Strength of stabilized mud block masonry

Abstract

The technology of Stabilized Mud blocks for walls was first used in India in 1949. There have been a significant amount of research in the production of Stabilized Mud Blocks (SMB’s). However, the strength of Stabilized mud block masonry has not been studied in detail, although there have been a few sporadic reports since 1991. These results have been consolidated in this paper along with recent additional test results. The influence of stabilizer percentage on the strength of blocks and strength of masonry are studied for two mortar strengths in the current studies. SMB blocks of sizes 230 × 190 × 100 mm were cast with fresh moist block density of 2.05 g/cc. Three percentages of cement stabilizers were used viz., 7.5%, 10% and 12% to cast SMB’s which lead to a block strength in the range of 7.03 MPa to 10.91 MPa which are much superior to some of the bricks obtained from the southern part of India. Masonry prisms were then cast using these blocks with two different types of mortars leading to a prism strengths that vary between 2.78 and 4.82 MPa. All the results are then subjected to a multiple regression analysis to obtain the influence of block strength and mortar strength on the strength of Stabilized mud block masonry. The resulting formula is then compared with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) recommendations for masonry. Usage of SMB’s benefits not only in reducing the cost of blocks, but also has significant implications in terms of reduction of energy consumed in the manufacture of blocks. Reduction in energy consumed, lower embodied carbon dioxide, lesser pollution and optimal usage of the resources would lead to a sustainable growth of the construction industry in particular and society at large.