Improving Adobe’s Mechanical Properties through Sawdust Reinforcement: A Comparative Study of the effect of varying Sawdust Dimensions

Abstract

The construction industry is a significant contributor to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Ecological construction, particularly using soil-based materials, offers a sustainable alternative while maintaining mechanical performance. This study investigates the mechanical properties of adobe, manufactured using the traditional technique from southern Morocco, and reinforced with sawdust fibers of different lengths. A comparative analysis was conducted by varying the sawdust fiber length, from 0.3 to 2 cm, to evaluate its effect on the compressive and flexural strength of the adobe. The results showed that increasing fiber length and dosage enhanced compressive strength, reaching a maximum value of 6.80 MPa. However, the tensile strength of the sawdust fibers was found to have a more significant influence on mechanical performance than fiber length. Due to the low tensile strength of sawdust, the expected improvements in flexural strength were not fully realized. These findings indicate that while fiber length has a positive effect, the tensile strength of the fibers plays a critical role in optimizing mechanical performance.