Benefits of Cabuya Fiber in the Mechanical Properties of Compacted Adobe

Abstract

Adobe is one of the most widely used materials for housing construction worldwide, because it is low cost and easy to prepare. However, one of its main disadvantages is its low resistance to compression and bending. The addition of natural fibers in the preparation of adobe has been investigated during the last years in order to improve its resistance. Cabuya fiber was added to improve the properties of the adobe units with straw in different percentages. With the fiber addition percentage of 1.75%, the compression resistance improves by 40% and the resistance to bending by 12%.