What does this research mean for the field?

Compressed stabilized earth blocks incorporating 8% cement and 1.0% waste cotton fiber provide optimal mechanical performance, satisfy regional construction standards, and offer significantly lower energy demand and global warming potential compared to conventional fired clay bricks. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

Evaluate the mechanical, durability, and life-cycle performance of compressed stabilized earth blocks incorporating ordinary Portland cement and waste cotton fiber.

August 30, 2026Next MaterialsOpen Access

Compressed stabilized earth blocks incorporating cement and waste cotton fiber: Mechanical, durability and life-cycle performance

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Evaluate the mechanical, durability, and life-cycle performance of compressed stabilized earth blocks incorporating ordinary Portland cement and waste cotton fiber.
Tested 12 mixtures of clayey sand stabilized with varying levels of cement (0%, 6%, 8%) and cotton fiber (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% by dry-soil mass).
Evaluated unconfined compression, split tensile, flexural, wet compressive strength, water absorption, submersion, and efflorescence.
Characterized microstructural and thermal properties using FE-SEM and TGA-DSC, alongside factorial ANOVA and life-cycle assessment.
The 28-day dry compressive strength of cement-stabilized mixtures ranged from 0.70 to 2.28 MPa (up to ~17 times the unstabilized control), with peak split tensile and flexural strengths reaching 0.60 MPa and 3.10 MPa, respectively.
Strength generally peaked at 1.0% fiber content before declining at 1.5%, with the 8% cement and 1.0% cotton mixture (C8Co1) providing the best overall mechanical performance.
Compared to fired clay brick in a single-story dwelling model, the optimal mixture reduced cumulative energy demand by ~90.4%, lowered 100-year global warming potential by 66.6%, and yielded an ~8.9% superstructure cost savings.

Authors

JMJaya MajumderBangladesh University of Engineering and Technology SPShantanu PaulBangladesh University of Engineering and Technology JIJashia IslamBangladesh University of Engineering and Technology

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Implication

Experimental evaluation demonstrates improved mechanical durability and reduced environmental impact in compressed stabilized earth blocks, suggesting a viable green masonry alternative.

Cite This Study

Majumder et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a93f1396c1a8fb52e79df3e https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxmate.2026.103340

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Implication

Experimental evaluation demonstrates improved mechanical durability and reduced environmental impact in compressed stabilized earth blocks, suggesting a viable green masonry alternative.

Compressed stabilized earth blocks incorporating cement and waste cotton fiber: Mechanical, durability and life-cycle performance

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Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Compressed stabilized earth blocks incorporating cement and waste cotton fiber: Mechanical, durability and life-cycle performance

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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