21. Experimental Study on Alternative Building Material Using Cement and Stone Dust as Stabilizers in Stabilized Mud Block

Soil is a construction material alternative to traditional materials such as steel and concrete. About 40% of the world’s population in most of the regions uses soil as traditional constructional material. Blocks of Stabilized mud (SMBS) are the wetted mixture of stabilizer, soil and sand, which is compacted into a block of high-level density in a machine to produce stabilized mud block. The factors influencing the masonry strength in cement- mortar of various proportions were studied in a systematic experimental analysis. It has been observed, mud block strength increases with increase in corresponding cement content. The effect of alternative building technologies on energy and the environment is addressed, as well as the energy consumption and transportation of common and alternative building materials. The aim of this analysis was to make stabilized mud blocks with locally available red clay soil and ordinary Portland cement as a stabilizer. The mix proportions considered for the trials were 1:0.5 (Soil: Stone Dust), 6%, 7%, 8% cement. The two percentages of each stabilizer were used to make stabilized mud blocks, which were measured after 28 days. The best result was determined by compressive strength, water absorption and the required percent of each stabilizer was selected. The stabilized mud blocks had an average compressive strength of 3.8–4.04 MPa. Average water absorption 13.08–13.67%. This research has yielded a number of intriguing findings. Also, the rise in intensity was found to be constant, indicating that it would continue to grow over time.