Splitting Tensile Strength, Physical and Durability Properties of Cement Stabilized Earth Block Reinforced with Treated and Untreated Pineapple Leaf Fibre

Abstract

In the present study, the physical and mechanical strength of cement stabilized earth block reinforced with treated and untreated pineapple leaf fibre (T-PALF, N-PALF) have been studied. Three types of blocks were casted, firstly the block of dimensions 290*140*120mm were casted and these block were casted for abrasion test, secondly the cube blocks of dimensions 150*150*150mm were made and they were casted for water absorption and density test; thirdly were casted cylinder block of dimensions 200*100mm for Splitting tensile strength. It was found that, the water absorption of the blocks increase with increase of fibre content, the density decrease with fibre content. The fibre have increased the abrasion resistance and tensile strength of the blocks up to 3% of fibre content afterward it decreased. It was also observed that, the T-PALF had significantly improved the properties of the blocks comparing to those reinforced with N-PALF.