PERCEPTIONS OF COMPRESSED EARTH BLOCK AMONG RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTORS IN NORTH CAROLINA: AN EXPLORATORY EVALUATION

ABSTRACT Compressed earth blocks (CEB) retain the environmental benefits of traditional earthen construction while reducing labor costs and project duration. Despite these advantages, CEB remains a niche material in the U.S. This study explored residential contractors' perceptions of CEB as a barrier to adoption. A survey was distributed to residential contractors in the North Carolina Piedmont, a region that possesses ideal soil for earthen buildings. Construction professionals in states where earthen construction has a larger market share (New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas) were also queried for comparison. Respondents with no CEB experience provided significantly (p < 0.05) lower levels of agreement with statements that CEB is cost effective, structurally safe and aesthetically appealing than did respondents with CEB experience. Interviews conducted with an experienced CEB contractor and a manufacturer of CEB production equipment provided additional insight and informed the quantitative results. Findings...

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