Physical, Mechanical and Hygroscopic Behaviour of Compressed Earth Blocks Stabilized with Cement and Reinforced with Bamboo Fibres

Abstract:

This paper describes the physical, mechanical, and hygroscopic behaviour of compressed earth bricks (CEB) reinforced with fibres of Bambusa vulgaris. Three fibre contents (0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 wt.%) and lengths of fibre (4, 5 and 6 cm) were considered as reinforcement for the compressed earth blocks based on cement stabilisation with 8.0% of the weight of the mixture. CEB composites were compacted with a static loading by applying a compacting stress of 15 MPa. Results show that the appropriate addition of Bamboo fibres can improve mechanical properties of CEBs. In particular, the compressive strength increases by 43.6%, at an optimum fibre content of 0.5 wt.% and at a length of 4 cm. The compressive strength also increases of 24.6% and 25.6% for a fibre content of 0.75 wt.% at 4 cm long and for 0.5 wt.% at 5 cm long respectively. The flexural strength also increases with increase in fibre content and length of fibre. The highest value ​​of flexural strength is obtained with CEB containing 1.0 wt.% of fibre content while the lowest value is obtained with blocks without reinforcement. For the water absorption, there is an increase by 18.4, 25.1 and 27.6% when the fibre content increases by 0 to 1.0 wt.% for fibres length of 4, 5 and 6 cm long, respectively. However, as the fibre content and length increase, the density decreases, and the porosity and water absorption increase due to their porous character and hydrophilic.

• Periodical: International Journal of Engineering Research in Africa (Volume 59)
• Pages: 29-41
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-spbskv
• Online since: March 2022
• Authors: Dieudonné Abessolo*, Achille Bernard Biwole, Didier Fokwa, Bernard Morino Ganou Koungang, Yembe Benjamin Baah
• Keywords: Bamboo Fibre, Bambusa vulgaris, Compressed Earth Block, Mechanical Properties, Physical, Water Absorption

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