Scientists at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) are employing quantum computing to help approve natural building materials for construction in Ghana. This research aims to embed laterite clay and agricultural fibres into the country's approved building codes. If successful, it could allow for the use of locally sourced, low-carbon materials in buildings nationwide.
Ghana produces large amounts of agricultural waste, such as 500,000 tonnes of palm-nut shell and coconut husk each year. Laterite clay is also widely available across the country. However, these materials are not yet permitted for load-bearing construction. Regulators need reliable data on strength and durability before approving new materials. This lack of data has been a major obstacle to using these natural resources.
This work builds on previous projects like RENABUMA and BUCABUMA. These initiatives have already showcased practical buildings made from local materials like clay, wood, and natural fibres. The BUCABUMA project, funded by the European Commission, is part of a wider African effort. It uses digital design and circular economy principles. Both projects faced a common challenge: generating material performance data slowly. Conventional lab testing for one material mix design can take months.
Professor Francis Davis leads the research at KNUST's TCC-CIMET centre. The team is not waiting for future quantum computers. They are using hybrid quantum-classical algorithms. These methods combine newer quantum processors with existing powerful computers. This approach models the behaviour of laterite-clay composites. Professor Alexander Boakye Marful, the Principal Investigator for RENABUMA and BUCABUMA, stated, "KNUST's TCC-CIMET is not waiting for quantum hardware to mature. It is exploring hybrid quantum-classical methods available now on the cloud to solve a very local problem: making Ghana's abundant earth and bio-waste into predictable, code-compliant building materials." This allows for faster calculation of properties like strength and durability.
A building code approval for laterite-clay composites would offer Ghana a cheaper, greener alternative to cement-based concrete. This is especially important given current cement import costs and environmental concerns. This research could create a repeatable method. The approach could be adapted for use in other African countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Africa. This would support sustainable and affordable construction across the continent.