Compressive Strength of Ichu-Reinforced Adobe: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

In the context of sustainable construction, the strength of adobe reinforced with Ichu emerges as a critical issue in improving the mechanical properties of this traditional material. The main objective of this study is to comparatively analyse the compressive strength of adobe reinforced with different proportions of Ichu, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of other natural additives in comparison with Ichu. For this purpose, compression tests were carried out on adobe specimens made with different concentrations of Ichu and other natural fibres, following standard mechanical characterisation techniques. The results obtained support the premise that the addition of organic materials such as Ichu improves the strength of adobe, which is especially relevant for construction in high Andean regions. In particular, it was found that a 5 % addition of Ichu optimises the compressive strength of adobe (42.75 kg/cm²), while higher concentrations, such as 12 %, reduce this property (12.89 kg/cm²). In addition, the effects of other natural fibres, such as banana and pine, were evaluated. It was observed that the use of banana fibres generated a higher strength (67.10 kg/cm²), while pine fibre showed significant variability in the results. These findings highlight the importance of accurate formulation of adobe mixes with natural additives to achieve substantial improvements in strength and durability. On a practical level, the study provides valuable guidelines for mix optimisation, contributing to the design of stronger and more sustainable buildings in traditional and rural contexts.