Thermal isolation and mechanical properties of fibre reinforced mud bricks as wall materials

Fibre reinforced mud bricks, which are studied in this paper, provide the expected technical performance for the thermal isolation and mechanical properties, according to ASTM and Turkish standards. The mechanical properties of waste materials and some stabilisers were investigated thoroughly and some concrete conclusions were drawn. The fibre reinforced mud bricks fulfill the compressive strength and heat conductivity requirements of the ASTM and Turkish standards. Mud bricks with plastic fibers showed a higher compressive strength than those with straw, polystyrene and without any fibers. Basaltic pumice as an ingredient was found to decrease the thermal conductivity coefficient of fibre reinforced mud bricks. The fibre reinforced mud brick house has been found to be superior to the concrete brick house for keeping indoor temperatures stationary during the summer and winter. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.