review · Eng—Advances in Engineering
Reviewing stabilization and reinforcement methods for adobe and compressed earth blocks highlights key developments across seventy published studies. Research increasingly focuses on replacing conventional stabilizers with waste products, including plant matter, mining by-products, and construction debris. Introducing natural fibres into earth mixtures reliably decreases shrinkage cracks while enhancing structural durability, mechanical strength, and thermal resistance. However, translating these technical insights into widespread practice remains constrained by variations in base soil granulometry and inconsistent experimental standards across the literature. A notable absence of comprehensive lifecycle assessments also limits the full evaluation of environmental impacts. Achieving scalable and transferable outcomes will depend on establishing shared research methodologies and examining broader sustainability indicators. Earthen materials nevertheless show strong potential as sustainable building solutions when enhanced through systematic reinforcement approaches.
Earthen construction offers a low-carbon alternative to traditional building methods, particularly when incorporating agricultural and industrial waste. Understanding how natural fibres and recycled additives enhance block strength, thermal insulation, and durability helps make sustainable building materials practical. Establishing consistent research benchmarks is essential for turning experimental earth blocks into dependable components for environmentally responsible construction.
This work focuses on earth block production for sustainable construction, relevant to building material manufacturers, civil contractors, and housing developers looking to replace cement with recycled wastes and natural fibres. Because the underlying evidence comes from a review of lab-scale studies with varying soil types and testing methods, the technology represents early-stage to applied research that requires standardised testing and lifecycle validation before reaching commercial manufacturing.
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This comprehensive literature review investigates the impact of stabilization and reinforcement techniques on the mechanical, hygrothermal properties, and durability of adobe and compressed earth blocks (CEBs). Recent advancements in understanding these properties have spurred a burgeoning body of research, prompting a meticulous analysis of 70 journal articles and conference proceedings. The selection criteria focused on key parameters including construction method (block type), incorporation of natural fibers or powders, partial or complete cement replacement, pressing techniques, and block preparation methods (adobe or CEB). The findings unearth several significant trends. Foremost, there is a prevailing interest in utilizing waste materials, such as plant matter, construction and demolition waste, and mining by-products, to fortify or stabilize earth blocks. Additionally, the incorporation of natural fibers manifests in a discernible reduction in crack size attributable to shrinkage, accompanied by enhancements in durability, mechanical strength, and thermal resistance. Moreover, this review underscores the imperative of methodological coherence among researchers to facilitate scalable and transposable results. Challenges emerge from the variability in base soil granulometry and disparate research standards, necessitating concerted efforts to harness findings effectively. Furthermore, this review illuminates a gap in complete lifecycle analyses of earthen structures, underscoring the critical necessity for further research to address this shortfall. It emphasizes the urgent need for deeper exploration of properties and sustainability indicators, recognizing the inherent potential and enduring relevance of earthen materials in fostering sustainable development. This synthesis significantly contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the field and underscores the continued importance of earth-based construction methodologies in contemporary sustainable practices.
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DOI: 10.3390/eng5020041
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