Compressed earth block reinforced with sisal fiber and stabilized with cement: Manual compaction procedure and influence of addition on mechanical properties

Abstract

In the majority of emerging nations, there is an immediate demand for a method of house construction that is both affordable and long-lasting. Compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEB) are anticipated to be cost-effective and have the ability to reverse the shelter shortage. The purpose of this study is to examine the viability of integrating sisal fibers (SF) into CSEB manufactured from Auroville (Pondicherry) red soil to improve the composite's technical properties; the CSEB is then stabilized using cement. To increase the mechanical strength of the mixture of soil and cement, 5% by weight of sisal fiber that had been treated with NaOH was added to the binders. The fiber was added between 0% and 2.0% of the block's dry mass, while Portland cement was analyzed between 0% and 12%. After 28 days, the block was subjected to compression and flexure testing in line with ASTM specifications. The ideal mix design for increasing the compressive strength performance of CSEB was determined to have a composition of 10% cement and 1% sisal fiber. An increase in CSEB's compressive strength was seen with the addition of cement and sisal fibers, as determined by the results of the tests.