Appropriate Methods in use of local Building Materials

In this article definition of local building materials and characteristics of different kind of them are described. The Building materials discussed are adobe, stabilized earth blocks, Rammed earth walls, straw – bale, Superadobe, Micro-Concrete Roofing Tile, brick, concrete block, sand and gravel, lime, masonry mortar, wood, agricultural wastes, bamboo. Using locally available building materials as well as the skills of local craftsmen should be considered for the design of earthquake resistant houses and it should be proved that the solutions are accepted by the beneficiaries.In other part of this article, local building materials of the country are studied based on statistical data of building materials consumption. Then Building material status and prospects are reviewed. For current situation, the evaluation, earthquake risk zonation map and also climate zonation map are overlaid by building material consumption map and different area are compared in this respect.In almost all localities, nature has provided us with some wonderful materials to build with. Because these materials require little processing or transporting, the environmental and economic costs are low. Some are renewable resources (like trees and straw), and some may be so abundant that their supply seems almost inexhaustible (like rocks and sand).Building construction can use local products and services where they are available. A locally based economy can be more sustainably managed than one based on imported materials and services. Local materials, such as stone, tile, brick and timber, also give a building a quality of "place", or belonging in the region. At the same time, local materials substantially reduce the energy and environmental impacts of transporting of materials in long distances. A traditional rural residence is almost always based on adaptations to the local environment, and is often built with the labour of the villagers themselves without the need for external mechanized inputs.Low cost, aesthetics, preserving traditions, and living in climatically suitable houses are all fine notions, but the durability of homes is also an important consideration. A mud house with a thatched roof needs continuous maintenance, whereas a brick and cement house is far sturdier, and has a longer life span.