Sugarcane Bagasse Ash as a Partial Replacement of Cement for Producing Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks

The masonry blocks traditionally used in construction are associated with high energy consumption and significant emissions generation, placing a significant burden on the Earth's resources and alarming global warming and carbon footprint. For this reason, compressed stabilized earth blocks represent a satisfactory, lower-impact alternative to improve the physical and mechanical behavior of the soil mix. To achieve this, compressed stabilized soil blocks were developed using locally available sandy silt-type soil. This soil was stabilized using 12% GU-type cement and 3% sugarcane bagasse ash, a residue of the agroindustry with the highest production by weight in Ecuador, with a generation of 25 to 40 kg for each ton of bagasse incinerated. Blocks with dimensions of 13 cm x 6 cm x 5.5 cm were manufactured, compacted to optimum moisture content, and cured for 14 and 28 days. Finally, they were tested for compressive strength, flexural strength, and water absorption. The results obtained showed compliance with the requirements of various international standards.