Durability Assessment of Stabilized Soil Plaster

Abstract

Water retention is a key property influencing the durability and performance of sustainable construction materials. Factors such as material composition, binder type, and porosity affect moisture retention, impacting workability, curing, and weather resistance. This study explores the role of natural stabilizers and additives in enhancing water retention while maintaining structural integrity. Understanding these properties helps optimize eco-friendly materials for improved performance in varying climates, supporting sustainable and resilient construction practices

Introduction

Water absorption is a key property that determines a material’s ability to absorb and retain water, impacting its durability, stability, and performance, especially in moist environments. Factors like material composition, additives, temperature, and exposure time influence water absorption, which in turn affects mechanical and dimensional properties.

This study evaluates the water absorption of mortar cubes made with sustainable materials—laterite soil, M sand, lime, and organic jaggery extract at varying concentrations (5%, 7%, and 9%). Standard tests measured water retention and absorption after curing.

Key findings:

• Mortar cubes with potable water showed 20.75% absorption (3rd class – low quality).

• Adding 5% and 7% jaggery extract improved water absorption to 19.1% and 17.93% respectively (2nd class – better durability).

• At 9% concentration, absorption rose sharply to 26.67% (3rd class – poor quality).

The optimal jaggery concentration for reduced water absorption and improved mortar durability was 7%. Higher concentrations negatively impacted performance. Minimizing water absorption is critical for mortar durability, and further testing on strength and permeability is suggested.

Conclusion

The study of water absorption in mortar cubes highlights its crucial role in determining durability and strength. The results indicate that as the concentration increases from potable water to 7%, water absorption gradually decreases, improving density and reducing porosity. However, at 9% concentration, absorption unexpectedly rises to 26.67%, suggesting excessive additives or improper mix proportions that negatively impact performance. The 7% concentration mortar cube, with the lowest absorption of 17.93%, proved to be the most durable and suitable for construction, while the 5% concentration cube, with 19.1% absorption, also performed well for moderate applications. In contrast, the potable water cube (20.75%) and the 9% concentration cube (26.67%) were classified as 3rd class, indicating high porosity and poor structural strength. The findings suggest that optimizing mix design is essential, with 7% concentration being the most effective for achieving better durability. Higher concentrations should be used cautiously, as seen in the 9% sample,where excessive additives likely increased porosity. Further testing, including compressive strength and permeability analysis, is recommended to validate these observations. Overall, selecting a mix with lower water absorption ensures better durability, strength, and long-term stability in construction applications.

References

[1] E. R. Camoes, A. Eires, and S. Jalali, \"Enhancing water resistance of earthen buildings with quicklime and oil,\" Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 142. 3281-3292, 2019. [2] I. U. Mohammed, M. Usman, and F. U. Shariff, \"Evaluation of the compressive strength and water resisting capacities of lime stabilized soil blocks for building climate resilient structures,\" Fudma Journal of Sciences, vol. 7, no. 1, 12-18, 2023. [3] BIS 2250 (Part 4): 1981, \"Method of workability test.\" [4] BIS 3495 (Part 2): 1982, \"Method of water absorption test.\" [5] BIS 2720 (Part 4): 1985, \"Method of wet sieve analysis.\" [6] IS 10049:1981, \"Practice for manufacture of lime-based blocks.\"

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Dr. Jeeja Menon, Atheebha , Fathima Rifana, Mohammed Ansif, Mohammed Mohasin. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.