A Review on Structural Behavior of Fiber Reinforced

Stabilized Mud Block Masonry

Abstract
Stabilized mud block masonry has slowly gained technical development and this resulted
gradual grow in its production, in which the volume of cement is decreased and natural fibers are
used with cement in smaller proportions. This paper aims at reviewing the effect of natural fibres
in manufacture of stabilized mud block masonry. The reviewed literature reveals the usage of
treated fibres in stabilized mud blocks, at most situations, fibres has not only increased
efficiency, but has also lowered material costs, leading to the conclusion that its usage in the
manufacture of blocks is a true and highly efficient option for waste management and cost-
effectiveness.
Key words: Cement, Stabilized mud blocks, Natural fibres, Waste management
1.Introduction
Cement has been fundamental building material and key factor in the field of construction and
has been used as stabilizing agent in several quantities to achieve the necessary strength. This
property of cement has contributed to the continuous manufacture of cement at a higher scale,
resulting in the expulsion of greater proportions of CO 2 gas. This drawback has lead to growth in
field of stabilized mud blocks. Stabilized mud blocks are used as construction materials from the
ancient times. Earthen construction today is synonymous with low-cost housing and is generally
found in developing nations. The use of green materials such as earthen materials is encouraged
because of continuous energy and cost volatility for certain building materials (cement and
ceramic bricks) and environmental considerations. Stabilized mud blocks (SMBs) are
manufactured into a high-density block by compacting a moistened mixture of clay, sand, and
stabilizer in a machine. For the construction of load-bearing masonry and blocks[1]. In the
construction industry, the idea of using natural fibres is not recent, since the use of fibres in
materials and construction can be traced back to several centuries ago. Straws or horsehairs were
applied to mud bricks during the Egyptian era, while straw mats were used as reinforcements in
early Chinese and Japanese housing construction[2]. For SMB masonry, cement soil mortar is
widely used and due to increasing popularity many researchers have begun to concentrate on the
beneficial use of solid waste in the production of soil blocks as raw materials. The strength can
be improved by inserting natural fibres where it is mounted. Ductility in strain can be increased.
The enhancement is by retarding the progression of the tensile crack after initial formation and
also by cracking the shrinkage. In addition, the baking of composite bricks with natural fibres
and grains leaves a porous surface that thereby increases thermal and acoustic insulation[3][4].
Due to their simple availability in sufficient quantities at cheap costs, solid waste has become a
sought-after resource for the manufacture of construction materials while also providing an path
for their reuse and management[3]. Stabilizing the soil has become an approach for solid waste
management with a lot of participating researchers identifying the potential applications of
different solid waste products[5], the use of these solid waste shall be used directly as primary
additive or as secondary additive along with cement. The coherence between the mud layers is
given by the addition of these fibres. It is very important to the stress-strain relationship of mud
bricks under compression. Fibre-reinforced mud brick's compressive strength has been found to
be greater than that of traditional fibreless mud brick, since fibres are robust against stresses[1].
The sugarcane industry provides a lot of employment in many tropical and sub-tropical
developing countries with more than 640 tonnes a year, Brazil is actually the world's leading
producer of sugarcane. More than 100 million tons/year of solid bagasse waste was produced
only in India[6].
2. Natural Fibres
Fibers that are formed by plants, animals, and geological processes are natural fibres. They can
be used as a part of composite materials where the properties are affected by the alignment of
fibres. Natural fibres may be matted into sheets and used to create paper or felt. For a long time,
fibres have been used in building materials. Natural and synthetic fibres have shown positive
outcomes in recent studies and investigations, as their existence has shown major advantages in
terms of the composite material's overall physical and mechanical properties. The use of waste
fibres in building materials will mitigate these challenges and facilitate environmentally
responsible and innovative solutions that operate in the field[7]. Few research explores the
forms, features and applications of various fibres used in a wide variety of building industry
materials[8]. Fibres have a number of properties and can be used in a variety of shapes and sizes.
If the fibre is used then its form must be carefully considered and picked, since certain fibres,
such as glass, basalt, and recycled polyethylene terephthalate fibres, can degrade in alkaline
environments[9]. Natural fibres have a range of disadvantages and risks, including low durability
and deterioration over time. Studies have been undertaken to attempt to increase the durability of
the fibres, that includes of chemical preparation and chemical coating[10][11]. Natural fibres are
a valuable source of reinforcing materials for alternative polymer composites applications,
resulting in innovative materials with better strength, more efficient manufacturing, and
expanding application areas. Majority of natural fibres have cellulose as a main structural part in
common and with a hierarchical structure and well-oriented microstructures, it is a combination
of rigid cellulose enclosed in a soft lignin and hemicellulose matrix describes the composition of
cellulose fibre Natural fibres are also known as cellulosic or lignocellulosic fibres because of this
natural fibres are composite fabrics formed naturally by the synthesis of cellulose, lignin,
hemicellulose, wax, crystals, various materials, and others, resulting in a fascinating bio-
engineering substance that differs from the raw materials from which they derived[12]. Fibre
bundles refer to fibres derived from the bast stem, leaf, or fruit, and are naturally arranged into
bundles, while fibres originating from seed are single cells and are referred to as fibres.
The table shows the physical and mechanical properties of the different natural fibres
Natural Physical properties Mechanical properties Reference
fibres
Length Diameter Specific Water Tensile Modulu
gravity absorptio strengt s of
n h elasticit
 y
5,10,14,2 10–50 1.44– 80% 453- 22Gpa [13]
Jute fibres 0 mm µm 1.46 555Mp
g/cm3 a
Hemp fibres 0.85- 0.0035m 1.25g/ 105% n/a n/a [13][14][15]
1.7cm m cm3
Coconut coir 186mm 0.27mm 9.25kn/ 13.7% n/a n/a [13][15]
fibre m3 [16]
Flax fibre 7-8.5cm 0.0035m 2.25g/ 307% 805Mp 21Gpa [15]
m cm3 a
Bagasse fibre 110mm 0.8mm 0.56g/ 153- 62- 1.3-0.5Gpa [17][18]
cm3 209% 25Mpa
Wheat straw 30mm 0.5- 1.05g/ 230- n/a n/a [14][15]
fibre 0.3mm cm3 250%
Sisal fibre 862mm 0.15mm 9.3kN/m3 110% 560Mp 26-32Gpa [16]
a
Banana fibre 0.5- n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a [15]
1.8mm
Barley straw 10- 1000- 2.05g/ n/a n/a n/a [13]
fibre 500mm 4000 µm cm3
Lignin fibre 1.1mm 0.045mm 0.8- n/a n/a n/a [19]
1.3g/cm3
Lignocellulos 0.21mm n/a n/a n/a 475Mp n/a [20]
e fibre a

Date 2.5- 20-60mm n/a 97-203% 290Mp 5Gpa [21]

palm 3.25cm a
fibre
 Chart Title

17

15

13

11

9
Water absorption %

0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1

Red soil 9 11 13 15 16
Brown soil 8 11.5 13.5 15.7 16.8
Red soil 1 8.1 10.4 12.4 14.1 15.7
Brown soil 1 8.5 10.9 13.1 15.4 16.5

Fibre content %
Red soil Brown soil Brown soil 1

The above graph represents comparison between red soil and brown soil for water absorption
 Journals published in Elsiver
18
17
16

14

12
No of journals

10 10

8 8 8

6
5
4 4
3 3
2 2 2
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0
1949 1986 1987 2001 2003 2006 2007 2008 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Year

3. Characteristics of Sugarcane bagasse fibre

Sugarcane bagasse is type of solid waste and natural fibre that is residual after removing the
sugars. Sugarcane bagasse (Saccharum officinarum) is one more source of raw material for
lignin as an agro-industrial residue. It is the by-product of 32-34 percent of cellulose, 19-24
percent hemicellulose, 25-32 percent lignin, 6-12 percent extractives in the sugarcane industry.
The chemical structure of bagasse sugarcane is identical to that of the other walls of plant
cells[22]. The colossal cellulose content makes sugar cane bagasse a perfect composite
reinforcement material, various scientists have reported various chemical compositions for
bagasse. Sugarcane bagasse fibre’s crystallinity is 47 % and cellulose present in it shall be
crystalline structure[23][22]. The strong fibrous component (bagasse) is the main by-product of
the sugarcane industry Sugarcane bagasse, one of the biggest cellulose-based agro-industrial by-
products and fibrous residue left behind by the sugarcane industry, is crushed in sugar and
alcohol factories and is commonly available as a sustainable source. Approximately 54 million
tons of dry bagasse are produced annually worldwide. From a period of long time, bagasse was
used as fuel in some particular factories. Nowadays, it is also used as a natural resource in the
manufacture of pulp, paper products, construction materials and biofuel[18]. Sugarcane is a
plant that grows to 6 m tall and has a diameter of up to 6 cm, and bagasse is the fibrous residue
produced from the cultivation of sugar cane after the cane stalk juice has been removed then the
fibres were cut to length of 80mm with range of diameter of 0.31 to 1.19 [24] [17].

Firstly, pre-treatments of bagasse fibers with alkali-solutions are recommended, both to improve
longevity and to improve the fiber's adherence to the binder by increasing the surface roughness
of the fibers. Second, the processing, storage, blending and heat-pressing of polymer resins and
glues used in industrial processes is frequently needed. New chemical compounds can be used in
these technological processes, Waste disposal generation, with difficult reuse and valorization,
along with the capacity for aquifer and soil contamination[25][6].
Few authors suggested combining bagasse fibers, conglomerated by inorganic and organic
binders such as ordinary Portland cement, plaster, polymer resins (mainly polyurethane) and
natural glues, to reinforce or produce plasterboards, cement or polymer-based panels and bricks.
For our analysis, these works on bagasse fibers and their characterization were of notable
importance[26][27]. The literature states that sugarcane bagasse fibers and other vegetable fibers
undergo many chemical or thermal alternative therapies, Until combining them with silicone,
cement or gypsum matrix, In composites to increase the performance of the composites. Those
chemical recorded therapies were discarded in this research as deemed possible environmental
and soil pollutants and not as acceptable as stated by the authors referred to therapies focused
predominantly on alkali sodium hydroxide water. In order to remove their lignin and
hemicellulose materials, solution immersion of fibers produces new chemical waste that is not
environmentally sustainable, especially in rural areas, and has a very challenging and costly
management system[28].
Bagasse fibers provides many benefits, such as abundance and low cost, biodegradability,
manufacturing versatility and less resulting machine wear, reduced health risks, low density,
ideal aspect ratio of fiber, and comparatively high tensile and flexural module. The synthesis of
rugged and lightweight natural fiber matrices creates composites with a high basic stiffness and
strength[29]. However, the use of bagasse fibers as polymer reinforcements can have some
disadvantages, such as the incompatibility between fibers and polymer matrices, the ability to
form aggregates during manufacturing and low moisture tolerance. To refine the fibre interface,
many chemical modifications and chemical binding agents are taken into account so that fibres
can be chemically modified and reduce its drawbacks[30].
The content of cellulose is around 40-50 percent biomass, a linear polymer made up of D-
glucose units connected by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds with polymerization rate of up to 500-1500.
Co- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds occur due to the degree of polymerization. Cellulose has
high tensile strength due to the orientation of bonds and secondary interactions and is expected to
be insoluble in solvents[31]. Due to the hydrophilic nature of cellulose, cellulose may obstruct
the degradation of products around it and the diffusion of enzymes as a result of the formation of
a denser layer of water[32].
Bagasse has been shown to have a density of 1.28 g/cc and a density of 1.28 g/cc about 35%
crystallinity index. The reported tensile strength is in the 20-50 MPa range, with a 2.7 GPa
tensile modulus. Like all other natural cellulosic fibers, sugarcane bagasse has a natural
hydrophilicity disadvantage, which tends to draw moisture from the environment, resulting in
swelling and loss of mechanical properties, this deficiency of natural fibers to some extent can be
minimized through modifying them by subjecting them to different chemical treatments[33].
Benzoylation, acetone treatment, acrylation, alkali, acetylation, silane are some of the commonly
applied methods reported in the literature for chemical treatment, these treatments are intended to
reduce or alter the available polar groups and make them more hydrophobic in order to be
compatible with the polymeric matrix material in order to form reliable composites[34][35].
4. Composition of Bagasse fibres
Sugarcane bagasse is a complex substance composed of approximately 50% cellulose and 25%
hemicellulose and the same percent lignin. In the fashion industry, bagasse is utilized for
processing of textile rayon fibers such as viscose, modal and lyocell.
The below table shows the composition of sugarcane bagasse fibre as reported by different
authors
Sl.no Bagasse composition
1 Cellulose- 35.46%, Lignin 23.7%, Hemicellulose-31.25% [36]
2 Cellulose- 36.32%, Lignin 18.14%, Hemicellulose-24.07% [24]
3 Cellulose-49.44%, Lignin 12.56%, Hemicellulose-23.19% [37]
4 Cellulose- 40.00%, Lignin 20.00%, Hemicellulose-24.05% [38]
5 Cellulose- 43.00%, Lignin 33.23%, Hemicellulose-10.01% [39]
6 Cellulose- 50.04%, Lignin 14.09%, Hemicellulose-28.05% [40]

Fibre size is one of the major property that should be supervised carefully because the increase in
fibre size can effect the tensile modulus of bricks. From the literatures it was observed that the
maximum fibres sizes varied from 0.5%, 0.85%, 1.0%, 1.5% and volume method was adopted
for design mix and it was reported that tensile strength of the concrete was increased as the
amount of fiber increased, especially for regular concrete, because the volume of sugarcane of
1.5 percent gave the highest results compared to the tensile strength of the concrete control.
However, for sugarcane fiber, the optimum tensile strength of the lightweight concrete is 0.5%. It
was also observed that increase in fibre content resulted in lowering of tensile strength[41].
5. Chemical treatment
From the literatures it was observed that the following were most commonly used treatment
techniques for the processing of bagasse fibre
a) Alkaline treatment
b) Silane treatment
c) Acetone treatment

a) Alkaline treatment

It is one of the common techniques used for chemical treatment using sodium hydroxide
on raw fibres. This helps to eliminate the contents of lignin and wax found in the fiber
wall's outer portion. There is ionization of the hydroxyl group of the alkoxides, which in
turn tends to dissolve components of low molecular weight. However, higher NaOH
concentrations have recorded excess delignification fibers that allows the fibers to get
weaken[42]. This method also helps in partially removing the content of cellulose and
 hemicellulose from the raw fibres. This method ensures that general composition of the
fibres doesn’t get affected and helps in reduction of lignin and hemicellulose[27].

b) Silane treatment

As a binding agent, silane reagents are used and are stated to be efficient in reducing
cellulosic hydroxyl groups at the interphase of the fiber matrix. Due to its hydrolysable
property, the Alkoxy group present can contribute to the formation of silanols, which can
further react with the hydroxyl groups present on the fiber surfaces, leading to stable
covalent bonds, helping to minimize hydrophilic nature of raw fibres[42][43]. The silane
treatment helps to achieve better interfacial adhesion and increase in strength of these
fibres.
The silane treatment shall be carried out in three stages acetylation, permanganate
treatment, peroxide and benzoylation treatment.
The acetylation helps in increasing the flexural strength and modulus and decrease the
mechanical properties[44]. Permanganate treatment helps in reducing the hydrophilic
nature of the fiber and improves surface roughness that leads to increase in fiber-matrix
interaction[42]. Peroxide and benzoylation treatment helps to better the fibre matrix
linkage, increases strength of composites, reducing the water absorption and improving
the thermal stability of fibres[45].

c) Acetone treatment

By dissolving hemicellulose and other impurities, acetone treatment of cellulosic fibers

produces superior bonding with the matrix, thus increasing the mechanical properties of
the fibres[46]. In contrast to untreated fiber-embedded composites, significant
improvements in flexural strength of treated bagasse fiber reinforced compo sites were
observed.

6. Stabilized mud blocks

Soil cement blocks are alternate materials to the usual burnt clay bricks used for building
construction, and are cost-effective and energy-efficient. Often known as stabilized mud blocks
or stabilized compressed earth blocks. These blocks are larger than regular burnt clay bricks, By
mixing soil with water, mud mortar shall be prepared, until the mortar is in the plastic state. Mud
mortar is easily set to dry, so this eliminates longer curing periods[47].
Production of these stabilized blocks doesn’t require any skilled labors and manufacturing of
these blocks can be carried out in three stages i.e soil preparation, mixing and compression,
curing. Stabilizer plays important role in manufacture of these blocks and formation of bonds
between mixtures of soil stabilizers. One of the key functions of the stabilizing medium is to
reduce the soil's swelling properties by creating a rigid soil mass structure, increasing its strength
and resilience[48] several research studies have found that soil with a plasticity index below 15
is appropriate for the cement stabilization. Typically, between 4 and 10% of the dry weight of the
soil is added to the cement binder.
Not all soil types can be used for production, it has specific requirements, top layer and organic
soils aren’t suitable for production. But it is possible to select from several different varieties of
soil, with some expertise and experience, to create mud-stabilized bricks. In manufacturing
good-quality goods, it is important to recognize the properties of the soil[3][49].
The soil used for building should consist of 65 percent sand content and a 10 percent clay
content. Soils with higher clay fractions can be processed with inert materials such as sand,
quarry dust, and mine waste to minimize clay fractions[50]. Shrinkage and cracking have also
been observed in soil blocks that have been prepared. Because of their low strength, soil blocks
are unsuitable for construction and stabilization of soil blocks can be done with different
additives like lime, fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, cement, metakaolin, bagasse to
improve their certain properties[51]. Soil stabilization is process of altering the physical
properties of soil such as strength, voids, water absorption and resistance and texture, if right
method of stabilization is used then compressive strength of soil can be improved till 400-500%
along with increased cohesion, minimum shrinkage, improvement in permeability, improved
water resisting nature and enhanced durability[52].
There are three methods of soil stabilization[53]
 Mechanical stabilization
 Chemical stabilization
 Physical stabilization

The following are the ideal properties required for soil as referred from journals
Gravel 15%[54]
Silt 15%[54]
Sand 50%[54]
Clay 20%[54]
Stabilized-blocks are very low in strength when first produced. Blocks should be cured for three
weeks in order to achieve the appropriate strength, as well as other physical properties. In three
weeks, cement-based stabilized-blocks reach their curing strength, but over time, even after
blocks have been incorporated into the construction, the lime and gypsum may continue to gain
strength[55]. The major cause of mud block degradation is water absorption. Higher the water
absorption rate the higher will be degradation and it occurs at slower rate. The amount of water
consumed is determined by the form of soil used and is linked to the material compressive
strength and durable condition. The strength factor which is more related to the porosity,
decreases as the moisture content increases[56][57][58].
7. Conclusion
The present review is mainly focused on the bagasse fibre and its properties followed by
chemical treatment methods. From most of literatures it was found that fiber loading of up to 20
percent resulted in enhanced mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elastic modulus,
flexural modulus, flexural strength, and impact strength. Methods of fiber treatment have been
shown, such as alkali treatment, acrylic acid, silane treatment, improved adhesion between the
systems of the matrix and the bagasse fibers. The alteration of fibers by chemical treatment has
also resulted in an increase in the ability of composites to consume less water. Bagasse fibers are
generally multicellular, like other plant fibers, where a bundle of individual cells is connected by
natural polymers such as lignin and pectin. In the unit cell of bio fibers, there is a hollow cavity
that lowers the bulk density of fibers and serves as acoustic and thermal insulators.
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