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Influence of the kenaf fiber length on the mechanical and thermal properties of Compressed Earth Blocks (CEB)

  • Structural Engineering
  • Published:
KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Aims and scope

Abstract

The association of natural fibers and raw land soil has many advantages (thermal control, sound insulation, mechanical behavior, etc.). However, the major issue with the use of these materials is the lack of knowledge regarding their reliability and durability. In this work, we have evaluated the influence of kenaf fiber length on the mechanical and thermal properties of Compressed Earth Blocks (CEB). Fibers with length 10, 20 or 30 mm were used at mixing rate of 1.2% dry weight of soil; with the aim to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of CEB fabricated starting from a plastic clayey soil mined in Benin. Analysis of the mechanical behavior of different Soil/Fiber formulations in terms of flexural strength demonstrated the beneficial effect of the fibers. However, the mechanical strength of CEB obtained by immersing fibers till saturation prior to incorporation into the soil greatly diminished. The higher flexural strength was obtained with fibers 30 mm long. The thermal conductivity of CEB decreased when the fiber length was raised. The results showed the real possibility to improve CEB mechanical and thermal properties by using fibers for reinforcement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire d’Etude et de Recherche en Chimie Appliquée, Ecole Polytechnique d’Abomey-Calavi, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 2009, Cotonou, République du Bénin

    Armel B. Laibi & Dominique K. C. Sohounhloué

  2. CRISMAT UMR 6508 CNRS, ENSICAEN, 6 boulevard Maréchal Juin, 14050, Caen Cedex 4, France

    Armel B. Laibi & Moussa Gomina

  3. LUNAM University, University of Nantes, GeM-UMR CNRS 6183, Research Institute in Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Nantes, France

    Philippe Poullain & Nordine Leklou

Authors
  1. Armel B. Laibi
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  2. Philippe Poullain
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  3. Nordine Leklou
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  4. Moussa Gomina
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  5. Dominique K. C. Sohounhloué
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Correspondence to Nordine Leklou.

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Laibi, A.B., Poullain, P., Leklou, N. et al. Influence of the kenaf fiber length on the mechanical and thermal properties of Compressed Earth Blocks (CEB). KSCE J Civ Eng 22, 785–793 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-017-1968-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-017-1968-9

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