Volume 2 - Issue 3, May - June 2026

Civil engineering education in Nigerian polytechnics and universities faces two major challenges: the high cost of conventional construction materials, which limits students’ laboratory exposure, and the inadequate integration of indigenous materials that are affordable, locally available, and structurally suitable for construction practice. Indigenous materials such as laterite, bamboo, rice husk ash, and adobe possess proven engineering properties and offer significant potential for practical teaching and sustainable construction. This study evaluated the effectiveness of incorporating indigenous construction materials into practical civil engineering education through laboratory-based experiments. A mixed-methods approach was adopted. Laboratory tests assessed the compressive strength of laterite blocks at different cement stabilisation levels, the pozzolanic performance of rice husk ash as a partial cement replacement in concrete, and the tensile properties of bamboo splints as reinforcement material. Student learning outcomes were evaluated using a pre-test and post-test design involving 128 civil engineering students who participated in a structured indigenous materials laboratory module. Results showed that cement-stabilised laterite blocks attained a 28-day compressive strength of 23.5 N/mm², closely comparable to conventional sandcrete blocks (24.7 N/mm²). Concrete containing 10% rice husk ash achieved the highest compressive strength of 28.8 N/mm², surpassing the control mix. Bamboo splints with a width of 12 mm recorded an ultimate tensile strength of 350.1 N/mm², equivalent to approximately 60% of the capacity of comparable steel reinforcement bars. Student assessment scores improved by an average of 28.4% after the laboratory module, while 85% of participants reported a better understanding of sustainable construction principles. The findings demonstrate that indigenous construction materials possess suitable engineering properties for practical civil engineering instruction. Their integration into structured laboratory modules enhances student learning and develops contextually relevant competencies for sustainable construction practice in Nigeria and similar developing economies.

Okafor Micheal, Anefi Yusuf A,"Indigenous Construction Materials and Techniques for Practical Teaching in Civil Engineering" International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Educational Development, V2(3): Page(1080-1086) May-June 2026. ISSN: 3107-6513. www.ijamred.com. Published by Scientific and Academic Research Publishing.