Evaluation of Compressive Strength in Units and Stacks of Adobe Improved with Maguey Fibers and Prickly Pear Gel. (#1510)

Authors

Alvino-Albornoz, Ali A.

Rojas Laurencio, Fray D.

Eyzaguirre-Acosta, Carlos Augusto

Abstract

This paper evaluates the impact of the addition of maguey fibers and prickly pear gel on the compressive strength of adobe, a widely used building material in rural areas of Peru. In the district of Chacabamba, Huánuco, where 87.3% of the houses are made of adobe and face high rainfall conditions, improving the structural strength of this material is essential. Four adobe mixtures were prepared: a standard design without additives and three mixtures with 2.5% maguey fibers together with 5%, 10%, and 15% prickly pear gel, respectively. Compression tests on individual units and piles showed that the design with 2.5% maguey and 15% prickly pear gel achieved an average strength of 15.12 kg/cm² in units and 10.09 kg/cm² in piles, exceeding the standard design by 44.55% and 53.11%, respectively. These results indicate that the proposed mixture not only meets, but exceeds the minimum standards of Norma E-080 for compressive strength in units and piles. This approach with natural additives provides an effective, economical and sustainable alternative to improve the structural stability of adobe in rural communities vulnerable to extreme weather conditions.