Influence of soil gradation, proportion and combination of admixtures on the properties and durability of CSEBs

• Blocks were prepared by blending soil with sand to achieve varying clay contents.
• Cement and lime were used in four different combinations to prepare blocks.
• Blocks prepared with 6% cement and 2% lime are better at all contents of clay.
• Optimum lime content along with cement is beneficial for preparing blocks.
• Wider gradation of soils can be used to make blocks with use of cement and lime.

As it is well known that grading of soil influences the properties of compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEBs), a need was felt to explore the possibility of using soils as found in nature for their production without physical modification or increasing the stabilizer content of 8% needed for their preparation as suggested in literature. This was made possible by the use of lime in combination with cement. Findings from this study would give flexibility in choosing soils of wider gradation as available in nature, thereby eliminating the need for blending with sand. This has a lot of practical significance and also application for the construction industry.