Physico-chemical and mineralogical characterization of clay materials suitable for production of stabilized compressed earth blocks

The main objective of this study is to characterize the physico-chemical and mineral properties of clay materials from Burkina Faso to produce stabilized compressed earth blocks (CEBs). The reactivity of the clay materials was tested based on the electrical conductivity of solutions and the compressive strength of CEBs stabilized with 0–20 wt% CCR (calcium carbide residue) and cured for 45 days at 40 ± 2 °C. Pabre and Kossodo respectively contain the highest fractions of clay (20–30%) and gravel (40%). Saaba and Pabre contain the highest content of kaolinite (60–70%) and quartz (45–60%) and recorded the highest and lowest reactivity, respectively. The compressive strength of CEBs stabilized with 20% CCR improved tenfold (0.8–8.3 MPa) for Saaba and only 2.6 (2–7.1 MPa) for Pabre. The clay materials in the present study are suitable to produce CCR-stabilized CEBs for load-bearing construction.