CSEB and CUSEB in fiber woven earth

Published: 4 February 2026| Version 1 | DOI: 10.17632/kvv4bjwrxr.1
Contributor:
qi mu

Description

This database is a systematic collection of experimental data on fiber-modified Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB) and Compressed Unstabilized Earth Blocks (CUSEB). Comprising 18 structured Excel appendices, it covers the full lifecycle of earth block research—from material formulation and preparation parameters to performance characterization—serving as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and practitioners in sustainable construction, earth materials science, and green building technology. The database is divided into two core material systems: CUSEB (7 appendices) and CSEB (10 appendices), plus one appendix on fiber types. The CUSEB dataset includes basic material properties (20 entries), soil properties and preparation parameters (14 sets), and key performance metrics: water absorption (5 records), bulk density (8 data points), thermal properties (18 entries), compressive strength (72 results), and flexural strength (40 records). This enables detailed analysis of how fiber modification affects the physical, mechanical, and thermal behavior of unstabilized earth blocks. As the larger component, the CSEB dataset offers more extensive data: basic information (38 entries), soil properties and preparation parameters (35 sets), water absorption (17 records), bulk density (15 data points), and thermal properties (115 entries). A key feature is its detailed compressive strength data, split into three categories—cement-stabilized (146 entries), lime-stabilized (60 entries), other stabilizers (29 entries)—plus a general dataset (223 entries). It also includes 87 flexural strength records, providing a complete mechanical profile. Supplementing both systems is an appendix documenting 14 fiber types, providing context on fiber materials and enabling comparative analysis of fiber effectiveness. Across all appendices, the database uses consistent structuring with clearly labeled columns (fiber type, stabilizer dosage, curing conditions, performance results), ensuring easy data retrieval and analysis. This database fills a key gap in existing literature with a centralized, structured collection of fiber-modified earth block data. It supports diverse research applications: developing predictive models, optimizing fiber-stabilizer combinations, comparing CSEB vs. CUSEB performance, and formulating best practices for sustainable earth construction. Its comprehensiveness makes it valuable for academic research, industry product development, and green building policy.

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This study adopts a systematic literature review approach, examining 45 experimental studies of fiber-modified CEB. It examines how fibers influence the performance of both unstable (CUSEB) and chemically stabilized (CSEB) CEB across four dimensions: physical properties, thermal properties, mechanical properties, and durability. This study employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA) framework to guide the literature selection process [16]. Widely adopted in systematic reviews, the PRISMA model comprises four key steps: identification, screening, eligibility assessment, and final inclusion. The detailed procedure is illustrated in Figure 1. This method not only provides a standardized and reproducible pathway for literature screening but also enhances the transparency and verifiability of the review process [17]. Following the PRISMA approach, a comprehensive search was conducted in the Scopus database on January 6, 2025, using the search string (TITLE-ABS-KEY (compressed AND earth AND blocks OR bricks) AND TITLE-ABS-KEY (fiber OR fiber)). A total of 144 articles were initially retrieved. After the exclusion of non-English publications and non-journal sources, 86 articles remained. A further screening based on titles, abstracts, and keywords led to the exclusion of 31 irrelevant studies, leaving 55 candidate articles. Subsequently, the following inclusion criteria were applied: (1) the raw materials used in the study were soil or earth, comprising gravel, sand, silt, and clay; (2) the compaction method for sample preparation was either manual or mechanical; (3) the sample geometry was block- or brick-shaped; (4) the production process was unfired; and (5) the reinforcement material used was a natural or synthetic fiber. To accommodate research heterogeneity, the screening process also considered synonymous terms (e.g., “block” and “brick”), plural forms (e.g., “blocks” and “bricks”), and spelling variations (e.g., “fibre” and “fiber”). Based on these criteria, 45 articles met the eligibility requirements and were subjected to data extraction and synthesis. To ensure the accuracy and consistency of the review, all disputes during the literature screening, data compilation, and table construction stages were resolved through collective discussion within the research team.

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Architecture, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Design for Sustainability

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