Influence of the Addition of Palm (Borassus Aethiopum Mart.) Fibers on the Durability of Compressed Earth Blocks

This study aims to determine the influence of the content and length of the palm (borassus aethiopum mart.) fibers on the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of Compressed Earth Blocks (CEB). Three fiber contents (0.2%, 0.4% and 0.8%) of different lengths (10 mm, 20 mm, or 40 mm) were used to make CEB. CEB with 0% fiber content were manufactured to serve as control samples. CEB specimens stabilized with palm fibers or not were subjected to various tests according to standard XP P 13-901 for the determination of the following properties: dry density, water absorption, dry compressive strength, abrasion resistance and thermal conductivity. The results show that the dry density of CEB decreases from 4% to 7% when the content and length of the fibers increase respectively from 0.2% and 10 mm in length to 0.8% and 40 mm in length. The water absorption of fiber-containing CEBs ranges from 14% to 22% with increasing fiber content and length. The results also indicate that the mechanical and thermal properties are improved for well-chosen fiber contents. Thus, the dry compressive strength of the fibers increases by more than 13% for a fiber content of 0.2% and a length of 10 mm compared to CEB with 0% fibers. On the other hand, the optimal abrasion resistance values are obtained for a fiber content of 0.4% and a length of 40 mm. For all CEBs, the thermal conductivity values vary from 0.51 W/mK to 0.38 W/mK when the fiber content varies from 0.2% to 0.8%. Overall, palm fiber content has a greater influence on the measured physical, mechanical and thermal characteristics than fiber length.