology (CVBT) BP9 earth block press, which makes 1/3 scale compressed earth blocks to build demonstration model homes in Thailand. The full-scale block press, the BP6, provides a sustainable and affordable technique for constructing habitable homes in Thailand. The BP9 serves as a tool to inform the public of the advantages of human-powered earth block presses through demonstration. The BP9 press design has multiple problems: it is too expensive to manufacture, there is too much friction when used, it has several weak points due to users unintentionally applying excessive force, and it cannot make channel or half blocks. Some experienced block press users were interviewed to gather opinions on what improvements and/or changes should be implemented in the new block press design. The main takeaway was that the press’s structural supports should be reinforced or redesigned. This document also includes some other existing full-scale press designs. The main objectives for this project are to eliminate the weak points and to reduce the cost. A full redesign with an entirely different mechanism was decided upon, and this process is detailed in the document, as well as the details of the design itself. The manufacturing and design verification plan, as well as the timeline of this project, are also detailed in the document.

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