Volume 15, No. 4, 2021
Received: 2021/04/04, Accepted: 2021/08/26
Authors:
khedidja Himouri; Abdelmadjid Hamouine; Lamia Guettatfi;
Abstract:
Earth has been widely used as a construction material, especially in southern Algeria. Several of these ancient
structures are classified as protected earthen heritages, some of which were built with the mud bricks technique
and suffer significant damages due to Saharan climate conditions, the carelessness of individuals, besides the
lack of knowledge on the behavior of these structures. This study aims to contribute to a better understanding.
In this context, the physical and mechanical characteristics of earth concrete were examined, with different
combinations of Portland cement and quicklime as stabilizers. The experimental results show that stabilization
has positively affected the earth concrete's behavior, which allowed better improvement of both compressive
and bending strengths, as well as a better reduction in shrinkage by using Portland cement. In contrast, capillary
water absorption and water absorption by immersion were well enhanced by adding quicklime. Thus,
stabilization using both binders in combination for mixtures with 3%PC+6%QL and 6%PC+3%QL is more
effective for improving physical and mechanical properties than incorporating a single stabilizer.
Keywords:
Earth concrete, Portland cement, Quicklime, Shrinkage, Mechanical strength, Water
absorption