Abstract: In the present work, the physical characteristics of the alterites resulting from the alteration of the granito-gneissic base have been studied. The results obtained showed that the studied materials are clays whose state varies from little plastic to plastic and of consistency varying from semi solid to very soft. The points representing these materials are outside the plasticity spindle of good earth for the manufacture of compressed earth blocks (CEB). The particle size curves of these materials do not fit entirely into the particle size range of good soil for CEB production due to a deficiency of fine clay particles. From these facts, it follows that the use of materials studied in the manufacture of BTC requires a granulometric correction by adding fine clay sand, which would fill the deficit...........
Key words: alterites, granito-gneissic base, Compressed earth blocks, characterization, correction, stabilization
[1]. A. P'kala, «Characterization in simple compression of Compressed Earth Blocks (CEB): Application to masonry (CEB-Earth Mortar)», PhD Thesis. National Institute of Applied Sciences of Lyon, (2000), 213 p.
[2]. Center for the Development of Enterprise (CDE), «Compressed earth blocks: Testing Procedures», Technology Series N° 16. CRC, CRATerre - EAG, ENTPE, (2000), 121 p.
[3]. CRATerre-EAG and ENTPE, «Compressed earth blocks: Test Procedures», Technology N°16. CDI, Belgium, March (2000), 121 p.
[4]. CRATerre. GATE., «Compressed earth blocks. Basic Elements», Eschborn, Germany, (1991), 28p.
[5]. H. Houben and H. Guillaud, «Earth construction treaty», CRATerre, Parenthesis Publishing, Marseille, France, (2006), 355 p.