Mechanical behaviour of compressed earth blocks reinforced with random and aligned continuous distribution corn husk fibers

Abstract

This study aims to characterise a composite material from compressed earth reinforced with corn husks fibers. In order to achieve this objective, the work started by conducting many laboratory tests on fibers and soils. The parameters that were determined included the diameters, stress at rupture, elongation at rupture, deformation at rupture, Young modulus 1 and Young modulus 2, and constraint maximum for fibers. In addition, geotechnical parameters of soils were determined, including the water limit liquid, plastic limit liquid also determine optimal moisture for soil and is maximum dry density. It is evident that the tensile strength decreases and varies depending on the amount of corn husk fiber has increased. The results also demonstrate that the rate of water absorption of the composite increases with the increase in the fiber content, which is explained in particular by the fact that the fibers’ plant origins are hydrophilic and possess a porous character, thereby enabling water absorption. Furthermore, the study also shows that there is a reduction in the density of the fiber composite with increasing fiber content. It was equally observed that an increase in the fiber ratio let to an increase in the Young’s modulus of the composite.