Multibloc BREPAK block press
Manufacturer
Multibloc Limited
Blackswarth Road
Bristol
BS5 8AX
England
Tel. (0272) 55 19 51
Tlx. 44 716 mobile g
Fax.
(0272) 55 08 62
Description
The BREPAK block press was developed in 1980 by D.J.T. Webb at
the Building Research Establishment at Watford, England. The aim was to produce
stabilized soil blocks of good appearance with a compaction pressure around 10
N/mm², for increased strength and durability, facilitating wall
constructions without external rendering, despite low quantities of stabilizer.
Designed on the principles of the CINVA-Ram, the Multibloc
BREPAK machine is an all-steel construction, comprising a fixed mould and
supporting structural frame. It is fitted with a lever arm extension and
mechanical linkage which provides a means of locking the moveable top cover
plate onto the mould, and also allows for initial compaction of the soil mix
within the mould. The desired compaction pressure - 5 times that of the
CINVA-Ram - is achieved by means of a hand operated hydraulic pump, acting
through a piston beneath the base plate of the mould.
The complete unit is mounted on a firm base, ideally one made of
steel sections, or a strong timber baseboard (neither of these are supplied with
the machine, because of their weight and high transport costs). For transport
from site to site, the press can easily be lifted by four people, using two
strong bars held by four projecting brackets, two on either side of the machine.
FIGURE
FIGURE
FIGURE
Operating the BREPAK Machine
FIGURE (1;2;3)
1. With the lever arm in the start position, (at about
45°), the flow valve screw on the hand pump is opened (one complete turn
anticlockwise), the internal faces of the mould box oiled and the measured
amount of soil mix placed in the mould cavity.
2. The mould cover is swung back to close the top of the mould
box, removing the surplus soil and the lever arm is raised to the vertical
position, when the lever locking toggle is released.
3. The soil is precompacted by continuing the movement of the
lever arm down to the horizontal position, the flow valve screw is then turned
clockwise until it is hand tight and the hydraulic hand pump operated about 40
full strokes until the pressure relief valve opens with an audible signal, and
the handle becomes slack.
FIGURE (4;5)
4. With one full turn of the flow valve screw anticlockwise, the
lever arm is swung back to its start position, with the lever locking toggle
closed again, and the mould cover rotated sideways to expose the pressed soil
block.
5. By pulling the lever arm further downwards and overcoming the
resistance by slight jerks the mould base plate is pushed upwards until the
pressed block is completely clear of the mould and can be lifted off and taken
away for curing.
The BREPAK Block Clamp Lifter
This device is used to carry the blocks (each weighing about 9
kg) in just one hand, and place them accurately in masonry construction,
producing perfectly uniform joints.
FIGURE
Reference Literature
1. Lunt, M.G.: Stabilized Soil Blocks for Building, Overseas
Building Note 184 Overseas Division, Building Research Establishment, Garston,
Watford, UK, 1980
2. Webb, D.J.T.: Stabilized Soil Construction in Kenya,
Proceedings, International Conference on Economical Housing in Developing
Countries, UNESCO, Paris,1983
3. Kateregga, J.K.; Webb, D.J.T.: Improved Stabilized Soil Block
for Low-Cost Wall Construction, Housing Research and Development Unit,
University of Nairobi Kenya, 1985
4. Webb, D.J.T.: Low-Cost Housing and Parasite Vectors, Article
in Parasitology Today (Vo.1, No.2), Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, 1985
5. Webb, D.J.T.: Building with Stabilized Soil Blocks,
Tape-slide program and manual, CAA Projects Ltd., Building Centre 26 Store
Street, London WC1E 7BT, 1986
6. Smith, R.G.; Webb, D.J.T.: Small-scale manufacture of
stabilized soil blocks, International Labour Office, Geneva, 1987
7. Webb, D.J.T.; Lockwood, A.J.: BREPAK Operators Manual,
Building Research Establishment Client Report, Copy supplied with BREPAK
Machine, 1987
Technical Details
