Date of Award
2015
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MS)
College, School or Department Name
Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Advisor
Michele H. Miller
Co-Advisor
Ibrahim Miskioglu
Abstract
It has been highlighted in numerous publications that in the field of earth construction there is a strong disconnect between experimental work in the laboratory and its application in the field. The current study attempts to help bridge this gap with a field test conducted in Nampula, Mozambique. Mud bricks were made with a simple hand mold and reinforced with bamboo and straw fibers. Fibers were cut into lengths of 3 cm and 6 cm while being mixed in fractions of 0.125%, 0.25% and 0.50% by weight and compressive strength was measured using an application of the 3-point bending test. It was found that neither straw nor bamboo increased the composite brick’s strength and in fact a decrease of strength was recorded. An increase in brick strain energy density was observed with increasing fiber fraction.
Recommended Citation
Hale, Kevin D., "A FIELD INVESTIGATION OF COMPOSITE MUD BRICK COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH", Master's Thesis, Michigan Technological University, 2015.
Included in
Civil Engineering Commons, Materials Science and Engineering Commons, Mechanical Engineering Commons