Compressed earth block, sometimes known simply as BTC (in English CEB), is a building material made from a mixture of earth and a stabilizing material, such as air lime, hydraulic lime, cement or clay, which is compressed and molded using a mechanical press. BTC is a substitute for the common brick in construction activities; It is used in the construction of walls by stacking it manually and using a mixture of the same materials as glue.

The BTC was developed in the 1950s in Colombia, as a research product of the Inter-American Housing Center (CINVA) to produce low-cost construction materials. From this research, the CINVA-RAM press was born, named after the Inter-American Housing Center and the last name of the developer, Ing. Raúl Ramírez (Chilean), with which the BTC is produced. Since the 80s it has been widely spread throughout the world.

The most widespread formula is 14 parts of earth and one part of cement, varying this if the proportion of sand in the earth varies with respect to silt and clay. The granulometry must be controlled and established at a size less than 5mm. Only through on-site trial and error is it possible to fine-tune the mixture with water to achieve a product suitable for final use.