Fabrication and properties of compressed earth brick from local Tunisian raw materials

The housing problem in Tunisia has become more acute due to the high cost of constructionmaterials, thus constituting a source of concern for the population. To resolve the crisis, upgrading abundant local materials has become a necessity. This paper aimed to assessthe potential use of Jebel Menchar's geomaterial to develop compressed earth brick (CEB). Laboratory tests were performed to determine the physical, chemical and mineralogicalproperties. Series of destructive and non-destructive tests were carried out to characterize the properties of bricks based on their composition in terms of compressive strength, flexural strength, water absorption and ultrasonic testing. The results indicated that all ofthe bricks studied exhibited a compressive strength greater than 2.3 Mpa during the 28-dayexperiments, thus suggesting a high potential ability to reduce building material problems, while also providing the brick industry a useful and inexpensive new raw material with lessCO2emissions. (c) 2021