Freeze-Thaw Performance of On-Site Manufactured Compressed Earth Blocks: Effect of Water Repellent and Other Additives
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 28, Issue 7
Abstract
Compressed earth blocks, a form of earthen construction, is a growing field of natural building. It is a low-cost, locally available material that provides high thermal capacity with low environmental impact. Earthen blocks have been primarily used in warmer climates; however, there is increasing interest in using the blocks in cold climates. Limited research has been done on long-term durability in cold climates. In this study, combinations of cement and lime stabilizers were tested with metakaolin and Plasticure, a water repellant, to determine freeze-thaw durability. Blocks were exposed to up to twelve 48-hour freeze-thaw cycles. Prisms were tested in compression to failure in both the wet and dry condition as a measure of deterioration. Freeze-thaw damage occurred when water was readily available via capillary action. Blocks with 7.5% cement content provided optimum strength retention; however, 10% cement provided higher strengths. The addition of lime, metakaolin, and Plasticure to a 5% cement-stabilized block increased dry strength retention by 75 to 146%, but there was no significant difference when wet. Plasticure reduced variability in strength reduction from as high as 91 to 24%, and increased strength retention by up to 75%. Reductions in both strength and water strength coefficients were observed in different combinations.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the in-kind support provided by Henry Wiersma and funding provided by the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 28 • Issue 7 • July 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 20, 2015
Accepted: Oct 20, 2015
Published online: Feb 2, 2016
Published in print: Jul 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Jul 2, 2016
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