Impact Factor (2025): 6.9
DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET
With the
aim of valorizing local materials and contributing to the reduction of
construction costs and energy consumed for heating or air conditioning, wood
ash was used to stabilize compressed earth bricks (CEB). The general objective
of this work is to valorize wood ash in the stabilization of compressed earth
bricks. The results of the geotechnical characterizations show that the
particle size analysis of laterite falls within the optimum range as
recommended by CRATerre; the Atteberg limits used to calculate the plasticity
index reveal that the plasticity index of laterite is 13.2%, which complies
with the Cameroonian standard NC 102-114 2002-2006. The results of the
physico-chemical characterizations reveal that Fourier transform infrared
spectroscopy analysis of the base materials (laterite and wood ash) revealed
that the Si-O-Si, Si-O-Al and Ca-O functional groups present on the surface of
laterite and wood ash respectively are responsible for the chemical bonds
involved in brick production. These results show that the base materials can be
used for the production of compressed and stabilized earth bricks. Optimization
of the production of compressed and stabilized earth bricks through
implementation of the mixing plan shows that wood ash and laterite are the
governing factors during production, and the brick produced under optimum
conditions at respectively 5ml water, 15g wood ash and 80g laterite for a
compressive strength of 6.11MPa, a value within the range recommended by the
Cameroonian standard for compressed earth bricks. (RC= 4MPa). Evaluation of the
hydration behavior of BTCS obtained under optimum conditions shows that the
blocks absorb water by capillarity and total immersion. However, water
absorption remains below 0.1g/mm2 and below 15% for capillarity and
total immersion respectively. They therefore comply with CRATerre recommendations
for the use of a material in construction.
Country : Cameroon
IRJIET, Volume 9, Issue 7, July 2025 pp. 118-130