The in fluence of palm fibres and lime as natural stabilizer on the mechanical properties of adobe, (in environmental condition contain 35% of humidity)

Abstract Despite that most of structures are made with modern materials and modern methods, adobe structures are used in some rural and civil regions. Official published statistics and number of people died of earthquake (such as Bam earthquake) in the region with adobe structures can prove the claim. Thus behavior and retrofitting of adobe structures is highly essential to be studied. Adobe can be easily and cheaply produced. Immediate failure of the main disadvantages of adobe after compressive and bending forces during an earthquake is an opportunity for residents to save adobe homes can not provide. While using materials such as palm fibers can be taken effective steps in this regard. Lime can also increase the time of softening in water. Lime makes up the drying and shrinkage, also decreases cracks. In this research more than 350 cubic adobe specimens with different percent of lime and palm fibres for reinforcing have been made. These specimens made with Zahedan soil. These adobe specimens were kept in environmental condition contain 35% of humidity. Then they subjected to bending and compressive loading. Water penetration, time of water absorption, optimum percent of humidity and dry volume weight of specimen have been investigated. The result has shown 1 percent palm fibres, 15 percent lime in 35% of humidity provide the best condition for stabilized adobe.