Low-Cost and Low-Carbon Floor Slabs Using Local Materials in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ph.D. candidate Nebyu Haile completed the design, construction, and full-scale testing of a 15 m² unreinforced barrel-vaulted floor slab system in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The prototype leverages geometric form to achieve structural efficiency without relying on conventional high-carbon materials like steel reinforcement. The prototype successfully withstood all design loads. This research paves the way for low-cost, low-carbon alternatives to common floor systems by using locally available materials that are often overlooked in structural applications. 

This work represents an ongoing collaboration, sponsored by MIT-Africa, involving Ph.D. candidate Nebyu Haile, Professor John Ochsendorf of MIT, and Assistant Professor Asgedom Haile from the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction, and City Development (EiABC). The team aims to develop construction methods that are not only sustainable but also cost-effective and accessible to rapidly urbanizing regions.