Study of the Feasibility of Using Blended Soils to Make Stabilized Pressed Earth Blocks in Sétif

The unlimited rise in building materials cost used in Algeria brought the price of the square meter from 900 A.D. (Algerian Dinar, 1 US dollar = 80 AD) in 1969 to 2500 A.D. in 1977. Now it makes 25000 A.D. and it is expected to be more expensive. Taking for example the southern part of Algeria, builders must add to the previous charges, the price of the transport of building materials from the northern part to the southern part. Stabilized earth blocks are made from earth, associated with binders dosed in small quantities and water. They represent a very inexpensive and ecological material. They have good thermal and acoustic characteristics, a good fire resistance and are biodegradable and reversible. Defects or disadvantages of this material are the low mechanical strength compared to other types of concrete, in addition to susceptibility to water. The traditional societies developed earth as one of the most important construction materials by taking recognizances of the strength requirements, durability of resulting structures and the environmental concern in processing and using the material, over the years, however, modern earth construction has replaced the traditional methods. Unfortunately, these methods are also accompanied by high-energy consumption and environmental degradation. This paper is an attempt to expose some of the ways to improve the mechanical properties of earth blocks by using different stabilizers. The study was carried out both in the university Ferhat Abbas Setif, and the public work laboratory of the local council of Setif, Results founded show that suitably blended soils give acceptable values of Dry/Humid strength. The soil stabilized with the cement is more suitable for hot and dry climate than humid climate, the minimum acceptable concentration for cement concentration is is 6%