1 Laboratory of Rural Engineering, School of Rural Engineering, National University of Agriculture, Kétou, Benin,
2 National Superior School of Public Works, National University of Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics, Abomey, Benin.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 23(02), 1976-1984
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2024.23.2.2472
Received on 06 July 2024; revised on 20 August 2024; accepted on 22 August 2024
The aim of this study is to reduce the reliance on cement in the construction of Stabilized Earth Blocks (SEBs) by assessing the addition of snail shell and termite mound powders as a partial substitute for cement. The focus of this study is on the valorization of local materials and animal waste in sustainable construction. Laterite, used as the base material, was stabilized by substituting 0 to 80% of the cement with snail shell and termite mound powders to create blocks that were tested for their mechanical strength and water absorption. The results show that the compressive strength of the blocks remains above the required threshold of 4 MPa up to a 50% substitution, with a downward trend at higher rates. The capillary water absorption of the stabilized earth blocks remains within the limits of blocks classified as low-absorption, with coefficients ranging from 0.58 kg/m²/min at a 50% substitution to 1.14 kg/m²/min at an 80% substitution. These findings suggest that a substitution up to 50% could represent an adequate balance between mechanical performance and environmental benefits, thus ensuring the required durability and mechanical strength. Although the research is limited to the study of these materials in their raw state, future work could explore the enhancement of the pozzolanic activity of snail shell and termite mound ash through treatments such as calcination to further strengthen the eco-efficiency of the process.
Stabilized Earth Block; Snail shell; Termite mound; Bio-based materials; Sustainable construction
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Megalvio Yenamoan Tossa, Edem Chabi, Gontrand Comlan Bagan and Edmond Codjo Adjovi. Physico-mechanical Characterization of Stabilized Earth Blocks with Snail Shell and Termite Mound Powders as Pozzolanic Binders. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 23(2), 1976-1984. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.23.2.2472