Compaction effect on the compressive strength and durability of stabilized earth blocks

This work aims to investigate the design of clay matrices with optimum granulometry for their use in compressed earth blocks with and without stabilizers. The results and discussion focus on the mechanical properties, compressive strength anisotropy according to the compaction direction, and durability tests such as abrasion and absorption coefficients. The results show that the granulometry is an important aspect for matrices without stabilizers, as well as the applied compaction forces, obtaining values greater than 2 MPa with compaction forces of 1.96 kN. The clay-sand microstructure matrices are densified when the stabilizers are added, which causes a change in the failure mechanism due to the stiffening of the matrix.