Special Issue - 2021 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)

ISSN: 2278-0181
NCACE - 2020 Conference Proceedings

Strength Analysis of Stabilized Mud Blocks

Rohith Kumar Reddy M H Veeresh G M
(Student) (Student)
Department of Civil Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering,
East West College of Engineering, East West College of Engineering,
Yelahanka, Bangalore, India. Yelahanka, Bangalore, India.

Sangeetha G Meghashree M
(Student) (Assistant Professor)
Department of Civil Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering,
East West College of Engineering, East West College of Engineering,
Yelahanka, Bangalore, India. Yelahanka, Bangalore, India.

Abstract:- Stabilized mud blocks (SMBS) are manufactured by stabilization enable the construction of more ambitious
compacting a wetted mixture of soil, sand and stabilizer in a structures that need less maintenance and are long lasting.
machine into a high-density block. Such blocks are used for the
construction of load bearing masonry. This paper focuses on
strength properties of stabilized mud block masonry, the effect THE STABILIZED MUD BLOCK
of the strength of three cement mortar mixes. A systematic Stabilized mud block may now be defined as mud which
experimental investigation was undertaken to know the does not soften due to action of water by the use of a small
parameters affecting the strength of masonry in cement mortar quantity of a binding agents like cement, lime, cement and
of different proportions. It is observed that the strength of mud lime, organic binders are some of the typical stabilizers which
block increases with the increase in the cement content.
can be used to produce a stabilized mud block. The
performance of a soil based on building block depends to a
I. INTRODUCTION
considerable extent on its density. Low density block are
Earth has always been the most widely used material for
rather porous and will not have good strength therefore it is
building and it is a part of its culture. Approximately 55% of
necessary to density the soil. For this purpose soil should be
all India homes still use raw earth for walls. Earth is now
subjected to adequate pressure at suitable moisture content
thought of as a poor man’s material because of disadvantages
this process is known as compaction. It is desirable to produce
such as high maintenance and low durability. Its major
a stabilized mud with dry density 1.8 to 1.85 gm/cc. Thus, the
limitation is:
process of block making has two steps. Firstly right type of
1. Water penetration
soil has to be mixed with a specified amount of stabilizer and
2. Erosion of walls at level by splashing of water from secondly it has to be compacted in to a high density block at
ground surfaces suitable moisture. These blocks are 2.5 to 2.8 times bigger in
3. Attack by termites and pests volume when compared with locally available conventional
4. High maintenance requirements burnt clay bricks.
The compressed earth block over comes these limitations
OBJECTIVES
by an increase in block density through compaction using a
1. To upgrade the rural traditional Kutch houses.
mechanic process. The water content in soil is low for 2. To introduce cost effective and durability houses – an
compaction as compared to the puddle clay required for mud alternative of burnt bricks.
bricks and ensures much greater dimensional stability. A 3. To demonstrate and popularize the technology of
block: stabilized mud blocks using locally available soil/mud.
1. Has high density which varies between 1.8 and 2.1 4. To uplift the poor people with standard houses of this
gm/c.c., this gives more load bearing capacity and technology.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW
improved water resistance.
Dr. S.Vimala1, Dr. K. Kumarasamy2 “ Studies On The
2. Is low cost Strength Of Stabilized Mud Block masonry Using
3. Is easy to manufacture locally by small group of people Different Mortar Proportions” International Journal of
4. Is low in energy consumption because no fuel is burnt Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering Volume 4,
for block making or transportation Issue 4, April 2014.
5. Can use soil available at site Studied the effect strength of stabilized mud block
6. Has smooth surfaces masonry, both dry and wet, the effect of the strength of five
cement mortar mixes and two soil-cement mortars mixes
With these advantages a compressed earth block can be
using stack-bonded prisms. An experimental investigation
used for construction of houses. Greater design care and was undertaken to know the parameters affecting the strength

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Special Issue - 2021 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
NCACE - 2020 Conference Proceedings

of masonry in cement mortar of different proportions and soil- Tests conducted on

cement mortar.
Major findings are: 1. Soil, Cement, And Stone dust
(a) The wet compressive strength of stabilized mud 1. Index properties of Soil
blocks and masonry prisms are less than the dry strength a. Specific gravity
(b) The wet and dry strengths of these prisms decrease b. Liquid limit
with decreasing mortar strength. c. Plastic limit
d. Grain size analysis
Vinu prakash, Amal raj “Studies on stabilized mud block as e. Compaction
a Construction material” International Journal of Innovative 2. Physical properties of cement
Research in Advanced Engineering (IJIRAE) Issue 01, a. Compression strength
Volume 3 (January 2016). b. Specific gravity
Investigation is carried out to find the suitable proportion c. Standard consistency
of locally available materials such as soil , coir , straw etc. d. Setting time
with cement as stabilizers for improving the strength of 3. Physical properties of stone dust
locally available mud blocks and thus to provide affordable a. Compression strength
housing. Using soil (from areas of Neriamangalam) and b. Specific gravity
stabilizers (cement, lime, straw fibre, coir fibre, plastic fibre), c. Surface texture
eleven different types of samples were prepared. Tests were d. Particle shape
conducted on these samples in order to evaluate their
performance such as compressive strength and total water 2. Stabilized mud blocks
absorption on which the durability of the blocks depend. The Compression Strength
investigation has revealed that, out of all block samples,
blocks which are produced from10% cement (C10), 10% IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
cement with 3% coir fibre (C10C) and 10% cement with 3%
plastic fibre (C10P) have compressive strength and total water Table 4.1Index properties of Soil
absorption values above the recommended minimum values
for structural work.(IS 1725:1992) Sl Test values
No.
1 Specific gravity 2.6
III MATERIALS AND METHODS 2 Liquid limit 58
3 Plastic limit 27
The primary raw material for production of SCEB is raw 4 Grain size analysis
earth or soil. OPC cement in small quantity and water coarse Sand (%) 5
sand or stone dust may be added depending on soil quality. Silt (%) 36
Clay (%) 59
The grain size distribution of a soil determines its suitability 5 Compaction
for manufacture of SCEB. Optimum Moisture content (%) 22
Stabilized mud blocks can be prepared by compacting a Maximum Dry Density (gm/cc) 1.6
moist mixture of soil, quarry dust and cement in a machine. A
number of studies are available on the properties and use of Table 4.1 shows the results of index properties of soil
soil cement blocks for building construction. Locally
available soil was used. The block making process consists of
mixing the cement and screened soil (<6mm) by hand and
then mixing with water to get a near optimum moisture
content.

TECHNICAL DETAILS OF MACHINE

Name: Technology and action for rural development TARA –
Balram machine
1. Size of block:9*7.5*4.75inch
2. Weight of machine: 140Kgs
3. Type: Portable
4. Energy source: Power
5. Compaction: Compaction by pressure
6. Stabilization: 5-10% cement
7. Can make 500 to 600 blocks per day and can also
produce block thinner than 10 cms. Fig. 4.1 Grain size distribution curve for Soil

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Special Issue - 2021 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
NCACE - 2020 Conference Proceedings

Table 4.2 Physical properties of cement Table 4.7, 28 Days Compression Strength results on blocks

Sl Test value Sl Cement Compression Strength (N/mm2)

No. No percentag Trail Trail 2 Trail 3 Average
1 Compression strength 33.8.10 e 1
(N/mm2) 1 5 3.63 3.66 3.65 3.65
2 Specific gravity 3.10 2 6 3.79 3.79 3.80 3.79
3 Standard consistency (%) 32 3 7 3.99 4.00 4.02 4.00
4 Initial Setting time (Min.) 55
5 Final Setting time (Min.) 270 Table 4.8 Compression Strength Results at different age

Table 4.2 shows the results of physical properties of cement. Sl Cement Compression Strength (N/mm2)
No percentag 7 days 14 21 28 days
Table 4.3 Physical properties of stone dust e days days
1 5 1.43 2.12 3.28 3.65
Sl Test value 2 6 1.51 2.38 3.36 3.79
No. 3 7 1.65 2.70 3.45 4.00
1 Compression strength (N/mm2) 23.12
2 Specific gravity 2.5 Table 4.8 represents the values of compression strength at
3 Surface texture Rough different age of block with different percentages of cement.
4 Particle shape Fine powder
Figure 4.3 represents the values of compression strength
Table 4.3 shows the results of physical properties of stone at different age of block with different percentages of cement.
dust. It is observed that the values of compression strength of Mud
Table 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, Shows the Compression strength Block increases with the increase in cement content for all the
values of mud blocks at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days respectively. ages.

Table 4.4, 7 Days Compression Strength results on blocks

Sl Cement Compression Strength (N/mm2)

No percentag Trail Trail 2 Trail 3 Average
e 1
1 5 1.40 1.43 1.45 1.43
2 6 1.50 1.50 1.52 1.51
3 7 1.67 1.67 1.62 1.65

Table 4.5, 14 Days Compression Strength results on blocks

Sl Cement Compression Strength (N/mm2)

No percentag Trail Trail 2 Trail 3 Average Fig. 4.3 The Graph of Compression Strength vs Age of Mud
e 1 Block
1 5 2.15 2.10 2.12 2.12
CONCLUSIONS
2 6 2.36 2.40 2.38 2.38
3 7 2.72 2.68 2.70 2.70
1. Stabilization of mud concrete block using Portland
cement fulfils a number of objectives that are
Table 4.6, 21 Days Compression Strength results on blocks
necessary to achieve a lasting structure from locally
available soil.
Sl Cement Compression Strength (N/mm2) 2. The 28days compressive strength of stabilized mud
No percentag Trail Trail 2 Trail 3 Average block with 7% cement is 4.01Mpa.It can be observed
e 1 that the increase in cement percentage, the
1 5 3.28 3.27 3.28 3.28 compressive strength is also increased.
2 6 3.35 3.39 3.36 3.36 3. The investigation of this thesis has revealed that
3 7 3.44 3.49 3.43 3.45 many different factors are responsible for ensuring a
good bond between the cement and the particles
mixed within it. These requirements not only affect
the components of the mixture used, how it is
prepared, delivered into its final state, but also

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Special Issue - 2021 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
NCACE - 2020 Conference Proceedings

subsequent curing times and environmental

conditions of the finished product.
4. The amount of water for soil cement mixture needs to
be carefully controlled. There needs to be sufficient
moisture for the cement to fully hydrate but no
excess of water which would reduce the final
density, increase porosity and reduce final strength.
The moisture absorption capacity of the block could
be significantly correlated to its durability.
5. The cost and technical performance has revealed that
stabilized mud block is interesting by the social and
economic impact it will bring to local people.
Mixing
SCOPE FOR FUTURE WORK
This study may be extended by including following aspects
1. By adding more soil tests ex. Proctor Test , Vane
Shear Test.
2. To take research on utilization of locally available
building materials for low cost housing.
3. Dissemination of technology.

REFERENCES
[1] Dr. S.Vimala1, Dr. K. Kumarasamy2 “ Studies On The Strength
Of Stabilized Mud Block masonry Using Different Mortar
Proportions” International Journal of Emerging Technology and
Advanced Engineering Volume 4, Issue 4, April 2014.
[2] Vinu prakash, Amal raj “Studies on stabilized mud block as a Preparing Mud Block
Construction material” International Journal of Innovative
Research in Advanced Engineering (IJIRAE) Issue 01, Volume 3
(January 2016).
[3] Dr.L. Dinachandra Singh and Sarat Singh “Low cost housing
using stabilized mud blocks” The T T – State S&T Programme
Dept. of Science & Technology, Technology Bhavan, New
Mehrauli Road New Delhi – 110016.
[4] B. V. Venkatarama Reddy “Sustainable building technologies”
Department of Civil Engineering & Centre for Sustainable
Technologies, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012,
India.

PHOTOS OF WORK

Mud Blocks

Sieving

Curing of Mud Blocks

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