Mechanical Study of Cement Stabilised Earth Bricks Partially Replaced with Burnt Plantain Peeling Ash

The durability and affordability of buildings could be attained in a more environmentally friendly manner if Compressed Stabilized Earth Bricks (CSEB) are used. These bricks, when appropriately formed with the right amount of stabilizer and pressure, could be more sustainable. The aim of this study was to examine the mechanical property of CSEBs when produced with different percentages of cement, burnt plantain peeling ash (BPP), of the French horn plantain and a mixture of burnt plantain peeling ash and cement. Soil samples were gotten from mile 4 Menteh, Bamenda III in the North West Region of Cameroon and were analysed using standard methods. The bricks were stabilized with Dangote cement CPJ 42.5, ash from burnt plantain peeling ash, partially replacing cement. The bricks of dimensions 30x15x12cm, produced with a machine of 20MPa pressure, were stabilized with varying percentages at 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% of cement. After getting the optimum compressive strength of CSEBs stabilised with 6% of cement we did a partial replacement of cement with burnt plantain peeling ash of 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. Curing was done for 7days and 28days and later air-dried before crushing. The compressive strength showed that bricks of 5% burnt plantain peeling ash in the partial stabilisation of earth bricks gives a compressive strength of 2.21MPa after 28days of curing. Also, as the percentage of ash increased from 5% to 10% the compressive strength of compressed stabilised earth bricks reduced due to the fact that burnt plantain peeling ash is hygroscopic. This study suggested that CSEBs, stabilised with 5% burnt plantain peeling ash could be used for partial replacement for cement in the production of earth bricks.