Research Article Open Access

Use of the Nere Pod (Parkia Biglobosa) for the Improvement of Mechanical Properties of Soils

Sinko Banakinao1, Sonnou Tiem2, Kodjo Attipou2, Kossi Novinyo2, Komlan Lolo2, Yao Koutsawa3 and Koffi-Sa Bedja4
  • 1 Department of Engineering Sciences, Laboratoire Génie-Civil ENSI, Université de Lomé, Togo
  • 2 Laboratoire Génie-Mécanique ENSI, Université de Lomé, Togo
  • 3 Department of Materials Research and Technology, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, 41, Rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Togo
  • 4 Laboratoire Génie-Électrique ENSI, Université de Lomé, Togo

Abstract

Buildings made of unbaked clay have some advantage in terms of production cost. However, they have some inconveniences concerning their mechanical performance, particularly their resistance to weather. The objective of this study is to minimize these disadvantages and to maximize the benefits of such buildings to make them more viable. For this purpose, a method based on a traditional practice where the néré pod is utilized as a color wash, as well as, a binder is used. In the first case (color wash), it is to protect the building against weather damage, in the latter case, it is used to improve the mechanical performance of the coatings on the ground and it is in this way that rural people use to keep more sustainable homes. To achieve this, geotechnical characteristics were studied on seven (07) soil samples collected in seven (07) localities in Togo (Kovié, Aouda Zanguéra, Sarakawa Tagbamba, Goumoukopé and BB Lomé). The same geotechnical characteristics were studied on the same soil samples enhanced by adding the néré pods. Finally, a study was conducted to optimize the performance of this new composite material (soil-néré pod) based on the proportion of néré pod within the material. To manufacture a brick of dimensions of 22×14×9.5 cm, 8.5 kg of the mixture was needed and the amount of dampening water needed was equal to the amount of water to obtain optimum Proctor plus 2%. The results of these tests confirmed that néré pods help to improve the mechanical performance, especially the resistance to compression and puncture of the soils under consideration.

American Journal of Applied Sciences
Volume 14 No. 2, 2017, 302-308

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2017.302.308

Submitted On: 11 December 2015 Published On: 16 February 2017

How to Cite: Banakinao, S., Tiem, S., Attipou, K., Novinyo, K., Lolo, K., Koutsawa, Y. & Bedja, K. (2017). Use of the Nere Pod (Parkia Biglobosa) for the Improvement of Mechanical Properties of Soils. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 14(2), 302-308. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2017.302.308

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Keywords

  • Californian Bearing Ratio (CBR)
  • Civaram
  • Néré
  • Parkia Biglobosa
  • Siliceous