Pan-African Materials Science & Tectonics•CRAterre, MDPI & ICE Verified Database
Pan-African Bioclimatic Material & Tectonic Matrix
The definitive open-access geotechnical and thermal repository for African architecture. Calibrated with real laboratory test results across lateritic subsoils, compressed earth blocks, structural alpine and savanna bamboos, and bio-composites classified by Köppen-Geiger biomes.
Calibrated Materials
12 Empirical Profiles
Lab tests, Atterberg & Proctor data
Embodied Carbon Benefit
87% Avg. Reduction
Compared to fired bricks & concrete
Geographic Scope
24 African Nations
Morocco to Senegal, Ethiopia to DRC
Continental Biomes
6 Köppen Zones
Sahel, Desert, Savanna, Highlands
Köppen-Geiger Biome Filter:
Showing 12 vetted materials matching criteria
Earthen Masonry
Compressed Earth Block (CEB) — Lime Stabilized (Tensift Soil)
Brique de Terre Comprimée Stabilisée à la Chaux
Morocco Algeria Tunisia
Compressive (Dry)1.1 MPa
Conductivity (λ)0.635 W/m·K
Embodied Carbon0.052 kgCO2e
30cm Phase Lag9.2 hrs
Recommended Use: Low-rise load-bearing walls (1-2 storeys); Infill perimeter masonry
Bio-Composites & Recycled Aggregates
Eco-Composite CEB (15% Porous Coal Aggregate + 4% Lime)
Brique de Terre Isolante aux Agrégats Minéraux
Morocco
Compressive (Dry)0.81 MPa
Conductivity (λ)0.399 W/m·K
Embodied Carbon0.044 kgCO2e
30cm Phase Lag11.8 hrs
Recommended Use: Insulating exterior envelopes; Passive cooling sun-screens
Earthen Masonry
Compressed Stabilized Laterite Earth Block (CSLEB — 6% Cement)
Bloc de Terre Latéritique Stabilisée au Ciment (BTCS)
Senegal Burkina Faso Mali+3 more
Compressive (Dry)3.8 MPa
Conductivity (λ)0.69 W/m·K
Embodied Carbon0.082 kgCO2e
30cm Phase Lag9.5 hrs
Recommended Use: Multi-storey load-bearing walls (up to 3 floors); Interlocking dry-stack masonry
Earthen Masonry
Vernacular Sun-Dried Adobe Mud Brick (Sahelian Grain)
Brique d'Adobe Traditionnelle / Ferey (Bambara)
Mali Niger Chad+2 more
Compressive (Dry)1.85 MPa
Conductivity (λ)0.52 W/m·K
Embodied Carbon0.015 kgCO2e
30cm Phase Lag10.1 hrs
Recommended Use: Traditional Sudano-Sahelian monumental architecture; Buttressed compound walls
Earthen Masonry
Monolithic Rammed Earth (Pisé de Terre / Tabia)
Pisé Traditionnel / El-Louh / Tabia
Morocco Algeria Tunisia+2 more
Compressive (Dry)2.6 MPa
Conductivity (λ)0.85 W/m·K
Embodied Carbon0.023 kgCO2e
30cm Phase Lag8.9 hrs
Recommended Use: Monolithic load-bearing exterior perimeter walls (up to 4 storeys in historic Ksours); Thermal acoustic envelopes
Timber & Structural Bamboo
African Alpine Bamboo (Yushania alpina / Oldeania alpina)
Bambou des Montagnes d'Afrique de l'Est / Karkaha
Ethiopia Kenya Uganda+2 more
Compressive (Dry)68 MPa
Conductivity (λ)0.15 W/m·K
Embodied Carbon-0.58 kgCO2e
30cm Phase Lag15.6 hrs
Recommended Use: Long-span reciprocal roof trusses; Lightweight seismic frames
Timber & Structural Bamboo
Savanna Solid-Stem Bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica)
Bambou des Savanes / Bambou Massif du Sahel
Senegal Mali Guinea+4 more
Compressive (Dry)74 MPa
Conductivity (λ)0.165 W/m·K
Embodied Carbon-0.48 kgCO2e
30cm Phase Lag15.3 hrs
Recommended Use: Heavy compression structural columns; Reciprocal roof rafters
Bio-Composites & Recycled Aggregates
Bio-Composite Earth Block (Clay + 4% Stipa tenacissima / Alfa Fiber)
Brique de Terre Compressée à l'Alfa (Halfa)
Morocco Algeria Tunisia+1 more
Compressive (Dry)1.75 MPa
Conductivity (λ)0.372 W/m·K
Embodied Carbon0.021 kgCO2e
30cm Phase Lag13 hrs
Recommended Use: Insulating partition walls; Exterior thermal envelope blocks
Stone & Minerals
Indurated Laterite Dimension Stone (Carved Ferricrete Block)
Pierre de Taille Latéritique / Carrière Rouge
Burkina Faso Benin Senegal+3 more
Compressive (Dry)8.5 MPa
Conductivity (λ)1.25 W/m·K
Embodied Carbon0.012 kgCO2e
30cm Phase Lag7.4 hrs
Recommended Use: Substructure foundations & plinths immune to rising damp; Retaining walls & erosion barriers
Bio-Composites & Recycled Aggregates
Date Palm Leaf Mesh Composite (Phoenix dactylifera + Clay)
Brique de Terre au Palmier Dattier / Lif (Arabe)
Algeria Morocco Egypt+2 more
Compressive (Dry)1.45 MPa
Conductivity (λ)0.28 W/m·K
Embodied Carbon0.016 kgCO2e
30cm Phase Lag15.6 hrs
Recommended Use: Extreme desert climate exterior walls; Oases thermal insulation jackets
Timber & Structural Bamboo
Heavy African Structural Hardwood (Tali / Erythrophleum suaveolens)
Bois d'Œuvre Tali / Missanda / Alui
DR Congo Cameroon Gabon+2 more
Compressive (Dry)78 MPa
Conductivity (λ)0.18 W/m·K
Embodied Carbon-0.65 kgCO2e
30cm Phase Lag16.8 hrs
Recommended Use: Heavy structural columns and portal frames; Stilt house foundations in wetlands
Thatches & Grasses
Wetland Papyrus Reed & Vetiver Thatch (Cyperus papyrus)
Chaume de Papyrus et Vétiver / Uruzi (Kinyarwanda)
Uganda Rwanda Burundi+3 more
Compressive (Dry)0.25 MPa
Conductivity (λ)0.058 W/m·K
Embodied Carbon-0.85 kgCO2e
30cm Phase Lag14.2 hrs
Recommended Use: Breathable parasol roofs (Kaira Looro Casamance Style); Ventilated suspended ceilings
Bioclimatic Engineering Simulator
Wall Thermal Phase Lag & Damping Calculator
Calculate the exact time delay (hours) and heat flux reduction before exterior Sahelian solar peaks reach interior spaces.
300 mm
15 cm (Partition)30 cm (Standard CEB)45-50 cm (Massive Adobe / Pisé)
Governing Thermodynamic Formula:
Phase Lag φ ≈ (d / 2) · √(24 / (π · α)) where α = λ / (ρ · c) (Thermal Diffusivity).
Phase Lag φ ≈ (d / 2) · √(24 / (π · α)) where α = λ / (ρ · c) (Thermal Diffusivity).
LIVE BIOCLIMATIC SIMULATION RESULTS
Thermal Phase Delay
11.1 hrs
Optimal Night Release
Diurnal Heat Damping
-95%
Attenuation of outdoor wave
Assembly U-Value:2.12 W/m²·K
Thermal Diffusivity (α):0.388 mm²/s
Architectural Impact: In an exterior climate peaking at 42°C at 13:00, this 30cm Compressed Earth Block (CEB) — Lime Stabilized (Tensift Soil) envelope delays peak transmission by 11.1 hours, arriving indoors around 00:00 when cool night breezes flush the interior naturally.