Associate Professor Dr. Pichai Nimityongskul of the Structural Engineering Field of Study, School of Engineering and Technology (SET), AIT, together with Dr. Thammanoon Hengsadeekul, an AIT alumnus, on 20 February 2007, presented Mr. Sompol Phanmanee, Secretary-General of the Royal Development Projects Board, the dissertation on “Utilization of Vetiver Grass in Construction Materials” for the use of the Royal Development Projects on Vetiver Grass promotion. This dissertation received “The King of Thailand Vetiver Awards” from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, the Patron of the Vetiver Network, at the Fourth International Conference on Vetiver and Exhibition (ICV-4) at Caracas, Venezuela held 22-26 October 2006.
The research outlines the utilization of vetiver grass in construction materials through the mixing of vetiver grass with clay for the construction of a paddy storage silo, which was further developed in the form of a prefabricated vetiver grass-clay composite block as well as vetiver grass ash for cement replacement (Pozzolan). From the study, apart from a proven alternative for soil and water conservation, vetiver grass can be used as reinforcement material mixed with clay to construct a satisfactory performance paddy storage silo. Vetiver grass can also be molded in the form of a prefabricated block to construct a low-cost house. It can be burned and ground into vetiver grass ash for cement replacement. By using a local-based appropriate technology and local indigenous resources, this economical, efficient, and simple approach is regarded as one alternative to sustainable development for the communities to be “self-reliant” in line with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s remarks on the sufficient economiy.