Experimental and modeling study on earthen sediment-based bricks with and without flax fibers: A finite element analysis

This paper investigates the improvement of earthen sediment-based bricks through the use of natural flax fibers to enhance their mechanical properties. The experimental tests were designed to develop numerical modeling based on material guidelines that have been partially followed. To facilitate the precise placement of flax fibers within the earthen sediment, periodically distributed holes have been deliberately made on both sides of the molds, ensuring the proper positioning of the flax fibers. The three-point bending test was conducted to assess the mechanical strength of the earthen bricks, providing insights into their stiffness and resistance to fracture. Non-linear numerical modeling was employed to gain a deeper understanding of fatigue behavior and crack propagation in earthen bricks under stress. The comparison of raw experimental data with numerical simulations validated the consistency of the results without adjustments, while the application of the homogenization principle improved data approximation. These findings confirm that the numerical homogenization method is the most effective approach for ensuring the validity of the numerical model and should be systematically applied to this type of problem. • Significant improvement in the strength of natural fibers bricks. • Reduced risk of sudden rupture due to the addition of flax fibers. • Dynamic compaction method increases brick durability. • Numerical simulations validate the mechanical performance of the bricks. • Use of natural materials for sustainable and ecological construction.