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ICSECM2017-65
Character of lime as an alternative stabilizer to improve the long term strength of mud
concrete block
Chameera Udawattha1* and Rangika Halwatura 2
1,2 Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa
*udawatthe@gmail.com , TP: +94777222658
Abstract: The Mud concrete block (MCB) is a novel walling unit manufactured using
cement as stabilizers to provide adequate compressive strength and durability. Even
though the cement has been used as a stabilizer, the energy content of the cement
demands a study to replace cement with an alternative stabilizer. This experimental
study was conducted to prepare mud concrete block using lime as a replacement for
cement in order to improve long-term build up the strength of the mud concrete block.
Several proportions of lime were taken into the experimental criteria and the destructive
method of compressive strength test according to (test method) was used to understand
the effectiveness of different formulas of the lime-MCB mixture.
The study shows that mud concrete blocks prepared with an optimum quantity of lime
along with 4% cement have led to the continuous development of compressive strength.
However, the strength improvement delays even take months to come to the optimum
strength. Interestingly, mud blocks made of cement alone shows short period strength
improvement. Therefore, the study needs to re-attend at the chemical formulation and
stabilization effect of lime addition to mud concrete block. Finally, adding lime as an
alternative stabilize would benefit by reducing cost as well as it can improve the long-
term durability of the mud concrete block.
Keywords: Mud concrete block; stabilization; Lime; cement; compressive strength
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Hence, discoveries of Sri Lankan ancestors In order to gain more strength to the soil
(wattle and daub) and develop structures, early man used a straw and dried
it with modern technologies such as leaves(Christoforou, Kylili, Fokaides, &
developed stabilizers would be a
Ioannou, 2015). This was initially used the in
considerably advanced research problem
the Mesopotamian civilizations where they
(Udawattha, Arooz, & Halwatura, 2016c). In
addition to the cost, earth as a walling used sun-baked bricks and the main
material gives cooling effect and structural stabilizer was strewed. Use of straw and soil
cooling to reduce the outdoor temperature called sod bricks, called terrone in Spanish,
into favourable indoor temperature The sod is that combination of a heavy mat
(Udawattha & Halwatura, 2016c; of grassroots, which may be found in river
Udawattha, Galabada, & Halwatura, 2017;
bottomlands and grasslands. This was
Udawattha & Halwatura, 2016a; Udawattha,
Arooz, & Halwatura, 2016a). popular in Mesopotamian civilization since
The shelter is the secondary main the entire civilization was based on
requirement for a human being (Corvaln, grasslands. Not only early civilizations but
Hales, McMichael, Program, & also European settlers on the North
Organization, 2005) (Pogge, 2008). Perhaps American Grasslands found that the sod
shelter (building envelope) is considered as walls least likely to deteriorate due to harsh
building third skin(Gratia & De Herde,
weather conditions. And sod walls were
2004). Constructing this third skin for
mankind is considered as the construction once all-encompassing used for the walls of
technology(Edgerton, 2011). Therefore, the houses in Ireland, Scotland, and Iceland,
higher commitment has been emplaced on where some turf houses may still exist as a
the development of building construction tradition of sod brick.
technology (Morel, Mesbah, Oggero, & After the sod brick invention, mankind
Walker, 2001).
invented baked brick such as sun-baked
Using earth as primary building materials to
brick and kiln-baked bricks. The main
construct shelter has an age of humankind
stabilizers of the sun-baked bricks and kiln
(Raddin, 1964 ; Padavic & Mulligan, 2002).
baked bricks are the mud (dust). Therefore,
Earth structures are a type of building made
not all the types of soil are suiTable for this
of largely from soil and soil-related building
manufacturing. But there are many
components. The soil was most popular
structures made of sun-baked bricks and
because of its availability on earth. Even
kiln-baked brick on earth. Indus valley
from the very beginning cradle of the
civilization is one of the most famous users
civilization soil (earth) may be combined
of sun-baked bricks and kiln baked bricks
with other materials, stabilizers, compressed
(Udawattha, Arooz, & Halwatura, 2016c;
and/or baked to add strength. Gaining the
Udawattha & Halwatura, 2016a).
strength and improving the strength of the
Lime and other carbonate chemicals were
soil was the only issue to resolve other than
used to strengthen the soil and used to build
building out of the soil. Because the soil was
structures. There have been many
the most economical building materials for
experiments to use lime, the famous wattle
early man to use; it is the most affordable
and daub walls made in European countries
walling material for the world and may have
have the same materials combination of
a low environmental impact both during and
earth and lime. By adding lime to the soil
after construction (Udawattha & Halwatura,
they expected more lifespan(Amu,
2016b ; Pacheco-Torgal & Jalali, 2012).
Bamisaye, & Komolafe, 2011). Because
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Kaolinite Al2Si2O5(OH)4
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5) Curing
In this study, two methods of curing were
used: a humid atmosphere and a humid
atmosphere immersion with gunny bags.
After intermixture, the samples were put on
a Table , covered by a gunny bag and then
kept in a humid atmosphere for periods
mentioned in Table 2.
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4.00N/mm2 3
3.50N/mm2
2.5
3.00N/mm2
2.50N/mm2 2
2.00N/mm2
1.5
1.50N/mm2
1
1.00N/mm2
0.50N/mm2 0.5
0.00N/mm2
1.08%
3.09%
3.60%
3.81%
4.05%
4.17%
4.23%
4.26%
4.26%
4.44%
4.68%
4.83%
5.52%
0
Lime (%) 14days 30days 60days 90days
Figure 6: Moisture content and average dry Figure 7: The initial experiment results
compressive strength
After the initial experiment, the long-term
6.2. Compressive strength development of compressive strength.
Compressive strength is an important After the experiment with lime, cement and
parameter in this study to understand the lime experiments were started. The idea of
strength development by lime. The adding is to understand the initial mix
evaluation of the quality of this block needs
development of cement-lime for mud
the standard testing procedure.
6.2.1. Initial experiment concrete block. And also, the idea of utilizing
The optimum lime percentage is 8%, which lime is to alter the cement. Therefore, this is
gives maximum strength for mud concrete necessary to understand the effect of cement
block. on lime stabilized mud concrete block
mixture.
Table 4: the initial experiment results Table 5: the experiment results with
with lime cement
LIME Cement 14days 30days 60days 90days
LIME 14days 30days 60days 90days (%)
(%)
(%)
0% 4% 0.27 1.58 1.60 1.60
0% 0.27 1.58 1.60 1.60
4% 4% 0.29 2.60 2.68 2.72
4% 0.29 2.60 2.68 2.72
8% 4% 0.68 3.04 3.20 3.30
8% 0.68 3.04 3.20 3.30
12% 4% 0.75 3.07 3.30 3.51
12% 0.75 3.07 3.30 3.51
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4.00N/mm2
2.00N/mm2
0.00N/mm2
Lime (%) 14days 30days 60days 90days
Duration Strength
14days 0.68N/mm2 The Long term strenght development by lime
One Month 3.04 N/mm2 for Mud concrete block
Two 6
Months
3.2 N/mm2
4
Three
Months
3.3 N/mm2
2
Four Strenght Vs Time
Months
4.56 N/mm2 0
Five Lime (%) 14days One Two Three Four Five Six
Months
4.59 N/mm2 Month Months Months Months Months Months
Six Months 4.52 N/mm2
21 days gets the required strength. Thus, the
Figure 9: The long-term strength development lime helps to develop long-term hardening
in lime-stabilized mud concrete blocks. process.
Finally, 8% of lime soil mixture was selected The optimum lime percentage is 8%, which
to study the long-term development of lime gives maximum strength for the mud
stabilized mud concrete block. And the concrete block. The study was extended to
results show that it would take six months to understand any chemical that can help to
stabilize the mud concrete block. develop the hardening process of the lime
6.3. Cold water absorption results stabilized mud concrete block.
Thus, a cold-water absorption test was Cold water absorption results
Lime Precentage
carried out and results obtained was 12
calculated using equation 1. The requirement 10 Cold water Absorption
of cold water absorption results is to 8
understand the permeability factor of lime 6
stabilized mud concrete block. If the cold 4
water absorption is below 5% means less 2
amount of pores spaces within the materials 0
and good for masonry constructions. Lime 0% Lime 4% Lime 8% Lime 12%
7. Conclusion
Figure 10: cold water absorption results
The results show that the use of lime as an
alternative stabilizer for mud concrete block And the lime stabilization is slow and steady
shall provide long-term strength rather than than cement. This has both pros and cons
quick hardening. Perhaps, the cement along when applying it into real-world masonry
mix do develop a strength within 7 days. unit construction. In addition to the strength,
However, the lime mix takes a minimum of it was found that the lime can reduce the
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porosity factor of the lime. Thus fewer pores Energy, 29(4), 561580.
were developed by the finer content of lime. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2003.10.001
And both soil and lime fine help to reduce Edgerton, D. (2011). Shock Of The Old:
the pores factor. Technology and Global History since 1900.
The study should be extending to Profile Books. Retrieved from
understand the shrinkage due to the lime
https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=
stabilization. Even though this study
&id=IdVGikvzIHoC&pgis=1
suggests that lime help improve the long-
term strength of mud concrete block, the Gratia, E., & De Herde, A. (2004). Natural cooling
shrinkage factor needs to be studied strategies efficiency in an office building with
separately in order to understand the real a double-skin faade. Energy and Buildings,
world application of lime stabilized mud 36(11), 11391152.
concrete block. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2004.05.004
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