Assessing comprehensive strength and thermal conductivity of lime stabilized compressed earth blocks with sodium polyacrylate as additive

ABSTRACT: Compressed stabilized earth (CSBEBs) are a sustainable building material utilized in most tropical countries for residential construction due to its low cost and low carbon footprint upon production, and good thermal insulation properties reducing the required energy for maintaining an optimal indoor temperature. The stabilizer used for CSEB production is hydrated lime as it is better suited for sustainable construction instead of cement. The effects of superabsorbent polymer, specifically the Sodium Polyacrylate (SPA), as an additive for lime-stabilized compressed earth blocks on the compressive strength and thermal conductivity were assessed in this study. The amount of lime utilized to reinforce the soil is 10% and the concentration of SPA content for each stabilized block examined were at 0%, 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5% by weight of dry soil. A total of 24 samples were produced and tested at 7 days curing for compressive strength and thermal conductivity. The reinforced soil procured from Binangonan, Rizal was classified as sandy lean clay (CL) based on USCS standards. The compaction test yielded the highest MDD with lowest corresponding OMC for the L1050 sample group. The incorporation of SPA on the LSCEB resulted in a decrease in MDD while increasing the OMC. The results showed that 0.1% SPA concentration had the highest compressive strength and 0.5% with the lowest thermal conductivity among the sample groups. The data indicated that the SPA had a favorable impact and significant effect, at 95% confidence interval, on the compressive strength and thermal conductivity of the stabilized earth blocks.

Filipiniana