Author(s) :

Bienvenu Doudou Ngesevua Lukuama, Gracien Bakambo Ekoko, Blaise Mavinga Mbala, Ruben Kasongo Koy, Anatole Kifuani kia Mayeko, Junior Kanimba Kabongo, Jean-Aimé Lokebo Mbanga, Daniel Nzau Samba, Jean-Godard Mutala Disansukidi, Elie Biayi Mweze, Fiston Muela Kwetukudila, Jean Thomas Vie, Xavier Gallet.

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Abstract :

In the face of the challenges posed by climate change and rapid urbanisation in the DRC, construction on raw soils (unbaked earth) reinforced with plant fibres appears as a sustainable ecological solution, reducing energy consumption, deforestation, and CO₂ emissions. Soils T1, T6, and T7 (with clay and silt content up to 24% and 72%) would ensure plasticity and cohesion conducive to fibre adhesion and crack limitation, while T4, T5, and T8, containing up to 57% medium and coarse sand, would provide better mechanical resistance and dimensional stability. The XRF results identify two axes explaining 69.3% of the variance. The first contrasts the dominant silica (up to 84.6% at T1) with aluminium and iron oxides, and the second distinguishes the variability of potassic minerals (K₂O) and ferric minerals (Fe₂O₃). The XRD results reveal the presence of minerals that directly influence plasticity, elasticity, strength, and durability, such as kaolinite (up to 56.7% at T5), illite (12.97% at T7), quartz (47.9% at T1), feldspars, hematite, and goethite. These findings, combined with the soil classification according to USCS, AASHTO, EN ISO 14688, and WRB standards, show that T3, T4, T5, and T7, classified as CL (clayey silts), rich in kaolinite and illite, can be recommended for cohesion needs and crack limitation, whereas T1, of the ML type (sandy silt or SC, clayey sand), or also quartzitic, requires fibre reinforcement to compensate for its low plasticity. This study, which integrates granulometric, mineralogical, and geochemical approaches with statistical analyses (PCA and Pearson correlations), and whose future perspectives include formulation and experimental mechanical validation, provides a solid scientific basis for the development of local, sustainable, high-performance, and environmentally friendly biosourced eco-materials

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