Journal of Sustainable Construction and Project Management

Volume 3 Issue 2

Study of Mechanical Properties of Rammed Earth Blocks Using

Natural Coconut Fibers
P. Girish*
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering,
Dayananda Sagar Academy of Technology and Management, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

*Corresponding Author
E-mail Id:-girish.pgowda0711@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
To promote eco-friendly and sustainable construction and to reduce the impact of
environmental hazards of present construction scenario, rammed earth is one the viable tools
available. This paper presents an experimental study on locally available stabilized rammed
earth using Cement and Fly-ash as stabilizers. The Earth blocks were manufactured using
steel rammers and wooden molds. A comprehensive study carried to determine the
compressive strength showed that the blocks were in accordance with the specified strength
standards for use in construction activities. Natural Coconut fibers were introduced for
better flexural strength.

Keywords:-Sustainable, rammed earth blocks, soil stabilization, compressive strength,

natural fibers.

INTRODUCTION Use of rammed earth materials can

The present day construction
accommodates the rampant use of natural
resources for the manufacture of building
materials. The over exploitation of such
resources have a damaging impact on the
ecology of the planate. The most example
of such natural resource is use of clay rich
in nutrients for the manufacture of burnt
bricks. There is an urgent need for change
in technology and to use materials which
have lesser embodied energy [1]. Earthen
structures have been used since pre-historic
era and have shown resilience and
character by standing the test of time [2].
Rammed earth construction is prolific in
the Bronze Age dating back to nearly 3500
years still in existence. The market for the
modern rammed earth construction is
gaining significance [7]. Building made of
rammed earth blocks have good thermal
and acoustic properties compared to
masonry materials [8].
significantly reduce the embodied energy
of the building materials. Natural soil
lacks the strength and durability parameters
which are required for a building
construction. Such soil deficiency can be
overcome by process of the stabilization
using cement, lime and through the process
of mechanical compaction [3]. Use of
cement and lime as a stabilizer in better
mixing proportions have greatly improved
the strength of the rammed earth
construction technique, such stabilization
also reduce the use of plaster for the outer
walls [5-6]. Although significant progress
has been made in the understanding of the
rammed earth construction. The
applications of earthen construction is
limited due to lack of research in the
structural and design aspects of the system
[4]Rammed earth construction significantly
reduces the cost of construction and eco-
friendly with very little carbon emission.

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 Journal of Sustainable Construction and Project Management
Volume 3 Issue 2

Fig.1:-A Residential Building from Rammed Earth Blocks

OBJECTIVIES OF THE RESEARCH MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES OF

The primary objectives of the work
presented in this article is to determine the
compressive strength of the rammed earth
blocks with randomly distributed coconut
fibers. This work also studies the effect of
influence of randomly placed natural fibers
on the tensile strength of the blocks.
MATERIALS USED
Soil
Properties of soil confirming to IS 2720
Part 4, IS 2720 part 5 & IS 2720 part 7
were adopted in the studies. The properties
of the soil used have been indicated in
Table 1.

Fig.2:- Soil grain size distribution

The soil can be classifed as well graded cement stabilizer was 8% of cement with
Sandy-Slit Soil. The optimum dose of soil.

Table 1:-Properties of Soil Used

Soil Properties Value
Grain Size Distribution
Sand 63%
Silt 33%
Clay 4%
Atterberg Limits
Plastic Limit 23.55%
Liquid Limit 42.39%
Plasticity Index 8.82%

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 Journal of Sustainable Construction and Project Management
The optimum moisture content at 8%
cement stabilization was achieved to 22%
and the MDD of the soil was 1700 Kg/m3
Cement
Cement was used as a stabilizer. The
cement used was ordinary Portland cement.
Table 2:-Properties of Cement
Cement Properties
Physical Properties
Specific Gravity
Fineness
Coconut Fibers
The coconut fiber is obtained from the
abundantly available coconut fruit. The
fiber is obtained as waste product of this
fruit. The coconut fiber is hard, flexible
and short in comparison with other natural
fibers available. The hardness of the fiber
Fig.3:-Natural coconut fibers
TESTS ON MATERIALS AND
PREPARATION OF THE TEST
BLOCKS
Tests on Soil
Atterberg Limits Test – The atterberg
limits test were conducted as per IS 2720
(Part 5) 1985. The soil was sieved through
425mm sieve and soil was oven dried
before use
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Volume 3 Issue 2
The properties of the cement is described
in Table 2.
All the tests and specifications of cement
are confirmed to IS 12269-1987.
Value
3.27
97%
can be mainly attributed to the presence of
lignin and which also imparts the brownish
color to the fiber.
The composition of the fiber is 48% lignin,
3% ash, 0.5% hemicellulose. The fiber is
5% soluble in water [10]
Compaction Test – Standard proctor test
was conducted as per IS 2720 (Part 7)
1980. The test was used to determine the
MDD and OMC of the soil sample. The
soil sample with and without the stabilizer
was mixed and allowed to stand for
24hours before use.
Physical Properties of Cement – The tests
were carried out as per IS 12269-1987.
Page 3
 Journal of Sustainable Construction and Project Management
Volume 3 Issue 2

The specific gravity and the fineness of the
cement were determined
Test Block Preparation
The rammed earth blocks of size 190mm x
90mm x 90mm were prepared for the
studies. A wooden mould was used for
making the blocks. A light rammer of 5kg
weight was used for the compaction of the
soil into the blocks. The soil particles were
placed in 5 layers with each layer
compacted by 15 blows.

Fig.4:-Mould used to prepare the rammed earth blocks

The soil was mixed with 8% of cement by
its weight and the natural coconut fibers
were placed randomly in the mould while
compaction of the earth into blocks.
The mixing and compaction of soil can be
carried out by mechanical and manual
methods. This study proposes the manual
method of production of the rammed earth
blocks

Fig.5:-Production of Rammed Earth Blocks using the rammer

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 Journal of Sustainable Construction and Project Management
Volume 3 Issue 2

Fig.6:-Rammed Earth Blocks stacked for curing under the shade

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS strength of the rammed earth blocks

Effect of Compressive Strength on
Varied Cement Content
The compressive strength test was carried
out cured stabilized rammed earth blocks
with carrying content of cement (4% to
10%). The earth block shows an increase
in the strength of the blocks with the
increase in the cement content (1.74 – 2.55
Mpa). This can be attributed to the cement
hydration and pore filling which enhanced
the rigidness of the structure. It was
evident that all the test blocks passed and
satisfied the design strength requirement as
per BIS. Figure 7 gives the details of the
compressive strength of the rammed earth
blocks.
Effect of Age of Curing on Compressive
Strength
The rammed earth blocks were curing and
tested for every 7th day. It was evident
from the results that the compressive
increased with increase in the curing
period. The increase in the strength was
noted in all the blocks irrespective of the
stabilizer content in each mix. This can be
attributed to the reason that the cement
achieves strength after longer curing
periods. Cement needs to be completely
hydrated before it gains strength.
Effect of Fiber Content on the
Compressive Strength of the Blocks
It was evident that the compressive
strength of the rammed earth block
increased in their compressive strength
with addition of the coconut fibers
compared to the blocks without fibers.
Increase in fiber volume increased the
strength of the blocks. But further increase
in the fiber after 2% caused difficulty in
the compaction and consistency in the soil
mix.

3.00
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

2.50 2.55
2.35 2.25
2.00 2.10
1.74
(N/MM²)

1.50
1.00
0.50
0.00
Control Soil +4% Soil +6% Soil + 8% Soil + 10%
Cement Cement Cement Cement
MIX PROPOTIONS

Fig.7:-Compression Strength Test

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 Journal of Sustainable Construction and Project Management
Volume 3 Issue 2

7 14 21 28

15

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH
10 2.92 2.98 2.75
2.75
2.34 2.35 2.55 2.25
2.10
5 1.74 1.82 2.21 2.12 2.20
1.42 1.56 1.92 1.98 1.95
1.02
0
C O NSTORI O
L L+ 4 %
S OCI LE M
+ 6E S%
NOTCI LE M
+ E8SN%
OTI LC E+M1E0N%T C E M E N T
MIX PROPOPTIONS

Fig.8:-Effect of curing period on the compressive strength of rammed earth blocks

Without Fiber 1% Fiber

2% Fiber 3% Fiber
15 3.45
3.01
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

2.55 2.89 4.23

10 3.23 3.66
2.92 3.33
2.65 2.86
5 2.36 2.55 2.98
1.98 2.12
0
7 14 21 28
CURING DAY

Fig.9:-Effect of Fiber content on the compressive strength of rammed earth blocks

CONCLUSION ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Alocally available silty sand was stabilized The authors wish to thank the management
with cement and manually compacted to of Dayananada Sagar Academy of
stabilization. The Stabilized soil was Technology and Management for
added with natural coconut fibers aiming graciously support and encourage for the
to improve the compressive strength of the use of laboratory facilities in its campus.
blocks prepared. It was noted that the
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