Mechanical properties of adobe made with sugar cane bagasse and “synthetic termite saliva” incorporation

Abstract

Among non-conventional materials available in Brazil for construction, sugar cane bagasse lignocellulosic particles and “synthetic termite saliva” are included. The utilization of such particles as reinforcement and the “synthetic termite saliva” for soil chemical stabilization in adobe production were not investigated in the literature yet. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the mechanical properties of adobes produced with those materials. The soil used was Red Latosol Cambisol type with clayey texture with kaolinite presence, and particle size correction for 50% sand. Bagasse sliver particles were washed with residual water of the distillation process at 45°C and air dried. Their density and chemical composition were determined. The adobes were produced with 30x15x8cm-size wood molds. The following samples were analyzed: adobes without particles (control); and adobes with bagasse incorporation at 2%, 4% and 6% based on dry mass and “synthetic termite saliva” at 1:1500 and 1:500 proportions. Aluminum sulfate solvent was applied at 1:5,000. The adobes were stored in a covered warehouse until complete drying. Compression and static bending strength were evaluated. The results showed a positive interaction between adobe components and compression strength, which was improved up to 60%. The best composition tested was 6% sugar cane bagasse and “synthetic termite saliva” at 1:500.