Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6724169 | Construction and Building Materials | 2014 | 8 Pages |
Abstract
There is an intense on-going search for less polluting materials and technologies, which consume little energy in their production, construction and/or utilization. Attention of the researchers has turned to materials, which found applications in engineering in pre-industrial times: local vegetable fibers and earth composites are one of the promising materials. This paper presents the results of an investigation in establishing the physical and mechanical properties of Hibiscus cannabinus fibers which have been used in the fabrication of Pressed Adobe Blocks (PABs). The PABs have been reinforced with 0.2-0.8Â wt.% of 30Â mm and 60Â mm lengths of H. cannabinus fibers. The microstructural characteristics of the PABs composites were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and video microscopy. It was established that the addition with 0.2-0.6Â wt.% of 30Â mm long fibers reduced the dimensions of the pores in the PABs with the improvement of their mechanical properties. However, the addition of 0.8Â wt.% of 60Â mm fibers had negative effects on the compressive strength. The elaborated Pressed Adobe Blocks specimens were suitable as building material with contribution for thermal comfort.
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Authors
Younoussa Millogo, Jean-Claude Morel, Jean-Emmanuel Aubert, Khosrow Ghavami,