Understanding the anisotropy of Shot-Earth 772: a step toward sustainable construction

This study presents the first experimental investigation into the anisotropic behaviour of Shot-Earth 772, a novel earth-based construction material stabilised with cement. The innovative Shot-Earth technique involves spraying a dry mixture of soil, aggregate, and cement at high velocity, followed by water addition at the nozzle. The research especially examines the physical (water absorption by capillarity, water absorption under low pressure, ultrasonic pulse velocity), mechanical (compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths, and modulus of elasticity), and fracture (fracture toughness) properties of the material. Significant anisotropy is observed in compressive strength and modulus of elasticity, with anisotropy indices of 2.0 and 1.8, respectively. In contrast, tensile and flexural strengths, as well as fracture toughness, do not exhibit significant directional dependence. The study provides valuable data for numerical modelling and practical applications, highlighting the impact of the manufacturing process on mechanical performance.