Physico-Chemical Studies and Improving the Strength of Earth Bricks Stabilized with Crushed Cellulose Paper: The Case of the Urban Communities of Mamou and Kouroussa

Abstract

The aim of this study is to enhance the value of local earth materials used in the construction of certain homes in the Republic of Guinea. Thus, a trial study to improve the quality of mud bricks using paper fibers obtained by grinding and soaking in water and then drying were used as a stabilizer in the manufacture of these mud bricks from the sample of two sites Dounkiwal (DK) (in Mamou and the sample from the urban commune of Kouroussa). To do this, certain methods and means of identification were carried out, namely: geotechnical, mineralogical and chemical analyses. Sample DK from Mamou has a silty-clay geotechnical characteristic with a plasticity index Ip of 12.75%. However, mineralogical and chemical studies showed that sample Dounkiwal (DK) (Mamou) contains a high proportion of silica and iron oxides (79.63%) and Fe 2 O 3 (11.85%), associated with other alkaline earth oxides and ions: CaO; MgO; SO 3 2 − ; Cl − , i.e. 3.96%; 0.96%; 0.28% and 0.039% respectively. Its loss on ignition (LOI) and insoluble residues are 15.40% and 56.36%. The evaluation of the number of huts in Upper and Middle Guinea showed that the populations of these areas have been using mud bricks for several decades in the construction of dwellings. The average value found for the compressive strength of these bricks (from samples I, II and III from Kouroussa) is 0.16 MPa. This value is appreciable in the construction of mud houses.