Abstract
The characteristics of earth cement blocks depend on soil composition, grading of the soil, cement-soil ratio and water content, etc… In the present study, an experimental program is conducted to evaluate the influence of soil grading in the mechanical properties of earth cement blocks. Five gradings of soil used for the preparation of earth cement blocks. Soil grading effect on following properties of earth-cement blocks such as block density, compressive strength in wet and dry condition, flexural tensile strength in wet and dry condition, and water absorption was compared. Results show that the properties of the earth cement blocks are dependent upon the fine content and uniformity coefficient of the soil. The increase in the finer content in mortar improves water absorption, compressive strength and flexural tensile strength.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
N. Sathiparan and H.T.S.M. De Zoysa, The effects of using agricultural waste as partial substitute for sand in cement blocks, Journal of Building Engineering 19, 216–227 (2018).
E.A. Adam and A.R.A. Agib, Graphoprint for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. France, Paris: UNESCO (2001).
B.V. Venkatarama Reddy, R. Lal and K.S. Nanjunda, Optimum soil grading for the soil-cement blocks, Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering 19, 139–148 (2007).
P. Nshimiyimana, H. Moussa, A. Messan, and L. Courard, Effect of production and curing conditions on the performance of stabilized compressed earth blocks: Kaolinite vs quartz-rich earthen material. MRS Advances 5, 1277–1283 (2020).
P. Nshimiyimana, D. Miraucourt, A. Messan, and L. Courard, Calcium carbide residue and rice husk ash for improving the compressive strength of compressed earth blocks. MRS Advances 3, 2009–2014 (2018).
B. Asare and Y. Danyuo, Mechanical characterization of earth-based composites materials reinforced with treated bamboo fibres for affordable housing. MRS Advances 5, 1313–1321 (2020).
K. Thanushan, Y. Yogananth, P. Sangeeth, J. Gracian and N. Sathiparan, Strength and durability characteristics of coconut fibre reinforced earth cement blocks, Journal of Natural Fibers (2019). https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2019.1652220
W. Benhaoua, K. Grine and S. Kenai, Performance of stabilized earth with wheat straw and slag. MRS Advances 5, 1285–1294 (2020).
H.M. Kwon, A.T. Le and N.T. Nguyen, Influence of soil grading on properties of compressed cement-soil, KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering 14 (6), 845–853 (2010).
V.G. Haach, G. Vasconcelos and P.B. Lourenço, Influence of aggregates grading and water/cement ratio in workability and hardened properties of mortars, Construction and Building Materials 25, 2980–2987 (2011).
L. Guifeng, L. Shichao, C. Zhengfa and Q. Yanlong, Effect of different grain grading of manufactured-sands on properties of dry-mixed mortar, Applied Mechanics and Materials 507, 429–433 (2014).
T.G. Hughes Mohammed and A. Abubakar, Importance of sand grading on the compressive strength and stiffness of lime mortar in small scale model studies, Open Journal of Civil Engineering 5, 372–378, (2015).
F.R. Arooz, R.U. Halwatura, Mud-concrete block (MCB): mix design & durability characteristics, Case Studies in Construction Materials 8 (2018) 39–50.
Specification for cement blocks, Part 1: Requirements SLS 855, Sri Lanka Standards Institution, Sri Lanka (1989).
S. Mayooran, S. Ragavan, and N. Sathiparan, Comparative study on open air burnt low- and high-carbon rice husk ash as partial cement replacement in cement block production, Journal of Building Engineering 13, 137–145 (2017).
ASTM C140/C140M, Standard test methods for sampling and testing concrete masonry units and related units. American Society for Testing and Materials International, West Conshohocken (2017).
BS EN 772-1, Methods of test for masonry units - Part 1: Determination of compressive strength. Brussels: Comité Européen de Normalisation, Brussels (2011).
BS EN 1015-11, Methods of test for mortar for masonry - Part 11: Determination of flexural and compressive strength of hardened mortar. Brussels: Comité Européen de Normalisation, Brussels (1999).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jeyasegaram, S., Sathiparan, N. Influence of Soil Grading on the Mechanical Behavior of Earth Cement Blocks. MRS Advances 5, 2771–2782 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2020.317
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2020.317