Thermophysical and Mechanical Characterization of the Earth-Straw Materials Employed in the Building of Shell Houses in the Mourla Region of Cameroon's Far North

Bernard Kola; Colbert Babé; Noël Djongyang

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.11

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| Peer-Reviewed

Thermophysical and Mechanical Characterization of the Earth-Straw Materials Employed in the Building of Shell Houses in the Mourla Region of Cameroon's Far North

Bernard Kola

, Colbert Babé^*

, Noël Djongyang

Published in International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy (Volume 13, Issue 3)

Received: 9 August 2024 Accepted: 5 September 2024 Published: 26 September 2024

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Abstract

Using modern materials such as cement in construction leads to high energy consumption due to increased heat transfer, resulting in warmer indoor environments. In the hot climate of the Sudano-Sahelian zone in northern Cameroon, it is crucial to use materials that provide thermal comfort and reduce the need for air conditioning. Certain locally sourced materials support environmental preservation and facilitate the construction of houses for artisans. This research focuses on developing and characterizing bio-based products using raw earth. The study investigated the mechanical performance in compression, thermal conductivity, and other material properties. Different proportions of plant aggregates, ranging from 0% to 15% of the soil mass, were incorporated for the experimental study. The results indicate that the compressive strength values are 6.3, 8.5, 6.1, and 5.6 MPa for 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% reinforcement, respectively, revealing a 35% increase in compressive strength with the addition of 5%. Furthermore, the study showed a 45% decrease in thermal conductivity compared to samples without reinforcement. These findings demonstrate that this eco-friendly material has the potential to promote the efficient use of local resources in the construction sector. It not only enhances thermal comfort and reduces energy consumption associated with air conditioning but also supports the construction of more sustainable buildings, leading to a cleaner environment.

Published in	International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy (Volume 13, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.11
Page(s)	43-57
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Thermophysical Properties, Thermal Conductivity, Compressive Strength, Earth Material, Traditional Housing

References

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Kola, B., Babé, C., Djongyang, N. (2024). Thermophysical and Mechanical Characterization of the Earth-Straw Materials Employed in the Building of Shell Houses in the Mourla Region of Cameroon's Far North. International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy, 13(3), 43-57. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.11

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ACS Style

Kola, B.; Babé, C.; Djongyang, N. Thermophysical and Mechanical Characterization of the Earth-Straw Materials Employed in the Building of Shell Houses in the Mourla Region of Cameroon's Far North. Int. J. Sustain. Green Energy 2024, 13(3), 43-57. doi: 10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.11

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AMA Style

Kola B, Babé C, Djongyang N. Thermophysical and Mechanical Characterization of the Earth-Straw Materials Employed in the Building of Shell Houses in the Mourla Region of Cameroon's Far North. Int J Sustain Green Energy. 2024;13(3):43-57. doi: 10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.11,
  author = {Bernard Kola and Colbert Babé and Noël Djongyang},
  title = {Thermophysical and Mechanical Characterization of the Earth-Straw Materials Employed in the Building of Shell Houses in the Mourla Region of Cameroon's Far North
},
  journal = {International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy},
  volume = {13},
  number = {3},
  pages = {43-57},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijrse.20241303.11},
  abstract = {Using modern materials such as cement in construction leads to high energy consumption due to increased heat transfer, resulting in warmer indoor environments. In the hot climate of the Sudano-Sahelian zone in northern Cameroon, it is crucial to use materials that provide thermal comfort and reduce the need for air conditioning. Certain locally sourced materials support environmental preservation and facilitate the construction of houses for artisans. This research focuses on developing and characterizing bio-based products using raw earth. The study investigated the mechanical performance in compression, thermal conductivity, and other material properties. Different proportions of plant aggregates, ranging from 0% to 15% of the soil mass, were incorporated for the experimental study. The results indicate that the compressive strength values are 6.3, 8.5, 6.1, and 5.6 MPa for 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% reinforcement, respectively, revealing a 35% increase in compressive strength with the addition of 5%. Furthermore, the study showed a 45% decrease in thermal conductivity compared to samples without reinforcement. These findings demonstrate that this eco-friendly material has the potential to promote the efficient use of local resources in the construction sector. It not only enhances thermal comfort and reduces energy consumption associated with air conditioning but also supports the construction of more sustainable buildings, leading to a cleaner environment.
},
 year = {2024}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Thermophysical and Mechanical Characterization of the Earth-Straw Materials Employed in the Building of Shell Houses in the Mourla Region of Cameroon's Far North

AU  - Bernard Kola
AU  - Colbert Babé
AU  - Noël Djongyang
Y1  - 2024/09/26
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.11
T2  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
JF  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
JO  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
SP  - 43
EP  - 57
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-1549
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.11
AB  - Using modern materials such as cement in construction leads to high energy consumption due to increased heat transfer, resulting in warmer indoor environments. In the hot climate of the Sudano-Sahelian zone in northern Cameroon, it is crucial to use materials that provide thermal comfort and reduce the need for air conditioning. Certain locally sourced materials support environmental preservation and facilitate the construction of houses for artisans. This research focuses on developing and characterizing bio-based products using raw earth. The study investigated the mechanical performance in compression, thermal conductivity, and other material properties. Different proportions of plant aggregates, ranging from 0% to 15% of the soil mass, were incorporated for the experimental study. The results indicate that the compressive strength values are 6.3, 8.5, 6.1, and 5.6 MPa for 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% reinforcement, respectively, revealing a 35% increase in compressive strength with the addition of 5%. Furthermore, the study showed a 45% decrease in thermal conductivity compared to samples without reinforcement. These findings demonstrate that this eco-friendly material has the potential to promote the efficient use of local resources in the construction sector. It not only enhances thermal comfort and reduces energy consumption associated with air conditioning but also supports the construction of more sustainable buildings, leading to a cleaner environment.

VL  - 13
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Bernard Kola

Energy Research Laboratory, Institute for Geological and Mining Research, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Department of Renewable Energy, National Advanced School of Engineering of Maroua, University of Maroua, Maroua, Cameroon

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0003-3223-2543
Colbert Babé

Department of Renewable Energy, National Advanced School of Engineering of Maroua, University of Maroua, Maroua, Cameroon

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0009-7638-901X
Noël Djongyang

Department of Renewable Energy, National Advanced School of Engineering of Maroua, University of Maroua, Maroua, Cameroon

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Kola, B., Babé, C., Djongyang, N. (2024). Thermophysical and Mechanical Characterization of the Earth-Straw Materials Employed in the Building of Shell Houses in the Mourla Region of Cameroon's Far North. International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy, 13(3), 43-57. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.11

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ACS Style

Kola, B.; Babé, C.; Djongyang, N. Thermophysical and Mechanical Characterization of the Earth-Straw Materials Employed in the Building of Shell Houses in the Mourla Region of Cameroon's Far North. Int. J. Sustain. Green Energy 2024, 13(3), 43-57. doi: 10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.11

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AMA Style

Kola B, Babé C, Djongyang N. Thermophysical and Mechanical Characterization of the Earth-Straw Materials Employed in the Building of Shell Houses in the Mourla Region of Cameroon's Far North. Int J Sustain Green Energy. 2024;13(3):43-57. doi: 10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.11,
  author = {Bernard Kola and Colbert Babé and Noël Djongyang},
  title = {Thermophysical and Mechanical Characterization of the Earth-Straw Materials Employed in the Building of Shell Houses in the Mourla Region of Cameroon's Far North
},
  journal = {International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy},
  volume = {13},
  number = {3},
  pages = {43-57},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijrse.20241303.11},
  abstract = {Using modern materials such as cement in construction leads to high energy consumption due to increased heat transfer, resulting in warmer indoor environments. In the hot climate of the Sudano-Sahelian zone in northern Cameroon, it is crucial to use materials that provide thermal comfort and reduce the need for air conditioning. Certain locally sourced materials support environmental preservation and facilitate the construction of houses for artisans. This research focuses on developing and characterizing bio-based products using raw earth. The study investigated the mechanical performance in compression, thermal conductivity, and other material properties. Different proportions of plant aggregates, ranging from 0% to 15% of the soil mass, were incorporated for the experimental study. The results indicate that the compressive strength values are 6.3, 8.5, 6.1, and 5.6 MPa for 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% reinforcement, respectively, revealing a 35% increase in compressive strength with the addition of 5%. Furthermore, the study showed a 45% decrease in thermal conductivity compared to samples without reinforcement. These findings demonstrate that this eco-friendly material has the potential to promote the efficient use of local resources in the construction sector. It not only enhances thermal comfort and reduces energy consumption associated with air conditioning but also supports the construction of more sustainable buildings, leading to a cleaner environment.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Thermophysical and Mechanical Characterization of the Earth-Straw Materials Employed in the Building of Shell Houses in the Mourla Region of Cameroon's Far North

AU  - Bernard Kola
AU  - Colbert Babé
AU  - Noël Djongyang
Y1  - 2024/09/26
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.11
T2  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
JF  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
JO  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
SP  - 43
EP  - 57
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-1549
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.20241303.11
AB  - Using modern materials such as cement in construction leads to high energy consumption due to increased heat transfer, resulting in warmer indoor environments. In the hot climate of the Sudano-Sahelian zone in northern Cameroon, it is crucial to use materials that provide thermal comfort and reduce the need for air conditioning. Certain locally sourced materials support environmental preservation and facilitate the construction of houses for artisans. This research focuses on developing and characterizing bio-based products using raw earth. The study investigated the mechanical performance in compression, thermal conductivity, and other material properties. Different proportions of plant aggregates, ranging from 0% to 15% of the soil mass, were incorporated for the experimental study. The results indicate that the compressive strength values are 6.3, 8.5, 6.1, and 5.6 MPa for 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% reinforcement, respectively, revealing a 35% increase in compressive strength with the addition of 5%. Furthermore, the study showed a 45% decrease in thermal conductivity compared to samples without reinforcement. These findings demonstrate that this eco-friendly material has the potential to promote the efficient use of local resources in the construction sector. It not only enhances thermal comfort and reduces energy consumption associated with air conditioning but also supports the construction of more sustainable buildings, leading to a cleaner environment.

VL  - 13
IS  - 3
ER  -

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