Thermal and Mechanical Analysis of Clay Bricks Stabilized with Peanut Shells

Abstract

In Burkina Faso, people used non-ecological matérial such as concrete, cement to build their houses.This type of house increases energy consumption.To resolve this problem, some techniques like earth bricks are used to solve this problem. This study aims to stabilize Kounda clay blocks using peanut shells, with the goal of producing durable and eco-friendly adobe bricks. A preliminary geotechnical characterization of the raw material was carried out to determine its structure and grain size distribution through a series of standardized tests. Adobe bricks were then made by incorporating varying percentages 5%,10%,15% and 20% of peanut shells as a natural stabilizer. The bricks were dried under shelter, away from direct sunlight, to minimize the risk of cracking and ensure controlled moisture evaporation. The thermal performance of the samples was analyzed, revealing a progressive increase in insulating properties with higher stabilizer content. Furthermore, mechanical compression tests showed a maximum strength of 1.38 MPa at 5% peanut shell content, compared to a minimum strength of 0.63 MPa at 20%. The results indicate that incorporating peanut shells into the clay matrix is an effective way to valorize agricultural waste. This approach offers an ecological and economical solution for construction in rural areas, improving both building thermal comfort and organic waste management.