Study of the influence of density on the compressive strength in Compressed cement stabilized earth blocks (CCSEB) for housing construction in Northern mountainous regions

Abstract

This paper presents experimental results on the influence of density on compressive strength in Compressed Cement Stabilized Earth Blocks (CCSEB). The findings indicate that compressive strength is considerably improved, and water absorption is reduced simultaneously by either an increase in cement content or density. As the density is more than 1700 kg/m³, the compressive strength is more than 3.5 MPa in dry and 1.0 MPa in saturated states, thereby meeting the structural demands for one-story walls in mountainous areas and enhancing durability and weather resistance. Density is a fundamental parameter governing block structural integrity. Higher-density samples tend to be more compact, less porous, and more able to sustain loads. With constant cement content, the higher the density in blocks, the greater their compressive strength will be, suggesting the necessity of optimizing the density in manufacturing. Construction of houses in mountainous regions is very challenging because of the high cost of labor, materials, and transportation. The use of CCSEB offers a good solution, as it uses locally sourced materials to make construction more affordable while helping to eradicate poor housing and upgrade the living standards of poor communities. It is also in line with sustainable and green construction. Keywords: Compressed cement stabilized earth bloc; density; compressive strength; cement content.

Keywords: Compressed cement stabilized earth bloc; density; compressive strength; cement content.