Enhancing termite mound soil blocks with natural fibers and Portland cement: a sustainable approach to construction

Abstract The use of termite mound soil as a construction material has the potential for sustainable and cost-effective building practices due to its abundance. This research aims to utilize the enzymatic properties of termite mound soil to improve the production of stabilized soil blocks, focusing on enhancing strength, durability, and sustainability. Cement is used as a stabilizing agent, while fibers reinforce the blocks to achieve the desired strength. The study explores different proportions of sisal fiber (ranging from 0.25% to 1.25%) and cement (ranging from 5% to 15%) to optimize block performance. The termite mound soil, sisal fiber, and cement mix designs were thoroughly analyzed to formulate the soil blocks. Standardized blocks were cast and subjected to tests for compressive strength, dry density, shrinkage, and erosion resistance. The findings indicate that adding 1% sisal fiber and 10% cement achieves a compressive strength of 10.2 MPa. Additionally, the study shows that increasing fiber content reduces the linear shrinkage and water erosion rate of the blocks. This research highlights the viability of using termite mound soil blocks enhanced with fiber and cement as a preferred construction material, both in terms of engineering and sustainability.