Influence of gradation on fresh stabilised adobe mixes

Adobe is one of the oldest construction materials in use for ages. Soil, as a construction material is the key ingredient of adobe construction wherein, the gradation characteristics, stabiliser type, stabiliser content and moisture content are pivotal to achieve desired properties. In addition, the gradation characteristics specifically the combination of silt and clay along with sand-size particles in appropriate proportions is instrumental in achieving aesthetic finish, in addition to desired engineering properties. This experimental study attempts to evaluate the influence of gradation, fresh and hardened properties for 18 combination of stabilised adobe mixes by modifying the silt (20%-45%) and clay (5%-15%) contents while maintaining a constant stabiliser content (cement 8%). Maximum fresh density was observed when the silt content was in the range of 20%-30% for varying clay proportions and increased clay to silt ratio and clay to sand ratio reduced water absorption in blocks.