The International Journal of Engineering and Science (IJES) || Volume || 9 || Issue || 03 || Series I || Pages || PP 07-12| 2020 || ISSN (e): 2319-1813 ISSN (p): 20-24-1805 DOI:10.9790/1813-0903010712 www.theijes.com Page 7 Modeling of the Variation of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Compressed Earth Blocks Stabilized With Treated Bamboo Fibers D. Abessolo 1 *, A. B. Biwolé 2 , D. Fokwa 1 , E. Njeugna 1 , M.B Ganou Koungang 1 1 University of Douala, Doctoral School of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Doctoral Training Unit in Engineering Sciences, Mechanics Laboratory,P.O.box 1872, Douala Cameroon 2 University of Douala, Doctoral School of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Doctoral Training Unit in Engineering Sciences, Laboratory for the Valorization of Forest Resources and Wood,P.O.box, 1872 Douala, Cameroon Corresponding author: D. Abessolo ------------------------------------------------------------- ABSTRACT----------------------------------------------------------- The main objective of this research is to model the variation of the physical and mechanical properties of Compressed Earth Blocks (CEB), stabilized with bamboo fibers treated with sodium hydroxyde (NaOH) according to the cure time. To do this, two types of samples were produced: earth-fibers (A) and earth-cement- fibers (B). The cement and fiber contents in the mixes are respectively 8% and 0.75%, for a compaction stress of 15 MPa. The cure times were 21, 42, 63, and 84 days. The tests focused on the density, porosity, resistance to compression and its Young modulus, resistance to bending and its Young modulus. The results lead to the obtaining, for each property studied, of an equation of the type y = ax 2 + bx + c, where each property (y) varies as a function of the cure time (x); which makes it possible to obtain for a cure period (x), the trend (improvement or not) that the property studied takes; we can thus observe the following with regard to this study: - The densities of CEB of earth-fiber formulation (A) increase, while those of earth-cement-fiber formulation (B) decrease. - The porosities of the two groups decrease with increasing cure time. - The compressive strengths of the two groups increase with the cure time. - The flexural strengths increase with the curing time. - The elasticity modules, both in compression and in flexion, increase with the cure time. These results could make it possible to predict the general behavior of CEB, and even to choose the cure time corresponding to the desired resistance in relation to future use. KEY WORDS: modeling, compressed earth block, bamboo fibers, chemical treatment, physical and mechanical properties. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 25-02-2020 Date of Acceptance: 08-03-2020 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. INTRODUCTION Earthen construction is gaining renewed interest around the world, although neglected for a time in favor of steel and concrete (Rigassi, 1995; Namango, 2006). The difficult economic situation as well as the environmental contingencies, have brought up to date the valorization of local materials, which justifies the multiplication of research on this material. Indeed, several studies have shown that the performances of Compressed Earth Blocks (CEB) can be improved by stabilizers of plant origin (Abdulrahman, 2009; Taallah, Guettala, & Kriker, n.d; Sihem Chaibeddra, 2012; taallah, 2014; jehanne paulus, 2015; yaser khaled abdulrahman al-sakkaf , 2009; fabien betene ebanda, 2012; Drissa Boro, 2017) and would help reduce cracking due to shrinkage and improve the compressive strength and bending ofCEB when dried (Houben, 2006 ; mariette moevus et al, 2014; Namango, 2006). But their hygrophilia exacerbates the problem of water absorption (taallah, 2014), thus their preconised treatment for example with sodium hydroxyde (NaOH)(Randriamalala & Zolimboahangy, n.d.; Nambinina et al, 2015).