Abstract This paper presents the results of an experimental programme designed to assess the characteristic properties of cob blocks. Coconut coir, paddy straw and cement were mixed with soil in varying proportions (0–10% by mass of dry soil) before the addition of water. Test blocks were prepared at a consistent drop height of 0.75 m with 33.7% moulding water content. Properties of blocks were studied in terms of density, strength, failure pattern, shrinkage and durability. The results show that higher compressive strength and density were achieved for cement-stabilized blocks, and higher tensile strength was achieved for blocks reinforced with coconut fibre. An hourglass type of failure pattern was observed under compression. The addition of fibres to the soil matrix reduced the shrinkage cracks. Unstabilized and fibre-reinforced samples failed to attain suitable durability criteria. Cement-stabilized blocks satisfied the suitability criteria recommended by some researchers. Finally, 5% fibre by mass of soil was found to be the optimum content of fibre, and a 0.75 m drop height resulted in higher strength compared to the inconsistent drop heights adopted in the literature.

中文翻译：

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不稳定的、稳定的和纤维增强的玉米芯块的特性

摘要 本文介绍了一个旨在评估玉米芯块特性的实验程序的结果。在加水之前，将椰子椰壳、稻草和水泥以不同比例（干土质量的 0-10%）与土壤混合。在 0.75 m 的一致跌落高度和 33.7% 的成型水含量下制备测试块。从密度、强度、破坏模式、收缩率和耐久性方面研究了砌块的特性。结果表明，水泥稳定砌块获得了更高的抗压强度和密度，椰子纤维增强的砌块获得了更高的拉伸强度。在压缩下观察到沙漏型失效模式。在土壤基质中加入纤维减少了收缩裂缝。不稳定和纤维增强的样品未能达到合适的耐久性标准。水泥稳定块满足一些研究人员推荐的适用性标准。最后，发现按土壤质量计 5% 的纤维是纤维的最佳含量，与文献中采用的不一致的跌落高度相比，0.75 m 的跌落高度导致更高的强度。