PLANT RESIDUES INCORPORATION EFFECTS ON PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOIL-CEMENT MIXTURES FOR AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS PURPOSES

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of rice and Brachiaria brizantha husks on physical and mechanical properties of soil-cement mixtures and, consequently, to analyse their technical feasibility to manufacture alternative building materials for agricultural purposes. Husks were ground, sieved, and treated in lime solution and soil submitted to characterisation tests according to Brazilian standards. The plant residues were added in substitution to the cement. The cement content and residues ranged from 100% of cement and 0% of waste, to 60% of cement and 40% of waste. Following, cylindrical specimens were molded and submitted to compression test at 7, 28, and 56 days, and water absorption test seven days from molding. The results showed that the mixtures obtained from the partial substitution of cement by 10% waste are technically feasible as raw materials for constructive elements manufacturing without structural function, such as bricks and blocks, for agricultural buildings.

KEY-WORDS: Soil-cement, plant residues, agricultural buildings.