Development and Performance Evaluation of Mycelium-Based Bricks for Sustainable Rural Housing

From the paper

Abstract

Abstract In rural India, housing predominantly comprises non-engineered kutcha structures constructed with locally sourced materials such as husk, clay, and bamboo, making them sustainable and environmentally friendly. However, enhancing the quality of these materials through innovation is crucial. This study examines Mycelium bricks, an eco-friendly building material produced using Oyster mushroom spawn, rice straw, plywood sawdust, and other sustainable materials, as a cost-effective alternative to traditional cement and bricks for rural construction. Various Mycelium brick compositions, combining clay, rice straw, lime, and Oyster spawn, were evaluated. Compressive strength tests revealed that bricks consisting of 70% clay, 10% lime, and Mycelium straw (or substrate) achieve a compressive strength of 3.5 to 3.8 N/mm². These findings suggest that Mycelium bricks with this composition are not only suitable for rural house construction but also contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly building material option.