Flexural strength and failure trend of bamboo and coir reinforced cement stabilized rammed earth wallettes

摘要

Present study investigates the flexural strength and failure trend of unstabilized and cement stabilized rammed earth (CSRE) wallette with and without bamboo and coconut fiber reinforcement. Twenty four wallettes were prepared and tested under lateral load applied parallel and perpendicular to the compacted layers. Test results shows that the wallette loaded perpendicular to compacted layers/bed joints possesses higher flexural strength. CSRE wallette reinforced with bamboo and fiber shows 139% to 167% higher flexural strength than that of unstabilized rammed earth and shows improved ductility property. Flexural strength obtained in the current study ranges from 0.54 MPa to 2.11 MPa which is comparable to good quality burnt clay bricks masonry wallette strength. Initial failure cracks was observed at bed joint and mid-span for unreinforced samples and shear cracks was observed for bamboo and fiber reinforced samples. Lastly, the reinforced walls can be used for strengthening single leaf internal and external load bearing walls of single or two storey houses depending upon area seismicity. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.