Eshetu Esayas^1,, Elmer C Agon², Sintayehu Assefa³

The need to develop affordable and durable housing is necessary for both urban and rural dwellers. This study was an attempt to alleviate the building material problem faced in rural dwelling units of these countries by developing nonstructural earthen wall construction material stabilized with enset vegetable fibers. Enset fiber is traditionally harvested from leaves of enset plant as end or byproduct of ‘kocho’. To bring this material in to construction industry the researcher studied its properties and strength as reinforcing material. The dry density of FREB decreased for increased fiber content from 0%-5% and minimum dry density of block at fiber 1.5% of the block. For increased fiber content in FREB, water absorption test failed 0%-1% of fiber content and for 1.5%-5% of fiber content, water absorption is high and the standard specification of water absorption found at 1.5% of fiber content block. Compressive strength of FREB in accordance with ASTM C116-90 is difficult and durability of FREB is done using water absorption and other tests; whereas the flexural strength of FREB is increased with increasing amount of fiber in block. That the researcher highly recommend, earthen block reinforced with enset fiber is low cost, simplest, easily shaped during casting, available where enset growing regions, low energy input, durable when casted properly and plastered well and environmental friendly.

enset vegetable fiber, compressive strength, reinforce