Engineering properties of cement-stabilized compressed earth bricks

Abstract

The significance of knowing the engineering properties of cement stabilized compressed earth brick (CSCEB) becomes useful within the context of manufacturing, construction, and the associated business domains, mostly at the local level. Chemical and mechanical stabilization techniques play a vital role in the production of soil bricks with adequate engineering properties. Cement, one of the most used chemical stabilizers, is the only easy approach of locally in the context of many developing countries. The study of soil bricks with such stabilizers will eventually benefit local-level manufacturers. This experimental study aims to assess the certain structural and durability properties of two categories of CSCEB samples: one with zero percent sand and another with forty percent sand content, mixed with clay soil constituting a total of eight sample types. The proportion of ordinary portland cement varied from five to twenty percent in intervals of five for both sample categories. The CSCEBs were evaluated through structural properties, including dry compressive strength, wet compressive strength, and three-point bending tests. To understand the durability property, a moisture absorption test was performed. The results showed that an increase in cement content led to higher dry and wet compressive strength and bending strength for both sample types. Additionally, increasing the cement content resulted in decreased water absorption for both samples. These findings complied with national and international specifications at a certain stage. The sample containing sand demonstrated superior engineering properties compared to the sample without sand.