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ISSB Engineering Project
Building a Sustainable Future: Haileybury’s ISSB Engineering Project
Haileybury’s Senior Engineering Society is embarking on an innovative project that combines hands-on learning with environmental consciousness. Our Sixth Form pupils are constructing a structure using Interlocking Stabilised Soil Blocks (ISSB) technology, showcasing eco-friendly and climate-resilient construction methods.
Connecting with Haileybury Youth Trust (HYT)
This initiative aims to raise awareness about the vital work of the Haileybury Youth Trust (HYT) in Uganda. HYT trains marginalised communities in sustainable building techniques, and our project brings their mission closer to home.
By utilising ISSB, the initiative avoids the environmental degradation linked to traditional brick-making processes, such as deforestation and high carbon emissions from the use of firewood.
The ISSB Process
A key aspect of the project involves manufacturing the ISSB bricks, which are composed of a mix of local soil (~65%), sand (~25%), and cement (~10%).
These blocks are compressed in a machine and cured for 28 days, eliminating the need for firing. The Senior Engineering Society has sourced all necessary materials and is producing bricks at a steady rate of two to three per week.
Engineering Challenges and Solutions
One of the current challenges revolves around producing specific shapes of bricks, particularly for corners and pillars. The typical method employed by HYT involves cutting bricks and using cement to connect them, but this is inefficient and time-consuming.
To address this, the society is designing a brick-cutting jig that will allow the blocks to be shaped more effectively. This development is crucial for enhancing the structural integrity of the structure, especially at heights where the walls tend to lose stability.
Upon completion, our structure will mirror those built by HYT in Uganda, serving as a tangible example of sustainable construction right here on our campus.
Educational Impact
This project offers our pupils:
- Hands-on engineering experience
- Insights into sustainable construction practices
- Project management skills
- Problem-solving opportunities
Looking Ahead
Through this project, Haileybury continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovative education, environmental stewardship, and global awareness.
Pupils are not just building a structure; they are building a more sustainable future.