What Are Issues Of Using Rastra Block For Construction?

RASTRA BLOCK PITFALL
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The Rastra block is quite an interesting building product. Being an intermediate product made from the mix of cement and recycled Styrofoam, Rastra is usually used when constructing blocks and the outer walls of structures. It offers an alternative to the conventional building materials or styles. The heat-proof nature of Styrofoam, as well as its reduction of infiltration pathways that limit the impact of tunneling insects, is an inherent benefit of rastra as well(Rastra,n.d.). Despite these however, rastra also has its own shortcomings.
The blocks, considering that they are commercially produced, cost more than the conventional materials used(Goodnow,2005).To totally eliminate the impact of leakages and tunneling creatures, the use of rastra blocks would need a slab made from concrete. This is because it would tightly lock with the slab to ensure that there is no entry. Such a condition would therefore disadvantage anyone who intends to build without the use of a concrete floor. It hence becomes selective.
The blocks are very heavy, actually about 10 pounds per square foot. The b...