Lightened Blocks of Plant Fibers and Clay Applied in Construction Systems for Housing in High Andean Areas

Abstract

The search for sustainable construction systems to address social and environmental problems is increasingly important because there is still a high percentage of deficit in the construction of comfortable homes. This research aims to analyze the proposal of a sustainable construction system of lightened blocks made with plant fibers and clay, applied in the high Andean areas of the central Andes of Peru. For this experimental process, the analysis of the local soil that was used to manufacture the blocks was carried out, resulting in a high percentage of clay, to which plant fibers was incorporated. Then, fifty samples of blocks with different types of dosage were made and ten were selected, which were subjected to physical-mechanical compression resistance tests and compared with what was specified in international and national standards in relation to the units of brickwork. Finally, the results indicate that the elaborate blocks, compared to traditional earthen masonry units, are lighter and more resistant. This represents 57% less weight in relation to volume and 50% more resistance, this being a result of the use of plant fibers and the design of the block, which also provides better thermal insulation, likewise, this lightened block has better economic advantages.