Performance of composite soil reinforced with barley straw

The shortage of low cost and affordable housing in Algeria has led to many investigations into local low cost construction materials. Earth construction is widespread in desert and rural areas but suffers from shrinkage cracking, low strength and lack of durability. The use of natural and vegetable fibres could improve its performance. This paper reports on an experimental study to investigate a composite soil reinforced with chopped barley straw, using four different soils. The effect of fibre length and fibre fraction on shrinkage, compressive strength, flexural strength and shear strength was investigated. Preliminary tests to enhance durability by using different waterproof renders are also briefly reported.