Microstructural characterization and mechanical properties Of earth stabilized mortar, determination of the Technico- Economic Optimum

Abstract

This study presents the experimental results of the four mineralogical and chemical analysis techniques on the earthen mortar obtained from the city of Rabat. The uni-axial compressive tests results on the cylindrical specimens for this earth, associated with various percentages of cement, make it possible to analyze the effect of the mineralogical and chemical elements on the characteristics mechanical properties. However, we determine also the interval of the technico-economic optimum. In the earthen mortar of Rabat city, the presence of calcite (CaCO3), quartz SiO2, kaolinite and the aluminum silicate, have amplified the improved behaviour of the material by the addition of cement. We also note that the evolution of the mechanical properties has only the importance in the [7 to 10%] interval which represents the area of effect for cement stabilization and which houses the optimum of the cement dosing.

Keywords

• earth material
• mortar
• cement
• mineralogy
• mechanical tests