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ICASF-2022 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1110 (2023) 012005 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1110/1/012005

Evaluating the properties of compressed soil earth blocks after the

addition of bagasse ash, marble powder and paddy straw
Satish Ranjan1 and Tarun Sharma2
1
Mtech Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, Chandigarh University, Punjab,
India.
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Chandigarh University,
Punjab, India.
1
satishverma.h@gmail.com
2
tarun.sharma@cumail.in

Abstract. Constructing structures and their establishments with the help of non-toxic and
ecological materials that reduce the environmental damages caused in the process and help
protect nature can be termed sustainable construction. Red burnt clay bricks are being used for
the construction which requires a lot of energy in the process. For the preparation of these
bricks, cement is used as a stabilizer and we all are aware that the production of cement
releases a lot of energy. Red burnt clay bricks are burnt in kilns which pollutes the
environment. Many countries have started using compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEBs)
to overcome these situations. CSBEs are the blocks consisting of clay and one or more
stabilizers which are compressed together with the help of a manual press or machines. This
study used waste materials like rice straw, marble dust, and bagasse ash as stabilizers. Using
waste materials in CSEBs can help us in sustainable development and also will help in
reducing the cost of construction. In this study, rice straw is used in the percentages 0.75%,
0.90%, and 1.05%. Marble dust is used in the percentages of 8%, 10%, and 12%. And bagasse
ash is used in the percentages of 27%, 32%, and 37%. A total of 27 combinations were selected
with these percentages. And for each test, 2 blocks of size 220mm x 100mm x 100mm and
beams of size 500mm x 100mm x 100mm were prepared. These blocks were cured by the
sprinkling of water for 28 days. Various tests like OMC & MDD, and Flexural Strength were
performed in this study.

Keywords: Sustainable Construction, Ecological Materials, Compressed Stabilised Earth

Blocks, Marble dust, Bagasse Ash, Rice Straw, Flexural Strength.

1. Introduction
Due to the degradation of natural resources and environmental exploitation, the need for sustainable
materials for construction is increasing rapidly. There are many countries that started researching new
substitutes for a building material that causes no harm or least harm to the environment[1], [2],[3].
Due to this situation, the idea of using bagasse ash, paddy straw, and marble dust has come. Almost
every country on the planet uses rammed earth. The block is created by tamping soil between
frameworks at the appropriate water content [4]. Cement also enhances the strength of earth bricks
made of compacted soil, but also pollutes the environment during their manufacture. As a result, in
order to reduce pollution in the environment, waste materials are increasingly being used to
manufacture CSEBs[5], [6],[7].
1.1. Materials used in the study
Bagasse ash is a waste material that is produced as a by-product of the sugarcane industry. Bagasse
ash is divided into two types: fly-ash and bottom ash. Bottom ash comes from boilers, whereas fly ash
comes from gas washers[8], [9], [10]. Usually, ashes consist of inorganic as well as an organic fraction
but in the case of fly-ash organic content is more than in comparison to bottom ash. Due to the

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IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1110 (2023) 012005 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1110/1/012005

deprivation in the management techniques of sugarcane ash in India, the problem of managing the vast
quantity of ash has occurred. So, these ashes can be used as an additive or stabilizer in the construction
field. That is why bagasse ash has been used in this study as a stabilizer[11], [12],[13].

Marble dust used in this paper is also a waste that is obtained from the Marble industry. Marble
dust contains good binding properties that are good for the construction of compressed soil earth
blocks. Marble dust can be used in place of cement as a substitute[14].

Paddy straw is another waste used in this paper. The burning of paddy straw in Punjab and its
nearby states like Haryana and some parts of NCR was increasing rapidly in past years. Farmers used
to burn straws after the harvesting. In order to minimize this problem government has come up with
the idea of using straw as a fuel in boilers in industries[15].

1.2. Literature Review

(Tripura and Singh, 2015) explored that the material used in this paper comprises of soil, and cement
and has cement content 0%,4%,6%,8%,10%. Cement was added in various proportions with the soil.
Water content up-to OMC was added to 6Kg of soil which was sufficient to produce 2 blocks of 100
mm. Cured samples were prepared by curing the blocks for 28 days while uncured samples were
prepared by drying the blocks for 28 days in an ambient temperature. Results found are There is an
increment in both compressive strength and dry density, whether the samples are cured or uncured.
But it was not possible to achieve MDD and Higher Compressive strength at OMC even after
increasing the compaction energy. Hence, cement was required [16].
The materials utilised by (Waziri et al., 2013) for this study include soil and cement with cement
content of 0 percent, 2.5 percent, 5 percent, and 7.5 percent, and a compaction test (Standard Proctor
test) was performed to calculate the OMC. After getting the OMC value, the sample was prepared with
different percentages of OPC like 0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5%. After that, blocks were prepared by the
use of a CINVA-Ram machine belonging to a hand-operated press for the generation of blocks. Due to
the addition of cement stabilizer, there was increment in strength had been observed. The highest
increment in compressive strength 2.84N/m2 of had been observed during 28 days test with the
addition of 7.5% cement[2].
Soil, cement (43 grade), coconut coir, and coconut coir of twenty- five and fifty milli meter lengths
were all employed in this investigation (Raavi and Tripura, 2020). The soil was sieved at 4.75 mm for
the blocks' production. The ideal water content was determined using the Rapid Moisture Meter Test.
To make cement stabilised rammed earth bricks, soil, cement, and water were combined together and
crushed. Blocks of un-stabilized coir reinforced with cement, as well as blocks reinforced with
cement-stabilized coir, were made in the same way. CSRE blocks had stronger compressive and
tensile strengths than USRE blocks, according to the data. The tensile strength of the fibre improves as
the amount of coir increases. The water absorption capacity of coconut fibre improves as the amount
and length of coconut fibre increases. Owing to the stability of the cement, the number of calcite peaks
increased, but there was no discernible shift in the crystal structures due to hydration. [4].
(Raj et al., 2017) proposed that the materials used were soil, cement, and coconut fibre, with the
content of cement and fibre being fibre content (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and1) %, cement content (0, 0.2,
0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and1) %, and cement content (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and1) % (0, 2.5, 5,7.5, and 10) %. The
manufacture of rammed earth blocks was divided into five weight groups based on the proportion of
dry soil fibre content. For every category of fiber content in dry soil, rammed earth bricks with varying
cement concentrations (ranging from zero to ten percent by weight) were created. The soil was
thoroughly combined with the requisite amounts of cement and fibre, then the required amount of
water was added according to Optimum moisture content. This was done in order to create three
samples of each category. The results demonstrated that as the fibre content of the soil grows, so does

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ICASF-2022 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1110 (2023) 012005 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1110/1/012005

its compressive and tensile strength. These strengths begin to dwindle with a fibre level of 0.8 percent
by weight[17].

(Sujatha & Selsia Devi, 2018) the materials employed for this study were soil, OPC, and banana
fibres (25mm and 50mm) with the following contents: sand (35%), 5 mm aggregate (30%), clay
(35%), cement (7%), and water (10%) by weight, banana fibre (0.35 percent & 0.175 percent) by
weight. We made 10 plain CEBs and 60 banana fibre enhanced CSEBs. The soil and cement were
mixed together, and the fibres were progressively added. Then water was added to this dry mix. Then
this mix was placed in moulds and blocks were prepared with the help of a manual compressed earth
block machine. It was seen that specimens reinforced with 50mm fibres showed better results in both
compressive and flexural strength[18].
(Salim et al., 2014) investigated that the soil was added with SCBA in different percentages by
weight. The compressive strength of the Brick increased by 65% with the addition of 10% SCBA. For
10% Bagasse ash, compressive strength was more in 14-21 days while for 3,5,8%, compressive
strength was more in 21-28 days. But for 28 days when 10% bagasse ash was added to the brick, the
compressive strength obtained was less[1].

2. Experimental Program

2.1. Materials

2.1.1. Soil. In this research, the soil is procured from Morinda, Punjab. The physical properties of soil
collected are mentioned in Table 1. From the tests conducted on soil, it is clear that the soil used in this
research is having low plasticity. Before mixing, the clay was oven-dried for 24 hrs at a temperature
of 105℃. After that, the soil was left for 2 hrs at room temperature, then crushed with 10 kg rammer
weight and afterwards sieved with the help of a 4.75mm sieve Table 1.
Table 1 Physical properties of soil used.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES VALUES IS Codes

Moisture Content % 6 IS. 2720.2.1973

Liquid Limit % 39.4 IS. 2720.5.1985

Plastic Limit % 22 IS. 2720.5.1985

Liquidity Index % 17.4 IS. 2720.5.1985

Specific Gravity 2.16 IS. 2720.3.1.1980

2.1.2. Bagasse Ash. Bagasse ash is a second material used in this study which is a bi-product waste
procured from the burning of sugarcane peel. Morinda, Punjab is the source from where sugarcane
was collected. Before using, bagasse ash as a binder in the construction of CSEBs. It was dried in the
oven at 105°C for twenty- four hours. Bagasse ash is used for electricity generation as well as for the
manufacturing of sugar and as a fuel source bagasse is used to generate steam in boilers[19], [20][21].
At 500°C temperature bagasse ash is burnt to get its high calorific value. The remaining product after
the burning of sugarcane peel is bagasse ash[22], [23].

2.1.3. Marble dust. Marble dust is obtained from marble stone. The dust is acquired after the cutting of
marble stone. During the time of polishing and sawing process, the industries produced waste is
almost 7 million tons. The state which produced a higher quantity of marble in Rajasthan, it produced

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ICASF-2022 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1110 (2023) 012005 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1110/1/012005

almost 6 million tons of marble is which equal to 95% of the whole production of marble in India
[24],[25]. This threat causes to human as well as the environment because plenty of waste is dumped
into open areas which create more health issues and environmental problems. Marble dust has a good
binding property that is why in this study the waste product marble dust is used as a binder for the
construction of CSEBs which will also help to improve the strength of CSEBs blocks to a certain
extent[26]. The source from where marble dust is collected in this study is Dhanas.

2.1.4. Paddy Straw. During the cutting of rice crops the waste obtained is known as paddy straw. This
straw is burnt by the farmers of Punjab, Haryana and U.P. after harvesting which led to environmental
pollution. Now- days it is used as a burning material in factories for boilers. It is a biodegradable
material but it takes a longer time to degrade. So, after harvesting farmers were left with only one
option of burning it. To decrease the pollution caused by this, in CSEBs blocks it is used as a fibre.
And the length of fibre taken in this study is 70mm. these are firstly dried at 110°C for almost two
hours then for two hours kept at room temperature after that mixed with clay for making blocks[27].

2.2. Preparation of Specimens

All of the materials, including soil, paddy straw, and bagasse ash, were hauled in from various sites
and then dried for 24 hrs in an oven at 105° C. A few samples were subjected to laboratory testing
such as moisture content, liquid limit, plastic limit, and specific gravity. After that, all the materials
were placed for two hours at room temperature, and then the dried soil was crushed with the help of a
hammer so that it can easily pass through 4.75μ. By using, the proctor compaction method the OMC
and MDD test of a mixture (soil, bagasse ash, marble dust and rice straw) were performed [28]. Dry

Figure 1. Beams Prepared for Flexural Strength Test.

mixing of rice straw with bagasse ash was done, then marble dust was also added to it and water was
applied to it thoroughly. Then the prepared global mixture was transferred into moulds of different
sizes. In order to make specimens, moulds of different sizes and shapes were used. The mixture was
poured into moulds in three different layers and each layer was compacted manually or mechanically.
After the compaction of the last layer all the samples were demoulded and left for twenty-eight days in
an open atmosphere but under shades so, that the specimen wouldn’t come in direct contact with

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ICASF-2022 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1110 (2023) 012005 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1110/1/012005

sunlight and a little amount of water was sprinkled over the specimen every day [29], [30]. The overall
combinations of mixtures used for flexural tests are twenty- seven and for each combination 3 blocks
were prepared (Figure 1). The percentage of Bagasse ash used is 8%, 10% and 12%., the percentage
of marble dust was 27%, 32% and 37% and 0.75%, 0.9%,1.05% were the percentages of rice straw.
2.3. Tests Conducted
The CSEBs blocks were constructed and cured for 28 days after all the blocks were done. Different
tests were conducted on the blocks after 28 days. Tests that were performed on the blocks are Flexural
strength, OMC and MDD.

2.3.1. Optimum moisture content and maximum dry density. According to IS:2720 (Part VII) 1980, this
test was performed. The weight and volume of the proctor test were firstly taken without a collar.
After that, the water was properly combined with the appropriate amount of oven-dried materials.
Then, three layers of this mixture were put into the proctor compaction equipment. After compacting
each layer using tamping rod, random incisions were made with a spatula to ensure that the upper
layer bonds tightly (Figure 2). The equipment was weighed and noted once more after the final
compaction. Dry density was determined using these measurements. This process was continued until
the maximum dry density was reached by varying the quantity of water. For the sample with the
maximum dry density, the moisture content of the mixture was measured. As a result, OMC and MDD
were calculated for each of the 27 mixes[31]. Error! Reference source not found. and Error! Reference
source not found. show the OMC and MDD values.
2.3.2. Flexural Strength. The highest stress created by the compressed soil block just before the
yielding point is known as its flexural strength. Depending on the experiment site, this test might be
done using different codes. IS 4332(6):1972 Various sizes of beams, a spacer is supplied, and the load is
shown on a digital indicator. The supporting span is 600 mm and the load - carrying span is 200 mm
for 150 x 150 x700mm beams[32]. The test was performed by using this machine as results are shown
in Error! Reference source not found..

Figure 2. Performing OMC & MDD and Flexural Strength Test.

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ICASF-2022 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1110 (2023) 012005 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1110/1/012005

3. Results & Discussions

3.1 Optimum Moisture Content (OMC)

3(a) 3(b)

3(c)
Figure 3 Optimum moisture content varies with varying % of bagasse ash and marble dust and 0.75%
rice straw 3(a), 0.9% rice straw 3(b), 1.05% rice straw 3(c).

Figure 3(a) shows that when 8, 10, and 12% bagasse ash, 27% marble dust, and 0.75% rice straw are
tested, the OMC of the material formed is 21, 24, and 21%. Similarly, the OMC obtained at 8, 10, and
12% bagasse ash, 32% marble dust, and 0.75% rice straw is 24, 27, and 24%. Following that, the
OMC value achieved is 27, 30 and 27% for 8, 10 and 12% bagasse ash, 37% marble dust, and 0.75%
rice straw. It demonstrates that as the value of marble dust grows, so does the OMC; however, when
the value of bagasse ash increases, the OMC increases up to 10% after that it starts decreasing.

Figure 3(b) shows that when 8, 10, and 12% bagasse ash, 27% marble dust, and 0.9% rice straw are
tested, the OMC of the material obtained is 21, 24, and 21%. Similarly, the OMC attained with 8, 10,
and 12% bagasse ash, 32% marble dust, and 0.9% rice straw is 24, 27, and 24%. Finally, the OMC
values obtained are 27, 30, and 27% for 8, 10, and 12% bagasse ash, 37% marble dust, and 0.9% rice
straw, respectively. This demonstrates that as the value of marble dust grows, so does the OMC,

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ICASF-2022 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1110 (2023) 012005 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1110/1/012005

however when the value of bagasse ash increases, then up 10 % bagasse ash OMC increases after that
it starts decreasing.

Figure 3(c) shows that when 8, 10, and 12% bagasse ash, 27% marble dust, and 1.05% rice straw
are tested, the OMC of the material formed is 21, 24, and 21%. Similarly, the value of OMC gained is
24, 27, and 24% at 8, 10, and 12% bagasse ash, 32% marble dust, and 1.05% rice straw. Finally, the
OMC values obtained are 27, 30, and 27% for 8, 10, and 12% bagasse ash, 37% marble dust, and
1.05% rice straw, respectively. This figure shows that as the value of marble dust rises, so does the
value of OMC, but when the value of bagasse ash rises after 10%, the value of OMC falls.

The combined results shows that OMC was highest at 10% bagasse ash when 27 percent marble
dust was combined with 0.75 percent, 0.9 percent, and 1.05 percent rice straw, as shown in Figure 3.
OMC was highest at 10% bagasse ash when 32 percent marble dust was applied together with 0.75
percent, 0.9 percent, and 1.05 percent paddy straw. Similarly, when 37 percent marble dust was
applied to various percentages of paddy straw, OMC was at its peak. This research demonstrates that
when the marble dust concentration in the combination grows, the OMC of the material increases, but
following the addition of bagasse ash, the OMC increases up to 10% bagasse ash, then drops. When 37
percent marble dust was added to the mixture, the maximum OMC (30%) was attained.

3.2 Maximum Dry Density (MDD)

( Marble Dust =27,Rice Straw =0.75) ( Marble Dust =27, Rice Straw=0.9)
( Marble Dust =32,Rice Straw =0.75) (Marble Dust=32, Rice Straw=0.9)
( Marble Dust =37,Rice Straw=0.75) (Marble Dust =37, Rice Straw=0.9)
1.6 1.58
1.58 1.56
1.56 1.54
MDD (g/cc)

MDD (g/cc)

1.54 1.52
1.52 1.5
1.5 1.48
1.48 1.46
1.46 1.44
1.44 1.42
8 10 12 8 10 12
Bagasse ash (%) Bagasse ash (%)

4(a) 4(b)

(Marble Dust =27,Rice Straw=1.05)

(Marble Dust =32,Rice Straw=1.05)
(Marble Dust =37,Rice Straw =1.05)
1.58
1.56
1.54
MDD (g/cc)

1.52
1.5
1.48
1.46
1.44
1.42
1.4
8 10 12
Bagasse ash (%)

4(c)
Figure 4 The effect of altering bagasse ash%, marble dust% 4(a) 0.75% rice straw 4(b) 0.9% rice straw
4(c) 1.05% rice straw on MDD (g/cc) of the material.

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IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1110 (2023) 012005 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1110/1/012005

Figure 4(a) shows that the MDD achieved at 8%, 10%, and 12% bagasse ash, 27% marble dust, and
0.75% rice straw is 1.53, 1.5, and 1.49 (g/cc). Similarly, at the same bagasse ash percentages, but with
32% marble dust and 0.75% rice straw content, the MDD obtained is 1.57, 1.53, and 1.51 (g/cc).
Following that, when bagasse ash is 8%, 10%, and 12%, marble dust is 37%, and rice straw is 0.75%,
the MDD value obtained is 1.58, 1.52, and 1.5 (g/cc). According to the figure, increasing the bagasse
ash content reduces the MDD of the material, while increasing the marble dust content, such as 27%,
32%, and 37%, increases the MDD values, however for 10 and 12% bagasse ash, the value of MDD
increases up to 32% marble dust and then falls.

Figure 4(b) shows that the MDD obtained at 8%, 10%, and 12% bagasse ash, 27% marble dust, and
0.9% rice straw is 1.51, 1.48, and 1.47 (g/cc). Similarly, at the same bagasse ash percentages, but with
32% marble dust and 0.9% rice straw content, the MDD obtained is 1.56, 1.52, and 1.49 (g/cc).
Following that, when bagasse ash is 8%, 10%, and 12%, marble dust is 37%, and rice straw is 0.9%,
the MDD values obtained are 1.57, 1.51, and 1.48 (g/cc). This figure also shows that there is decrease
in MDD as bagasse ash content increases. Then, the MDD increases as the value of marble dust
increases like 27%, 32% and 37% but for 10 to 12 % bagasse, up to 32% MDD value increases then, it
starts decreasing.
Figure 4(c) indicates that the MDD achieved at 8%, 10%, and 12% bagasse ash, 27% marble dust,
and 1.05% rice straw is 1.49, 1.47, and 1.46 (g/cc). Similarly, with the same percentages of bagasse
ash, but with 32% marble dust and 1.05% rice straw, the MDD obtained is 1.54, 1.51, and 1.48 (g/cc).
After that, when bagasse ash is 8%, 10%, and 12%, marble dust is 37%, and rice straw is 1.05%, the
MDD is 1.56, 1.5, and 1.47 (g/cc). This figure also demonstrates that when bagasse ash concentration
increases, MDD decreases. The MDD then increases as the value of marble dust increases, such as
27%, 32%, and 37%, however for 10 to 12% bagasse, the MDD value increases up to 32% after it
starts falling.

The combined results shows that MDD obtained was 1.53g/cc, at 8 percent bagasse ash, 0.75
percent rice straw and 27% marble dust. When 32 percent marble dust was added, MDD reached its
maximum at 8% bagasse ash and 0.75 percent rice straw. Similarly, when using 37 percent marble
dust and 8% bagasse ash and 0.75 percent paddy straw, maximum dry density was achieved. MDD
rises in tandem with the amount of marble in the environment. The MDD achieved was the highest,
1.58g/cc, at 8% bagasse ash, 37% marble dust, and 0.75 percent paddy straw.

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3.3. Flexural Strength

(Marble Dust =27,Rice Straw=1.05)

5(a)Straw=1.05)
(Marble Dust =32,Rice 5(b)
(Marble Dust =37,Rice Straw =1.05)
0.4
Flexural strength (Mpa)

0.35
0.3
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
8 10 12
Bagasse ash (%)

5(c)
Figure 5 Variation in Flexural strength values with different % of bagasse ash, marble dust and 5(a)
0.75%rice straw 5(b), 0.9% rice straw 5(c), 1.05% rice straw.

Figure 5(a) shows that when 8, 10, and 12% bagasse ash, 27% marble dust, and 0.75% rice straw are
tested, the flexural strength of the material formed is 0.18, 0.26 and 0.22 (Mpa). Similarly, flexural
strength obtained at 8, 10, and 12% bagasse ash, 32% marble dust, and 0.75% rice straw is 0.21,
0.3and 0.23 (Mpa). Following that, the flexural strength value achieved is 0.19, 0.28 and 0.21 (Mpa)
for 8, 10, 12% bagasse ash, 37% marble dust, and 0.75% rice straw. The figure indicates that due to
increase in paddy straw content the value of flexural strength also increases which means rice straw
works directly proportional to flexural strength. For 8% bagasse ash the flexural strength increases as
the marble dust content increases but for 10 and 12 percent the flexural strength starts decreasing after
32% marble dust added in it.

Figure 5(b) shows that when 8, 10, and 12% bagasse ash, 27% marble dust, and 0.9% rice straw are
tested, the flexural strength of the material obtained is 0.21, 0.28 and 0.25 (Mpa). Similarly, the
flexural strength attained with 8, 10, and 12% bagasse ash, 32% marble dust, and 0.9% rice straw is
0.24. 0.36 and 0.27 (Mpa). Finally, the flexural strength values obtained are 0.3, 0.33 and 0.25 (Mpa)
for 8, 10, and 12% bagasse ash, 37% marble dust, and 0.9% rice straw, respectively. The figure shows
that as paddy straw content grows, so does the value of flexural strength, implying that rice straw
operates in a direct relationship to flexural strength. The flexural strength of 8% bagasse ash increases
as the marble dust concentration increases, however for 10% and 12%, the flexural strength begins to
decrease after 32% marble dust is added.

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IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1110 (2023) 012005 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1110/1/012005

Figure 5(c) shows that when 8, 10, and 12% bagasse ash, 27% marble dust, and 1.05% rice straw
are tested, the flexural strength of the material formed is 0.23, 0.31 and 0.26 (Mpa). Similarly, the
value of flexural strength gained is 0.31, 0.37 and 0.28 (Mpa) at 8, 10, and 12% bagasse ash, 32%
marble dust, and 1.05% rice straw. Finally, the flexural strength values obtained is 0.24, 0.34 and 0.26
(Mpa) 8, 10, and 12% bagasse ash, 37% marble dust, and 1.05% rice straw, respectively. The figure
shows that as the amount of paddy straw grows, so does the value of flexural strength, implying that
rice straw operates in a direct relationship to flexural strength. The flexural strength of 8% bagasse ash
increases as the marble dust percentage increases, but it begins to decrease after 32% marble dust is
added.
The combined results represent that at 27% marble dust, flexural strength of the specimens was
maximum at 10% bagasse ash and 1.05% rice straw. And when 37% marble dust was used, flexural
strength was maximum at 10% bagasse ash and 1.05% rice straw. When 32 percent marble dust
content was employed, maximum flexural strength was reached at 10% bagasse ash and 1.05 percent
rice straw. The flexural strength of specimens rises with the addition of marble dust and rice straw, but
declines with the addition of bagasse ash after 10%. At 10% bagasse ash, 32% marble dust and 1.05%
rice straw, the greatest flexural strength attained from all 27 combinations is 0.37 Mpa. Rice straw is
directly proportional flexural strength as rice straw content increases the flexural strength also
increases. As the bagasse ash content increases more than 10% then flexural strength starts decreasing.
The good results show up to 10 percent bagasse ash and for marble dust it is up to 32% when 10 and
12 % bagasse ash added in it.

4. Conclusion
The paper considers clay with intermediate plasticity for the preparation of CSEBs. Twenty-Seven
beams were prepared for 27 combinations of various percentages of rice straw, marble dust and
bagasse ash. The results obtained from the study is quite impressive. Conclusions obtained from this
study are mentioned below:

x Increase in the OMC on increasing the marble dust content is observed. 30% was the
maximum OMC observed when 37 percent of marble dust was added.
x After increasing bagasse ash content from 8% to 10%, increase in the OMC was observed.
After 10% bagasse ash content, it drops.
x After increasing marble dust content, increase in the MDD was observed. Maximum MDD
obtained was 1.58g/cc, at 8% bagasse ash, 37% marble dust, and 0.75 percent paddy straw.
x The flexural strength of specimens rises with the addition of marble dust and rice straw, but
declines after adding bagasse ash more than 10%. At Bagasse ash 10 percent, Marble dust 32
percent and 1.05 percent rice straw, the greatest flexural strength attained from all 27
combinations is 0.37 Mpa.

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