Enhancing Compressed Earth Blocks with Eggshell and Lime: Effects on Mechanical and Physical Properties

Abstract

The use of eggshells in building materials has gained interest due to its prospect of enhancing the mechanical properties of concrete and its role as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional materials. Combining waste crushed eggshells and lime in earth blocks has the potential to inform the development of affordable and eco-friendly housing solutions for low-income communities. This study, therefore, examined the mechanical and physical properties of compressed earth blocks (CEBs) stabilised with eggshells and lime. Experiments were conducted on 140 × 100 x 100 mm earth blocks stabilised with 10% constant lime and 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1% eggshell contents. CEBs were tested for density, water absorption, tensile strength, compressive strength, erosion, chemical composition, and microstructural on 7, 14, 21, and 28 curing days. At 28 days of curing, the 1% eggshell and 10% lime-stabilised compressed earth blocks recorded compressive strength of 1.331 N/mm2 compared with the unstabilised compressed earth blocks’ strength of 1.054 N/mm2, which represents a 21% increase in compressive strength, and the difference was found be statistically significant (p = 0.016).