Effect of Cow Dung, Cement and Fiber on Earthen Brick

Abstract

Now days demand for housing is increasing because of fast population growth. To fulfill this need it is better to search for alternative construction materials, which are economically affordable. Earth is one of the potential construction materials, which can fill this gap. Earth housing is the most common housing used around the world. In Ethiopia, the “cob” type of housing method is the most common one. This research focuses on Adobe blocks that constructed from earth material. The aim of this research is to study the effect of cement, fiber and cow dung on the property (compressive strength and water resistance) of adobe block. Types of stabilizer used are Enset fiber, cement and cow dung. The amount of stabilizer used for this study is 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6% for Enset fiber, 2, 4 and 6% for cement and 5, 10 and 15% for cow dung of the dry mass of the soil. The result of this research indicate that both type and amount of stabilizer (cement, fiber and Cow dung) used affect the property of Adobe block produced. Comparison between the effects of Enset fiber and chid fiber on compressive strength and water resistance of Adobe block is also studied and also their property at failure. The results indicate that blocks stabilized with Enset fiber performed well under compression load and water when soaked. The optimum amount of fiber for compressive strength and water resistance is also determined. The other important finding in this research is the positive effect of cow dung on Adobe block. Loss of material, water absorption and loss of strength after soaking of adobe block stabilized with Cow dung is very less than block stabilized with cement or fiber. Therefore, cow dung significantly improves durability of block. Generally, from this research it can be concluded that well stabilized Adobe block can serve as potential construction material