ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the strength and durability characteristics of cassava starch stabilized compressed earth bricks at 3 different grain size ranges. Laterite obtained locally from Zaria was sieved into 3 constituent grain sizes ranges of ≤ 2.36mm, ≤ 1.18mm and ≤ 600μm. Earth bricks of size 140mm �“ 140mm �“ 80mm were produced with earth brick production machine through the application of a pressure of 4N/mm2. The bricks were produced at 6 different stabilization levels with cassava starch as stabilizer for all the grain size combinations. The stabilization level are; 0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, 16% and 20%. Result shows that cassava starch stabilized bricks attained a maximum compressive strength of 1.83N/mm2 at 28 days strength gain. This is 10.9% higher than the NBRRI specified minimum strength of 1.65N/mm2 for compressed stabilized earth bricks. The study also reveals grain size ≤ 2.36mm and 20% stabilization as the overall best grain size combination and stabilization level respectively. Maximum water absorption of 13.23% was revealed at 28 days curing period while a good abrasion resistance accounting for 0.15% loss in weight was attained. The study therefore concluded that earth bricks produces with soil grain size ≤ 2.36mm and stabilized at 20% cassava starch content are of satisfactory strength and abrasion resistance and therefore recommended for use as interior walls and in areas of low exposure to moisture.