Durability of Raw Earth Blocks Reinforced with Wheat Straw Fibers

Abstract:

The key drivers of the growing interest in the recovery of local materials, particularly land and waste plants, are low-cost building materials, thermal comfort, decreased energy consumption, and decreased carbon dioxide polluting emissions. This work's primary objective is to test a bio-sourced composite material that takes the form of a block of unfinished soil that has been stabilized with cement and blended with wheat straw. This study is being done with the objective of examining the impact of this fiber at different weight percentages (0, 2, 3%, and 4%) on the mechanical behavior, durability, and thermophysical properties of the produced blocks. The results obtained indicated an increase in thermal conductivity, from 2.75 W/mK for the blocks without wheat straw fiber to 0.398 W/mK for those getting 4% of the wheat straw fiber, signifying an improvement in thermal insulation. While retaining the low performance threshold required by the earth construction standard, this improvement was accompanied by an average decrease in mechanical performance.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 1178)
• Pages: 131-148
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-b0MEu9
• Online since: July 2023
• Authors: Meriem Messis*, Nasr Eddine Bouhamou, Abdelatif Benaisa
• Keywords: Durability, Mechanical Property, Raw Earth Block, Thermal Conductivity, Ultrasound, Wheat Straw

References

[1] J. Schewe, S. N. Gosling, C. Reyer, F. Zhao, P. Ciais, J. Elliott, et al., "State-of-the-art global models underestimate impacts from climate extremes," Nature communications, vol. 10, pp.1-14, 2019.

[2] M. Missoum, A. Hamidat, L. Loukarfi, and K. Abdeladim, "Impact of rural housing energy performance improvement on the energy balance in the North-West of Algeria," Energy and Buildings, vol. 85, pp.374-388, 2014.

DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.09.045

[3] A. O. Obafemi and S. Kurt, "Environmental impacts of adobe as a building material: The north cyprus traditional building case," Case Studies in Construction Materials, vol. 4, pp.32-41, 2016.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cscm.2015.12.001

[4] S. Mihoub, A. Chermiti, and H. Beltagy, "Methodology of determining the optimum performances of future concentrating solar thermal power plants in Algeria," Energy, vol. 122, pp.801-810, 2017.

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2016.12.056

[5] Z. Abada and M. Bouharkat, "Study of management strategy of energy resources in Algeria," Energy Reports, vol. 4, pp.1-7, 2018.

DOI: 10.1016/j.egyr.2017.09.004

[6] G. A. Abanto, M. Karkri, G. Lefebvre, M. Horn, J. L. Solis, and M. M. Gómez, "Thermal properties of adobe employed in Peruvian rural areas: Experimental results and numerical simulation of a traditional bio-composite material," Case Studies in Construction Materials, vol. 6, pp.177-191, 2017.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cscm.2017.02.001

[7] T. Ashour, A. Korjenic, S. Korjenic, and W. Wu, "Thermal conductivity of unfired earth bricks reinforced by agricultural wastes with cement and gypsum," Energy and Buildings, vol. 104, pp.139-146, 2015.

DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.07.016

[8] N. Li, G.-z. Luo, B.-z. Li, and Y.-q. Huang, "Impact of light-weight external thermal insulation materials on building surrounding thermal environment in summer," Journal of Central South University, vol. 19, pp.1639-1644, 2012.

DOI: 10.1007/s11771-012-1187-y

[9] L. Sagbansua and F. Balo, "Ecological impact & financial feasibility of Energy Recovery (EIFFER) Model for natural insulation material optimization," Energy and Buildings, vol. 148, pp.1-14, 2017.

DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.05.015

[10] N. Degirmenci, "The using of waste phosphogypsum and natural gypsum in adobe stabilization," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 22, pp.1220-1224, 2008.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2007.01.027

[11] M. C. de Castrillo, M. Philokyprou, and I. Ioannou, "Comparison of adobes from pre-history to-date," Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, vol. 12, pp.437-448, 2017.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2017.02.009

[12] H. Guillaud, T. Joffroy, and P. Odul, "Compressed earth blocks: Manual of design and construction," Vieweg, Eschborn, Germany, 1995.

[13] A. Ayoub, "Habitations en milieu rural au nord-ouest de la Jordanie," Bulletin d'études orientales, vol. 32, pp.7-19, 1980.

[14] S. Chaibeddra, "Durabilité du béton de terre stabilisées," Alger, 2012.

[15] J. Paulus, "C ONSTRUCTION EN T ERRE C RUE: D ISPOSITIONS QUALITATIVES, CONSTRUCTIVES ET ARCHITECTURALES–Application à un cas pratique: Ouagadougou," 2015.

[16] Y. K. Abdulrahman, "Durability Properties of Stabilized Earth Blocks," University of Sains MALAYSIA, 2009.

[17] A. Kémajou, L. Mba, and P. Meukam, "Application of artificial neural network for predicting the indoor air temperature in modern building in humid region," British Journal of Applied Science & Technology, vol. 2, p.23, 2012.

DOI: 10.9734/bjast/2012/641

[18] D. Boro, H. E. V. Donnou, I. Kossi, N. Bado, F. P. Kieno, and J. Bathiebo, "Vertical Profile of Wind Speed in the Atmospheric Boundary Layer and Assessment of Wind Resource on the Bobo Dioulasso Site in Burkina Faso," 2019.

DOI: 10.4236/sgre.2019.1011016

[19] H. Houben and H. Guillaud, "CRATerre: Traité de Construction en Terre," Éditions Parenthèses: Marseille, France, 2006.

[20] M. Moevus-Dorvaux, L. Couvreur, L. Fontaine, R. Anger, P. Doat, L. Ronsoux, et al., "enViRonmental-clay-Based concRete," in Terra 2016, 2016, pp.208-212.

[21] H. Guillaud, P. Doat, P. Rollet, H. Houben, P. Garnier, L. Fontaine, et al., "Technologie de construction et architecture de terre. Proposition de directions prioritaires de recherche pour la République de Corée: Rapport final (Volume 1/2)," CRAterre; Université Nationale de Mokpo; Chaire UNESCO Architecture de terre …, 2008.

DOI: 10.18006/2015.3(3).288.297

[22] H. Nagaraj, M. Sravan, T. Arun, and K. Jagadish, "Role of lime with cement in long-term strength of Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks," International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, vol. 3, pp.54-61, 2014.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsbe.2014.03.001

[23] P. Walker, "The Australian earth building handbook," in The Australian Earth Building Handbook, ed: SAI Global Limited, 2002.

[24] K. Dao, M. Ouedraogo, Y. Millogo, J.-E. Aubert, and M. Gomina, "Thermal, hydric and mechanical behaviours of adobes stabilized with cement," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 158, pp.84-96, 2018.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.10.001

[25] V. Sharma, B. M. Marwaha, and H. K. Vinayak, "Enhancing durability of adobe by natural reinforcement for propagating sustainable mud housing," International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, vol. 5, pp.141-155, 2016.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsbe.2016.03.004

[26] R. Illampas, I. Ioannou, and D. C. Charmpis, "Adobe bricks under compression: Experimental investigation and derivation of stress–strain equation," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 53, pp.83-90, 2014.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.11.103

[27] M. Bouhicha, F. Aouissi, and S. Kenai, "Performance of composite soil reinforced with barley straw," Cement and concrete composites, vol. 27, pp.617-621, 2005.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2004.09.013

[28] K. Ghavami, R. D. Toledo Filho, and N. P. Barbosa, "Behaviour of composite soil reinforced with natural fibres," Cement and Concrete Composites, vol. 21, pp.39-48, 1999.

DOI: 10.1016/s0958-9465(98)00033-x

[29] D. Silveira, H. Varum, A. Costa, T. Martins, H. Pereira, and J. Almeida, "Mechanical properties of adobe bricks in ancient constructions," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 28, pp.36-44, 2012.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.08.046

[30] J.-C. Morel, A. Pkla, and P. Walker, "Compressive strength testing of compressed earth blocks," Construction and Building materials, vol. 21, pp.303-309, 2007.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2005.08.021

[31] R. Bahar, M. Benazzoug, and S. Kenai, "Performance of compacted cement-stabilised soil," Cement and concrete composites, vol. 26, pp.811-820, 2004.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2004.01.003

[32] A. V. Oskouei, M. Afzali, and M. Madadipour, "Experimental investigation on mud bricks reinforced with natural additives under compressive and tensile tests," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 142, pp.137-147, 2017.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.03.065

[33] A. Laborel-Préneron, J.-E. Aubert, C. Magniont, C. Tribout, and A. Bertron, "Plant aggregates and fibers in earth construction materials: A review," Construction and building materials, vol. 111, pp.719-734, 2016.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.02.119

[34] H. Binici, O. Aksogan, M. N. Bodur, E. Akca, and S. Kapur, "Thermal isolation and mechanical properties of fibre reinforced mud bricks as wall materials," Construction and Building materials, vol. 21, pp.901-906, 2007.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2005.11.004

[35] M. Sutcu, J. J. del Coz Díaz, F. P. Á. Rabanal, O. Gencel, and S. Akkurt, "Thermal performance optimization of hollow clay bricks made up of paper waste," Energy and Buildings, vol. 75, pp.96-108, 2014.

DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.02.006

[36] T. S. Ts825, "Thermal insulation requirements for buildings," ed: Turkish Standards Institution Ankara, Turkey, 2008.

[37] M. C. J. Delgado and I. C. Guerrero, "The selection of soils for unstabilised earth building: A normative review," Construction and building materials, vol. 21, pp.237-251, 2007.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2005.08.006

[38] AFNOR, "NF P94‐056: Analyse granulométrique–Méthode par tamisage à sec après lavage," ed: Association Française de Normalisation (AFNOR) Puteaux, France, 1996.

[39] R. H. Bogue, The chemistry of Portland cement vol. 79: LWW, 1955.

[40] D. Montane, X. Farriol, J. Salvado, P. Jollez, and E. Chornet, "Fractionation of wheat straw by steam-explosion pretreatment and alkali delignification. Cellulose pulp and byproducts from hemicellulose and lignin," Journal of wood Chemistry and Technology, vol. 18, pp.171-191, 1998.

DOI: 10.1080/02773819809349575

[41] H. Houben and H. Guillaud, "Traité de construction en terre CRATerre," L'Encyclopédie de la construction en terre, vol. 1, p.300, 1989.

[42] Y. Millogo and J.-C. Morel, "Microstructural characterization and mechanical properties of cement stabilised adobes," Materials and structures, vol. 45, pp.1311-1318, 2012.

DOI: 10.1617/s11527-012-9833-2

[43] X. AFNor, "P13-901 "Blocs de terre comprimée pour murs et cloisons: définitions-Spécifications-Méthodes d'essais-Conditions de réception"," Saint-Denis La Plaine Cedex: AFNor, 2001.

[44] M. C. J. Delgado and I. C. Guerrero, "Earth building in Spain," Construction and building materials, vol. 20, pp.679-690, 2006.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2005.02.006

[45] R. Belakroum, A. Gherfi, K. Bouchema, A. Gharbi, Y. Kerboua, M. Kadja, et al., "Hygric buffer and acoustic absorption of new building insulation materials based on date palm fibers," Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 12, pp.132-139, 2017.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2017.05.011

[46] L. Boukhattem, M. Boumhaout, H. Hamdi, B. Benhamou, and F. A. Nouh, "Moisture content influence on the thermal conductivity of insulating building materials made from date palm fibers mesh," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 148, pp.811-823, 2017.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.05.020

[47] G. C. Bureau, "New Mexico adobe and rammed earth building code," General Construction Bureau, USA, vol. 311, p.312, 1991.

[48] K. Al Rim, A. Ledhem, O. Douzane, R. Dheilly, and M. Queneudec, "Influence of the proportion of wood on the thermal and mechanical performances of clay-cement-wood composites," Cement and Concrete Composites, vol. 21, pp.269-276, 1999.

DOI: 10.1016/s0958-9465(99)00008-6

[49] Ş. Yetgin, Ö. Çavdar, and A. Cavdar, "The effects of the fiber contents on the mechanic properties of the adobes," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 22, pp.222-227, 2008.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2006.08.022

[50] S. Sair, A. Oushabi, A. Kammouni, O. Tanane, Y. Abboud, and A. El Bouari, "Mechanical and thermal conductivity properties of hemp fiber reinforced polyurethane composites," Case studies in construction materials, vol. 8, pp.203-212, 2018.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cscm.2018.02.001

[51] M. Ouedraogo, K. Dao, Y. Millogo, J.-E. Aubert, A. Messan, M. Seynou, et al., "Physical, thermal and mechanical properties of adobes stabilized with fonio (Digitaria exilis) straw," Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 23, pp.250-258, 2019.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2019.02.005

[52] N. Benmansour, B. Agoudjil, A. Gherabli, A. Kareche, and A. Boudenne, "Thermal and mechanical performance of natural mortar reinforced with date palm fibers for use as insulating materials in building," Energy and Buildings, vol. 81, pp.98-104, 2014.

DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.05.032