A New Mixture Criterion for the Improvement of the Compressive Strength of Adobe Using Zeolite as Stabilizer

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A New Mixture Criterion for the Improvement of the Compressive Strength of Adobe Using Zeolite as Stabilizer

Lara-Ojeda, Rosa Angélica / Miranda-Vidales, Juana María / Narváez-Hernández, Lilia / Lozano-de Poo, Juan Manuel

The use of zeolite as a stabilizer for adobe has proven to have the ability to improve its physical and chemical properties. This is shown in the positive results in terms of strength gain and water absorption resistance in adobe blocks. In this work, an investigation was carried out to evaluate the use of zeolite as adobe stabilizer. The adobes were made with two different types of soil with different content of zeolite (5, 10, 15, 20% by weight) maintaining the zeolite-lime ratio 1:1. The samples were tested on compressive strength and water absorption. The deterioration of the adobes was analyzed under conditions of extreme humidity. The results of this study revealed that adobe behavior is influenced by the synergistic relationship between soil, zeolite and lime, showing significant changes in compressive strength even under extreme humidity conditions. It was also observed that the chemical composition of the soil influenced the development of the pozzolanic reaction. The stabilization of adobes with 15% of zeolite showed the best mechanical behavior, before and after deterioration assay. Hence, zeolite promises to be a good alternative as a stabilizer in adobe construction systems.