Feasibility of Natural Fiber Reinforced Stabilized-Earth-Brick in Masonry to Promote Sustainability

Abstract

Conventional bricks are being used in masonry structures to carry building load and provide partitions. The manufacturing process of such bricks is degrading natural environment and making negative impact, which is a major concern. In this consequence, a feasible and acceptable approach toward environment friendly housing material is needed. To start with, Stabilized-Earth-Bricks (SEBs) are considered. Jute fibers (JF) are used as reinforcing agent. Local available soil and Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is used as raw material and stabilizing agent, respectively. The overall aim of the research program is to evaluate the mechanical properties of Stabilized-Earth-Bricks (SEBs) masonry structures, made by local available soil, with and without natural fibers, for having sustainability. The specific goal of the research program is to determine the efficiency of jute fibers in Stabilized-EarthBrick (SEB) masonry works, especially by using local materials for promoting sustainability. For this purpose, a series of experimental works on SEBs, made with and without natural fibers, having size of 200 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm of each brick, are carried out. Singe bricks (SB) and multiple bricks (MB) specimens are tested subjected for compressive loading, flexural loading, shear loading and water absorption properties after 28 days of manufacturing. The effect of JF, OPC and water to soil ratio (W/S) on mechanical properties of SEBs with fiber content of 1%, cement content of 8% and water content of 15%, by mass of total soil sample, are examined. Code comparisons and previous studies comparisons for compressive strength of single bricks specimens are carried out. Empirical relation between modulus of rupture (MoR) and compressive strength (CS) of single bricks specimens is developed. It is observed that the JF significantly increase the load carrying capacity of jute fiber reinforced Stabilized-Earth-Bricks (JFRSEBs) up to 82.26% and 22.10% in SB and MB specimens, respectively, as compared with SEBs specimens. It is also found that flexural strength and shear strength is increased 100% and 67.5%, ix respectively, in JFRSEBs specimens in comparison with SEBs specimens. However, water absorption rate of JFRSEBs specimens is 122% higher than SEBs specimens. The results achieved minimum requirement of the code standards in JFRSEBs single bricks compression. Furthermore, empirical equation results are in good agreement with experimentally calculated values. It is recommended that the use of JF in SEBs, with different fiber and cement content, to get optimum result is still needed to be investigated.