Surface wear resistance of chemically or thermally stabilized earth-based materials

The paper is concerned with the wind erosion resistance of earth-based building materials. With the spatial extent of drylands likely to increase, this aspect will become ever more important for present settlements and the conservation of archaeological site. Experiments were conducted on a soil with high kaolin content, adding sand, hydraulic cements, lime and organic polymers or on the same earth modified by means of low (below ceramization) temperature heat treatment. The stabilization practices currently performed or tested are designed primarily to improve water stability and compressive strength of this class of humble materials. However, very little is known about the effects that these modifications actually produce on surface erosion resistance. An experimental set up designed to simulate the erosive effects of wind-borne particles is described. The experimental data obtained make it possible to clearly discriminate between the different types of material used and indicate that some of the most commonly used earth stabilization products actually have a negative effect on surface durability.