Format Synopsis

PROJECT REPORT
On
“Improving The Properties of Earthen Plaster”
Submitted as partial fulfilment for the award of
BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
In
Civil Engineering
By
• Aatif Mohammad Dar CE-14-06
• Firdous Ahmad Parray CE-14-29
• Aima Ashraf CE-14-12
• Mohd Rafiq Mir CE-14-54
• Bisma Manzoor Wani CE-15-SL-134
• Ubhat Ali CE-15-SL-132
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Awantipora 192122 (INDIA)
Improving The Properties of Earthen Plaster 2018
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We express our sincere thanks to the Head of Department Er. Misbah Gull, for giving us
the opportunity and permission to work on the project entitled as “Improving The
Properties of Earthen Plaster” and to our project guide Er. Riyaz Ahmad Qasab for his
generous help and contribution towards this project.
We also want to thank our esteemed faculty for their valuable and inspiring support and
want to express our thanks to our friends for always being there and making it possible to
work on the said project.
Department of Civil Engineering, IUST Awantipora, J&K Page 2

CERTIFICATE
It is hereby certified that the following students:
• Aatif Mohammad Dar CE-14-06
• Firdous Ahmad Parray CE-14-29
• Aima Ashraf CE-14-12
• Mohd Rafiq Mir CE-14-54
• Bisma Manzoor Wani CE-15-SL-134
• Ubhat Ali CE-15-SL-132
from the Department of Civil Engineering, Islamic University of Science and Technology,
Awantipora, Kashmir have taken the project entitled as “Improving The Properties Of
Earthen Plaster” under our guidance. The work done and presented by them on the same
is true to our knowledge and is their bonafide work as a group.
Project Guide Head of the Department
Er. Riyaz Qasab Er. Iqbal Mirza
Contents

TOPIC PAGE NO
 Acknowledgment 02
 Certificate 03
 Introduction 06
 Materials Used 10
 Additives 12
 Metakolin 12
 Typha Fibre Wool 14
 Vegetable Ash 17
 Linseed Oil 22

 Soil Analysis 23
 Various Soil Tests 24
 Conclusion 28
INTRODUCTION:
The traditional use of mud plasters and renders to coat and protect walls dates back a very
long time and is found in almost all regions of the world. Finishing a house with mud

plaster when the house itself has been built with earth is a natural, complementary
technique, but mud plasters can also be used for buildings of stone and fired brick
provided they incorporate an earth-based mortar for the joints.
Earth-based plasters often use earth in combination with other natural materials such as
wheat straw or cow dung, or with mineral additives, to improve the basic qualities of the
earth by acting as stabilisers, hardeners, and waterproofing agents. Even without additives,
however, mud plasters and renders can give excellent results provided that they are made
and applied with skill and care, and maintained regularly. Today, with low-cost mass
housing a priority and with the increasing interest in the preservation of architectural
heritage, the need for plastering materials which are efficient and economical has
awakened a new interest in earth. Earth-based plasters are completely compatible with
traditional materials and building techniques, and the almost universal availability of
suitable earth for building gives them a distinct advantage over some modern synthetic
plasters.
It is true that cement based plasters and stuccos are perhaps the most commonly used
material for stucco crews and this means that the cost, therefore, is usually low when
compared to lime or even clay if we hire the plaster out. It is also true that the materials
are readily available in most markets as are skilled crews to apply them. All of that does
not outweigh the negatives of using cement based plasters on bale homes. They do not
breathe well and are likely to trap moisture within the walls. Another down side is the
environmental impact of cement. It is a very impactful ingredient and so that must be
taken into consideration when making a choice. Finally, the material is very hard and as
such, has limited flexibility. As a result, cracks are more common in cement based plasters
and those cracks can allow water to make its way into the walls, again causing serious
damage.
AIM OF THE PROJECT:

 The main aim of this project is to improve the properties of mud plaster such that
its use in the rural household becomes easier and effective and its prevalence in the
modern and urban household increases.
 The project also aims at increasing the strength, flexural as well as tensile of the
earthen plaster.
 Increase in the durability of the plaster along with its resistance to erosion is to be
done.
 Making the plaster impermeable to water vapour to a great extent so as to reduce
damping.
 The impact resistance and bonding with the wall would be aimed at enhancing.
SCOPE OF THE PROJECT:
According to 2011 census Kashmir has a population of 1.25 Crore of which 72.62%
people live in rural areas. The project has been taken up by us because we as a team
foresee the many possibilities of enhancing the properties of mud plaster and also remove
its drawbacks that are faced by people of Kashmir. People in rural areas rely on mud
houses which are insulated by this type of plaster. The problems should also be tackled in
an economical manner. Mud plaster on the whole is a very effective and efficient in
numerous ways.
Advantages of Earthen Plaster over Cement/Gypsum Plaster
 It insulates the building components and protects the structural texture and colour.

 Material can be sourced locally, with lower or no transport costs / emissions unlike
gypsum (and lime, although lime re-absorbs CO2 on setting), no firing required, so
lower energy use / emissions
 Clay doesn’t set chemically like gypsum does – it just dries; so at least for the base
coat, if it dries, you can wet it and knock it back up again, which means less waste
 Breathability: Clay plasters prevent excess moisture in vulnerable buildings. Clays
are hygroscopic – they absorb moisture if humidity is high, hold it without being
damaged, and when humidity falls, release moisture back to the air. So they
maintain a consistent humidity, and minimise damp, and moulds caused by
condensation. Gypsum on the other hand absorbs moisture, but it’s not breathable,
as it doesn’t let moisture out again, and it gets damaged in the process – it moulds,
and / or the plaster can blow, and fall of
 Flexibility: Clay is soft and pliable, and can move, like lime, without cracking; it
can cope with situations where you get minor movements, and so is excellent in
old houses gypsum on the other hand is not flexible, and cracks with any minor
movements
 Protection of timbers: Lime absorbs moisture through capillary action, but with
clay, there is a chemical attraction that draws moisture in – and because clay
absorbs moisture at a faster rate than lime or timber, it takes moisture away from
the timbers of the building, protecting them from damp, mould, rot and insects
 As clay absorbs moisture, it seals and prevents water from passing right through
into the structure of the building. Moisture is held and released when the air around
it dries. This is why clay can be used to line a pond – clay allows so much moisture
in and then provides a barrier
 Earthen plasters are less toxic and energy intensive than many other wall
coverings, which makes them appealing to the environmentally conscious.
 Earthen plasters are also easily repaired and inexpensive.
 Mud plaster reduces the heat inside the building in summer season and also
maintains a cosy atmosphere in the building during winter season due to its
excellent thermal insulating properties.
 clay plasters maintain a consistent relative humidity of around 50-60%, which is
beneficial for people with asthma or other respiratory problems, but detrimental to
dust mites, which reduces problems associated with allergies
 They contain no nasty chemicals, and are able to absorb toxins and thus improve
indoor air quality. Of course, we’ll try not to use toxic cleaners or buy toxic

household products, but in this day and age, it’s difficult to avoid toxins
completely, and so clay plasters can help.
 Cost of construction can be reduced by 22% as compared to cement plaster.
 Mud being an eco-friendly material is much better as compared to cement which is
a heat generating material.
 It is easy to apply without requiring expensive and elaborate tools, and is
affordable.
Thus, we propose the use of few additives to be added so as to make good the drawbacks
of earthen plaster and make it better and outdo the other plasters.
MATERIALS USED
Clay: The Binding Agent
Clay is a soil component consisting of extremely fine particles. Most clays consist of
hydrous aluminum silicates, though there is a considerable amount of chemical variation
among the clays. Clay is cohesive and binds to the sand and the straw, holding the mixture

together, as well as securing the mixture to the wall. Clay is also plastic when wet, which
makes the plaster mixture workable.
The composition of traditional mud plasters varies from place to place and is an important
factor in determining durability. The clay content is particularly significant, because if it is
too low the plaster will lack strength and cohesion, and if it is too high there will be a risk
of cracking due to shrinkage, which will weaken the bond to the wall. A suitable clay
content is usually around 10 to 15 per cent, but values outside this range could also be
suitable depending on the type of clay. Soils with unstable or swelling clays must be used
with great care. The sand-to-silt ratio is also very important in determiningthe quality of a
plaster.Traditionally, clay plasters were often applied in one coat both internally and
externally. If applied in two coats, the first can contain more clay, even if cracks develop,
while the second, containing more sand, is applied in a thinner layer. The second coat will
help toclose the micro-cracks in the first, provided the surface has been lightly dampened
before plastering.
Sand: Structural Strength
Sand provides structure, strength, and bulk to earthen plasters. Sand consists of tiny
mineral granules of rock, its parent material. Predominately composed of silicon dioxide
(quartz), sand is a non-reactive substance. Because sand occurs naturally in many subsoils,
all of the sand necessary may be already found in the soil. Sand minimizes cracking as the
clay plaster dries we recommend use of course sand for base plasters and fine sand for
finish plasters.
Fiber: Tensile Strength and Reinforcement
Dry straw, hemp fiber, cattails, coconut fiber, and animal hair are all suitable fiber choices
for earthen plasters. Fiber forms a reinforcing meshwork in plasters, which helps to hold
the plaster together. Fiber also provides some flexibility to a dried plaster. When clay dries
it shrinks and tends to crack, but this cracking can be countered by the fiber. The fiber
used in plasters must be clean, dry, and mold-free.

ADDITIVES TO BE USED
Metakaolin

Metakaolin is a dehydroxylated form of the clay mineral kaolinite. Stone that are rich in
kaolinite are known as china clay or kaolin, traditionally used in the manufacture of
porcelain. The particle size of metakaolin is smaller than cement particles, but not as fine
as silica fume.
Kaolinite sources
The quality and reactivity of metakaolin is strongly dependent of the characteristics of the
raw material used. Metakaolin can be produced from a variety of primary and secondary
sources containing kaolinite:
 High purity kaolin deposits
 Kaolinite deposits or tropical soils of lower purity
 Paper sludge waste (if containing kaolinite)
 Oil sand tailings (if containing kaolinite)
Metakaolin
Endothermic dehydration of kaolinite begins at 550–600 °C producing disordered

metakaolin, but continuous hydroxyl loss is observed up to 900 °C (1,650 °F).Although
historically there was much disagreement concerning the nature of the metakaolin phase,
extensive research has led to a general consensus that metakaolin is not a simple mixture
of amorphous silica (SiO2) and alumina (Al2O3), but rather a complex amorphous
structure that retains some longer-range order (but not strictly crystalline) due to stacking
of its hexagonal layers.
Al2Si2O5(OH)4 → Al2Si2O7 + 2 H2O.
Advantages When Mixed with Cement
 Increased compressive and flexural strengths
 Reduced permeability (including chloride permeability)

 Reduced potential for efflorescence, which occurs when calcium is transported by

water to the surface where it combines with carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to
make calcium carbonate, which precipitates on the surface as a white residue.
 Increased resistance to chemical attack
 Increased durability
 Reduced effects of alkali-silica reactivity (ASR)
 Enhanced workability and finishing of concrete
 Reduced shrinkage, due to "particle packing" making concrete denser
 Improved color by lightening the color of concrete making it possible to tint lighter
integral color.
Our aim will be to replace some part of clay with the metakaolin keeping in view
the cementitious properties of metakaolin. We will check strength parametres on
natural clay: metakaolin ratios as 60:40 70:30, 80:20 and 90:10 percent by weight
TYPHA FIBRE WOOL

Typha latifolia (Common Cattail, or Broadleaf Cattail) is a common perennial marsh, or

wetland plant in temperate, tropical, and subtropical climates throughout the Northern
Hemisphere. Plants are typically 1.5-3 meters (5 to 10 feet) high, with 2-4 cm (.75-1.25
inch) wide leaves, and stems the height of the plant bearing long flower spikes with an
upper male staminate section and a lower female pistillate section.
Mature flower stalks resemble the tail of a cat. Typha spadixes that provide the typha
fiber-wool are obtained from Typha latifolia is widely present in water stream ecosystems.
PROPERTIES AND USES
Typha has many potential uses and very high potential for the building industry, due to its
physical structure. Because approximately 85 % of the plant mass consists of aerenchyma
tissue, the leaf mass has high porosity (Figure 1D), a (low) density of approximately 30 kg
m-3, and lower thermal conductivity (λ = 0.032 W m-1 K-1) than polystyrene (λ = 0.04 W
m-1 K-1). Highly efficient insulation boards can be produced by combining the leaves
with a simple mineral binder (magnesite). A significant advantage of using cattail biomass
as thermal insulation is the very low production of dust. Cattail leaves can also be used as
reinforcing fibre for various building materials.The seeds account for approximately one-
quarter of the total dry mass. The so-called “seedparachutes” are very light and their

structure is such that they create a strong network when mixed into clay mortar. When
they are added as reinforcing fibres to lean clay plaster (with a low clay fraction), the
strength of the plaster is improved. The high polyphenol content of the Typha plant makes
it not only a durable component of building materials, but also an agricultural crop that is
resistant to adverse weather conditions, moulds and insect infestations.
The natural fibres reinforce the clay and should increase its tensile (bending) strength as
well as its compressive strength. Increasing the mass of natural fibre in the clay plaster
mixture provides further improvements in strength. Both the integration of fibre particles
into the mix and the crack resistance of the plaster are improved by including natural
fibres with a large range of lengths. By interlacing themselves, the cattail seed fibres build
a strong network which remains stable over a long period of time.
Other positive qualities of Typha for this application are its near-invisibility when mixed
into clay mortars, its high content of polyphenols (natural tanning agents in the cattail
plant) which assure long-term natural microbiological protection of the plant and make the
plaster resistant to mildew, and the pleasing interior design effects that can be achieved.
The positive effect of Typha on the whole of the life-cycle energy analysis for the building
material must be emphasized. Typha-reinforced clay mortars improve on common mineral
mortars because they are 100 % recyclable and their production costs (financial and in
terms of energy) are low. Typha reinforced clay mortars and plasters may be classified as
highly sustainable and nature-friendly building materials.
PROCEDURE
After harvesting the typha spadixes were also allowed to dry in open-air, inside plastic
containers protected from the wind with a fine aluminum mesh on top till complete
expansion of seeds. The expansion process of the typha seeds is spontaneous under certain
conditions of warm temperature and dry relative humidity, and provide a ready-made dry
fiber that can be easily added to mortar formulations dry mixture as a reinforcement, in
order to mitigate the chance of occurrence of shrinkage cracking during the drying of the
plaster.
For analysis four mortars are formulated with the same volumetric proportions of clayish
earth and sand, respectively 1:3. One of the mortars, referenced as REF, was formulated
without any fiber addition to be taken as a reference mortar, while the other three mortars
were added with different amounts of typha wool fibre.
Mortars referenced as T20, T40 and T80 were added with volumes of 20%, 40% and
80% of typha fiber-wool respectively. The mortars were prepared with the minimum
amount of water needed in order to achieve a good workability.The optimum clay/sand
ratio was between 0.43 and 0.66 by weight.
Vegetable Ashes as Supplementary Cementitious Materials
Availability

Approximately 140 billion metric tons of biomass are produced every year in the world
from agriculture. The ashes resulting from firing agricultural wastes such as rice husk,
sugar cane and others can be used as Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCM).
They can be mixed with lime alone or in ternary mixtures with Portland cement and
lime. If fired at temperatures around 600– 700 °C the agricultural ashes exhibit good
reactivity. Despite extensive research work carried out on the use of agricultural ashes as
source of SCMs, few success stories are reported on practical applications on an
industrial scale. Details of the firing technology should be re-assessed, with special
emphasis on the scale at which the technology begins to be economically suitable.
Further research is also needed to understand the mechanisms of structural
transformation of amorphous silica during calcination, and the impact of the ashes on
cement hydration in blended systems.
Introduction
Approximately 140 billion metric tons of biomass are produced every year in the world
from agriculture. Widely available, renewable, and virtually free, waste biomass is an
important resource. This volume of biomass can be converted to an enormous amount of
energy and raw materials. Equivalent to approximately 50 billion tons of oil, agricultural
biomass waste converted to energy could substantially offset fossil fuels, reduce
greenhouse gases emissions and provide sources for renewable energy. Residues from
crops take the form of residual stalks,
straw, leaves, roots, husk, nut or seed shells, waste wood and animal husbandry waste.
Annual availability of residue is in the range of 3.7 billion tonnes. The major quantity of
wastes generated from agricultural sources are sugarcane bagasse, paddy and wheat
straw and husk, wastes of vegetables, food products, tea, and oil production. Due to
industrial processing, these bio-wastes are fired and the remaining ashes are generally at
present considered a waste. There are reports of the use of vegetable ashes in
cementitious systems, either mixed with lime alone or in ternary mixtures with Portland
cement and lime. There is, however, a general lack of fundamental understanding of the
mechanisms for hydration of agricultural wastes as pozzolan, despite the extensive
research work carried out. Further, technological and industrial challenges have not been
addressed in a comprehensive way. This paper aims at reviewing the research and
innovation work carried out on the use of a great variety of ashes of vegetable wastes as

cement substitutes in the production of concrete.
Technology presentation
Description
The principle behind the pozzolanic reaction of agricultural wastes is the reaction of
reactive SiO2 present in the ash with calcium hydroxide formed during cement reaction,
as described in Eqs. (1) and (2) to form further hydrates. This enables cement
substitution by the pozzolanic material. Normal substitution rates are up to 30% of
cement (wt.) although this data depends on the type and characteristics of the pozzolan.
2(3CaO·SiO2) + 6H2O →3CaO·2SiO2.3H2O + 3Ca(OH)2 (1)

2(2CaO·SiO2) + 4H2O →3CaO·2SiO2.3H2O +Ca(OH)2 (2)
Another alternative could be to combine pozzolan with slaked lime (Ca(OH)2)
obtained from the hydration of quicklime (CaO). The bio-silica (SiO2) in agricultural
wastes comes from concentrating it through firing. There are plants that are known to
bear amorphous silica in their structure.
Fig shows the ash percentage and the silica content of this for several plants; the best
choice would be to have a high silica content and high ash percentage. The most
commonly used crop wastes are rice husks, sugar cane bagasse or straw (leaves of the
sugar cane which are removed as part of industrial processing), and to a less extent
others such as wheat and bamboo.
The agricultural ashes exhibit good reactivity when the silica occurs in an amorphous
form. This happens if the material is fired at temperatures around 600–700 °C, where silica
remains amorphous. If the temperature goes above 700 °C, silica starts to occur as

crystalline phases whose phase composition depends on the firing temperature and the
cooling regime. Rice husk ash is by far the most studied material. The husks of the rice
plant contain a significant amount of silica. During firing, the silica is concentrated to
levels above 90% wt. in the ash, thus enabling the production of a material with great
potential reactivity. The husks are used as fuel in industrial boilers coupled to power
generation units, but they are also fired under various other conditions, such as
incinerators, or even in open pit fires. The reactivity of the rice husk ash depends on the
amount of amorphous silicon present and its specific surface. Wastes from sugar
production are the second most studied materials.
Depending on the industrial processing of the plant there are two main wastes: bagasse
and waste leaves. Bagasse is produced through squeezing the stalks, while the waste
leaves are collected and processed at pre-processing plants prior to bringing the sugar
cane to the industrial mills. Bagasse is often used as fuel in co- generation processes
associated with the sugar industry. The fuel is fired at the boilers of the sugar refinery, and
ashes are collected as waste. Depending on the efficiency of the system, the ashes can
contain greater or lesser amounts of unburnt material, which compromises reactivity. In
normal boilers, the temperature of the firing chamber is above 1200 °C, thus the resulting
ash is rich in crystalline phases such as quartz and cristobalite, which are less reactive.
However, a study on sugar cane wastes shows that sugar cane bagasse ash can yet yield
good results when fired at temperatures in the range 800–1000 °C, which are closer to the
actual temperatures at boilers, and sugar cane leaves ash did not prove to be sensitive to
temperature. The fall in reactivity in co- generation ashes resulting from sugar cane
wastes could be related to contaminants introduced in the system during harvesting and
handling of the wastes. The presence of coarse quartz particles is reported both in ashes
collected at the boilers and at the cyclones. If these quartz particles could be removed, the
reactivity of the resulting material could be enhanced. If firing takes place at lower
temperature and controlled residence time, the resulting ashes have more amorphous
silica, however lower temperatures compromi. Rice husk ash has been used as cement
substitute in cementitious systems in proportions between 0 and 30% by mass. The high
internal porosity of rice husk ash prompts an increase in water demand in fresh concrete,
thus affecting the rheology. The optimal level for concrete replacement is around 0–20%
by mass. In these proportions, addition of rice husk ash can increase up to 20% of the
strength of concrete and yet provide improved resistance to chloride penetration. Further

substitutions are hindered by the highwater demand of the system. If properly treated and
finely ground, rice husk ash can be used as mineral admixture for the production of high
strength concrete . Bagasse ash has also been used as cement substitute in proportions
between 0 and 20% by mass. The slightly lower reactivity of this material compared with
rice husk ash can be improved by a combination of strict control of calcination
temperature and grinding to values of D80 below 60 μm and Blaine specific surface areas
above 300 m2/kg. This material was able to substitute up to 20% of Portland cement in
high-performance concrete with properties similar to concrete made solely with
Portland cement, and with improved fresh state properties and resistance to
penetration of chloride-ions. Among other vegetable ashes, wheat ash has received some
attention. The main waste of wheat is the straw, which contains high amounts of silica,
especially in the leaves. If fired under controlled conditions, wheat straw shows good
pozzolanic reactivity. Processing technology is crucial in terms of producing a good
product.
Production procedure:
• Open pit firing. This is a very common way of disposing agricultural wastes in
developing countries. The properties of ash are not homogeneous over time, and the
amount of carbon is normally very high, depending on oxidizing conditions. Further,
open pit firing is an important source for black smoke, and thus raises environmental
concerns.
Concluding remarks;
Agriculture wastes are increasingly used as alternative sources of fuel for industrial
processes, mainly in the sugar and rice industry. The availability of these materials is
high, and their use as fuel is attractive to the industry from the economic viewpoint.
Associated with this, large amounts of ashes are produced, which currently have little or
no industrial use. The ashes of some agriculture wastes such as rice husks and sugar cane
bagasse and leaves, if fired under controlled temperature and residence time, have proven
to have pozzolanic properties, which would eventually enable their use as Supplementary
Cementitious Materials.
However, the current understanding of the mechanisms behind the hydration of these
materials and the parameters influencing it are poor and implications such as long-term

durability of concrete products is yet to be proven. Industrial processes in the food and
construction industry have little interconnection; this could eventually discourage
investments in new technology for recuperating the waste ashes.
LINSEED OIL
Linseed oil has been used in paints and can be used in wood ,earth, concrete, plaster.
Linseed oil products are water resistant and have moderate water permeability. Linseed oil
is a drying oil, meaning it can polymerize into a solid form. Due to its polymer-forming
properties, linseed oil can be used on its own or blended with combinations of other oils,
resins or solvents as an impregnator, drying oil finish or varnish in wood finishing, as a
pigment binder in oil paints, as a plasticizer and hardener in putty, and in the manufacture
of linoleum.

When linseed oil has set, it is quite porous to water vapor and allows moisture to
evaporate. When applying linseed oil, first a coat of 100% oil is added. With each
additional application, it is diluted with water or turpentine oil. The second coat can
consist of linseed oil diluted with water or turpentine oil. After three or four coats, the
surface will repel water like linoleum.
Variations in linseed oil include stand oil, boiled linseed oil and raw linseed oil. Boiled
linseed oil has been used previously in mud plasters. Boiled linseed oil is a combination of
stand oil, raw linseed oil and metallic dryers that accelerate the drying process.
SOIL ANALYSIS AND PLASTER COMPOSITION
SOIL ANALYSIS
Intent To analyze and describe the soil used in the earth plaster mixes.Background
information Soils are classified based on their Atterberg Limits (see below) and on particle
size as determined by sieving:

gravel > 4.7mm sand > 0.76mm silt > 0.002mm clay < 0.002mm
Some clay mineral grains are larger than 0.002mm and some soils finer than 0.002mm
have no clay minerals. Atterberg Limits are used to describe the shrinkage limit, plastic
limit, and liquid limit of a soil. As water is added to a dry soil, the soil changes from solid
to semi-solid to plastic to liquid. The moisture content in the soil at the threshold between
semi-solid and plastic is called the plastic limit. The moisture content in the soil at the
threshold between plastic and liquid is called the liquid limit. Subtracting the plastic limit
from the liquid limit yields the plasticity index.
A large Liquid Limit indicates high compressibility and high shrink swell tendencies (clay
rich soils). A large Plasticity Index indicates low shear strength (clay rich soils). Clayey
soils generally have a PL > 20, and a LL > 40. The Plasticity Index can be lowered by
adding sand and raised by adding clay.
The following particle size analysis and Atterberg Limits were performed on the base soil,
before the additions of sand and chopped straw that make it into a viable plaster. Many
different kinds of clayey soils have been used successfully for earth plasters by altering the
additions of sand and clay.
SOIL TESTS
RIBBON TEST—A wet mass of soil is worked in the hand so as to extrude a ribbon of
damp soil about the size of a finger. The ribbon should be able to hang from the hand
without breaking for at least the same length as the hand. This test will establish plasticity

and cohesion of the earth mixture, but not the strength or durability of the cured earthen
material.
BALL TEST--A wet mass of soil is rolled in the hands so as to make a ball of
approximately 2 cm (3⁄4 in.) diameter. Several balls of the same mixture and moisture
level are made and set aside to dry out of direct sun. After complete drying, none of the
balls should be breakable between the thumb and fingers of one hand. The selected soil is
then tested in the lab to determine its liquidity and plasticity index, water content, specific
gravity, particle size distribution, dry density, optimum moisture content.
TESTS ON MUD PLASTER:
WATER EROSION TEST
The Geelong test (water erosion test) is based on the measurement of the samples’ erosion
caused by the repeated impact of a water drop(from an height of 400 mm and for a total of
100 ml) on the tested surface which is placed at an angle of nearly 30° to the horizontal.
The evaluation is done by measuring the cavity depth due to the impact of the water drop
on the surface.
ACCELERATED EROSION SPRAY TEST
The accelerated erosion spray test involves the measurement of the erosion of the sample
caused by exposition to a water jet projected from a distance of 470 mm and with a
pressure of 0.5 bar. The test lasts up to one hour, or until complete erosion of the sample,
and it is interrupted at regular intervals of 15 minutes to evaluate the depth of the erosion
caused by the water jet.The apparatus required for the test includes a stand mounted 50
mm spray, water pump, pipes and valves, pressure gauge, water source, filtration screen to
remove particulate matter, mounting specimen, shield and gasket

WATER ABSORPTION TESTS
The water absorption tests have been carried out using the Karsten pipe (Karsten, 1983)
and measuring, for a maximum of 15 minutes and at regular intervals of one minute, the
rate of water absorbed by the plaster from the graduated pipe. A graduated guage is
attached to the surface using a sealer. A head is created by filling the guage with water
upto the top marking. The stopwatch is started and the level of water after regular intervals
of time is noted.
SHEAR TESTS
In order to evaluate the bond of the plasters to the wall, shear tests will be conducted. The
shear test measures the load necessary to make the specimen fail. Each specimen was
loaded with little lead balls until failure, using a special device. The load at which the
sample fails is recorded. It is possible to evaluate the average shear stress (N/mm2) of
each plaster considering the failure load (mf , Kg) and the surface (S, mm2 ) of the
samples since = mf x g/S, where g = 9.81 m/s2 .
SHRINKAGE BOX TEST
This test requires a timber or metal mould with internal dimensions of 40 mm (wide) x 40
mm (high) x 60 mm (long). First, the soil sample should be sieved with a 5mm sieve. Then
2.0 kg to 2.5 kg sample of the soil is mixed with sufficient water close to its optimum
moisture content. Then, the mould is filled completely with firm wet soil; periodic tapping
of the mould helps to remove trapped air. After levelling off the top total length the sample
in the mould is sun dried for 7 to 14 days, until all shrinkage occurs. The total length of
dried soil is measured to the nearest millimeter and then the percentage linear shrinkage is
calculated.
EROSION
This test was designed to show the relative erosion rates of three types of plaster – one
with high sand content and no straw (sample G), one with a medium sand content and a
medium straw content (sample C), and one with a low sand content and a high straw
content (sample B).
Test Protocol

No comparable test protocol was found in a search, so a test was designed for the stated
purpose, and is not based on any ASTM specification. The test was designed to be carried
out in the field by a layperson with limited specialized equipment (See Building with
Earth, by John Norton, 1997).
Description of Test
A fully dry earth plaster block (12 inches x 12 inches x 2 inches) was placed at a 30°
angle, supported on the high end by a brick . Water was dripped at a rate of 1 gallon per
hour from a height of 4.5 feet onto the center of the block. The block was positioned above
a catchment trough so that the dripped water could be collected and the block was not
sitting in water. The test was conducted outside on a slightly windy day and the water
dripped in an irregular circle, approximately 6 inched in diameter. At regular intervals, the
depth of the eroded indentation in the block was recorded, along with descriptions. The
test ended when the block collapsed or disintegrated. At the end of the test, the total
amount of the dripped water was collected and measured. One block of each sample was
tested.
of the load. In this way, load was applied uniformly to the sample from the bottom flange
of the beam. The bottom of the beam was also nearly level with the hinge, ensuring that
the load was applied vertically to the sample. Before applying load, the samples were
cleaned of loose material so the contact surface was as even as possible.
As described in the overview, loads were applied by adding free-weights to a steel rod
attached to the end of the lever arm beam 50 inches from the hinge. Since the sample was
10 inches from the hinge, the lever advantage was 5, meaning a one pound load at the end
delivered five pounds to the sample. To account for the self-weight of the system, an initial
measured scale reading of 30 pounds at the beam end was considered as equivalent to an
initial applied load of 30 pounds on a weightless beam. It should be noted that since this
was a scale reading, the friction loss in the system (assuming friction was an absolute and
not a proportional value) was already accounted for in the initial 30 pound reading. In
other words, 30 pounds read on a scale 50 inches from the hinge represented 150 pounds
of actual load delivered to the sample 10 inches from the hinge. Further free-weight added
to the beam end added a straight 5:1 mechanical advantage to the sample, with friction
already taken into account in the initial 30 pound reading.

Weight was added in 2.5 pound increments to the lever end with at least 5 seconds
between loads. Load delivered to the sample equaled 5 times the applied load (including
the 30 pound initial load). Compressive stress in the sample equalled the sample load
divided by the loaded surface area (width times length). Failure was defined as a 1/8 inch
height reduction (6.25%). If the sample received load beyond the failure point, the final
load is shown in the results. All the samples were tested after 30 days.
CONCLUSION
Our project is to create a new plaster able to meet real market and end user demands. The
ideology is based on adding some suitable material from a wide range of naturally
occurring materials to the earthen plaster which will enhance its strength and durability.

Our project is to add a material which will enhance the bond between mud plaster and
underlying wall or add a material that will increase the impermeablity of mud plaster. This
will increase the design life of mud plaster which is the major problem with mud plaster.

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PROJECT REPORT

“Improving The Properties of Earthen Plaster”

Submitted as partial fulfilment for the award of

• Aatif Mohammad Dar CE-14-06

• Firdous Ahmad Parray CE-14-29

• Aima Ashraf CE-14-12

• Mohd Rafiq Mir CE-14-54

• Bisma Manzoor Wani CE-15-SL-134

• Ubhat Ali CE-15-SL-132

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Department of Civil Engineering, IUST Awantipora, J&K Page 2

It is hereby certified that the following students:

• Aatif Mohammad Dar CE-14-06

• Firdous Ahmad Parray CE-14-29

• Aima Ashraf CE-14-12

• Mohd Rafiq Mir CE-14-54

• Bisma Manzoor Wani CE-15-SL-134

• Ubhat Ali CE-15-SL-132

Project Guide Head of the Department

Er. Riyaz Qasab Er. Iqbal Mirza

Department of Civil Engineering, IUST Awantipora, J&K Page 3

 Typha Fibre Wool 14

Department of Civil Engineering, IUST Awantipora, J&K Page 4

 Various Soil Tests 24

Department of Civil Engineering, IUST Awantipora, J&K Page 5

AIM OF THE PROJECT:

Department of Civil Engineering, IUST Awantipora, J&K Page 6

SCOPE OF THE PROJECT:

Advantages of Earthen Plaster over Cement/Gypsum Plaster

Department of Civil Engineering, IUST Awantipora, J&K Page 7

Department of Civil Engineering, IUST Awantipora, J&K Page 8

Clay: The Binding Agent

Department of Civil Engineering, IUST Awantipora, J&K Page 9

Sand: Structural Strength

Fiber: Tensile Strength and Reinforcement

Department of Civil Engineering, IUST Awantipora, J&K Page 10

Department of Civil Engineering, IUST Awantipora, J&K Page 11

 High purity kaolin deposits

 Kaolinite deposits or tropical soils of lower purity

 Paper sludge waste (if containing kaolinite)

 Oil sand tailings (if containing kaolinite)

Endothermic dehydration of kaolinite begins at 550–600 °C producing disordered

Al2Si2O5(OH)4 → Al2Si2O7 + 2 H2O.

Advantages When Mixed with Cement

 Increased compressive and flexural strengths

 Reduced permeability (including chloride permeability)

Department of Civil Engineering, IUST Awantipora, J&K Page 12

 Reduced potential for efflorescence, which occurs when calcium is transported by

 Increased resistance to chemical attack

 Reduced effects of alkali-silica reactivity (ASR)

 Enhanced workability and finishing of concrete

 Reduced shrinkage, due to "particle packing" making concrete denser

TYPHA FIBRE WOOL

Department of Civil Engineering, IUST Awantipora, J&K Page 13

Typha latifolia (Common Cattail, or Broadleaf Cattail) is a common perennial marsh, or

PROPERTIES AND USES

Department of Civil Engineering, IUST Awantipora, J&K Page 14

Vegetable Ashes as Supplementary Cementitious Materials

Department of Civil Engineering, IUST Awantipora, J&K Page 16

Department of Civil Engineering, IUST Awantipora, J&K Page 17

cement substitutes in the production of concrete.

2(3CaO·SiO2) + 6H2O →3CaO·2SiO2.3H2O + 3Ca(OH)2 (1)