Author
M. OLIVIER and Z. EL GHARBI ENTPE, France

Abstract
Studies in the Geomaterials Laboratory of ENTPE on “Earth as a building material”, showed that, unlike concrete block masonry, the weak point in earth block and earth mortar masonry, loaded perpendicular to the bed joints, was the interface between block and mortar. The aim of recent studies has been to improve the behaviour of this interface by adding fibres and/or plastics to the earth mortar. The effect of these additions can be seen both in the improvement of the mechanical characteristics of the material and in the increase of adhesion between earth blocks and earth mortar.