Improvement of the mechanical properties of blocks made from compacted earth for construction in arid environments -simulation study –

The aim of this research is to study the exploitation of local soils in earthen construction. This is why there is a return to traditional materials, while focusing on modernizing them. The concern to manufacture earth blocks with good mechanical properties, while enhancing local soils, was thus the subject of this study. The soil was chosen as the reference material. Chemical stabilizers were incorporated to increase the mechanical strength at a given static compaction pressure. In order to optimize the choice of materials used (soil, binder), a statistical process was used through the experimental design method to model the mechanical behaviour of the composite studied and thus deduce the optimum of the factors that lead to the desired improvements. The results obtained showed that the addition of a binder, which is lime, causes a decrease in dry densities with a slight increase in optimal water contents. In addition, there is also an increase in compressive strength with the increase in lime content. Finally, it should be noted that the experimental design technique used to model the mechanical behaviour of the composite studied provides encouraging and promising results. It may replace or supplement experimental tests. It is an effective and less expensive method that minimizes the number of experimental trials.