Experimental Characterization of the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Earth Bricks Stabilized by Alkaline Solution and Reinforced with Natural Fibers: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Abstract. The use of earth bricks is a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional building materials. However, these bricks can be vulnerable to erosion and extreme climatic conditions, which may limit their use in arid and semi-arid regions. In this experimental study, the aim was to improve the thermal and mechanical properties of earth bricks by stabilizing them with a mixture of alkaline solution and reinforcing them with natural fibers (maize, reeds, and olive). To this end, we designed earth bricks with different fiber percentages (from 0% to 8% of soil weight) and a fixed percentage of alkaline solution of 1.5%. After 28 days, the bricks were subjected to an experimental study to assess their thermal and mechanical cleanliness. The results showed that bricks stabilized with a fiber percentage of 2% and 3% had the best mechanical properties. They also showed an increase in thermal resistance as the percentage of fibers used increased. In addition, these bricks had higher compressive and tensile strengths than unstabilized bricks. This experimental study demonstrated that stabilizing earth bricks with a mixture of alkaline solution and fibers significantly improved their thermal properties.