Reinforced Brick Masonry in Urbanization of Rwanda Secondary Cities

Abstract
To ensure equitable development for all the regions of Rwanda and to limit migration into and prevent congestion of Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, the Rwandan government has embarked on the development of secondary cities. Consequently, there is the need to provide affordable and safe buildings in the proposed secondary cities. This study investigated the feasibility of using reinforced masonry bricks (RBM) for constructing buildings in the Rwandan secondary city in Muhanga District as an alternative to using reinforced concrete (RC) presently in use in the Kigali based on the availability of clay as the raw material for the production of masonry bricks needed for RBM. Questionnaires were administered and interviews were conducted to establish the level of acceptance of RBM for constructing building in Muhanga. The comparison of the costs of construction building using RBM and RC and the other advantages of RBM over RC for constructing buildings the Rwandan secondary city in Muhanga District are presented.