Enhancing Earth-based Building Materials: Effect of Palm Fibre Reinforcement on Compressive Strength
Michael Attah Onugba
*
Department of Civil Engineering, The Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Kogi State, Nigeria.
Lawrence Ademola Omisande
Department of Civil Engineering, The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Yunusa Aminu AlhassVan
Department of Civil Engineering, The Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Kogi State, Nigeria and Kogi State Road Maintenance Agency, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria.
Abubakar Otu Abdullahi
Department of Civil Engineering, The Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Kogi State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The rising need for affordable and eco-friendly housing occasioned by a surge in global population growth, the ever-increasing cost of building materials and environmental concerns has been an issue of concern over the last few decades. This has necessitated continuous research and development of affordable and eco-friendly building materials for low- and middle-income earners. This research evaluated the effect of oil palm fibre on the compressive strength of compressed earth blocks. Oil palm fibre was added to the soil matrix at 0%, 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% by weight of laterite. The blocks were cured for 28 days after which they were tested. The results obtained indicate that the addition of palm fibre up to 1% in the matrix increased the compressive strength to a maximum of 1.38N/mm2. Further addition of palm fibre in the matrix resulted in a decrease of the compressive strength. An optimum reinforcement of the blocks with 1% palm fibre is recommended.
Keywords: Earthen construction, palm fibre, compressive strength, compressed earth blocks, sustainable construction materials