The Use of a Bioenzyme and Pineapple Leaf Fibre as a stabilizer for Clay Bricks
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Date
2025-04-24
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Uganda Christian University
Abstract
The growing demand for affordable and sustainable building materials in Uganda, coupled with increasing environmental concerns, has prompted the need to explore alternative methods of clay brick stabilization. Conventional clay bricks are typically fired using firewood, a practice that contributes heavily to deforestation, carbon emissions, and other forms of environmental degradation. This research investigates the feasibility of using a hybrid stabilization method involving a bio-enzyme (Terrazyme) and pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) to improve the engineering properties of clay bricks while minimizing ecological impact. The study was conducted using high plasticity clay obtained from Siron Village, Kirwoko Parish in Kaptanya Subcounty, Kapchorwa District. The clay soil underwent a series of laboratory tests, including particle size distribution, Atterberg limits, compaction, compressive strength, shrinkage, and water absorption tests in accordance with British Standards. PALF was extracted from agricultural waste, characterized through tensile strength analysis, and evaluated for reinforcement suitability. Terrazyme was produced through a controlled fermentation process and tested for pH, viscosity, and concentration. Experimental brick samples were prepared using varying proportions of PALF (2%–6%) and Terrazyme (0%–5%) by weight and volume respectively. Among all the combinations, the optimal mix—2% PALF and 100 ml/m³ of Terrazyme—produced unfired bricks with the best performance. These bricks achieved a compressive strength of 2.7 MPa, which is significantly higher than that of untreated bricks, and showed a 15% reduction in water absorption and 30% reduction in linear shrinkage. The hybrid stabilization not only enhanced strength and dimensional stability but also improved durability by reducing moisture susceptibility and potential for cracking. The results of this research confirm that hybrid stabilization using bio-enzymes and natural fibers can produce structurally sound, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable clay bricks without the need for high-temperature firing. This technique holds great potential for application in rural housing, eco-construction, and lowincome settlements across Uganda. Moreover, the use of locally available materials such as pineapple leaves promotes circular economy practices and reduces agricultural waste. The study concludes by recommending further field trials, scaleup studies, and long-term performance evaluations under various climatic conditions to establish the method as a mainstream construction practice.
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Undergraduate
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Serioni, B. (2025). The use of a bio-enzyme and pineapple leaf fibre in the stabilization of clay bricks: A case study of Siron clay located in Siron Village in Kirwoko Parish of Kaptanya Subcounty, Kapchorwa District, Uganda (Undergraduate dissertation). Uganda Christian University.