On earth stabilization with natural polymers for earth masonry construction

In this paper we study the problem of preparing adobe bricks for earth construction as little erodable as possible. We have therefore tested earthen specimens stabilised with both vegetal fibres and a compound of natural polymers, and we have compared their behaviour to that one of specimens stabilised only with fibres. We have studied how the stabilization with these natural polymers modifies porosity and bulk density, and how it improves both the behaviour under the water action and the compression strength. This kind of stabilization appears to give the earth a very good behaviour under the water action; moreover we have found out that the compression strength has been significantly increased, too.