Rheological and mechanical behavior of earth materials / starch mixes

Abstract

This research work highlights a new approach in the sector of building materials based on bio resources. An experimental investigation was conducted in order to study the rheological and mechanical behavior of earth/starch mixes. In this study, two types of earth materials have been studied: quarry fines and a model material which was kaolinite. For starches, two categories have been used: native and derivative. Starch with a chemical modification has also been studied. The earth/starch composite material specimens were manufactured with a constant ratio of 1%. The water content has been fixed by the flow table test. The rheological and mechanical tests have shown a significant effect of starch on the earth material properties. In the rheological part of the study, two starches have shown an increase of the thixotropic index for quarry fines. From a mechanical point of view, all starches increase mechanical strengths.