Effect of sisal fibers on physical characteristics of compacted bentonite/lime/sand mixtures

Nowadays, the expansive and plastic bentonite mineral has significant applications in many domains. The application of an external electric field to such material is the subject of many studies. To understand its behavior under the effect of an electric field, the analysis of its dielectric and electrical properties is essential. Electrical conductivity (σ) and relative permittivity (ε′).are relevant parameters because they indicates how the material is able to conduct electricity. In this work, some physical properties as a function of the contents of lime (L), sand (S), and sisal fibers (SF) were analyzed in the compacted L–S–SF-based bentonite (B) mixtures. It concerns, in addition to the electrical conductivity and permittivity, the maximum compressive strength (R_cmax) and the thermal conductivity (λ). The dynamic thermal characteristics for our mixtures were calculated using the obtained values of the apparent density (ρ), thermal conductivity and thermal heat capacity (C_p). From the phase shift versus wall thickness for the sample that presents a lower damping factor (f), a higher interior surface thermal capacity (C_i), and higher maximum compressive stress (R_cmax), the ideal thickness for thermal comfort and the corresponding average values of f, C_i, thermal resistance (R_T) are estimated.