Abstract: The construction industry in Nigeria is dominated by the use of cement. The decades of dominance has created an attachment to sand-cement walls with a negative impact on alternative wall materials. The impact on earth is particularly fierce as it is further regarded as cheap, weak and obsolete. This research is aimed at the assessment of the performance of compressed earth wall in comparison with the common sand-cement block wall. Basic engineering tests were conducted on the common mixes of specimens of sand-cement block, mortar and plaster. The tests which were directed towards issues of public concern include the compressive strength, water absorption, durability/surface erosion tests. The results of 8 percent cement stabilisation of Aviele laterite soil were compressive strength of 10.3N/mm2 and coefficient of water absorption of 9 [kg/(N2 x min)]; while Sand-Cement block of ratio 1:4:2 gave a strength of 8.2N/mm2 and coefficient of water absorption of 5.3 [kg/(N2 x min)]. A surface abrasion test of 10 per cent cement stabilisation of earth, gave an impressive performance higher than sand-cement block. This investigation is a part of an on-going research in the development of Compressed Earth Block.
Keywords: Compressed Earth, Performance, Acceptability, Durability, Sustainability.
Title: Performance of Compressed Earth Brick in Comparison With the Prevailing Sand-Cement Wall Construction in Nigeria
Author: C. Egenti, J. M. Khatib, E. Negim
International Journal of Engineering Research and Reviews
ISSN 2348-697X (Online)
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