Abstract
Microstructures of adobes, manufactured with clayey soil containing an important amount of quartz and stabilised with cement up to 12% by weight, were investigated with X-ray diffraction, infrared spectrometry, differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry. The water absorption and mechanical (compressive and flexure strengths) characteristics of specimens elaborated with these mixtures were also measured. Cement additions resulted in the formation of calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) type tobermorite, portlandite, ettringite, iron oxyhydroxide and calcite. The CSH was formed through the hydration of anhydrous cement compounds (alite and belite). The formation of CSH through pozzolanic reaction, requiring kaolinite (unique clay minerals) and tiny quartz (obtained with the same material mixed of quicklime) is negligible. Moreover, CSH marked crystallisation with curing time contributed to the improvement of mechanical properties. The cement stabilised adobes comprised of 4–12% by weight cement, immersed for 4 days, were still suitable as building materials according to the required standards. This study concludes that for cement stabilised adobes, clayey soils containing an important amount of quartz were suitable soils for manufacturing resistant and durable adobes.
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