Effects of Grewia Bicolor Fiber on the Thermomechanical Properties of Earthen Bricks for Sustainable Habitat Construction

The context of sustainable development, which forces humans to protect the planet, imposes in its objectives to move towards the use of locally accessible materials in the field of construction. The objective of the present research work is to study the effect of Grewia bicolor fiber content on the properties of adobes. Specifically, this involves measuring the compressive and flexural strengths, thermal resistance, conductivity and effusivity of adobes. In this regard, we carried out geotechnical, physical, chemical, mineralogical characterization of soils taken from Mayo Kebbi Est region especially from Fianga Lengoua 1, Fianga Lengoua 2, Bongor, Moulkou, and Guelendeng and from Loumia in Chari Baguirmi region. Various methods and means of identification of soils have been used, including geotechnical, chemical and mineralogical analyzes. According to the geotechnical characterization of soils, Fianga Lengoua 1 soil is a sandy-silt-loam with plasticity index of 18%, Fianga Lengoua 2 soil is a clay-sandy with a plasticity index of 26%, Bongor soil is clayey with plasticity index of 23%, Moulkou soil is clay-sandy-loamy with plasticity index of 17% and Guelendeng soil is clay-sandy-loamy with plasticity index of 20%; in Chari Baguirmi, Loumia soil is clay-sand with plasticity index of 17%. These results indicate that the six samples are soils of type A2 except Fianga Lengoua 2 soils of type A3. Physicochemical analysis results show a pH value greater than 6 for the six samples. They are aluminosilicates. Oraganic materials presents in the samples are less than 2%. The results of these characterization indicate that Fianga Lengoua 1 soil is suitable for the formulation of raw earth block which has 36% clay and it is in ideal zone of the soils according to texture triangle but the five others soils are appropriate for hydraulic lam.