Theme of the Peer-to-Peer Webinar: Locally available alternative materials for sustainable construction
Speaker: Dr Manette Njike, Lecturer, University of Buea - Cameroon
Title: Potential of Straw- Gum Blocks as Building Material
The increasing demand of raw material for construction, the environmental burden of construction industry are some of the compelling arguments to embrace new technologies that contribute to carbon footprint reduction, and develop infrastructures that can respond to the climate. In response to this, the development of new building’s materials like straw bale has advanced in the construction industry. Straw bale presents many advantages like low carbon footprint and can significantly reduce building’s energy consumption. However, it has low compressive strength and displays high displacement under compression load. So far, no attempt has been made in order to enhance the strength of straw bales. This study aimed to develop alternative material to straw bale using chopped straw stems mixed with a binder (gum Arabic). Results obtained show that the compressive strength of straw blocks (1.25MPa) is greater than the strength of straw bales (0.02MPa). Also, the average displacement recorded during compression test on straw blocks (29mm) was 2.8 times smaller than the displacement in straw bales (80mm). Furthermore, test results show that plastered straw block assemblies can support at least 286 KN/m2 which is higher than the minimum slab load (18.25KN/m2 ) for residential house. The use of gum arabic helps in holding straw stems together and forms a compact material with improved strength compared to straw bale. Therefore, performance improvement of the characteristics of load-bearing straw bale walls can be addressed by using straw blocks.
ABOUT RILEM:
The mission of RILEM is to advance scientific knowledge related to construction materials, systems and structures and to encourage transfer and application of this knowledge world-wide.
This mission is achieved through collaboration of leading experts in construction practice and science including academics, researchers, testing laboratories and authorities.
