Étude de caractérisation de la terre jaune, de formulation de bétons de terre et de caractérisation mécanique des bétons de terre confectionnés

Abstract

Climate change is influenced by polluting gases resulting from human activities, including particularly the construction sector. To cope with this phenomenon, the ancient practice of earthen construction is an alternative. The use of earth as an alternative is also reinforced by the lack of aggregates (sand and stones) in the medium term in some part of the world given their high use. This research project conducted in the Quebec and Canadian context contribute to knowledge on this material and to another extend to the decrease and the fight against global warming. The overall objective of the project is to study the technical feasibility of producing Quebec yellow earth concrete mixes for use in construction in Quebec. The exploratory experimental program consists of three interrelated phases describing the specific objectives of the study. The first phase is focused on soil characterization. The laboratory tests have been performed with the aim to evaluate the properties of the earth. The second phase determines the formulations for making earth concrete cylinders. The parameters determined in the first phase are used for this purpose. The third phase is related to the mechanical characterization of soil concrete specimens. The strength of 15 MPa and 1 MPa are expected for the mixes stabilized with portland cement at 28 days. The main results obtained indicate that the organic matter of the fine part of the material is 10%. The soil gradation contains 4 % of clay and organic matter, 85 % of sand and 3 % of gravel. It is sandy with traces of gravel, silt and clay and its gradation curve is poorly graded with coefficients of uniformity (Cu) and of curvature (Cc) respectively 3.08 and 1.17. Its fineness modulus (FM) is 0.60. The earth concrete does not conform to the principles of standard concretes especially for curing and hydration reaction if necessary. The compressive strength of 0,11 to 0,95 MPa is low in contrast to the assumptions. They increase over time and hold steady after 56 days. The addition of metakaolin improved by about 100 % the compressive strengths. The results of ultrasonic tests confirm the same trend of increasing observed by performing the compression tests over a period of 90 days. Further research is needed to better understand the behavior of soils before they are used in construction in Québec.

Date	15 Nov 2017
Original language	French
Awarding Institution	École de technologie supérieure
Supervisor	Claudiane Ouellet-Plamondon (Supervisor) & Marie-José Nollet (Co-supervisor)