Mechanical and thermal properties of lateritic soil mixed with cement and polymers as a non-bearing masonry unit

Masonry units are self-insulation wall blocks that are among the most common construction materials, owing to their fast and straightforward wall construction, high strength, and low cost. However, the high thermal conductivity of masonry units results in increased energy consumption. The current research investigated polymers, namely polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyethylene glycol, as alternative insulation materials in building walls. The effect of variables, including cement (C) content, liquid (L) type, liquid content, and curing time, on the mechanical and thermal properties of lateritic soil (LS) mixed with C and L was investigated via the unconfined compressive strength (UCS), indirect tensile strength (ITS), and thermal conductivity. The results indicated that the UCSs and ITSs of LS-C samples mixed with polymer were higher than those mixed with water. The specimen with the optimal liquid content and 3 wt% C content performed best for all L types. Furthermore, the thermal conductivity of the LS-C with polymers was lower than that of the sample with water for all C contents. The equations for estimating dry unit weight, UCS, ITS, and thermal conductivity of samples were proposed.