This paper presents the results of a research study that investigated the impact of varying amounts of coconut fiber, acting as a stabilizer, on the thermo-mechanical characteristics of compressed earth blocks (CEBs) samples. In this study, parallelepipedal CEBs samples were formed with different fiber contents: 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1%. Six mixtures were created by incorporating different proportions of fiber into locally available soil. The inclusion of fiber significantly enhances the ultimate strengths of the CEBs samples, reaching a maximum improvement at optimal fiber content of 0.8%. However, this improvement is accompanied by a slight increase in the thermal conductivity of the material. Overall, the addition of coconut fibers enhances the thermal and mechanical properties of the CEBs.

compressed earth blocks, coconut fiber, thermal conductivity, compressive strength, flexural strength.

Received: August 30, 2023; Accepted: October 12, 2023; Published: November 21, 2023

How to cite this article: H. Lbakhkhouch, S. Nasla, Y. El Maatoufi, Y. Jamil, A. Filali Adib, A. Bouchkarem, M. Laatar, M. Kheltent, K. Gueraoui and M. Cherraj, Characterization of mechanical and thermal performances of compressed earth blocks used in the construction of soil from Shoul in Morocco, reinforced with coconut fibers, JP Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 36 (2023), 143-157. http://dx.doi.org/10.17654/0973576323056

This Open Access Article is Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

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