Hygrothermal Characterization of Compressed and Cement Stabilized Earth Blocks

Abstract

Sustainable construction has become a real issue in Algeria and in the whole world. The compressed and cement stabilized earth blocks remain among the materials that contribute to a healthy, ecological and sustainable environment, as well as a source of interior comfort. In this work, an experimental investigation is performed on hygrothermal characterization of Compressed and cement Stabilized Earth Blocks with a moderate portion of 6%. The characterization of sorption isotherms was performed according to the “gravimetric” method in a temperature of 23 °C and relative humidity ranging from 9% to 99%.Twelve models were used to adjust the sorption isotherms of cement stabilized earth blocks. Therefore, only OSWIN model yielded a good result with a relative error experimented with a mean relative error less than 10%. In this work, the thermo-hydric characterization includes thermal conductivity, specific heat, and water vapor permeability.