A Review on the Mechanical Properties of Natural Fiber Reinforced Compressed Earth Blocks
Guru Kumar Manjappara Subramanian, M. Balasubramanian, A. Arul Jeya Kumar
Abstract
Earth has been used as a material for the building in the form of red bricks, sand mortar, mud floors, and lime sand ceiling since the earlier civilization of mankind. Due to its numerous climatic changes and the lack of standards, the earth’s use is decreased. Due to potential capacity and less energy consumption in producing compressed earth blocks exhibits more promising structures than other earth materials. This review article illustrates that using compressed earth blocks with natural fibers will be an excellent alternative for conventional materials. Also, the paper discusses the thermal comfort exerted by naturally available materials such as banana fiber, coconut fiber, sisal fiber, palm fiber, and cassava peels. Natural fibers also increase the mechanical behavior such as compressive, tensile, and water absorption capability of these blocks, which is environmentally friendly and exhibits better thermal stability. This study aims to design an earth-building material with a minimum environmental impact and more stability.