Building with Local Materials: Stabilized Soil and Industrial Wastes

Abstract

This paper discusses the chemical stabilization of the soil to produce building units such as bricks, tiles, paving roads and wall plaster. The stabilizers used are Portland cement and industrial wastes with latent hydraulic and pozzolanic properties. Mixes are designed depending on the mineralogical composition of the soil. The durability of the mixes is evaluated through testing the compressive strength of small cubes exposed to different curing conditions. The production line of the bricks may vary from manual to mobile automated systems depending on the productivity of the manufacture process. Industrial wastes with inert properties can be stabilized with the same technique. This procedure offers a contribution to the low-cost housing and to upgrade districts of informal settlings in big cities.