Development of Compressed Stabilized Earth Block as an Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Wall Making Material

Chao-Lung Hwang, Mitiku D. Yehualaw, Trong-Phuoc Huynh
2017 International Journal of Structural and Civil Engineering Research  
This experimental study investigates the development of compressed stabilized earth block (CSEB) as an ecofriendly and sustainable wall making material. In the study, three different types of stabilizers of cement, lime, and wood ash with 5%, 10%, and 15% replacement of soil are used as stabilizers. Moreover, lime and wood ash were blended with cement with 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5% of each in order to improve their efficiency. The CSEBs with dimensions of 300×150×100mm were prepared and cured for 28
more » ... ys. Finally, the compressive strength, density, and water absorption of the CSEB were analyzed. Cement stabilized blocks had the better compressive strength and density and low water absorption rate but cement is environmentally unfriendly and consumes energy. Lime stabilized blocks showed good compressive strength and density but high water absorption. While wood ash stabilized blocks exhibited the poor strength and density and high water absorption but these properties were improved when wood ash was blended with cement. As the results, the optimum proportion was found to be L5C (5% lime and 5% cement) or WA5C (5 % wood ash and 5% cement).  Index Terms-compressed stabilized earth block, compressive strength, density, water absorption, wall making material, stabilization
doi:10.18178/ijscer.7.3.233-237 fatcat:rrschbvsm5bjndrl5nm4ieebjy