Effect of Gypsum Stabilization on Mechanical Properties of Compressed Earth Blocks
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Abstract
There is a need for development of alternative materials for the building industry with low carbon footprint and at the same time saving energy. Clay has been used as a building material from the beginning of humankind. The Compressed Earth Blocks often referred to simply as CEB, is a type of manufactured construction material formed by the compression of the soil in a mold with the help of a manual or motorized press to form a regular block of appropriate shape and size. For the purpose of researches, the press is manufactured locally at Mosul Technical Institute. In the present work, the effect of semi-hydrate gypsum as stabilizer on some of the mechanical and physical properties of unfired CEB was determined. A series of test blocks were fabricated using a local soil stabilized with 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% semi-hydrate gypsum, for each of the precedent ratios, three percentages of mixing water were used 10, 20 and 30%, and compacted with a manual press. Results for compressive strength, flexural strength, water absorption and drying shrinkage are presented in the paper. Results show that the addition of semi-hydrate gypsum improves the mechanical and physical properties of CEB. These preliminary results reinforce their suitability for application in low cost buildings.
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