Characteristics of Different Masonry Units Manufactured with Stabilized Earth ,

Abstract

,\ItIH)ugil there are many ancient buildings constructed with earth as a walling material, bricks and l't'llll'llt blocks have overtaken this material in the recent history. With the sustainable concepts being actively promoted in the construction industry, stabilized earth is becoming popular in many parts of the \\t)lid due to various environmental problems associated with the use of conventional materials such as rl.iv Illillillg, sand mining, etc ,';lI111C recent advances in manually and hydraulically operated machines have allowed the manufacturing (ll l'\111111Il:sscd stabilized earth bricks and blocks (CSEB) which could easily compete with burnt clay bric k . und cement sand blocks. These blocks have a distinct advantage of use of machines for manul'acturiug which allow a greater freedom for controlling the quality. Since different sizes and types \II q~lhiliLed earth blocks are available. it is important to investigate the performance of those as \\'alling m.ucrials. Therefore, an experimental study was conducted to assess the performance of stabilized earth hrid,s manufactured to the standard brick size, interlocking solid blocks. interlocking hollow blocks and pl.rin snlid blocks.