Seguridad y Medio Ambiente - N 115 Page 1 of 15

Year 29 N 115 third quarter 2009

Compressed earth blocks (CEB) with no added cement

ENVIRONMENT

This article analyses the behaviour of compressed earth

blocks (CEB) with no added cement, using various tests to
do so. CEBs are an alternative wall building material
offering significant economic and environmental
advantages over traditional cement-based materials. This
makes them a promising option for the construction
industry.
Por FERNANDO GALNDEZ. Universidad Catlica de Salta. Facultad de
Arquitectura

This research project studies an alternative wall-building material

called compressed earth block (CEB) with no added cement. Two
main advantages accrue from removing cement from the basic
CEB mixture: firstly, an economic benefit, because the price of
cement makes the cost of the block much higher, and secondly
an environmental benefit due to the impact of the cement
manufacturing process. CEBs have a lower environmental burden
than bricks because they are not kiln fired, but the addition of
cement as stabiliser forfeits some of this environmental
advantage.

Generally, earth with a high clay content is considered unsuitable

for making CEBs since clayey soil calls for more added cement
than sandy soil to achieve acceptable strength. This is reflected in
the IRAM (Argentinian Standardisation and Certification Institute)
rules, which specify that up to 15% cement has to be added for
making cement-stabilised earth blocks from clayey soils. This
rules out a wide range of soils for making CEBs, unless there is
the possibility of adding sand or, as a worse option, increasing
the amount of cement. This in turn implies a higher economic and
environmental cost.

The main input of this research project will be the possibility of

harnessing the natural agglomeration quality of clay soils without
the need of adding cement to the block. Rather than by adding
cement, stabilisation of the block will be achieved by compaction,
using methods that guarantee compliance with theoretical
Left to right: Diego Chavarria, Manuel
premises in the factory and on site. This chimes in with todays
Zambrano and Fernando Galndez.
ongoing concern for developing more sustainable construction
materials.

This research was carried out by working with three types of

clayey soils compacted at three different pressures, 4 kg/cm2, 6
kg/cm2 and 8 kg/cm2. These three test specimens were chosen
to demonstrate that the blocks compression strength increases
in direct proportion to the plasticity of the earth, subjected in
turn to a high compaction pressure.

Another aim of the research was to solve the materials water

sensitivity by waterproofing it with used vehicle oil.

Finally it was shown empirically that CEBs made from medium-

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plasticity clayey-sand earth, duly compacted and waterproofed

with used vehicle oil, produce a viable building block.

1. Description of the Project

This research project set out to study the behaviour of an
alternative wall-building material (compacted earth block, or CEB,
with no added cement). This block cuts out the kiln-firing stage in
its manufacture, the stage with the highest environmental
burden, not only because of the air emission of pollutants
(thereby stoking up the greenhouse effect) but also because of
the consumption of non renewable resources (timber from
natural woodland and natural gas) in the production of the vast
amounts of energy needed in the process. There is proven
experience of the good behaviour of cement-stabilised
compressed earth blocks; there has been no research, however,
into the behaviour of blocks without added cement. Two main
advantages accrue from removing cement from the basic CEB
mixture: firstly, an economic benefit, because the price of cement
makes the cost of the block much higher, and secondly an
environmental benefit due to the impact of the cement
manufacturing process.

2. Problems to be Solved
One of the main reasons for the environmental deterioration of
the natural world in recent decades has been the overexploitation
of natural resources (including fertile soil), air pollution and the
pollution and exhaustion of hydrological resources, all caused by
the hand of man. As a result ecosystems have been altered and
human health has often been put at risk, with a concomitant and
pronounced fall in quality of life in certain sectors.
Test pieces for the various tests
The construction industry in particular has been an economic and
social boon in terms of producing goods and services. On the
downside, however, it has historically called for a vast input of
raw materials and energy, leading in turn to the emission of large
amounts of gaseous, liquid and solid emissions, all
environmentally polluting.

Down the ages the various construction systems have been

unable to replace bricks as a construction material, especially in
Latin America. There are two main reasons for this, one economic
and the other cultural: firstly, bricks are relatively cheap and
secondly they are perceived as a high-status building material in
comparison to adobe. Their manufacture calls for no sophisticated
technology or skilled labour (Muller, M, 1997). These Preparation of a Proctor Test
circumstances still hold true today because the external
environmental and social costs of the production process are not
being internalised by the industry.

Augenbroe (1998), for example, argues that it now behoves the

construction sector to change its working methods, taking into
account such factors as user satisfaction while also striving to use
less energy and matter and therefore cut its environmental
impact. This paradigm shift is shown in figure 1.

Test pieces after water absorption tests

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Figure 1. Sustainable construction calls for a new paradigm

(Augenbroe, 1998).

An environmental evaluation of the construction sector requires a

quantification and qualification of the resources consumed and
emissions given out in the various process stages.

Some of the main factors in choosing environmentally-friendly

building material are summed up below:

Energy saving. The main manufacturing cost of the block

involves only the cost of conveying the earth to the site, a
routine procedure since earth is a material within easy
reach of most building sites. Furthermore, if the earth
comes from the excavation work on the site itself, two birds
are killed with one stone, compounding the savings.
Technically, moreover, it is a very advantageous material
with great energy-saving potential in heating and cooling
terms.
Reclaiming of waste. This involves not only the use of waste
from other industries but even the possibility of recycling
the earth block itself at the end of its useful life.
Clean technology. No contamination or noise, gaseous or
thermal pollution of any type is produced during the block
manufacturing process; the only wastage is offcuts, all of
which is in turn recyclable later as aggregate or inert earth
for making new blocks.
Non toxicity. The material gives off no type of radiation or
toxic product during its useful life.
Durability. It is a long-lasting and easily maintained
material; properly clad, it suffers no attacks from micro
organisms.
Lastly, the cheapness of the material will help to reduce
homelessness, especially in Latin American countries,
where about 135 million people lack any sort of decent
housing; it is also conducive to more sustainable
construction.

According to the criteria for environmental friendly selection of

material as proposed by Fbregas (1998), compressed earth
blocks with no added cement tick all the boxes.

Historically, the construction sector has needed

vast amounts of raw materials and energy, in turn
provoking the release of huge amounts of
pollutants into the air
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3. Theoretical Framework
One of the outstanding properties of clay is its inter-particle
cohesion. This cohesion is a function of attraction and repulsion
between the particles, acting as electric charges with variable
intensity depending on the distance between them or the
interlaminar distance. With a low humidity content clays form a
coherent solid with high densities (Fratelli, Graciela; 1993). The
presence of water lessens this cohesion. The intrusion of water in
the interlaminar space tends to separate the laminas, causing
swelling or degradation. When the amount of water between the
laminas increases they separate, reducing the forces of cohesion
and increasing electrostatic repulsion (Garca Romero, Emilia;
2007). We therefore need to bring the particles closer together
and avoid entry of water to maintain the natural cohesion of
clays.

The compression-induced cohesion will reduce the blocks water

absorption rate but it will not avoid the gradual degradation of
the blocks surface layers, as an effect of direct contact, and this
will allow water into the first interlaminary spaces. Waterproofing
surface treatment can head off this effect and further stabilise the
blocks behaviour. The research project called Alternative
weatherproofing techniques for traditional adobe walls, carried
out for the Universidad Nacional de Tucumn (Argentina) by
Irene C. Ferreyra, Stella M. Latina, Rafael Soria Nieto and Rafael
F. Mellace, shows that surface oil treatment of unfired earth
blocks (traditional adobe) will improve their water performance.

The complex behaviour of clays was analysed from the physical-

mechanical point of view to assess the properties of interest to
this research. The study of the Atterberg limits, liquid limit,
plastic limit, plasticity index and plasticity chart give us important
insights into the physical-mechanical behaviour of clays. The
relation between the liquid limit and the plasticity index gives a
great deal of information on the grading, behaviour, nature and
quality of the clay. (Garca Romero, Emilia; 2007).

4. Objectives and Purpose

4.1 General Objective

Contribute towards the development of building-block

manufacture technology that has a low economic and
environmental cost, the blocks lending themselves to self-
construction and/or small production units.

4.2 Specific Objectives

Develop the manufacturing procedure of CEBs with no

added cement, achieving good physical and mechanical
qualities, with the lowest possible energy cost.
Improve and upgrade the SIMVA RAM type press to obtain
high compaction pressure and obtain figures on the
intensity thereof.
Record the research results in an operative CEB
manufacturing handbook for the manufacturer of material
of this type, with clear and precise instructions, with
procedures and units designed for minimum onsite
equipment.

4.3 Purpose

Encourage the use of CEB-type blocks in building work as a valid

alternative, on the strength of its sustainable properties, with
recommendable mechanical and physical behaviour, helping to
solve the problem of high energy costs of currently used
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construction materials.

5. Methodology
5.1 Substantive Hypothesis

It is possible to manufacture compressed earth blocks (CEBs)

without cement stabilisation and obtain recommendable physical
and mechanical behaviour, using medium-plasticity clayey type
soil by applying high compaction pressure, taking into account
the Proctor theory and waterproofing the block surface with used
engine oil.

5.2 Working Hypothesis

If cement-stabilised compressed earth blocks are made by taking

the following conditions into account, recommendable physical
(water absorption) and mechanical (compression strength and
water abrasion) behaviour will be obtained with clayey type soil,
except for soils with a high content of organic matter (especially
acid soils):

Correct soil classification, ascertaining the type of clay in

each one.
Using clayey-type soil or sand with a medium-plasticity clay
content (SC).
Increasing the compaction pressure, at least to 8 kg/cm2,
to achieve an increase in the dry unit weight, in light of the
optimum humidity and the energy to be applied, thereby
obtaining greater particle cohesion (Proctor).
Block-surface waterproofing with used engine oil.

The independent and dependent variables were established.

Within the set of dependent variables, consideration was given to
the physical and mechanical properties. As for the independent
variables, the type of soil and compaction pressure were
proposed.

5.3 Variable Chart

Independent Type of soil

variables
Compaction
pressure

Dependent Physical Water absorption

variables properties

Mechanical Compression
properties strength

5.4 Design of the Procedures

Three different types of soil were analysed and classified

according to the following standards, by means of grading
tests, liquid limit and plastic limit (12 tests).
Proctor types tests were conducted on soil S1, with
compression of 6 kg/cm2 and 8 kg/cm2; soil S2, with
compression of 4 kg/cm2 and 8kg/cm2, and soil S3, with 8
kg/cm2 (20 tests).
A total of 114 test pieces were made with the CBR press
and small Proctor test mould with 10-centimetre diameter,
from the three types of classified soil, compressed at
different pressures (4, 6 and 8 kg/cm2) to carry out the
compression, water absorption and abrasion tests.
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Authors like Augenbroe argue that the

construction industry is duty bound to change its
working methods, taking into account such factors
as user satisfaction, lower energy consumption
and lower environmental impact

6. Data Collection and Processing

6.1 Classification of soils

Soil type S1

Well graded sand

10.13% passes No. 200 sieve (0.075 mm)
Liquid limit = 33.10
Plastic limit = 19.72
Plasticity index = 33.1-19-72 = 13.38

Soil type SC medium plasticity clayey sand

Soil type S2

Well graded sand

21% passes No. 200 sieve (0.075 mm)
Liquid limit = 33.10
Plastic limit = 19.72
Plasticity index = 26.3-18.82 = 7.48

Soil type SC low plasticity clayey sand

Soil type S3

Well graded sand

23.19% passes No. 200 sieve (0.075 mm)
Liquid limit = 37.45
Plastic limit = 21.64
Plasticity index = 37.45 21.64 = 15.81

Soil type SC medium plasticity clayey sand

6.2 Proctor Tests

Soil S1 Optimum humidity for compression of 8 kg/cm2 =

17.34%

Soil S2 Optimum humidity for compression of 8 kg/cm2 = 21.6%

Soil S3 Optimum humidity for compression of 8 kg/cm2 =

24.00%

6.3 Compression Tests

6.3.1 Compression tests of soil S1 test pieces

Table 1. Compression tests of soil S1 test pieces

Compaction pressure 4 kg/cm2 - Test pieces tested 6

(six)
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Mean unit weight: 1.6598 Mean tension: 15,09

Compaction pressure 6 kg/cm2 - Test pieces tested 6

(six)

Mean unit weight: 1.713 Mean tension: 25.49

Compaction pressure 8 kg/cm2 - Test pieces tested 6

(six)

Mean unit weight: 1.737 Mean tension: 35.20

6.3.2 Compression tests of soil test pieces S2

Table 2. Compression tests of soil S2 test pieces.

Compaction pressure 4 kg/cm2 - Test pieces tested 6

(six)

Mean unit weight: 1.57 Mean tension: 14.56

Compaction pressure 6 kg/cm2 - Test pieces tested 6

(six)

Mean unit weight: 1.60 Mean tension: 18.73

Compaction pressure 8 kg/cm2 - Test pieces tested 6

(six)

Mean unit weight: 1.62 Mean tension: 24.33

6.3.3 Compression tests of soil S3 test pieces

Table 3. Compression tests of soil S3 test pieces.

Compaction pressure 8 kg/cm2 Test pieces tested 6

(six)

Mean unit weight: 1.614 Mean tension: 43.93

This soil S3 shows a sharp increase in mean compression

strength over soils S1 and S2, in comparison to which this soil
has a higher plasticity.

An analysis of the figures set forth in the above paragraphs

shows that there is a relation between the compression strength
of the test pieces and the plasticity of the clays they were made
from.

The basic hypothesis of this research work is that

CEBs can be made without cement, obtaining
recommendable physical and mechanical
behaviour parameters

6.4 Water Absorption Tests

6.4.1 Water absorption tests on soil S1 test pieces

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Table 4. Mean Absorption Times Soil type S1

Compaction pressure Average time Average

(kg/cm2) to start of time
breakdown to rupture

4,00 0h 20min 1h 50min

6,00 0h 40min 2h 03min

8,00 1h 45min 3h 23min

Test piece 8 kg/cm2 0h 05min 1h 55min

without oil

In principle a great time difference to start of breakdown is

observed between the test piece with oil (mean time 1h 40 min)
and without oil (0h 05 min); this difference is less in terms of
rupture time, which is an average of 3h 20 min for the former
and 1h 55 min for the latter.

Time to start of breakdown and rupture time are also seen to

vary in direct relation to compaction pressure.

6.4.2 Water absorption tests on soil S2 test pieces

Table 5. Mean Absorption Times Soil S2

Compaction pressure Average time Average

(kg/cm2) to start of time
breakdown to rupture

4,00 0h 50min 1h 50min

6,00 2h 43min 6h 56min

8,00 3h 43min 8h 08min

Test piece 8 kg/cm2 0h 05min 2h 00min

without oil

Soil S2 shows even greater differences between the readings

than S1. Start of breakdown in the test piece with oil is seen to
be an average of 2h 40 min, while without oil the time is only 5
min. Rupture time also shows a big difference: 6h 30 min for the
former and 2h 00 min for the latter.

6.4.3 Water absorption tests on soil S3 test pieces

In the case of soil S3 only 8 kg/cm2 test pieces were tested, in
view of the fact that the previous tests had already produced
sufficient figures for analysing water absorption in relation to
compaction pressure.

Table 6. Mean Absorption Times Soil S3

8 kg/cm2 test piece with oil

Test pieces Start of Rupture

breakdown (15%)

TP1 0h 35min 1h 24min

TP2 0h 42min 2h 06min

TP3 0h 35min 1h 57min

Mean time 0,59 1,98

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Mean time in hours and 0h 35min 2h 00min

mins.

8 kg/cm2 test piece without oil

Test pieces Start of breakdown Rupture (15%)

P1 0h 02min 0h 40min

6.5 Water Drop Abrasion Tests

6.5.1 Water abrasion tests on soil S1 test pieces

Table 7. Mean water abrasion time - Soil S1

Test pieces Start of Dent at 1 Without dent

dent hour (mm) at 1h 30 min

Test pieces 4 0h 19min 6,3 No

kg/cm2

Test pieces 6 0h 22min 5,33 No

kg/cm2

Test pieces 8 0h 52min 1,37 No

kg/cm2

Test pieces 8 0h 10min 4,65 No

kg/cm2 without
oil

The oil-impregnated test piece lasts far longer than the test piece
without oil before showing a dent (average 0h 52 min as
compared with 0h 10 min). There is also a big difference in the
depth of the dent, 1.35 mm average for the former and 4.65 mm
for the latter.

6.5.2 Water abrasion tests on soil S2 test pieces

Table 8. Mean water abrasion time - Soil type S2

Test pieces Start of Dent at 1 Without dent

dent hour (mm) at 1h 30 min

Test pieces 4 - - Yes

kg/cm2

Test pieces 6 - - Yes

kg/cm2

Test pieces 8 - - Yes

kg/cm2

Test pieces 8 0h 5min 5,00 No

kg/cm2 without
oil

The water-drop-test behaviour of these test pieces merits close

attention. In principle we see that they put in the best
performance, showing no dent in 90% of the cases, with a
marked difference between those treated with oil and those not.

6.5.3 Water abrasion tests on soil S3 test pieces

In the case of soil S3 only 8 kg/cm2 test pieces were tested in

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view of the fact that the previous tests had already produced
sufficient figures for analysing water abrasion in relation to
compaction pressure.

Table 9. Mean water abrasion time - Soil S3

Test pieces Start of Dent at 1 Without dent

dent hour (mm) at 1h 30 min

Test pieces 8 0h 20min 7,07 No

kg/cm2

Test pieces 8 0h 4min 8,00 No

kg/cm2 without
oil

6.5 Alcocks Linear Shrinkage Test

Table 10. Linear shrinkage values

Type of soil Shrinkage Total Length Percentage

(cm)

S2 2,09 61 3,43

S1 2,47 61 4,05

S3 3,22 61 5,28

7. Data Processing and Analysis

The material worked with met the following conditions: two soil
samples taken from excavations for building foundations and a
third from a brick clay quarry.

Classification of the three types of earth resulted in three clayey

sands: two of medium and a third of low plasticity. The
importance of this figure lies in the fact that such earth is
generally abundant. The most suitable earth turned out to be S3,
classified as medium plasticity clayey sand, liquid limit 37.45,
plastic limit 21.64 and plasticity index 15.81 (see page. 6) and
23.19% of the material passing the N 200 sieve. A comparison
with the values obtained from the other two earth types shows
that the important factor is plasticity and the amount of particles
smaller than 0.075 mm.

The compression test results are particularly noteworthy. The

values obtained in the soil types S1, S2 and S3 point to a
behaviour that depends on independent variables.

7.1 Analysis of the behaviour of the compression

strength variable

First of all the compression strength of the earth was analysed

in terms of the independent variable compaction pressure. Test
results for soils S1 and S2 show that in both cases the
compression strength increased in direct proportion to the
compaction pressure (increase of unit weight or UW), as shown
in figures 2(a) and 2(b).
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Figure 2a. Mean compression strengthmean unit weight soil

type S1

Figure 2b. Mean compression strengthmean unit weight soil

type S2.

Figure 2(a) of soil type S1 shows a strength of 15.1 kg/cm2 for a

UW of 1.66 gr/cm3; a strength of 25.49 kg/cm2 for a UW of 1.71
gr/cm3, and a strength of 35.2 kg/cm2 for a UW of 1.74 gr/cm3.

Figure 2(b) of soil type S2 shows a strength of 14.56 kg/cm2 for

a UW of 1.57 gr/cm3; a strength of 18.73 kg/cm2 for a UW of
1.60 gr/cm3 and a strength of 24.33 kg/cm2 for a UW of 1.622
gr/cm3.

This proves experimentally the working hypothesis of the

importance of bringing the clay particles closer together to
increase the intermolecular electrostatic cohesion force.

As regards the compression strength of the soil in relation to

the dependent variable soil type according to its plasticity and
keeping compaction pressure constant at 8 kg/cm2, test results
of the three different soil types (S1, S2 and S3) show a
significant increase in compression strength when the
plasticity index (PI) is higher. A PI of 7.69 gives a strength of
25 kg/cm2; a PI of 13.38, a strength of 32.2 kg/cm2, and a PI of
15.81, a strength of 45 kg/cm2 (figure 2(c)).
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Figure 2c. Mean compression strength plasticity index.

This shows experimentally that the plasticity index (at a

constant compaction pressure) varies directly with compression
strength.

On the one hand we see the importance of increasing the

compaction pressure; on the other, the importance of taking into
account the plasticity of the soil to be used. What are the limits of
these variables? The limit of the pressure increase is set by the
physical properties of the material in question and the mechanical
properties of the compacting machine. The soil plasticity limit, for
its part, is set by the fact that this plasticity is associated with the
shrinkage thereof, and this shrinkage causes fissure problems
that are difficult to solve. The criterion will then be to achieve a
pressure that guarantees the necessary strength for building a
wall, given suitable soil and the necessary pressure. This would
be the case of soil S3 compacted to 8 kg/cm2, which gives a
mean compression strength of 44 kg/cm2, a value that is very
acceptable for a CEB type wall block.

7.2 Analysis of the behaviour of the water absorption

variable

As regards the dependent variable water absorption, the most

important figures are gleaned from a comparison of the
behaviour of the oil-impregnated test pieces and those with no
oil. But it should be stressed here that tests with soil types S1
and S2 also showed that there is a relation between water
absorption and compaction pressure.

Tables 4, 5 and 6 show clearly for the two soil types that time to
start of breakdown of the test pieces and also mean rupture time
are related to compaction pressure, increasing directly therewith.
Likewise, the test results of soil S2 show higher values than soil
type S1 in most cases, except in test pieces without oil and soil
compacted to 4 kg/cm2, S2 more than doubling S1 values. This
might show that soil type S2 absorbed more oil than S1, creating
a thicker film.

As for soil type S3, tests were carried out only on test pieces
compacted to 8 kg/cm2, and the results are lower than those of
the other soil types.

Rupture times are 3h 23 min and 8h 08 min respectively for soil

types S1 (8 kg/cm2) and S2 (8 kg/cm2), whereas the time for S3
is 2h 00 min (see tables 4, 5 and 6). In any case this latter
rupture time still clearly outperforms the 40 minutes recorded by
the test piece without oil and there is also a significant difference
Seguridad y Medio Ambiente - N 115 Page 13 of 15

in start of breakdown time: 2 min for the test piece without oil
and 35 min for the oil-impregnated test piece.

A comparison of the behaviour of soil type S1 and S2 test pieces

compacted at 8 kg/cm2 with and without oil shows a glaring
difference both in start of breakdown time and rupture time. Test
pieces not treated with oil recorded a time to start of breakdown
of 0h 05 min while oil-treated test pieces clocked up 2h 40 min.
As regards rupture time, the mean time for the former was 1h 55
min and 5h 30 for the latter. There is a proportional reduction in
the rupture time. This may be because the most important effect
of the oil cover is a delay in the breakdown of the first particle
layer; once this barrier has been broken the process then follows
its normal course. This hypothesis would be borne out by the fact
that the test results for unoiled test pieces of the two soil types
are practically equal (5 min to start of breakdown and 2h to
rupture) whereas oiled pieces record the significant difference
reported in the above paragraph.

7.3 Analysis of the behaviour of the water abrasion

variable

As regards the dependent variable water abrasion, the test

results show a certain similarity to those of water absorption.

The highest values are those for soil type S2, followed by S1 and
then S3. This might be bound up with the plasticity of the soils,
which varies inversely with oil absorption. The grading of soil S2,
moreover, shows that it has a higher proportion of fines, but its
position in the plasticity chart shows that a high percentage of
them are silt. Likewise, the performance of soil S3 with oil is
considerably better than soil without oil.

Three types of material were used in the research

work: two soil samples taken from excavations for
building foundations and a third from a brick clay
quarry

7.4 Alcocks Test

The importance of establishing a relation between the plasticity

index and linear shrinkage, according to the Alcock test, lies in
the sheer simplicity of this test. It therefore comes in very handy
for ascertaining in the field whether or not the available soil is
suitable.

Figure 3 shows that both variables do indeed grow in line. This

means that we can establish linear shrinkage values as an aid in
determining whether or not the soil is suitable.

8. Conclusions
Results obtained from test pieces of the same type of soil
compressed at different pressures show empirically that
compression strength increases directly with the
compaction pressure of said test pieces.
Results obtained from test pieces with different soil types
also show empirically that compression strength increases
with the plasticity of the soil.
Soil type S3, classified as medium-plasticity silty sand (SM)
with a plasticity index of 15.81 and a liquid limit of 26.3
compacted to 8 kg/cm2, recorded a mean compression
strength of 44 kg/cm2, a value very close to the mean
strength values of cement-stabilised CEB, also apt for
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house building.
The resistance of CEBs with no added cement can be
improved by increasing compaction and/or compacting
earth of higher plasticity. The limit of these variables is set
by the proposed compacting technology and the behaviour
of high plasticity clays when they lose humidity.
Nonetheless, building blocks of greater quality could be
achieved by harnessing technology that provides higher
pressure for clays of higher plasticity.
The procedure of waterproofing the blocks by surface oil
treatment, to stabilise the clays water reaction, gave better
results in low plasticity clays. Nonetheless, the test pieces
of higher plasticity clays outperformed untreated pieces by
a factor of three to one. Furthermore the environmental
impact of the treatment process is minimal, since the
impregnation is done by way of short-term immersion and
the handling time is short. Neither does the treated product
pose any risk in terms of stability and air emissions because
the film is only a few tenths of a millimetre thick and is
covered by the coating. The only compounds that might
give out dangerous emissions are the PCBs, the proportion
of which in oil of this type does not exceed 20 ppm, well
below the 50 ppm threshold laid down by international
standards.
As regards the water performance of the unoiled test
pieces, all tests showed lower values than the oiled pieces
and very similar among the different soil types. This result,
in view of the fact that all test pieces were compacted to 8
kg/cm2, taken together with the results of test pieces with
oil, might indicate that, within the working plasticity range,
higher plasticity does not improve water behaviour. This is
due to the fact that the breakdown process begins on the
surface, where the block is driest and hence most prone to
absorb water through the pores.

The strength of CEB without cement can be

improved by increasing soil compaction or by
using higher plasticity soil

TO FIND OUT MORE

1. Arena, Alejandro Pablo. Un instrumento para el anlisis y
evaluacin ambiental de productos y tecnologas. El anlisis
de ciclo de vida. I Consideraciones metodolgicas, usos y
limitaciones. INCIHUSA. CRICYT. Mendoza.
2. Arena, Alejandro Pablo. Un instrumento para el anlisis y
evaluacin ambiental de productos y tecnologas. El anlisis
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