EFFECT OF THE ADDITION OF CACTUS MUCILAGE AND FIBERS TO SAMPLES OF POURED EARTH

Nowadays, poured earth is proposed as a construction alternative in Mexico due to the obtainment of regional materials, additional to being economic to certain geographical areas. There are different types of earthen construction, like adobe, poured earth and rammed earth. At present, the mitigation of emissions due to the production of compounds used in construction is sought, so the use of existing materials around the building could support this. The objective of this research is to present the results of poured earth mixtures with cactus mucilage (in Mexico known as mucilage of nopal) in combination with potassium hydroxide and ixtle fibers in different percentages to obtain their resistance. Cylinders of different mixtures were made and, separately but with a lower water content, tests were carried out with compressed earth block replacing the earth with a mixture of clay soil and other lime. It was found in the different tests carried out that by adding cactus mucilage, the resistance has been increased from 25% to 300%, depending on the quantities used.

Differences of increase in mechanical resistance to compression of 125.46% were found due to the amount of cactus mucilage with dosed organic matter.