Influence of lime stabilization and natural fiber reinforcement on the performance of sediment-based blocks for sustainable construction

Abstract This study investigates the influence of plant fibers and hydrated lime on the mechanical performance, drying behavior, and dimensional stability of raw earth blocks intended for sustainable construction. Earth blocks were produced using locally sourced sediments and various formulations incorporating wheat straw fibers and lime, either individually or in combination. The results demonstrate that fiber addition effectively reduces shrinkage and surface cracking by regulating moisture loss, while lime stabilization significantly enhances matrix cohesion and compressive strength through pozzolanic reactions. Among all tested mixtures, the combined formulation containing 1% wheat straw fibers and 5% hydrated lime (M4) exhibited the most balanced performance, achieving a compressive strength of 2.2 MPa after only 7 days of curing. This mixture also showed uniform drying kinetics and excellent dimensional stability, with no visible cracking. The synergistic interaction between fibers and lime allows the drawbacks of each additive used alone to be mitigated, resulting in improved strength, short curing period (7 days), and structural integrity. These results confirm that combining natural fibers with mineral stabilization effectively improves the performance of raw earth materials.