Comparative study of the mechanical and hydro-thermal behavior of earth blocs stabilized by cement or plaster and pozzolan
Imane Daya, Jamila Elbrahmi, Nouzha Lamdaour, Toufik Cherradi
Abstract. The building and construction sector is among the most significant contributors to global warming. Indeed, modern construction materials have a major impact on the environment, from their extraction to their installation. Therefore, there is a need to develop new materials that are more durable and better suited to contemporary challenges. In this context, earth materials appear as a sustainable, economical, and environmentally friendly alternative. However, their mechanical strength is relatively low, and their sensitivity to water hinders their development. Thus, the main objective of this study is to assess the effect of using mineral additives, particularly natural pozzolan, as well as the influence of varying the type of binder on the mechanical and hydrothermal performance of earth blocks. In this study, two types of binders were used, namely plaster and cement, at a proportion of 10% by weight relative to the dry mix. In addition, four pozzolan contents (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) were incorporated based on the binder weight. After detailing the steps for preparing the samples to be tested in the laboratory according to the selected formulations and percentages, a physico-chemical characterization of the soil used in this study was carried out in order to classify it. This characterization includes the particle size analysis by sieving and sedimentation, plasticity assessment using Atterberg limits, evaluation of the clay fraction via the methylene blue test, and estimation of organic matter content through a calcination test. The research then focused on analyzing the mechanical, thermal, and hydraulic performance of the stabilized earth blocks. To this end, the samples were tested for uniaxial compressive strength and three-point bending to assess their mechanical behavior, thermal conductivity using the steady-state asymmetric hot plane method, and durability through total water absorption testing. Experimental results indicate that blocks treated with plaster exhibit better mechanical performance compared to those treated with cement. Moreover, plaster-stabilized blocks showed lower total water absorption than cement- stabilized blocks throughout the entire immersion period, regardless of pozzolan content. However, plaster is less resistant to water-related degradation: after 96 hours of immersion, cracks and disintegration of the material were observed. The study also showed that compressive strength increases slightly with the addition of pozzolan, up to a certain limit. Beyond 10% pozzolan content, strength decreases. In contrast, flexural strength decreases as pozzolan content increases. On the other hand, the incorporation of pozzolan leads to a reduction in thermal conductivity, and consequently, an improvement in thermal performance, due to increased porosity in the clay matrix
Keywords
Binder, Pozzolan, Earth Blocs, Mechanical Resistance, Hydrothermal Behavior
Published online 1/10/2026, 8 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Imane Daya, Jamila Elbrahmi, Nouzha Lamdaour, Toufik Cherradi, Comparative study of the mechanical and hydro-thermal behavior of earth blocs stabilized by cement or plaster and pozzolan, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 58, pp 32-39, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903933-5
The article was published as article 5 of the book Emerging Research in Materials for Environment, and Civil Infrastructure
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
References
[1] C. Arvind, K. Geetanjali, Renewable energy technologies for sustainable development of energy efficient building. Alexandria Engineering Journal 57(2), 655-69 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2017.02.027
[2] B. Mette, B. Jim, H. Chris, I. Lars Lonsmann, Time is running out for sand. Nature 571(7763), 29-31 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-019-02042-4
[3] A. Fernando, P. Esther, G. Rafael, G, Characterization of the mechanical and physical properties of stabilized rammed earth: A review. Construction and Building Materials 325(mars), 126693 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.126693
[4] N. Rouizem, The modernization of raw earth in Morocco: Past experiments and present. History of Construction Cultures, 1ere éd., 585-89 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003173434-188
[5] Institut Marocaine de Normalisation (IMANOR) : Ouvrages en maçonnerie de petits éléments : Parois et murs. https://www.equipement.gov.ma/Ingenierie/Normalisation-et-Reglementation-technique/Documents/10.1.045.pdf (2020)
[6] A. Belabid, H. Akhzouz, H. Elminor, H., Characteristics of traditional building materials and techniques based on earth, stone and timbe: An overview and focus on Morocco. Journal of Engineering Research and Technology 11 (2023)
[7] R. Karka Bozabe, D. Taipabe, Modèle de construction d’habitat en terre : Cas d’adobe manuel en Afrique au sud du Sahara [Land habitat construction model : Adobe manuel case in Africa, South of the Sahara]. International Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies 26(4), 883-87 (2019)
[8] GC. Bailly, Y. El Mendili, A. Konin, E. Khoury, Advancing earth-based construction: A comprehensive review of stabilization and reinforcement techniques for adobe and compressed earth blocks. Eng 5(2), 750-83 (2024). https://doi.org/10.3390/eng5020041
[9] A. Bouyahayaoui, M. Cherkaoui, L. Abidi, T. Cherradi, Mechanical and chemical characterization of pozzolan of middele Atlas in Morocco. International Journal of GEOMATE 14 (41), 126-134 (2018). https://doi.org/10.21660/2018.41.91013
